Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is an absolute treat for fans of the grim, dark future of the 41st Millennium and a superb shooter in its own right.

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In "Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun," play as Malum Caedo, a Space Marine, on a mission to retrieve a power source fragment from the Chaos-infested Forge World of Graia. Utilize an array of devastating weapons and holy equipment to purge heretics in this retro shooter set in the iconic Warhammer 40,000 universe. Explore various environments, from bastions to hellish furnaces, while combating Chaos Space Marines and Daemons. The Forges of Corruption DLC and Discord integration are also included.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,290 reviews

gameplay443 positive mentions

optimization36 negative mentions

gameplay
1,212 mentions
37 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced, satisfying combat reminiscent of classic boomer shooters like Doom, while others criticize its repetitive mechanics and level design. Players appreciate the variety of weapons and the unique strength/toughness mechanic, but some find the reliance on bullet sponge enemies and the lack of innovative gameplay features detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the game captures the essence of retro shooters with modern touches, it struggles with pacing and can become monotonous over time.
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and satisfying, and the game is just good :d”
- “The gameplay loop is a nice mix of moving through levels and arenas, with new weapons dotted in a pleasant rhythm to keep the dice rolling nerd in your head squealing with glee.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and fast paced, with tons of enemies to bring the righteous fury of the emperor down upon, and the music matches the setting very, very well.”
- “It commits a capital offense towards boomer shooters (which it intends to be) which is that more than half of the weapons have a reload mechanic... something you'll never find in a boomer shooter, because it really interrupts the combat fluidity and the quick-swap between weapons when you really run out of ammo on one weapon, and realize you forgot to reload the one you switched to...”
- “The gameplay loop is poor and gets stale pretty quickly.”
- “The gameplay is simple, repetitive, linear, and boring.”
graphics
1,027 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun" have received widespread praise for their vibrant retro aesthetic, effectively capturing the essence of classic boomer shooters while integrating modern effects. Many players appreciate the pixelated art style and the ability to customize graphic settings, although some have noted performance issues and a tendency for environments to feel repetitive. Overall, the visuals are celebrated for their charm and fidelity to the Warhammer 40k universe, making it a visually engaging experience for fans of the genre.
- “Boltgun’s visuals are fantastic!”
- “The graphics and animations are awesome, the gameplay is fun, the music is cool.”
- “The pixel art style is cute and some levels are really cool and put into perspective how ridiculous the scale in the Imperium really is.”
- “As a result, you have to put up with that classic Unreal Engine stutter/frame drops whenever it has to load in shaders or textures, in a game that really isn't graphically or CPU intensive to justify it.”
- “The graphics are often too pixelated for its own good - enemy sprites could be twice the current resolution and still retain a retro look.”
- “The graphics, while not mind-blowing, maintain detail even through the intentional retro filter.”
music
685 mentions
40 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in "Boltgun" has received mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, while others criticize it for being repetitive, generic, or lacking in variety. Many players noted that the main menu music stands out positively, but the in-game tracks often fade into the background, failing to create memorable moments during combat. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it is seen as a missed opportunity to deliver a more impactful and thematic audio experience in line with the Warhammer 40k universe.
- “The music is bumping, the weapons are fun, there's a lot of good enemy variety, and in general the levels are quite fun to traverse through.”
- “The soundtrack is above average.”
- “The heavy metal music is cool also.”
- “The soundtrack is basically non-existent.”
- “The enemies are all either quick and tiny nuisances or insufferable bullet sponges, the soundtrack is pretty much non-existent, the combat lacks proper auditory/visual feedback, and trying to 100% this game was a janky and frustrating slog.”
- “But, in-game there's rarely any music either from ambiance or composed songs; it feels like they wanted to implement some sort of Doom thing where the music picks up and lowers depending on your actions, but doesn't really work and most of the time it's just dead silence.”
story
526 mentions
15 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story in "Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun" is largely minimal and serves primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay, which focuses on fast-paced shooting and action. Players take on the role of a Space Marine on a mission to eliminate chaos forces on the forge world of Graia, with connections to the previous "Space Marine" game, but the narrative lacks depth and character development. While some players appreciate the lore and setting, many find the story forgettable and secondary to the combat experience.
- “The story of Boltgun is a somewhat sequel to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, taking place on the forge world of Graia and revolving around that game's main macguffin, a connected warp power source.”
