Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Review – Bigger, Bloodier, and More Chaotic

Some games are all about telling an emotional story, while others are simply about giving you a weapon and letting you cause as much destruction as possible. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 knows exactly what it wants to be, and honestly, I love it for that.

After the first Boltgun delivered a fantastic retro-inspired shooter filled with pixelated gore, relentless enemies, and satisfying gunplay, the sequel takes that same formula and builds on it with more weapons, greater enemy variety, new locations, and, most importantly, a second playable character who brings a different experience to the battlefield.

The result is another gloriously chaotic adventure that understands what made the original so much fun while giving you more reasons to jump back into the fight.

Story and Setting

Picking up after the events of the first game, Boltgun 2 once again throws you into the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40,000, where the forces of Chaos are causing trouble and somebody needs to put an end to it.

You know the drill by now: there are heretics to eliminate, daemons to slaughter, and an overwhelming number of enemies standing between you and your objective.

The story serves mainly as a reason to keep moving forward and fighting, rather than something that tries to deliver a deeply emotional or complicated narrative. If you're expecting an elaborate story filled with character development and lengthy conversations, you probably won't find that here. However, I don't think that is necessarily a problem. The focus is on the action, and the game rarely forgets what players came here for.

What makes the sequel more interesting is the ability to choose between Malum Caedo, the returning Ultramarine, and Nyra Veyrath, a Sister of Battle. They each have their own personality, combat style, weapons, and slightly different cutscenes, which adds a little more character to the experience than simply playing through the entire campaign as Malum again.

I also appreciate that the campaign offers branching routes and different missions depending on your choices. This gives you another reason to revisit the game, especially if you want to experience the alternative content with the other character.

Two Playable Characters, Two Ways to Cause Destruction

One of my favourite additions to Boltgun 2 is the ability to choose between Malum and Nyra. This isn't simply a cosmetic choice, either. They have different weapons, abilities, melee attacks, and approaches to combat.

Malum Caedo

If you played the first game, you'll already be familiar with Malum. He's still the walking tank we know and love, charging into battle and turning anything unfortunate enough to stand in his way into a pile of blood and pixels.

His gameplay feels closer to the original Boltgun, making him a great choice if you enjoyed the first game's more aggressive, straightforward approach. His heavier arsenal includes the iconic Boltgun, a devastating Shotgun, and the Plasma Rifle, while his Chainsword remains one of the most satisfying ways to deal with enemies at close range.

His charging ability is particularly fun when you're surrounded by enemies and want to create some breathing room. There is something incredibly satisfying about rushing straight into a group of heretics instead of carefully planning every encounter.

Nyra Veyrath

Nyra, on the other hand, offers a refreshing change of pace. As a Sister of Battle, she brings her own arsenal and a much more agile playstyle, making her feel noticeably different from Malum.

Her movement is faster and more evasive, with her sliding ability allowing her to rush through combat encounters and reposition quickly. Rather than relying on Malum's heavier, more direct approach, Nyra rewards players who enjoy moving around the battlefield and attacking from different angles.

Her Power Sword is also a great alternative to the Chainsword. While Malum's melee attacks feel brutal and heavy, Nyra's sword encourages a quicker, more fluid style of combat. Her arsenal includes the Bolt Pistol, Crossbow, and flame-based weaponry, giving her a different selection of tools to experiment with.

I especially like that choosing Nyra isn't just about seeing the story from another perspective. Her unique weapons and abilities give you a reason to approach encounters differently. The slightly different cutscenes are another nice touch, helping the two characters feel like more than simple character swaps.

Of course, both characters are still here to do the same thing: destroy everything in sight. The difference is how they go about it, and that is what makes the choice enjoyable.

Weapons and Combat

If there is one thing Boltgun 2 absolutely gets right, it's the weapons.

I loved experimenting with the different guns and finding the ones that suited my playstyle. The arsenal feels like a natural extension of the game's chaotic combat, giving you plenty of ways to deal with the endless waves of enemies.

The Boltgun remains a highlight, delivering the kind of satisfying firepower you'd expect from a Warhammer 40K shooter. The Shotgun is excellent when enemies get too close, while the Plasma Rifle gives you another powerful option for dealing with tougher threats.

Then there is the melee combat. The Chainsword is still a joy to use, and I love how the game encourages you to get up close and personal rather than relying exclusively on firearms. Sometimes, shooting everything in sight is fun, but charging into a crowd and cutting your way through it is even better.

Nyra's weapons add even more variety. Her Crossbow offers a different approach to ranged combat, while her flame-based weapons are perfect for creating absolute chaos when enemies start surrounding you. Her Power Sword also makes melee encounters feel different from Malum's, which is important when the game encourages you to experience the campaign with both characters.

