The first Boltgun arrived just as we’d finished reading a bunch of Warhammer 40,000 books, and we were desperately craving more time in that universe. As huge fans of boomer shooters, picking it up was a no-brainer, and we instantly fell in love with almost everything about it: the movement, the way the guns felt, the level design, and how the campaign was put together. The developers could easily have taken plenty of shortcuts, but they clearly put a lot of effort into creating one of our favourite FPS games of 2023, followed by an even better expansion the following year. Boltgun 2 returns with another campaign full of bloody, fast-paced shooting, this time adding a second playable character and branching routes through its levels. If you, like us, have a weakness for old-school shooters and oversized weapons, make sure you watch the trailer below and join us as we explain why we think this sequel is a must-play!
Bolters, Blades and Bad Company
Developed by Auroch Digital, Boltgun 2 continues directly after the original. Our fearless dude, Malum Caedo, returns, joined on the character selection screen by Sister of Battle Nyra Veyrath. Both have their own weapons and abilities, although this remains a single-player game. Choosing another character changes how we approach the campaign, but it certainly doesn’t mean we can bring a friend into the fight, which is absolutely fine by us. Not every great game has to have a co-op mode. We prefer it this way, taking things at our own pace without having to worry about another buddy on the battlefield.
With either Malum or Nyra, our mission is to fight through levels and clear out enemies, all while looking for weapons, supplies, and secrets. Combat feels even more dynamic this time around, constantly demanding our attention as we shift our focus between the enemies in front of us, the space available to move around, and the weapons best suited to each situation. The levels are much more varied now, and there’s a broader range of enemies to deal with. At first, we would clear a room or an area and immediately move on, only to realise what a mistake that was. Boltgun 2 is considerably larger than the first game, with collectibles and power-ups hidden in some rather unexpected places. It made us want to explore every nook and cranny between battles.
Caedo is our brother with the big guns and a heavy-handed approach. Bolters, shotguns, and heavier weapons are his bread and butter, allowing us to deal with enemies from a distance. That doesn’t mean we should keep our distance, though. Far from it! We also have his shoulder charge to rely on, along with lunging chainsword attacks that let us close in faster than we can shout, “For the Emperor!” All this makes us feel like we’re controlling a heavily armoured Space Marine with enough firepower to make a terrible situation even worse for the enemy. We feel like a one-man army, an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. No matter how many times we’ve seen it, we still grin from ear to ear when we pull the trigger, hear the weapon roar, and watch our target come apart. Need something faster than a walking tank? Sure thing! Sister, you’re up!
Nyra’s Fervent Slide carries us through cultists and into a leap, with the option to slow down time while airborne. Read that again. Go ahead, we’ll wait. This Sister is not to be taken lightly! Her Power Sword allows for quick combinations and a charged forward thrust, while her arsenal also includes flame and melta weapons. Playing as her feels insanely different, but it’s equally satisfying, if not more so. Movement becomes an important part of every attack. We can thunder through enemies to close the distance, cut through the opposition, or reach a better position when things get a little too crowded. Her Melta Bomb can also be detonated early or shot in mid-air, which is a great way to catch several enemies in a well-placed explosion.
We feel that most of these mechanics are designed around the satisfaction of controlling a crowded battlefield, and oh, Lord, what satisfaction they bring to our Warhammer 40K-starved hearts! An opening appears, we rush through it, and a group of enemies that initially looked troublesome becomes an opportunity to unleash several attacks together. Nyra’s mobility adds plenty to the familiar business of aiming and firing, and we had an absolute blast experimenting with her abilities. Whether she becomes your preferred character will depend on how much time you spend with both fighters, but her addition is a substantial change from the original game’s exclusive focus on Caedo. We certainly embraced the Sister of Battle and were grateful to have her along for the ride.
More Places to Get into Trouble
Boltgun 2 considerably expands its campaign with branching routes containing different levels. Its locations include a hive city, jungle swamps, and an Ark of Omen, while enemies represent all four Chaos gods. For Warhammer fans like us, it’s quite the treat to see all those Bloodletters, Juggernauts, Daemonettes, and Noise Marines among the opposition and, of course, deal with them accordingly. We were also grateful for the optional navigation guide and automap, although we rarely lost our way. We enjoyed having the opportunity to learn the maps and explore them thoroughly because, you know, all those collectibles and power-ups aren’t going to find themselves…
Boltgun 2 takes around six to ten hours to complete on Normal difficulty, depending on how thoroughly we explore. The branching campaign also means we won’t see every level in a single playthrough, so there’s plenty of incentive to return and discover the routes we missed. From what we’ve seen, another playthrough is well worth it if you want to experience everything the devs cooked.
Children of the Emperor, Death to His Foes!
Back in 2023, the original Boltgun was exactly what we needed after spending so much time drowning ourselves in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Three years have passed, we’ve read even more books, and that eagerness is still there, stronger than ever. Boltgun 2 has done a wonderful job of reminding us why we fell in love with the first game. The shooting is as satisfying as ever, the levels are bigger and more varied, and having Nyra alongside Caedo is such a welcome addition. We’re already looking forward to another playthrough, and knowing us, a few more Warhammer books will probably follow!
Our score: 10/10
- Developer: Auroch Digital
- Publisher: Big Fan Games / Devolver Digital
- Release Date: October 14, 2026
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Genre: First-Person Shooter, Boomer Shooter, Action
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Playtime: Approximately 6–10 hours
- Version Reviewed: PC
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