The Metallic Kleptomaniac
The developers made every effort to convey that The Infinite Museion expansion is dedicated to a Necron named Trazyn the Infinite — the very name alludes to him. The character is remembered by fans of the universe for his acquisitiveness, love of conversation, and peculiar humor. During the 13th Black Crusade, Trazyn, like Pokémon, threw Imperial warriors from his collection at the forces of Chaos. He is best revealed in the novella "The Infinite and The Divine," where he competed with a powerful scientist and astromancer named Orikan the Diviner.
Games Workshop is actively reshaping the main races of Warhammer 40,000. In the past, Necrons were a grim faction of magical metallic skeletons who exterminated all life in their path. After the changes, Necron leaders gained unique and memorable personalities. Trazyn stands out among them as a vile, sarcastic, noble, and very charismatic individual. This is why he is loved.
After transforming into a Necron, Trazyn dedicated eternity to collecting historical objects and personalities from across the galaxy. His infinite galleries house planets, Tyranid hive ships, entire armies of developed and less developed races. Trazyn believes that priceless relics will be safer with him than in the hands of barbarians. He considers everyone except himself to be barbarians — including representatives of other Necron dynasties.
By fate, the Rogue Trader will find himself in the Great Museion. The game will allow him to examine and plunder the kleptomaniac's collection. Trazyn's hologram briefly describes the exhibits and related events. Moreover, not all exhibits will remain on their platforms — the Rogue Trader will get to meet a Space Marine from the Deathwatch and Krieg Death Korps soldiers, significant representatives of the universe.
The main event will be a meeting with the Rogue Trader's ancestors. Trazyn managed to save part of the von Valancius dynasty's history from the Inquisition's encroachments, and he did so for revenge. The Rogue Trader will have to delve into centuries-old intrigues and break the trap in which his relatives are languishing.
Subsequently, Trazyn will appear like Johnny Silverhand from Cyberpunk 2077: only the Rogue Trader sees and hears his hologram. The hologram will comment on the events of the main story and even the expansions.
A New Companion for Heretics and Renegades
A Tech-Priest named Pasqal became an important part of the Rogue Trader's team. He is a straightforward dogmatist whose desire to follow rules and exterminate heresy would be envied by many fanatics and zealots. An ideal option for those who like to role-play as a Rogue Trader loyal to the Imperium's dogmas.
In The Infinite Museion, a Tech-Priest named Eoagann joins the Rogue Trader's team after the prologue. Eoagann's character is the opposite of Pasqal's: humane, cheerful, friendly, with heretical inclinations. He is simultaneously the most adequate and insane of the companions: at one moment he engages in philosophical conversations, and at others he dissects himself, those around him, and debates with a servo-skull named Nuncius. Moreover, no one hears Nuncius's answers except Eoagann.
It's worth taking Pasqal and Eoagann into the team. They don't argue as often as the Eldar Yrliet and the Dark Eldar Marazhai, but the Tech-Priests' disputes are still fun to watch.
New Colony and Mechanics
In the expansion, the Rogue Trader will receive a new planet for development — Zarkov. This is essentially the local version of Catachan, where aggressive flora turns people into battle-hardened veterans. In the past, Zarkov's inhabitants served in a penal regiment, but over many generations, they became the most loyal servants of the von Valancius dynasty.
As with Lex Imperialis, unique mechanics are associated with The Infinite Museion expansion. On Zarkov, you need to clear a path from vegetation out of combat. Moreover, area-of-effect plants are easy to miss and take damage from. In combat with time lords, additional turns are time-limited.
Now, with the exception of xenos (aliens) and the Space Marine Ulfar, implants can be placed on team members. Sacred iron provides pleasant bonuses and unpleasant penalties, and also increases damage taken from electrical weapons. For example, I gave Abelard an eye implant so he could shoot enemies like Commissar Sebastian Yarrick. The changes are permanent: if the implant is removed, the flesh will not grow back.
Talents have been added to enhance plasma weapons, arc rifles, grenades, and net launchers. Eoagann has "manipulus" abilities — protecting allies and attacking enemies with motive force. He can be equipped with different types of additional weapons. And upgrading plasma and arc cannons turns Tech-Priests into a real dream team.
The released expansions have added freedom in choosing a worldview. In the past, one had to strictly follow the path of the Dogmatic, Schismatic, or Heretic. Now, colony development and additional content provide enough points for all branches to play as desired.
Alas, many bugs and issues with refinement continue to spoil the enjoyment of the game. When playing with a gamepad, problems with transitioning to other locations and spinning characters persisted. During my playthrough, my characters fell into the void twice. And while exploring The Infinite Museion, I forbade giving implants to commoners, but the game decided otherwise.
Problems with colony development persisted. I gave the Eldar the planet Janus for the fourth time, but this did not affect the projects in the colony. An entire Eldar fleet appeared above Zarkov's orbit, whose existence contradicts the game's lore.
Verdict
The Infinite Museion expansion is the best thing that has happened to Rogue Trader since the DLC called Void Shadows. The new mechanics are interesting, the characters are well-written, and the story is engaging to follow.
It's a shame that the content ends too quickly. I want to spend more time in the Museion and read mountains of text about the exhibits there. I want to spend more time communicating with the Rogue Trader's ancestors and Trazyn the Infinite. I want more squabbles and disputes between Pasqal and Eoagann. One can only hope that all this will appear with subsequent expansions, because now the experience feels incomplete.