Hence, we have Boltgun 2 – Auroch Digital’s sleeker, more detailed, yet still highly grungy, gory first-person shooter. After going hands-on with two missions in a demo on PC, I’m still undecided on where it could sit in the grand pantheon of essential FPSs. But one thing is for sure – as a 40K title, it can be a rip-roaring good time, as sublime when tearing through levels and laying waste to Nurgle’s troops as it is harrowing on the higher difficulties.

So let’s break down five things you should know from the demo, and whether Boltgun 2 is worth looking into when it launches this year for PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Grim Dark Dive

Something that the original received extensive praise for is the atmosphere. Yes, the retro aesthetic with its sprites, ranging from the gorgeously animated enemies (if you take a second to notice before gibbing them to pieces) to the weapon reloads, remains as impeccable as ever. The environments also strike that ideal balance between catering to the Warhammer 40K grim dark palette while balancing the open areas where ranged duels play out with its more claustrophobic corridors. Welcome to the jungle, as they say – sans fun and games, with constricted pathways and mildly concealed enemies in its extensive vegetation.

But above all else, the mood is unmistakably 40K. The feeling of indestructibility, but also oppression, as if terrifying odds await at almost any turn. You’re bolstered by the heavy movement and thickset weaponry while feeling like death could arrive in a heartbeat. There’s even some occasional levity, like your floating companion detecting “37 breaches of uniform regulations” when happening upon a bunch of allies’ corpses. Quaint, and thankfully not breaking the overall tone.

Delivering Destruction in Swipes and Stabs

Of course, being able to actually destroy everything would help with that feeling and Boltgun 2 has you covered, whether it’s as the returning Space Marine or the new Battle Sister. Movement possesses a momentum of sorts that can take a bit of getting used to, both as Maelum Caedo and Nyra Veyrath. Jumping also still feels like bait for the former, as opposed to simply charging through and chainsawing the first thing you see. It can also feel a little off when you can’t activate movement abilities mid-air, but it’s not a dealbreaker (and helps maintain that sense of danger).

The weapons feel extremely robust – the titular Boltgun is explosively devastating with each shot, while the shotgun feels like a cannon with each trigger pull. Things only heat up further with the Heavy Bolter, which you hold down to unleash a stream of lead.

But while Maelum is about charging into the fray, relying on his regenerative abilities to sustain him when near death, Nyra Veyrath leans more into agility. Not that she can’t get aggressive when the opportunity presents itself – her charged sword lunges find a fine line between “all or nothing” and a fairy fencer going from one target to the next in rapid, sometimes uncontrollable, succession.

Her main abilities involve a slide for repositioning, which turns into a leap and mid-air suspension for a useful vantage point, and a Melta Bomb, which can be charged to unleash a massive explosion (and provide a valuable few seconds via time stop to properly position your throw). That she also has unique weapons, including a powerful Stakethrower and a Flamer (perfect for those annoying Nurglings), is just the icing on top.

Warranted Aggression

Whether you’ve played the original or not, there’s no denying that Boltgun 2 feels…unique for a boomer shooter. There’s no ripping and tearing per se, though it’s very much possible to simply run down enemies and unload your ammo into their carcasses. However, there are plenty of occasions where it’s advisable to hang back. Assess the situation and pick off threats, including grenade throwers and poisonous toads, from afar.

The opening jungle is especially notable in slowing down your pace as Maelum, since the swamp can poison you (don’t even get me started on the lingering toxic projectiles on the ground). On the contrary, with the mountain facility offering more than a few circumstances where enemies have the high ground, it’s often advised to just rush into their building of choice and clean house. Perfect for those who don’t have the patience for long-range battles.

Alerting the Horde

Let’s be real, though – one of the power fantasies of Warhammer 40K is fighting from underneath against relentless hordes, surviving against all odds, even as your allies perish. Boltgun 2 packs a handful of those set-piece instances, and they’re thankfully not overdone. Extracting from the jungle with the rest of Death Korps, for example, invites a shambling yet massive wave of Poxwalkers – it’s not long before the feeble attempt to break them from afar devolves into outright chaos.

