Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun review

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, developed by Auroch Digital and published by Focus Entertainment, brings the unmistakable Warhammer 40k aesthetic to the world of classic, frenetic FPS gameplay. In this homage to retro shooters, players take on the role of a battle-hardened Space Marine on a perilous mission across the galaxy, facing off against Chaos Space Marines and daemons of Chaos. The game aims to deliver a visceral combat experience, combining satisfying gunplay, high mobility, and copious amounts of blood.

One of the standout features of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is its distinctive visual style. The game successfully captures the essence of 90s retro shooters, with sprites, pixels, and gore exploding on the screen. The visuals are spot on, immersing players in the gritty Warhammer 40k universe and offering a delightful blend of nostalgia and modern aesthetics.

The gameplay mechanics of Boltgun are solid and enjoyable, with each weapon providing a satisfying feel and a sense of impact. The guns, in particular, stand out, offering a great variety and delivering a chunky and powerful sensation when fired. Additionally, the Chainsword, the game’s melee weapon, is worth pointing out, as it offers ruthless and indulgent gore when players rev it up to unleash devastating attacks on enemies. Smoothly switching between ranged and melee is satisfying, with fast gameplay that brings Boltgun close to the gameplay of the recent Doom games and sets it apart from other 40K shooters.

However, the game does have some shortcomings. Repetitive level design and a lack of enemy variety become noticeable as the campaign progresses, causing the gameplay to feel monotonous at times. Furthermore, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun suffers from occasional difficulty spikes, which can lead to frustrating moments and disrupt the fast and furious pace the game aims to achieve.

In terms of audio, the game’s sound design is suitably punchy, complementing the visceral nature of the combat. The weapons’ sounds pack a satisfying punch, enhancing the overall experience. The soundtrack, featuring riff-heavy tunes, adds to the game’s atmosphere and immerses players further into the chaotic world of Warhammer 40k.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun offers a relatively long campaign, providing players with ample gameplay hours. However, despite the game’s strengths, it falls short in terms of content diversity. The lack of enemy variety, limited number of weapons, and absence of a few classic alien races from the Warhammer 40k universe may leave some players craving more variety and novelty – though at the same time it showcases an area in which Boltgun can grow post-launch, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Auroch builds on the strong foundations that are here.

Overall, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun successfully combines the nostalgic charm of retro shooters with the grim and dark universe of Warhammer 40k. It excels in delivering satisfying gunplay, impressive visuals, and an immersive experience. However, it struggles to maintain its momentum due to somewhat repetitive gameplay and a lack of content diversity. Despite these shortcomings, Boltgun remains an entertaining and worthwhile experience for fans of both the Warhammer 40k franchise and the boomer shooter genre.

Score: 7.5/10