Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Is Here — More Gore, More Dakka, Same Retro Soul

Four years after the original became a cult favorite, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 launched on October 14th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Auroch Digital and published under Devolver Digital's Big Fan Games label, the sequel keeps everything that made the first game special while expanding the scope considerably.

Two Astartes, Double the Carnage

The original Boltgun put players in the ceramite boots of Ultramarine Malum Caedo, a walking lore reference who treated heretics the way a wood chipper treats a log. Boltgun 2 adds a second playable character: Sister of Battle Nyra Veyrath, bringing a different combat philosophy and a fresh loadout to the heresy-purging festivities. Both characters have their own weapons and playstyles, effectively doubling the game's content scope without abandoning its pixel-art aesthetic.

Same Retro DNA, Bigger Everything

Auroch Digital has kept the formula that worked: fast movement, chunky pixel-art visuals, arena-style combat, and that deeply satisfying weight behind every boltgun round. The sequel expands the enemy roster and weapon variety significantly over the original, while retaining the Doom-meets-40K atmosphere that resonated so strongly with both Warhammer fans and boomer-shooter enthusiasts.

The original launched in 2023 and found an audience far beyond the typical Warhammer fanbase — it was genuinely well-crafted as a shooter first, with the 40K dressing as a bonus. Boltgun 2 appears to be following the same philosophy rather than pivoting toward live service elements or open-world bloat.

Platforms and What's Missing

The PC, PS5, and Xbox Series launch is confirmed. A Switch 2 version is planned but has no release date yet. If the first game's Switch port is any guide, it'll arrive eventually and run well on Nintendo's hardware — but don't hold your breath for a simultaneous launch.

The Bigger Picture

Boltgun 2's release is part of a quietly strong October for mid-size releases. While the industry increasingly gravitates toward massive AAA spectacles or small indie experiments, there's clearly still a market for competently executed genre games that know exactly what they are. Auroch Digital has found a niche that suits them, and the Boltgun formula is strong enough to sustain a sequel without reinventing the wheel.

For anyone who bounced off the original due to Warhammer unfamiliarity: the lore knowledge required is minimal. You shoot things that glow green, protect things that don't, and marvel at how satisfying the shooting feels. That part hasn't changed.