Another moment like this occurs in the mountains when dealing with Khorne’s mooks on a bridge, except you have the benefit of shooting out the glass from beneath, sending them plummeting into the abyss. One wrong step, though, and you could just as easily join them (before spawning back on top, that is). Not quite as overwhelming, but those Flesh Hounds, Juggernauts and Blood Crushers are great at running you down.

Navigation Guide and Difficulty Options

Unfortunately, there wasn’t the opportunity to try out the branching levels (though I somehow managed to miss the Flamer on one run), and Boltgun 2 doesn’t offer a map. Which is perfectly fine because the Navigation Guide added in the original is available from launch itself. Simply hit N on PC, and you’ll receive a clear objective marker and a dotted path on where to go next. Granted, navigating the sequel’s environments didn’t feel all that difficult – I was practically soaring through the jungle as Nyra on a second playthrough – but on those occasions where you just want to get on with the fight rather than take in the sights, it’s very much welcome.

Four difficulty options are available – Low, Medium, Hard and Exterminatus – with the latter two upping the enemy count and damage taken. It’s where some of the nagging issues with movement can become a bit more exasperated, but it’s still an absolute thrill and fun test of your knowledge on enemy placements.

Early Conclusion

As someone who enjoyed but didn’t outright love the original, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 feels like a step up in all the right ways. It’s still very distinct with its gameplay flavor, and those expecting the standard boomer shooter experience may take a bit to acclimate. I’m keen on really diving into the branching campaign, and just how different playthroughs can feel as a result. However, between the two playstyles and distinct weapons, the solid level design, and the fantastic pixel art, Boltgun 2 is shaping up to be a bloody, well-paced, compelling journey of systemic extermination.

There’s quite a bit of map variety to be found, with the game taking us all around The Federation’s expansive presence. There are ruined cities, industrial zones, infested wastelands, and tropical islands, all of which you’re going to be protecting against the bugs in a gameplay loop that’s quite fast-paced and chaotic. We’ve been pretty impressed by our time with it, and it’s quite easy to recommend to you boomer shooter fans out there.

The trailer also gives you a glance into the Assassin bug’s gameplay, and it’s quite the power trip thanks to the bug’s ability to tear through The Federation’s rank and file with brutal ease. It’s bound to keep you entertained with all that its various modes bring to the table, aside from playing as Federation soldiers and taking on an onslaught of arachnids and other insects that are trying to swarm you, overwhelming you with superior numbers.

You’re far from helpless, though, as you strike at them from land and sky with a variety of cool weapons, all of which come to life in a refreshingly retro art style. It’s available for the PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S. Check out our review.

First and foremost, one of the most fun things about Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is its presentation. Even with its main menu, Auroch Digital has focused on recreating a fun interface where, rather than simply picking from a list of options for “New Game”, you get to click on various parts of your home base to access the appropriate sub menus. This is also where you get the first major twist of the game: there are separate modes for playing as humans and as the bugs. But we’ll get to that aspect later on.

"While ostensibly a boomer shooter, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! takes its game design cues from more recent releases."

As for the game itself, its story revolves around essentially being a work of interactive propaganda. Various cutscenes from throughout the game—fully acted out by real people—make no secret of Ultimate Bug War being an in-universe game that was released by the Federation to further boost enlistment efforts in the never-ending war against bugs. To achieve this, the main plot is structured around being like a loose parody of old-school action movies, complete with all the violence and melodrama that was endemic to the genre.

While ostensibly a boomer shooter, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! takes its game design cues from more recent releases. Its structure, while still level-based, revolves around throwing you into larger levels with a number of different objectives that you are then encouraged to tackle in just about any order you might want. All of these objectives tend to be part of a larger overarching plot about how the Federation is on the back foot thanks to the bugs being on the offensive, and culminate in a larger setpiece-styled objective that caps off the level.

The second-to-second gameplay is just about what you’d expect: fast-paced action that will keep you on your toes thanks to the tendency of the bugs to surround you from just about every direction. Since Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is a callback to an older style of shooter, there is also no regeneration for your health or shields. If you run low on either, you’ll either have to explore the map to find pickups, or call down some supplies. The combat never really gets boring thanks to enemy health being in a good spot between tanky and fragile. Most standard enemies, like warrior bugs, will go down in around 15 bullets from your full-auto gun. More specialized bugs, however, like tankers or archers, will take up more of your ammo.

