Players in Owlcat Games' upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy will assume the role of an acolyte of the Inquisition, tasked with hunting down heresy. A key narrative feature highlighted by the developers is the ability for players to conclude investigations with little to no concrete evidence.
According to senior narrative designer Veronika Larionova in an interview with PC Gamer, the game allows players to make accusations based on even the slightest suspicion. "You are an agent of the Golden Throne, an acolyte of the Inquisition, and your word is undeniable truth," Larionova stated. "You can accuse any suspect in a case the moment you log evidence against them in your inquisitorial journal. Even if all you have is the feeling that they're breathing a little oddly."
While direct evidence may not be mandatory for closing a case, players are still incentivized to investigate further. Continuing the investigation can lead to new evidence that strengthens an accusation, or conversely, exonerates a suspect. The choice of how to use this information rests entirely with the player, emphasizing that while the verdict is treated as truth, uncovering the actual truth remains an option, albeit not a requirement.
This system offers a degree of freedom that may appeal to players concerned about making incorrect choices. Larionova explained that there are no inherently right or wrong decisions, only choices with consequences that the inhabitants of the Scintilla system will experience. Different choices can lead to distinct story paths, offer rewards, influence NPC relationships, and potentially unlock alternate endings.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy does not yet have a release date, but it is available to wishlist on Steam.