The two arsenals aren't identical, and that's a good thing. Malum feels more like the familiar heavy-hitting powerhouse, while Nyra's weapons encourage a different rhythm and approach.

What I appreciate most is that the weapons aren't just there to increase a number on a screen. They make combat feel different depending on what you're using, and switching between them helps keep the action entertaining even when you're fighting large groups of enemies.

Accessibility Options and Customisation

One thing I genuinely appreciate about Boltgun 2 is how much freedom it gives players to customise their experience.

Not everyone wants to struggle through difficult encounters, and sometimes you just want to switch off your brain, grab your favourite weapon, and enjoy the chaos without worrying about dying every five minutes.

The game allows you to customise the experience with options such as Invulnerability and Infinite Ammo, alongside other gameplay modifiers. There are also options that make it easier to enjoy the action without worrying as much about survival.

Personally, I love seeing features like these in games. If you want the full challenge, you can leave them disabled and experience the combat without those advantages. But if you simply want to relax, explore the environments, experiment with different weapons, and absolutely demolish hordes of Chaos enemies without worrying about your health or ammunition, you can do that too.

Imagine having a room full of enemies in front of you, turning on infinite ammo, and firing away without ever worrying about ammo. Or switching on invulnerability and enjoying the ridiculous amount of destruction you can cause without worrying about dying.

Sometimes, that's exactly the kind of experience you want after a long day.

These options also make the game more approachable for players who might find the relentless combat too demanding. Rather than forcing everyone to experience the game in the same way, it gives players more control over how they want to play.

I think more developers should take this approach. Accessibility doesn't have to mean making the experience less enjoyable for everyone else. It means giving players the freedom to enjoy a game in the way that works best for them.

And honestly, sometimes turning on infinite ammo and invulnerability and unleashing absolute carnage is just as much fun as surviving the game on its hardest difficulty. I love that Boltgun 2 gives you that choice.

Enemies and Combat Encounters

The first Boltgun already did a great job of throwing hordes of enemies at you, but the sequel expands on that foundation with greater enemy variety.

Returning Chaos forces are joined by enemies associated with the four Chaos Gods, including Bloodletters, Juggernauts, Plague Marines, Rubric Marines, and Daemonettes. Each brings a different visual identity and helps encounters feel less repetitive than fighting the same handful of enemies throughout the entire campaign.

The increased variety also makes your weapon choices more important. Some encounters encourage you to keep your distance and prioritise dangerous ranged enemies, while others push you into close-quarters combat where your melee weapons and mobility become essential.

The best part is that the game doesn't constantly give you time to catch your breath. Enemies can surround you from different directions, forcing you to keep moving, switch weapons, and react quickly. This is where the game's combat really shines.

That said, the sheer number of enemies can sometimes work against the experience. The action is deliberately chaotic, but there are moments when the battlefield becomes so crowded that it can be difficult to keep track of everything happening around you. Enemy behaviour can also feel a little basic at times, meaning that not every encounter is as challenging or intelligent as it could be.

Still, I would rather have a game that occasionally goes overboard with its action than one that constantly holds back. The chaos is part of the appeal, and Boltgun 2 clearly understands that.

Level Design and Exploration

Another area where the sequel improves on the original is its environments.

The first Boltgun had plenty of memorable combat encounters, but its visual design could become repetitive after spending enough time in similar-looking locations. While the retro aesthetic worked wonderfully, some areas began to blend together.

Boltgun 2 does a better job of keeping things visually interesting. Its environments span different locations and biomes, including jungle areas, industrial settings, and the imposing architecture you'd expect from the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

The increased variety makes a difference because you're not constantly looking at the same scenery while fighting through one enemy-filled corridor after another.

There are also more opportunities for platforming and environmental interaction, adding some variety between combat encounters. You'll occasionally need to navigate the environment, explore alternative routes, and work your way through obstacles before returning to the action.

I also appreciate the branching campaign structure. Choosing between different mission routes gives the game more replay value, especially if you're planning to experience the campaign with both characters. There are locations and missions worth revisiting, and the added exploration gives you a reason to look beyond the most obvious path.

However, exploration isn't always equally rewarding, and the platforming sections aren't necessarily the most memorable part of the experience. The combat remains the main attraction, and that's where the game is at its best.

Graphics and Sound

The retro-inspired visuals remain one of the game's strongest features. The pixelated enemies, exaggerated blood effects, and deliberately old-school presentation give Boltgun 2 a distinct identity in a genre dominated by more realistic-looking shooters.

I love how the visual style complements the gameplay. When you're surrounded by enemies, firing weapons in every direction and watching the screen fill with explosions and pixelated gore, everything comes together to create that classic boomer-shooter feeling.