Enemy variety is also decent, with the game constantly throwing a mix of warrior bugs and aphids to constantly chase you down for melee attacks, while archers will often take up vantage points at a distance to bombard you with projectiles. Every once in a while, you’ll also get to fight much more challenging enemies, like centurions or tankers, that will require more in the way of tactics. These fights can often become frantic enough to force you into using up your more powerful attacks, like an airstrike, or the last bit of ammo in your high-power sniper rifle.

"The second-to-second gameplay is just about what you’d expect: fast-paced action that will keep you on your toes thanks to the tendency of the bugs to surround you from just about every direction."

Speaking of which, there are plenty of weapons and toys to play with. Missions will throw you into a map with nothing more than a Morita Assault Rifle with an underslung shotgun for some extra support. Exploring the map, however, will often result in more choices, which can range from carbines to burst-fire rifles, sniper rifles, or my personal favorite, the shotgun. Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is one of those games where shotguns feel incredibly satisfying to use thanks to a mix of sound design, visual feedback, and the fact that they can take out most warrior bugs in a single shot. While you can only have two regular weapons equipped at any given time, you also get a third slot dedicated to special weapons. While also fun to use, the implementation of these special weapons is one of my major gripes with the gameplay.

Whenever you pick one up, you HAVE to use it. You can’t put it away for the time being and switch to your regular weapons to clear out hordes of standard enemies. Switching weapons will make you drop the special one, and while this would be fine in any other game, the sheer amount of chaos and bloodshed you experience in a typical encounter in Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! means that you’ll also ultimately misplace it. This means that either you have to spend precious time to find a good, memorable hiding place for your special weapons while hordes of warriors and aphids are at your heels, or you’ll simply have to use it up to deal with the current threat, rather than saving it for a tanker or something.

Movement is another area where Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! seems to have a mechanic in place just for the sake of being an annoyance to players. While running and jumping around as you would in a boomer shooter typically works fine, there’s also a sprint button that allows you to cover large distances more quickly. However, the sprint is tied to a stamina bar, which, when depleted, knocks you back into your regular running speed.

While far from a bad mechanic on its own, the annoying part is the fact that leaving the sprint key alone results in all of your stamina regenerating in a second or two. This means that, every ten seconds or so, you’ll simply have to stop sprinting for a quick moment before you can continue along your way. Again, this wouldn’t really be an issue in a game designed around more linear levels. However, the large, open maps of Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! means that your attempts to get to the next objective are slowed down just enough to be a minor annoyance that constantly claws at you.

"Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is one of those games where shotguns feel incredibly satisfying to use"

The bug missions, on the other hand, don’t really offer any real annoyances. However, the missions are incredibly short, often lasting for little more than ten minutes at a time, and seem to be designed around giving you a break from the more stress-inducing human missions. The bug missions put you in the role of a simulated “Assassin bug”, which can seemingly take down hordes of Federation soldiers without much effort. Missions are mostly unlocked every time you finish a few human ones, and will allow you to roam around in the same maps, albeit in an empowered form, complete with transformations that allow you to switch between Warrior, Hopper, and Tanker forms. The missions are largely just a drawn-out power fantasy, and even in terms of the story, the “Assassin bug” is hinted to be yet another form of Federation propaganda to inspire more players to enlist.

On the technical side of things, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is a well-made game, and considering its lo-fi visual style that melds 3D environments with 2D artwork depicting humans and bugs alike, I was able to maintain a solid frame rate of 144 FPS throughout my time with it. The game was tested on a PC running on an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU with 32 GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, and a Radeon RX 7800 XT GPU with 16 GB of VRAM.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is an incredibly fun shooter that makes use of several mechanics that have been popularized by titles like Helldivers 2. The title offers a variety of difficulty options, which ensures that just about anyone can have fun with it, and the variety in missions, as well as the overall framing of the game’s story, made all the time I spent with it quite enjoyable. Even the campaign’s pacing is quite well done, breaking up the more intense human missions with power fantasy bug missions that allow you to essentially just go on a rampage through maps that you had to shoot and claw your way through.

This game was reviewed on PC.

