I’ve been an evangelist for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun for three straight years now. I fully believe that it’s not only one of the best modern day boomer shooters around but it’s also easily one of the best Warhammer 40k games ever. It’s fun as hell, sports some great level design, and just absolutely gets the satirical heart of the 41st millennium.
I am thrilled to say that Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun II doubles-down on all of these points.
While Rahul Kohli returns as the bold and beaked Malum Caedo, Boltgun II introduces a second playable character in Battle Sister Nyra Veyrath, voiced with just as much grim glee by Alanah Pearce.
Although there’s little variation in playstyle between the two, (about the biggest being rather amusingly that Veyrath doesn’t get to use an actual boltgun), her presence introduces a fantastic new flavor to the formula.
Caedo and Veyrath don’t get separate campaigns, but the variety of biomes is far greater than what the prior game featured. The individual levels are much more memorable and distinct also, with many channeling the best of the classic id Software canon.
There are now branching paths along the campaign overworld which lock off nine or so of those levels on each run-through as well, encouraging replay as the alternate character. The set-pieces manage to be incredibly striking and intense even through the retro presentation, and nothing has made me laugh harder in a game all year than when I inadvertently earned an achievement for taunting a Nurgling.
Reviewed on PC | Review copy supplied by publisher
Great
- The game rips, slaps, f*cks, hoots AND hollers
- Sister Nyra is just a brilliant addition
- Much more distinct and considered level design than the original
- Sublime on the Steam Deck
Not great
- A little more play variation between each character would’ve been cool
- Matthew Walker’s score is totally good but I wish Mick Gordon had composed more than just the boss theme