It doesn't need photorealistic graphics to make its action satisfying. The art style is a major part of its charm, and the sequel builds on what worked in the original while introducing more varied environments.

The sound design is equally satisfying. Every weapon feels powerful, and the combination of gunfire, explosions, melee impacts, and enemy screams makes every encounter feel even more intense.

But the real highlight for me is Mick Gordon's contribution to the soundtrack.

Mick Gordon, known for his phenomenal work on games such as DOOM and DOOM Eternal, contributed a track to Boltgun 2 titled "Ascent of the Arkifane." And honestly, it was phenomenal.

His aggressive, heavy sound fits the brutal atmosphere of Warhammer 40,000 perfectly. The track adds so much intensity to the experience, and it's exactly the kind of music you want accompanying a battle against the forces of Chaos.

As a fan of heavy video game soundtracks, this was a particularly exciting highlight for me. Mick Gordon has a way of making music feel like an extension of the combat itself, and his contribution is a fantastic addition to the game.

I would have loved to hear more from him throughout the soundtrack, but the track we got is an absolute highlight and deserves recognition on its own.

When the music, weapons, and sheer chaos come together like this, it's hard not to get completely immersed in the experience.

How Does It Compare to the First Boltgun?

The biggest strength of Boltgun 2 is that it doesn't abandon the formula that made the original so enjoyable.

The fast-paced combat, satisfying weapons, retro visuals, and relentless enemy encounters are all still here. If you loved the first game, you'll feel right at home, and Malum's return makes the sequel feel like a continuation rather than a complete reinvention.

However, the sequel improves on several aspects of the experience.

Weapons: The expanded arsenal and the different weapons available to Malum and Nyra give players more ways to approach combat. Experimenting with different guns and melee weapons is one of the most enjoyable parts of the game.

Characters: The addition of Nyra is a major improvement in terms of variety. Having two playable characters with different abilities, weapons, and combat styles makes the experience feel fresher than simply returning to Malum for another campaign.

Enemies: The greater enemy variety helps keep combat interesting, particularly when different enemy types force you to change your approach rather than relying on the same weapon throughout every encounter.

Environments: The more varied locations help address one of the issues that could make the original feel repetitive over longer play sessions. The sequel does a better job of changing up the scenery and giving players different environments to explore.

Replayability: The branching missions and character selection give you more reasons to return to the game. You can experiment with a different playstyle and experience content you might have missed during your first run.

Accessibility: The additional gameplay options are another welcome improvement. Being able to customise the difficulty of your experience with features such as invulnerability and infinite ammo means more players can enjoy the game in their preferred way.

Of course, not everything has changed. The story remains relatively simple, some enemies could be more intelligent, and the fundamental gameplay loop is still built around moving through levels and killing practically everything in your path.

But honestly, I don't think the game needed to reinvent itself. The first Boltgun established a formula that worked, and the sequel expands on it in ways that make the experience more varied and replayable.

Final Verdict

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is a fantastic follow-up that takes everything I enjoyed about the first game and gives me more reasons to keep playing.

The combat is as chaotic as ever, the weapons are incredibly satisfying to experiment with, and the expanded enemy variety keeps the action entertaining. I particularly love having the choice between Malum and Nyra, as their different abilities, weapons, playstyles, and slightly different cutscenes make the campaign feel more varied.

Malum is still the familiar powerhouse from the original, while Nyra brings a faster and more agile approach that feels refreshing. Neither character completely changes the fundamental gameplay, but their differences are meaningful enough to make experiencing both worthwhile.

The accessibility options are another highlight for me. Being able to switch on invulnerability or infinite ammo if you simply want to relax and enjoy the carnage is a fantastic addition. I appreciate games that give players the freedom to decide how they want to experience them, whether that's taking on every challenge or turning the battlefield into their own personal playground.

The improved level variety and branching missions are also welcome additions, while Mick Gordon's phenomenal contribution to the soundtrack makes the experience even more memorable.

However, the simple story, occasional enemy AI shortcomings, and sometimes overwhelming combat prevent the game from reaching its full potential. Some sections could also benefit from more variety beyond the core shooting mechanics.

Even so, I had a great time with it. Not every shooter needs a complicated story or a dozen different gameplay systems. Sometimes, I just want to pick up an absurdly powerful weapon, charge into a room full of enemies, and watch everything explode.

And Boltgun 2 delivers exactly that.

If you enjoyed the first game, this is an easy recommendation. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it makes that wheel bigger, bloodier, and considerably more chaotic.

A big thank you to Big Fan Games for sending me a review key and giving me the opportunity to experience Warhammer 40K: Boltgun 2 ahead of release.

Game score: 8/10

Reviewed by: Ruba Jaiousy

Reviewed On: PC