Auroch Digital wastes little time before throwing players into the blood-soaked chaos of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2. In this Boltgun 2 review, we explore how the sequel builds on the original's frantic run-and-gun formula with larger enemy counts and demanding objectives. After just a few minutes of exposition, you dive straight into a battered spaceship to blast and slice rogue enemies apart.
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The story begins when the Great Daemon Vashtorr destroys your ship, sparking a brutal campaign of revenge. Guided by a witty Servo-skull companion, you battle across bile-filled swamps, demonic dwellings, and frozen facilities. Although the plot occasionally feels like dense Warhammer jargon, the breakneck pace and old-school ammo scavenging quickly pull you into an addictive flow state.
Dual Protagonists and Branching Campaigns
One of the biggest additions in this sequel is the choice between two distinct playable warriors. Returning Space Marine Malum Caedo plays like a heavy tank, wielding a Chainsword, frag grenades, and a controlled Chainsword Lunge. Meanwhile, newcomer Sister of Battle Nyra Veyrath offers a nimbler style, using a Powersword, Melta Bombs, and a sweeping Fervent Slide attack.
Furthermore, Auroch Digital boosts replayability through cartographical choices that let you shape your route to the finale. Alongside optional side missions, you must pick between different battlegrounds, such as a blighted rainforest or a fortified beachhead with sandy trenches. Completing the campaign on Medium difficulty takes roughly eight hours per character, and four difficulty tiers, ranging from Low to Exterminatus, plus toggles for invulnerability, screen shake, and head bobbing accommodate all playstyles.
Dynamic Objectives and Retro Miniature Visuals
Rather than relying solely on standard arena fights, the sequel mixes up its mission goals to prevent shooter fatigue. One level tasks you with destroying blood tanks to weaken a Daemonic construct, while another sends you down a vertical chamber to drop enemies into a whirring fan through ice panes. Periodic Purges also lock you into rooms until every heretic falls, sometimes alongside friendly soldiers, flaming pools, and vision-obscuring fog that hide combat-buffing Secrets and collectible Seals.
Visually, the game's retro aesthetic brilliantly captures the look of digitized tabletop miniatures in motion. Standout foes like Daemonettes and beast-riding Bloodcrushers pop with vivid colors and violent animations, while smaller details, such as a Tormentor flicking a knife or a Nurgling mooning you, pack personality into every encounter. Voice performances from Rahul Kohli as Caedo, Alanah Pearce as Veyrath, and the irreverent Servo-skull add genuine humor to the carnage.
Technical Hiccups in This Boltgun 2 Review
Despite its strong action and presentation, the experience suffers from several noticeable technical rough edges. Enemies occasionally lose their aggression and wander around idly, and Purge arenas sometimes fail to unlock even after you eliminate every target. Additionally, while movement feels great during fast arena firefights, it can turn slippery during demanding late-game platforming sections.
Ultimately, these frustrations rarely overshadow the slick gunplay and unmistakable Warhammer spectacle on display. Auroch Digital successfully expands the retro shooter formula with meaningful character variety, clever level quirks, and relentless energy. Fans of classic boomer shooters and the grimdark universe alike will find plenty of reasons to shout for the Emperor.
