The original Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun was an absolute revelation upon its 2023 debut. It turns out that the intense, visceral nature of the “boomer shooter” genre is a perfect match for the Warhammer universe. The game perfectly captured that retro feel, with Malum’s heavy, deliberate movement and devastating chainsword making me feel like an unstoppable juggernaut clearing out hordes of foes. After playing through two levels of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 and chatting with the team at a recent demo, I can confirm that Auroch Digital has wisely chosen to refine, rather than reinvent, a proven masterpiece.
Boltgun 2 takes the foundation that fans adored and expands upon it, pushing the boundaries of level design while introducing a new roster of playable characters. When you have a retro-inspired formula this satisfying, a sequel that simply doubles down on quality is exactly what the community wants.
From the opening moments of my demo, the developer’s commitment to environmental storytelling was clear. The new swamp biome felt entirely distinct from the original game’s aesthetic, complete with hazards like acidic pools and carnivorous flora that actively snatched up unsuspecting enemies. Navigating these traps while maintaining a relentless offensive was a thrilling challenge.
I stepped into the boots of Nyra Veyrath, a Sister of Battle Celestian, whose playstyle is drastically different from Malum. Drawing subtle inspiration from the agility of characters like Catwoman, Veyrath relies on speed and momentum. She can slide across the battlefield and lunge at targets with her power sword, creating a flow that feels distinct. “She’s a lot faster than Malum is. She’s a bit shorter as well—you can see the difference when you select the characters,” animator Georgina Minns noted.
Despite her agility, Veyrath is just as lethal as her predecessor, maintaining the core loop of aggressive, weapon-focused combat. For those who loved the original, fear not—Malum remains a playable option, as the team recognized that his tank-like presence became an iconic part of the franchise’s identity.
Image: Devolver DigitalLead producer Zachary Cundall emphasized that the primary goal was to inject variety into the experience rather than overhauling the successful mechanics.
“A lot of the feedback from the base game that we agreed with is that many levels felt too similar. Once you’d experienced one, the pacing became predictable,” Cundall explained. “With Boltgun 2, we wanted to ensure constant surprises. Each new biome brings unique enemies, environmental hazards, and weapons that interact with the world in fresh, creative ways.”
This commitment to diversity was evident in the second level, which swapped the swamp for a frigid, derelict Imperial facility. The standout moment involved a bridge skirmish where I could shatter ice patches to send enemies plummeting—a level of interactivity that feels far more dynamic than traditional 90s-era shooters.
Cundall credits this to the team’s approach: using high-fidelity 3D meshes for all assets and then layering a nostalgic, retro aesthetic on top. Minns believes this blend of modern performance and classic design is the key to the game’s charm.
“There’s a deep-seated nostalgia for Warhammer 40,000,” Minns said. “It mirrors the feeling of playing those old-school shooters as a kid. It brings back that feeling of simplicity and pure, unadulterated fun.”
Image: Devolver DigitalThis stylistic choice also allows Auroch Digital to feature elements of the Warhammer lore that are notoriously difficult to depict in “realistic” graphical engines. Take the Lord of Skulls—a massive, intricate Daemon Engine that is a centerpiece of Chaos lore. “Trying to render that for a super-realistic game is a massive undertaking, but in the stylized, retro aesthetic of Boltgun, it fits perfectly,” Cundall noted.
Whether you were a fan of the first title or are just looking for a shooter that bridges the gap between modern design and nostalgic charm, Boltgun 2 is shaping up to be an essential play. It looks incredible, feels even better, and treats its source material with the reverence it deserves.
“We’ve had a strong partnership with Games Workshop for over a decade. They trust our process, and we have access to an expansive library of lore,” Cundall added. “There are countless elements from the stories that have never been seen in a digital medium before. Bringing those to life is a responsibility we take very seriously.”
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is set to launch later this year on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. A demo showcasing the levels I experienced is available now.
Source: Polygon
