If you were to pit Warhammer 40,000 against each other in a discussion to pick some of the best 40k games, after the carnage, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun would be at the top spots, and with good reason. While this universe is rich with some of the best lore in the genre — beloved by servants of the Emperor — not every game manages to embrace it or do something memorable with it. However, Boltgun stands as an exception, as it captures that mayhem, fast-paced action, and brutal fantasy of Space Marines. But now, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 returns with that retro-shooter greatness, a new playable character, and some of the best levels in the series.
A Space Marine and a Sister of Battle Enter the Fray
I had the opportunity to try Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 before its release, and this playable demo included two levels with various difficulty options, secrets, seals, and several weapons capable of delivering the Emperor’s good word to heretics.
This sequel features good ol’ Malum Caedo, and while he’s one of my favorites, I took the newly added Sister of Battle Nyra out for a spin. Both characters feature specific skills, and Nyra has one that allows her to dash while damaging enemies or leap above them, the iconic Melta Bomb, and some powerful sword attacks on top of a passive that regenerates her faith.
Right off the bat, I fell in love with just how smooth combat feels again. You start with your trusty Bolt Pistol and sword, but quickly start unlocking some devastating armaments, such as the Stakethrower, Flamer, and Heavy Bolter.
In terms of shooting, and this might be hard to believe, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 feels even smoother than its predecessor. Gunplay is superb and rivals that of many more modern-looking FPS games on the market. And while I love the fast-paced shooting and carnage of obliterating a row of heretics with the Stakethrower, what really caught my attention was the superb level design.
Despite being a short demo, it offers strong replayability, and I was pleasantly surprised to find well-hidden secrets within its beautifully crafted maps. One thing that I’ve always loved about Boltgun is how it delivers every stage as an intricate maze with a seemingly set path, but with hidden areas behind it that often reward you with collectibles, ammo, or more. On top of that, there are also challenging platforming sections where you must navigate tight spaces while dodging incoming bullets from all directions.
These two levels also featured some Purge areas and a moment where a horde attacked me and my friendly NPCs, where I sadly stopped recognizing the latter and ended up torching a few of them in the crossfire. Then again, the Emperor allows it as long as the mission is completed. In all seriousness, however, this short time with Boltgun 2 showed me again that Auroch Digital is cooking up a timeless classic, and one that is ready to be at the top spot of the best 40k games hands down. The only downside is that this demo was too short because I eventually had to stop blasting the same heretics, but it got me extremely hyped up for what the final product will be.
For the Emperor
Even through this brief hands-on time, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 showed me that it isn’t just a normal sequel with added levels and a visual upgrade. It feels like an overhaul in terms of what weapons you can use and what enemies you can face, and it also raises the bar with superb level design that encourages you to explore every corner of these gorgeous retro stages. In truth, and out of all the games I’ve been eager to try this year, Boltgun 2 just made its way to the top of my wishlist because I really can’t wait to continue firing my Stakethrower at the enemies of the Emperor.
