The Warhammer games have been gaining a larger presence in the past decade. The tabletop scene has been going strong but the gaming scene has gotten even stronger. 2011’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine brought the dark future of Warhammer 40,000 to many gamers. Since then, various titles have launched, bringing their own take on the larger universe. Space Hulk recreates the classic tabletop in an isometric strategy game. Necromunda: Hired Gun puts players in a Forge world as a cyborg mercenary fighting in the fiery depths of a Forge World. There’s something for everyone in Warhammer games, including Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun.
Following its debut at PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun has arrived to become one of the best games of 2023. This shooter takes the world of Warhammer 40,000 and turns it into a nostalgia-inspired first-person shooter on par with Quake and Duke Nukem 3D. The result is a wildly enjoyable game anyone with an affinity for first-person shooters should play.
Time to destroy heretics and burn aliens
In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war. Following the events of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, the Inquisition of the Imperium is wrapped in the aftermath of those events. Inquisitor Drogan, an antagonist from the previous game, was researching the energies of The Warp. Subsequently, he became corrupted by the dark energies of Daemons and orchestrated events that led to the enemy’s attack on Graia. Captain Titus of the Ultramarines was successful in saving the forge world Graia from the forces of both Orks and Daemons from The Warp. However, he was accused of heresy due to his resistance to the Dark Warp energies, and subsequently arrested by the Inquisition. While his fate remains unknown, The Inquisition is curious as to how the events unfolded and what this could mean for the Imperium.
Several years after these events, Inquisitor Seibel of the Ordo Malleus has discovered rogue elements have returned to Graia to experiment with Drogan’s research. This has led to daemon anomalies becoming present on the planet once again. Players don the armor of Malum Caedo, a stern guard Space Marine of the Ultramarines. As a grizzled veteran, he is tasked with taking the Emperor’s might and smashing all opposition who dare to oppose the Imperium. As these mysterious groups have experimented with powers beyond understanding, what awaits Malum is unknown.
Get Psyched!
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a first-person shooter in the vein of older-fashioned shooters from the 90s. The inspiration is worn on the game’s sleeve down to every last pixel. In today’s climate, these are often nicknamed “boomer shooters” to describe older games in the genre. The goal is to complete each level and make it to the exit. Between the beginning and end is a labyrinth filled with many enemies, some more dangerous than others. These enemies range from rebellious human soldiers to grotesque monstrosities from the warp. Even other Marines, corrupted by the forces of darkness, stand in the way. To dispatch them, players are equipped with the titular weapon for any space marine: The Boltgun.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun namesake stems from the game’s primary weapon: The Boltgun. In the universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Boltgun is a large rapid-fire cannon that fire large shells at enemies for devastating effect. This weapon is the first and primary choice. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun does have other weapons from shotgun bolters to plasma cannons. However, like the pistol from Duke Nukem and Doom, this is a primary weapon that is powerful and reliable. The main bolter can also host temporary power-ups for those that find them from more powerful rounds to extended magazines.
Show No Mercy
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is exceptional in emulating the look and feel of games long gone while feeling so remarkably new. Visually, the game is reminiscent of titles such as Quake and even the more recently released Prodeus. Movement is slick and fluid, save for the Nintendo Switch version at a slightly slower rate. The environments are retro 3D while weapons and objects are sprites. There are frame-by-frame limited animations between the movement and the weapons. This creates an incredible retro sensation that is wonderfully nostalgic yet modern and new. Though, a part of me ponders what a Warhammer game would be like on the infamous BUILD engine that powers Ion Fury and Duke Nukem 3D.
A key philosophy to shooters of his nature is to give the player the feeling of being powerful and almost unstoppable. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun greatly succeeds at this. Every thunderous thud of foot stomp is heard as players navigate their environment. They feel like a true dealer of death to the enemies of the Imperium. Between the myriad of weapons and the vicious chain sword, there’s no shortage of feeling like a nearly invincible weapon. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is no cakewalk though. Enemies swarm and overwhelm. The game’s boss fights aren’t easy and there’s danger around every corner. The game takes players across the planet, from castles to deserts, creating plenty of opportunities for surprise and danger.
Honoring a philosophy
An additional philosophy to these older shooters was the overall challenge Each level isn’t a linear corridor as one would find in modern shooters but labyrinths requiring keys to collect, not unlike a puzzle. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun maintains this philosophy as well. Every richly-designed level has its own secrets and corners to explore. Keen-eyed players will find special weapons and tools to aid them in their mission to slay heretics. However, in a baffling decision, there is no mini-map. Most games in the retro-shooter genre had a vector-based mini-map. When toggled, this would display the player’s location and the level in real-time.
It would display the player’s vision and be a great way to help orient the player. For reasons unknown, that isn’t here. It does heighten the immersion but it also means the player will spend a long time in each level, likely having to resort to a YouTube channel for guides. Everything comes together so remarkably well in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. It’s clear that the game was made with a strong vision and mind and when it executes, it executes well. Enemies explode in pixelated 90s-level pulps. Weapons have a ferocity and attitude to them. The story is simple but engaging enough to keep players going. There is even a taunt command to hear to the saying of a well-versed Space Marine. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a joy through and through.
Verdict
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is an excellent shooter in every way. The gameplay is wildly fun and the presentation is sharp. It is held back but just a few small things. The music does its job but could have been better and leaned harder into its own rhythm. It does have meta tunes not unlike Doom but perhaps getting a soundtrack similar to something heard in Duke Nukem 3D or with an original MIDI track similar to early Doom, it would have made the aesthetic even better. The lack of a minimap also hinders the gameplay but only slightly.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a great game and a welcome one in this age of corridor shooters and micro-transactions. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun reminds players what a game can be if one focuses on players and enjoyment as opposed to business decisions. It’s a tremendous amount of fun to play and enjoy, and with 69 levels, there is a deep campaign to enjoy. Seasoned veterans of the Imperium will greatly enjoy this but players that have no idea what Warhammer 40,000 is should be encouraged to play this also.
While we eagerly await the arrival of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is not merely an appetizer to hold us over but a great standalone retro shooter. From its wonderful aesthetic to sharp gameplay, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is certainly one of the best games of 2023. Grab a bolter and smite the enemies of The Emperor. It’s a damn good time.
A review code was provided for review purposes from the Sandbox Strategies