John Rico returns in the trailer to tell you that to fight the bugs as effectively as you can, you need to understand how they operate. That’s going to be a fascinating study that starts with the Assassin bug, a deadly Arachnid that is as effective at range as it is in melee combat, and can cover large distances with its wings. You just need to master its three unique modes to sow chaos among any Troopers unfortunate enough to face you on the battlefield.

For those of you who haven’t yet heard of this one, it’s an inventive FPS title from Auroch Digital (known for Warhammer 40000: Boltgun) that we think you should watch out for when it releases on March 16th for PS5, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. If the thought of getting to play as the Arachnids hasn’t convinced you, the full trailer is below for you to check out.

The new campaign offers fresh locations, from a Hive City to the jungle, with the option for branching paths. Various factions will field new enemies, but you get new weapons to even the odds. Enemies become stronger as the campaign progresses, so you must keep your wits about you.

Also, unlike the first game, a Navigation Guide is now available from launch, making it easier to progress through levels and find the action. Unfortunately, it will be somewhat of a wait, as Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 launches in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Stay tuned for more details and updates.

In the meantime, check out Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition, launching on June 10th for Xbox Series X/S and PC. It’s a remaster of the first title with visual improvements and all previously released content.

As the DLC’s name would imply, Forges of Corruption will introduce a host of new Chaos-powered baddies to fight, including the Terminator unit. The DLC will also bring with it two new weapons—the Multi-Melta and the Missile Launcher.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a first-person shooter released back in May last year. The game puts players in the shoes of fearless Space Marine Malum Caedo, who is on a mission on the Forge World Graia. Players have to take on the forces of Chaos as they try and stop the world from being taken over by cultists, Chaos demons, and other heretics.

For more details on Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, check out our review, where we praised the game for its art design, gameplay, and tight controls.

It’s 2023. Enter Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun – a purposefully pixelated Warhammer world where players can once again relive the glory days of the fast and frenetic FPS genre the ‘90s gave birth to. And while this game will easily fit right at home on the PC like the aforementioned inspirations of yesteryear, my particular experience is with the PS5 version of the game. You are the fabled Space Marine who lives and fights. From the start, your Space Marine is outfitted with a Chainsword. Holding your melee attack button slows time giving you a brief respite to get the lay of the land and the enemies surrounding you before rushing in for the kill. Quickly, you’ll find the eponymous Boltgun that will shred the demons you’re up against into gory chunks.

"Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a purposefully pixelated Warhammer world where players can once again relive the glory days of the fast and frenetic FPS genre the ‘90s gave birth to."

The game plays exactly as you’d expect, but with a tinge of modern comforts. The controls are tight and highly responsive. As fans of these heyday FPS titles are accustomed to, the player movements are quick. You might feel like the Space Marine is running with basic movements but holding the sprint button will show you that’s not the case. Despite being outfitted in clunky armor, this Space Marine can move! The complications of modern gauntlets have been stripped in this classic experience. Every action can be taken without the need for menus. Swapping weapons is as easy as a press of the D-Pad (for those using a controller). Forget aiming down the sites. That’s a precision maneuver best left to other shooters. We’re back to the basics running and gunning via hip fire. Ammo pick-ups, gun upgrades, and hostiles are everywhere. So, there’s no sense in being conservative here. It’s an experience crafted just the way Uncle John Carmack would’ve intended.

Run-and-gun corridor and arena shooters often employ a standard structure for progression. That is, you must find keys to advance in any level. Explore the sometimes-labyrinthine depths of the neo-gothic urban sprawl or a desert compound to find the next key to advance. Also littered throughout each level’s map are a series of secrets and boost pick-ups for your guns or character. Don’t hesitate to explore.

When you first begin, Boltgun offers the sensation of a real power fantasy. Obtaining the actual Boltgun and slaughtering enemies with ease is a real trip. But keep in mind, that the early moments of the game might give you a false sense of security. Soon, you’ll begin encountering Purge events throughout each level. These are the moments that will test your mettle. You’ll be locked into an arena and expected to clear the onslaught of enemies before advancing.