- “You play as an Ultramarines Sternguard veteran sent by the Inquisition on a retrieval mission to bring back the power source that led to the events in Space Marine 1.”
- “The story is simple but fits right in the 40k setting.”
- “The story doesn't really hit the point; I don't even remember any of the three characters' names, but considering the connection to the first Space Marine game and the vast Warhammer 40k universe, you would expect maybe some sort of lore.”
- “There's not much else to it really; that's pretty much it for the story.”
- “The story is very basic, 'chaos is about, go kill them,' but they have Rahul Kohli and he's great, but I feel they could have used him for more than just some taunts.”
optimization
169 mentions
17 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frame drops and stuttering, especially during intense combat scenarios. While some users experienced solid performance on high-end hardware, others noted that even mid-range setups struggled to maintain consistent frame rates, particularly in crowded environments. Overall, the game's optimization is considered poor, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
- “The game is optimized well for older hardware and lower resolutions, which is a nice touch, as some people will certainly play these retro-styled games on such displays and computers.”
- “Performance was flawless for me, movement was very smooth, aiming feels crisp and responsive.”
- “Performance is overall solid and I spend most of my time locked at max refresh (5800x+3080 @1440p180hz, max settings) although I get some heavy frame drops when a lot of enemies and particle effects are on screen, (seems to happen most when using the heavy bolter) but these are luckily short and infrequent.”
- “The game is really fun to play, but when there are a lot of enemies/effects, there are constant and significant performance drops.”
- “The performance is abysmal.”
- “Performance issues are still here, but not as bad as in chapter 1.”
atmosphere
117 mentions
54 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and authentic representation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, featuring a gritty, dark aesthetic complemented by excellent sound design and music. Many reviewers highlight the meticulous level design and visual style, which effectively capture the oppressive and chaotic nature of the setting, although some note that certain environments can feel repetitive. Overall, the game successfully evokes the "grimdark" tone of 40k, making it a compelling experience for fans of the franchise.
- “The atmosphere is phenomenal, both in terms of sound design and visual design, alongside a few truly grandiose levels that you have to stop and be in awe of.”
- “Absolutely amazing boomer shooter with great visuals and atmosphere.”
- “The dimly lit corridors, war-torn landscapes, and desolate chaos realms all contribute to the game's brooding atmosphere, constantly reminding you of the perilous battles that lie ahead.”
- “Overall, the color palette was muted, which worked for establishing a dystopian atmosphere but started to become monotonous in more than a few areas.”
- “The first chapter seems to be the best one in terms of pacing, design, and atmosphere while the remaining two feel a lot more dull and forgettable.”
- “There's also very little atmosphere.”
grinding
115 mentions
0 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of variety in enemy encounters and level design. Combat often devolves into drawn-out battles against bullet-sponge enemies, and the maze-like environments contribute to a sense of monotony, making navigation and exploration feel like a chore. While some players found enjoyment in the game's aesthetics and core mechanics, the overall experience is marred by the overwhelming grind and lack of engaging gameplay elements.
- “The level design makes areas look exactly the same in nearly every level, and this gets worse with added verticality to every subsequent level, making navigation and exploration become tedious and monotonous.”
- “But the more I played, the more tedious it became.”
- “The game starts out absolutely amazing, but eventually gets really tedious due to extremely bullet-spongy enemies; in the end, I had to force myself to finish it.”
humor
67 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of over-the-top violence and clever quips, with players enjoying the absurdity of enemies exploding and the comedic voice lines from characters like the servo-skull companion. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling uninspired or repetitive, many appreciated the game's self-aware, dark comedic tone that aligns well with the Warhammer 40k universe. Overall, the humor adds a layer of enjoyment to the chaotic gameplay, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.
- “The player only feels empowered due to how hilariously enemies explode from even your most basic weaponry.”
- “My little servo skull companion made me laugh out loud a few times, though his dialogue is very easy to miss.”
- “Shooting is overwhelmingly satisfying, the range of weapons doesn't disappoint, the taunts make it hilarious, and the carnage that follows is indescribable.”
- “Unfunny jokes plastered everywhere, from the story itself to the game over screen.”
- “Wandering alone on a desert level, trying to find the path over and over again is exhausting and not funny at all.”
stability
53 mentions
43 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
51 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal glitches, others experience significant issues such as stuttering, freezing, and AI bugs. The game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, but some users have encountered frustrating technical problems that detract from the experience. Despite these inconsistencies, several reviews highlight the game's polished feel and lack of major game-breaking bugs at launch.
