Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy Addresses An Overlooked Franchise Problem

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Dark Heresy Gameplay screenshot of an Aeldari appearance

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Following the success of Owlcat Games' previous Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, the next exciting CRPG from the studio, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, has the perfect chance to highlight some underutilized aspects of the grimdark sci-fi franchise. Despite offering a similar presentation as its predecessor, the similarly narrative-driven Dark Heresy focuses on a whole new side of the Warhammer 40,000 universe with more than a few surprises in store.

While Dark Heresy is already well on its way to becoming one of the most exciting CRPGs of 2026 following its alpha tests, the playable gameplay demo already offers a glimmer of hope for long-time fans of the series. Even if it's still too early to say how much of a focus it will have in Dark Heresy's expansive narrative, one easy-to-miss inclusion could hint at a major shift for the series.

Dark Heresy Might Give Slaanesh A Spotlight

Despite playing a significant role in the Horus Heresy and getting plenty of attention in the lore of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, Slaanesh is undoubtedly the most underrepresented of the four major Chaos Gods in the expansive sci-fi franchise in the gaming side of the series.

While it isn't too surprising that the much less palpable lord of excess gets sidelined in favor of the grotesque abominations of Nurgle, the brutality of Khorne, or the intricate aesthetics of Tzeench, it still feels like a massively missed opportunity for the series to simply sideline such an influential Chaos faction.

Thankfully, in addition to Owlcat Games revealing that Dark Heresy would incorporate the Nightlords as an active danger to the Imperium, they're far from the only chaos-inspired threat lurking in the shadows. With the forces of Chaos playing a vital role in your quest to stamp out heresy within the Empire of Man, a brief appearance of some familiar Chaos enemies could hint at even more content to come.

Dark Heresy Already Explores A Unique Side Of The Warhammer 40K World

Dark Heresy investigation picto recording

With the population of the Marisportum Sectoris hab zone included in Dark Heresy's alpha resorting to more fanatical methods of coping with their near-apocalyptic living conditions, a religion of pain has grown to help its citizens survive. Even if the actions border on heresy themselves, it's the perfect setting that could open the door for more influence from the Chaos God of pleasure and pain.

The promotional material for Dark Heresy has already shown off some generic Chaos Mutants, like an Accursed Cultist Torment to face off against. Without giving away too much from the Alpha, the playable early-access chapter even includes an encounter with a brief appearance of a more dedicated enemy of Slaanesh.

Even if it doesn't take a starring role in the encounter and can easily be missed on your own playthrough, it's far from a surprise given the setting that Dark Heresy's alpha chapter takes place in.

While we'll have to wait and see how much the acclaimed Rogue Trader's successor, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, is willing to delve into one of the series' most underrated Chaos Gods, there's still plenty to look forward to when it eventually releases.