Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun 2 is the sequel to the 2023 boomer shooter. Developer Auroch Digital aims to take what people loved about the original and make it bigger and better. The preview build included two levels: an overgrown forest infested with cultists and carnivorous plants, and an icy military base overrun by demons. New features include a second playable character (Sister of Battle Nyra Veyrath), more weapons, new enemy types (Khorne cultists, Nurgle themed enemies, poxwalkers, Khorne berserkers), and improved level design with more visual variety. Quality of life improvements include better navigation, removal of weapon strength and enemy toughness levels, a more effective shotgun, viable melee combat and less bullet spongey enemies. However, the preview suggests the game is still a Doom clone without meaningful innovation, and the two characters play more similarly than expected. This preview covers the new features, level design, gameplay improvements, character differences and overall impressions.
New Playable Character: Sister Of Battle Nyra Veyrath
Boltgun 2 introduces a second playable character: Sister of Battle Nyra Veyrath. She joins returning protagonist Malum Caedo (Ultramarine space marine). The developers described Caedo as a walking tank with familiar weapons, while Veyrath is quicker, frailer and more aggressive with a new arsenal.
| Character | Playstyle | Unique Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Malum Caedo (Space Marine) | Walking tank, slower, heavier | Boltgun, shotgun |
| Nyra Veyrath (Sister of Battle) | Quicker, frailer, more aggressive | Heavy duty bolt pistol (more damage, frequent reloads), crossbow |
Weapon role overlap
- Caedo‘s Boltgun clears chaff. Veyrath‘s bolt pistol does more damage but needs reloading more frequently.
- Caedo‘s shotgun clears bigger targets. Veyrath‘s crossbow does the same thing.
- Weapons feel different but do not encourage different playstyles.
Abilities and passives
- Different dashes, grenades and passive abilities.
- Differences feel mostly cosmetic.
- Taunt voice lines are the most noticeable difference.
The preview suggests the two characters are not as distinct as promised. The full release may further differentiate them.
New Enemy Types And Behaviors
Boltgun 2 adds several new enemy types with unique behaviors.
| Enemy | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Khorne cultists | Standard cultist enemies |
| Nurgle themed enemies | New enemy type (not in original) |
| Poxwalkers | Regenerate flesh, mutate postmortem, return from the dead |
| Khorne berserkers | Fly into rage at low health, get quicker and more dangerous |
| Demonic infantry | Mount up and ride steeds into battle |
The original Boltgun primarily pitted players against followers of Tzeentch. Boltgun 2 adds more faction variety for Warhammer fans.
Level Design: Beautiful But Too Spacious
The preview levels are more visually diverse than the original Boltgun.
| Level | Environment | Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Forest level | Overgrown cultist infested forest, carnivorous plants, green colour palette | Wide open clearings, few trees for cover |
| Icy military base | Glacial base, bridge with dozens of enemies | Large open areas, enemies can be killed from a distance without them reacting |
Problems with wide open levels
- You can kill enemies across a long distance without them registering you as a threat.
- Expansive open air makes it too easy to sidestep bullets.
- Feels like Serious Sam arena style maps, which does not pair well with the game‘s Doom like foundations.
What works
- The standout battle was against a horde of hundreds of poxwalkers ambling toward a ship‘s landing zone. The enemies themselves restricted the playing space, creating tension.
The preview levels were likely chosen to showcase visual direction. The full release may have a better balance between vast battlefields and claustrophobic corridors.
Gameplay Improvements Over The Original
Auroch Digital has addressed many problems from the first Boltgun.
| Improvement | Original Boltgun | Boltgun 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | Confusing levels | Easier to navigate |
| Weapon strength levels | Present | Removed |
| Enemy toughness levels | Present | Removed |
| Shotgun | Flimsy, ineffective | Respectable damage |
| Melee | Risky (enemies shot at point blank) | Viable option |
| Enemy health | Bullet spongey | Less bullet spongey |
All weapons now feel more worthwhile, especially against bigger enemies. The shotgun is now effective (a cardinal sin for a boomer shooter). Melee weapons are a viable way to close distance and down easier enemies.
Boltgun 2 Vs Original Boltgun
| Aspect | Boltgun 2 | Original Boltgun |
|---|---|---|
| Environments | Overgrown forest, icy base | Dreary gothic cathedrals, red hot weapons forges |
| Colours | Green, white, blue | Greys and reds |
| Level design | Wide open (preview) | Tight rooms and corridors |
| Playable characters | 2 (Caedo, Veyrath) | 1 (Caedo) |
| Enemies | Khorne, Nurgle, Tzeentch | Mostly Tzeentch |
| Shotgun | Effective | Flimsy |
| Melee | Viable | Risky |
| Weapons | More | Fewer |
Pros And Cons Of Boltgun 2 (Based On Preview)
Pros
- Beautiful, visually diverse levels (forest, icy base).
- New enemy types (Khorne, Nurgle, poxwalkers, berserkers).
- New playable character (Sister of Battle Nyra Veyrath).
- Shotgun is now effective.
- Melee is viable.
- Enemies are less bullet spongey.
- Weapon strength and enemy toughness levels removed.
- Better navigation (less confusing).
- Poxwalker horde fight is a standout encounter.
- More weapons than the original.
Cons
- Still a Doom clone (no meaningful innovation over the original).
- Two characters play more similarly than expected (differences feel cosmetic).
- Levels are too spacious and open (lack tension of tight corridors).
- Enemies can be killed from a distance without reacting.
- Too easy to sidestep bullets in open areas.
- Preview levels may not represent full game balance.
- Character specific weapons fill the same roles (shotgun vs crossbow).
- Taunt voice lines are the most noticeable character difference.
- Not as innovative as boomer shooters like Ultrakill, Selaco or Turbo Overkill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the release date for Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun 2?
Not specified in the preview. The preview build was shown in May 2026. The full release is likely later in 2026.
What are the system requirements?
Not specified. The original Boltgun ran on low end hardware. The sequel likely has similar requirements.
Is Boltgun 2 a Doom clone?
Yes. The preview indicates the game is still a Doom clone, like the original. It does not move the boomer shooter genre forward in the same way as Ultrakill, Selaco or Turbo Overkill.