The best advice that can possibly be given here is to keep moving. Purge events will also eventually include boss fights to up the ante. While it might feel like total chaos and that the moment calls for a trigger-happy plan, the strategy here boils down to managing your weapons. Save the harder-hitting firearms like the Heavy Bolter or the Plasma Gun for the tougher enemies while you shred the smaller ones with melee attacks, the Boltgun, or your shotgun. Believe it or not, amid the frenetic onslaught, you can employ strategies to stay alive. Focus on picking up med-kits and contempt boosts (basically armor) for the right moments to maximize their effectiveness. By the time all is said and done, you’ll have painted the arena with the bright-red guts of your enemies.

"The worlds of Boltgun are striking and unmatched, even by classic ‘90s FPS standards."

Of course, if everything becomes a bit too overwhelming, Boltgun offers an olive branch to the players who aren’t as adept with arena shooters. If you find that you are stuck continually being eviscerated in a particular spot, there is an “invulnerability” switch in the accessibility options from the pause menu. That’s right. There’s no cheat code or anything of that nature. You can be invincible simply by using a switch in the settings. If your pride can take the blow, flip the switch, push through the problem area, and then turn the invulnerable mode off while you continue on your way. I won’t judge.

The worlds of Boltgun are striking and unmatched, even by classic ‘90s FPS standards. In an age where Unreal Engine 5 exists and we have killer new technology in the gaming space like ray tracing, pixel art is a style choice. Boltgun could’ve easily gone for sleek realism. However, its pixelated corridors are a breath of fresh air opting for something both vibrant and rich in heavily-saturated colors but also simplistic. In fact, the visual appeal is both striking and wonderful. It’s the very element that brings players closest to their fondest memories of classic arena shooters.

Enemies are flat sprites with rigid and fixed attack and death animations. Despite all of this, Boltgun confirms that there’s a timeless quality to this particular design. Modern indie and triple-A titles like Celeste have shown us that what was once the result of creating video games due to technology limitations is now an artistic choice. Boltgun ultimately does the same for first-person shooters. Not to mention, there’s something refreshing about a game these days that is quick to download and runs as smoothly as slicing butter without any performance issues or technical hiccups.

"Fans of the classic arena shooter genre will undoubtedly be thrilled with this bloody fever dream that recreates the experiences of a past era in gaming."

While I could gush about Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun for hours, there’s only one critique that I can truly offer here – maps. Duke Nukem 3D, and Quake have the option to view the map of a level, even as the player moves through its halls. This aids in exploration, discovery of secrets, and, well, not getting lost. Boltgun didn’t appear to have any such option. Perhaps, with any luck, the developers will provide the option in a future update. Regardless, there is plenty to love in your time with Boltgun.

Fans of the classic arena shooter genre will undoubtedly be thrilled with this bloody fever dream that recreates the experiences of a past era in gaming.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

The new trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun shows off quite a bit of its high-octane fast-paced gameplay accompanied by an over-the-top voiceover explaining the basic gist of the game, which essentially revolves around fighting against the forces of Chaos.

In Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, the player is put into the shoes of an Ultramarine Sternguard Veteran. Accompanied by his faithful servo-skull, the player has to use their vast arsenal to take on the forces of Chaos on the Forge World of Scour Graia which has been overrun by cultists, traitors and daemons.

Announced last year, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun had its May 23 release date announced back in April. The game is slated to launch on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is set to launch for PC and consoles on May 23, and will retail for $21.99, with pre-orders now open. The first person shooter will see players stepping into the shoes of a Space Marine and blasting through Chaos Space Marines and daemons of Chaos. As you’d expect from a retro-inspired shooter, there’s plenty of emphasis placed here on fast-paced and frenetic action and constant mobility. Check out the trailer below for a glimpse at the gameplay.

When it launches, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

In Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, players take on the role of a Space Marine sent on a mission across the galaxy, battling Chaos Space Marines and daemons of Chaos. The self-described boomer shooter promises an extensive arsenal, as well as a 90s inspired art style and a metal soundtrack as an homage to classic first-person shooters of the era.

According to the press release, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun has been under development since 2018. The game already has a Steam page live with details, including the required system specs.

The announcement comes as part of Games Workshop’s Warhammer Skulls Festival of Video Games, which had other announcements like Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, an update for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and a new cinematic trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is set for release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch in 2023. Check out the announcement trailer below.