- “The game is refined, polished, bug-free (from what I saw) and priced appropriately.”
- “It is damn good, price efficient and is a nice breath of fresh air - having a game that is solid, runs buttery smooth and is bug-free right on release is a rarity these days, and should be appreciated.”
- “No frame drops, no glitches, no crashes so far.”
- “The arena in which you fight the two toads (after the first is dead new enemies and a new toad spawn, yay another sucky boss fight) lets you break the enemy AI; when you lure the toad to a certain place on the map, the boss just freezes.”
- “I experienced massive frame drops, stuttering, and occasional one-second freezes.”
- “It was frustrating and sort of buggy.”
replayability
49 mentions
22 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed, with some players enjoying the horde mode and secret hunting, while others find it lacking due to the absence of multiplayer or co-op features. Many reviews suggest that after completing the campaign, there isn't much incentive to replay, aside from higher difficulty levels or achievement hunting. Overall, while some players appreciate the nostalgic elements and potential for speedrunning, the consensus is that the game offers limited replay value for a full-priced title.
- “The horde mode, in particular, is a relentless onslaught of enemies, providing an endless stream of entertainment and significantly boosting the game's replay value.”
- “The game has a lot of variety and replay value.”
- “Great replayability for people who like to chase map times, higher difficulties, etc. The game has great potential for speed running.”
- “No real replayability, or lack of a reason to.”
- “Overall, I'd rate it a 7/10, good game but it lacks enemies I would've liked to see in a Doom/Quake style 40k game. A co-op feature or multiplayer would make the game worth more than the price because as it is right now, I don't think it's worth $21.99 since it lacks replay value. After you are done with the campaign, you have no multiplayer, no co-op campaigns, or anything to keep the adrenaline/hype going.”
- “Kinda a one-and-done sort of game without much in the way of replay value beyond playing on a higher difficulty and map trawling for secrets.”
monetization
36 mentions
8 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
58 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions, DLC, and other modern monetization tactics, which they see as a refreshing change. However, some reviewers criticize the game as a cash grab, feeling that the marketing was misleading and that the overall design lacks depth despite its enjoyable gameplay. Overall, players value the straightforward pricing and lack of intrusive monetization, but express concerns about the game's design quality.
- “There is no DLC, no microtransactions, and you can play offline!”
- “It's an amazing experience that captures the essence of the franchise and the genre free from the intrusive microtransactions that plague today's gaming industry.”
- “No battle pass or microtransactions, and you get what you pay for.”
- “40k fans are desperate for something that isn't a pathetically transparent half-baked cash grab from GW, and I can understand why they gathered around this game with positive reviews.”
- “Gameplay-wise, this is a cash grab; just get Space Marine for a good Space Marine game.”
- “And despite all its praise and hype, I didn't see Boltgun as anything more than what could be just a simply 'okay' product at best, a mediocre cash grab at worst.”
emotional
16 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling empowered and nostalgic as they embody the role of a superhuman soldier in a retro-inspired environment. The blend of violence and traditional values evokes a sense of childhood joy, reminiscent of classic gaming experiences, while also providing a unique, albeit fleeting, sense of fulfillment. However, some players note that the game's mechanics may detract from the overall emotional impact, leading to mixed feelings about replayability.
- “Surprisingly made me feel like a genetically engineered super soldier in power armor mowing down hordes of enemies.”
- “Im also 38 years old and the retro look and feel of the game made me feel like a kid again.”
- “This game would make even Marneus Calgar shed a tear of happiness... we march for Macragge!”
character development
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is minimal, with a focus on charming character design and nostalgic gameplay rather than deep narrative or romantic interactions. While the visuals and overall direction are praised, players seeking substantial character growth or plot complexity may find the experience lacking. The game leans more towards artistic expression and gameplay mechanics than intricate storytelling.
- “The overall game direction was spot on; from the cut scenes to the character design, the game is dripping with charm.”
- “I like the character design in the second world so far; I am about halfway through the game.”
- “Boltgun pays homage to games past with great sprite, weapon, and character designs that can be appreciated with a modern flair.”
- “No character development (stats, psychic powers).”
- “The story is minimal and clichéd, with little character development or plot twists.”
- “Lore, character design, and to some smaller degree even mechanics and balance are spoon-fed to indie studios, which leaves them with making art and gameplay.”