Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

Warhammer 40K: Boltgun is something of a tribute to the classic shooters of the late 80s and early 90s. Simple encapsulated levels, a quick story explanation at the start of a level, no regenerating health, no limits on how many weapons you can carry, no cover system. Just pure run and gun action. Explore the level, find the secret areas and shoot down anything that so much as looks at you funny.- in this case looking at you funny meaning immediately opening fire at you. Enemies often come thick and fast and every one of them is out to get you! But not to worry, you are the Emperor's Chosen and you have the means to bring his wrath to these heretics. Not only the eponymous boltgun, but a variety of other weapons to turn your heretical foes into a gory mess, and when all else fails shoulder chrage them or unleash your mighty chainsword to finish them off. Audio wise, there's nothing outstanding in the effects department, but there's a glouriously thumping metal soundtrack completely in keeping with the action. Graphics wise, gone are all those shiny effects that many modern games rely on. Instead, the visuals are a pure retro delight of hard corners, jagged edges and classic feel. The whole look evokes many of those old classics like Doom, Hexen and Shadow Warrior and it plays like an absolute joy. Lots of fun and every battle feels like a challange. Totally reccomended.

I dont know why i shoot the enemies just that i enjoy it

This is the best boomer shooter I have ever played.

I enjoyed Doom and many 90s shooter. Boltgun brings me back to those times with sharp stylish pixel graphics and plenty of action. Currently, several levels in, the boltgun is the only weapon that feels impactful and fun. The levels become mazes with identical looking corridors after a while, but I didn’t mind so far as I found the needed keys and exits before becoming frustrated. The game runs well on the steam deck which made me buy it.

boltgun go brrrr chainsaw sword go brrrrrrr

I remember these! Everything about this game is fun and exciting. Great gameplay and fantastic level design!

Overall pretty fun. Really captures the spirit of Warhammer 40K and 90s first-person shooters. I generally play fpss on the mouse and keyboard, but playing this on a controller with force feedback really gives the gun some punch.

Boltgun wears its influences on its sleeve. Early in the first level you run across an homage to E1M1, the first map from the original DOOM. However, despite being a clearly retro-inspired game, the design does have some modern influences too, which bring the old-school gameplay into the modern era the way we remember it, rather than the oft times clunky way it actually was. For folks who are not so nostalgic, a lot of the more retro stylings, such as the pixelated filter can be adjusted in the settings, or turned off completely. The Warhammer 40k setting is handled well, and it is clear the developers are fans. If you are a fan of the 40k setting, you will no doubt notice lots of little references, however I must stress that one needn't be a fan to enjoy this game, and it certainly doesn't require any level of understanding beyond the fact that you are a Space Marine and your job is to purge daemons and heretics. The feel and power fantasy of being a powerful Space Marine is captured well, and the fact that there exists a button with no mechanical or gameplay purpose other than to call out enemies and taunt them with one of many excellently voice-acted lines, is testament to the spirit of FUN that has been imbued throughout this game. No microtransactions, no games-as-a-service, no grinding, no XP, no RNG unlocks, simply good old fashioned mindless fun. Heartily recommended!