The Warhammer 40k franchise has produced all manner of video games, from mentally demanding turn-based strategies to enthralling roleplaying games to high-action shooters. But even with the franchise's outstanding and diverse selection of video games, few expected one of their many upcoming titles to be anything quite like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, a thrilling first-person shooter with a retro spin on its design and gameplay — an unusual yet welcome choice for enthusiasts of the franchise, whether longtime fans or not.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun sees players take on the role of a seasoned Space Marine on a mission to combat the Forces of Chaos across the galaxy. This premise is a familiar yet compelling scenario for any game set in the Warhammer 40k universe. However, the true appeal of this game is its retro elements, which take players back to the days of old-school shooters like Doom. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun takes much inspiration from this era and has done much to establish that retro feel, but what does it nail about retro shooters?
10 The Look
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun goes above and beyond to look like a retro shooter. From the start, when players load up the game and arrive at the main menu, they are presented with classic visuals reminiscent of old-school shooters. The title screen is in your face and backed by a pixelated background, the main menu is much like an arcade game, and even the loading screens give a sense of nostalgia with a scene, a tip, and a flashing "press any key to continue" message below. What completes the look is the pixelated Space Marine hand cursor.
Where Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun shines visually is in its pixelated graphics that are retro yet modern. By all accounts, it looks like an old-school shooter and has a nostalgic feel no different than the prominent retro shooters of the past. Everything is a pixelated masterpiece that is the perfect combination of enough detail to know what it is and fuzzy enough to be old-school. Rounding out the retro visuals are the vibrant choice of colors that pop — especially when it comes to red — and the 2D environmental objects that always face the player.
9 The Sound
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun follows the hallmark rule of every retro shooter: make everything loud and obnoxious but in a way that matches the chaotic and gungho nature of old-school run and guns. Clicking options in any menu sounds a gunshot, walking unleashes a commotion of thunderous footsteps, and encountering enemies sparks a symphony of monstrous roars. Yet, the noisiest sound in the game is the squelches and bursts heard whenever an enemy succumbs to the Space Marine's Boltgun, Chainsword, or other devasting weapons.
The sounds of every armament in the Space Marine's arsenal are powerful and terrifying, ringing satisfyingly in the ears of every player. However, the carnage that follows is even more rewarding. Players are greeted by the gory sound of their enemy's end with each killing blow, confirming that they are dead. Such noises are so visceral and familiar, boasting the same over-the-top audio design of retro games of the past — sounds more than fitting for the grim dark universe of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, specifically.
8 The Music
Accompanying the array of horrible yet wonderful sounds of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a soundtrack complete with classic rock, techno, heavy metal, and ominous background music, giving it a retro feel not unlike Doom. The music fits the energetic and over-the-top nature of the game, imbuing players with the adrenaline to plunge into hoards of foes or unease to make them wary of what is likely a challenging fight ahead. No music on Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun's soundtrack is out of place in its retro design.
The best music players will find in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is in its title screen, menus, loading screens, and level complete screens. While the music playing during each level is undoubtedly awesome, something about the tunes between running and gunning is so outstanding that players will often find themselves rocking out before, after, and between every level. The music of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun alone is enough to spark nostalgia in players and embody the nature of famed retro shooters while maintaining their uniqueness.
7 The Gameplay
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun follows the straightforward yet entertaining gameplay of retro shooters. Much of what players will be doing is simple, good ol' running and gunning through swathes of enemies to meet understandable but far-from-easy objectives, most of which consist of clearing an area of heretics and daemons. Everything about the gameplay is fast-paced and demanding, as players must maneuver around a level to keep away from enemies and find power-ups that will aid them in their battle against the Forces of Chaos.
Alongside the typical run-and-gun gameplay are other elements commonly seen in retro shooters. Players will need to do some platforming to get around levels or find a key of a specific color for a similarly colored door to progress further. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun also occasionally tests the wits of players with puzzles, mazes, and the like that act as a breath of fresh air from the fast-paced fights against heretical foes, but do not fret, for they keep true to retro shooters in that they are not overly complex nor needlessly long for the sake of it.
6 The Level Design
If Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun excels at anything, it is its level design. Each level is unique and has at least one aspect that allows it to stand out. It keeps players engaged throughout the game with something new, whether a visually stunning environment, a thrilling side objective, or a diverse set of challenges only a Space Marine could overcome. Nothing about any level is bland, and everything suits the high-action, quick-paced gameplay, as is the norm for retro shooters.
