Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun earned its reputation through fast gunplay, chunky retro-inspired visuals and dark humour that understood the tone of the setting. Its sequel initially appears familiar, but Boltgun 2 steadily reveals itself as a larger and more ambitious follow-up.
Set immediately after the first game, Boltgun 2 remains accessible to newcomers. Players take the role of a Space Marine fighting to destroy the enemies of the Imperium of Man, with the usual mix of relentless shooting, heavy explosions and well-armed heretics standing in the way.
Two warriors, two distinct approaches
The campaign can be played as returning protagonist Malum Caedo or as Battle Sister Nyla Veyrath, a new playable character. Both are formidable fighters, but their strengths create noticeably different rhythms in combat.
Malum is slower and more powerful, carrying familiar weapons from the original game, including the signature boltgun and a highly satisfying shotgun. Nyla is quicker and brings her own arsenal, including a flamethrower and a powerful crossbow.
Completed stages can be replayed at any time using the other character. Their differences are not so dramatic that every mission demands two playthroughs, yet switching between a heavier and a more agile style adds welcome variety to individual encounters.
More worlds and enemies to discover
Variety is one of the sequel’s most important improvements. The original could sometimes send players through similar corridors against repeated enemy groups. Boltgun 2 broadens the experience with more distinctive locations and a substantially wider selection of foes.
One section places the fight against armed cultists inside a vast gothic space castle. Elsewhere, players battle zombies and toads through a sinister swamp, before facing snipers and red demons in a hellish landscape. These contrasting settings give the campaign a stronger sense of scale and make it feel more like an expansive Warhammer 40,000 adventure.
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Levels built for exploration
The level design also moves beyond the first game’s frequent pattern of sealing players inside arenas for large enemy waves. Those battles remain part of the formula, but they are no longer the defining structure of every stage.
Instead, missions draw more heavily from 1990s and early-2000s shooters. Winding routes, broad chambers and smaller connecting spaces create loops that make each area feel more interconnected. The result is a campaign that feels more sprawling without losing its direct, action-focused pace.
Getting turned around is less frustrating thanks to an optional navigation aid. A button press places a line on the ground leading towards the current main objective, helping players recover their bearings without removing the pleasure of exploring.
A confident sequel for shooter fans
The main campaign offers different level choices as the story progresses, while its new weapons, expanded enemy roster and varied environments keep the action moving. The result is a sequel that builds on the original rather than simply repeating it.
Boltgun 2 combines the blunt force of Malum Caedo, Nyla Veyrath’s speed and a stronger variety of spaces into an especially effective retro-shooter package. If its later stages maintain the quality of its maps and combat, it has a strong chance of becoming one of 2026’s standout shooters.
Its emphasis on tactile weapons and readable combat also makes it an appealing reference point for anyone comparing modern shooters with dedicated arcade machines and their immediate, pick-up-and-play design. For smaller spaces, compact bartop arcades bring a similar focus on quick sessions and responsive controls.
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