What stands out most about Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun's level design is the layout of every map. Everything featured on a map is conducive to running and gunning. The structure of every map features various platforms, covers, nooks, crannies, and even environmental features players can use to their advantage — such as the infamous explosive red barrels. These characteristics are drawn directly from retro shooters and lend themselves well to the gameplay, all while hiding away secrets for players to discover.
5 The Weapons
The Warhammer 40k franchise is known for having countless impossibly deadly weapons, making its universe perfect for a retro shooter game, making the release of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun much more understandable. As with any retro shooter, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun offers players an assortment of armaments they earn throughout the game. Each weapon has a unique ammo type and goes about fulfilling its function of killing heretics differently, thus, offering diversity to the Space Marine's arsenal.
Such variety is a staple of retro shooters, and within Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, players can find reflections of the typical weaponry seen in the classics. There is, of course, the Boltgun, but also a Chainsword, Shotgun, Plasma Gun, and much more. Every weapon in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun excels against particular enemies or shines in certain situations, pushing players to use everything at their disposal and experiment with the decent selection of futuristic weapons they have. No matter the enemy, the Space Marine has something for it.
4 The Powerups
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun spoils players with a vast armory to use but goes a step further to offer powerups that improve the Space Marine, their capabilities, and their weapons. Implementing such boons is a typical move in any retro shooter because being able to shred enemies with powerful weapons is not enough; players need to decimate anything that stands in their way. But, much like old-school run-and-gun games, these powerups are not easily accessible, nor are they long-lasting.
The many powerups in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun are hidden away in obscure or hard-to-reach places. If players really want or really need a buff to complete a level, they have to earn it, making map exploration a necessity in the game. However, once players get their hands on these powerups, there will be little to stop them. Although it is important to note that such boons are not permanent, as their durations are often short, and their effects do not transfer to other levels. Wise use of these powerups is necessary if players want to progress.
3 The Enemies
The retro shooter design of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun works exceptionally well with the plethora of enemies found in the Warhammer 40k universe. The Imperium of Man has many foes of different species, origins, and capabilities, and this game happened to pick the one with the most variety: the Forces of Chaos. This opposing faction boasts Chaos Daemons, Chaos Space Marines, heretics, and various other nasty opponents, providing Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun a diversity of enemies as is the custom in retro shooters.
The enemies found in this game vary significantly but follow the same guidelines for most retro shooters and are identifiable by their roles. There are weak enemies that come in droves, strong enemies that come alone or in pairs, ranged enemies that attack from afar, and of course, bosses that prove a seemingly insurmountable challenge, often appearing at the end of a level. This characteristic diversified Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, ensuring that, along with the variety of levels, players would not grow bored of the game.
2 The Plot
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun follows the story of a Sternguard Veteran Space Marine tasked by an Inquisitor to seek and stop the source of calamity on the Forge World of Graia. Of course, succeeding in this seemingly impossible objective demands the Space Marine to explore Graia in its entirety, all while facing hordes of enemies that stand in their way. So is their duty to the Imperium of Man and the Emperor, a mission only they can accomplish — an assignment they must complete despite the unfavorable odds pitted against them.
The plot of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a classic among retro shooters, where one person must overcome overwhelming adversity to prevent oncoming disaster. The one expected to prevail against the impossible is often a person of equally impossible power and capability, such as our Sternguard Veteran Space Marine. Now, while the plot of many retro shooters take a backseat, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun offers much to be explored, whether in cinematics, environmental storytelling, or dialogues throughout while keeping true to its inspiration.
1 The Atmosphere
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun grants players a glimpse into the harsh and over-the-top universe of Warhammer 40k, presenting a surreal and somewhat dreary atmosphere not unlike the typical retro shooter. While playing this game, players cannot help but feel amazed, horrified, invincible, vulnerable, and somewhat confused by the circumstances. The world they tread through is overbearing and oppressive, yet there is a sense of wonder and awe when considering the fantastical elements of Graia, making for an impactful and ambiguous atmosphere.
Many retro shooters present a similar atmosphere, Doom especially, that imbues players with conflicting emotions as they play. One cannot help but find amazement in all that a retro shooter features. But, some element subverts that amazement; in this case, the Forces of Chaos, and with others like Doom, demons. Regardless, the atmosphere retro shooters generate is unique and is often a contributing factor to their popularity in the video game industry.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.