Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
" Vibrant action indie with nostalgic 90's pixel art and satisfying combat but cramped level design "
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Review
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun delivers a nostalgic boomer shooter experience set in the grimdark 40k universe, featuring chunky pixel art graphics and satisfying weapon feedback. Players enjoy the visceral feel of powerful guns like the Boltgun and Heavy Bolter, complemented by solid sound design that enhances combat intensity. The game offers a decent amount of content with lengthy missions and a Horde mode for replayability. However, level design often feels cramped and repetitive, with narrow corridors hindering fast-paced movement and tactical dodging. Enemy variety is limited, and many foes are bullet sponges, leading to monotonous combat and frustrating boss fights with inflated health pools. The story is minimal and lacks voice acting, with some players finding the narrator's chatter annoying. While the game is challenging on higher difficulties, the difficulty scaling is criticized for poor balance and excessive enemy health. Despite these issues, Boltgun is recommended especially for fans of classic FPS and Warhammer lore, though many suggest purchasing on sale due to its flaws.
Highlights
Players praise Boltgun's unique pixel art style and vibrant colors that capture the Warhammer 40k atmosphere well. The weapon handling and sound design receive high marks, making combat feel impactful and satisfying. The game’s length and mission variety provide substantial content, and the Horde mode adds enjoyable replay value. Fans appreciate the faithful representation of the 40k universe and the fun, old-school FPS gameplay reminiscent of Doom and Ultrakill. The character Malum Caedo is noted as a compelling protagonist, and the overall aesthetic and gore effects enhance immersion.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the repetitive and cramped level design that restricts movement and tactical play. Enemy variety is limited, with many enemies being bullet sponges that diminish combat excitement. Boss fights are often frustrating due to excessive health pools and constant enemy spawns, leading to tedious encounters. The reloading mechanic and ammo limitations frustrate players, especially with some weapons like the Chainsword feeling ineffective. The story is shallow and lacks engaging voice acting, and the soundtrack is considered uninspiring or nearly absent by some. Performance issues and occasional crashes were reported. Many feel the difficulty scaling is poorly balanced, favoring casual play but punishing hardcore players with slogging encounters.
Pros
- • Vibrant pixel art style captures Warhammer 40k atmosphere effectively.
- • Weapons handle well with satisfying sound design and impactful feedback.
- • Lengthy missions and Horde mode offer good replayability and content.
- • Faithful representation of the 40k universe with engaging protagonist.
- • Old-school boomer shooter gameplay evokes nostalgia and fun.
- • Gore and blood effects enhance immersion and combat excitement.
- • Challenging difficulty modes available for varied player skill levels.
Cons
- • Level design is often cramped, repetitive, and restrictive to movement.
- • Enemies frequently act as bullet sponges, making combat tedious.
- • Boss fights have inflated health and constant spawns, causing frustration.
- • Ammo limits and reloading mechanics hinder fluid gameplay.
- • Chainsword weapon is ineffective and poorly balanced.
- • Story is minimal with no voice acting and annoying narrator chatter.
- • Soundtrack is uninspired or nearly absent during gameplay.
Rating Criteria
Load up your Boltgun and unleash the awesome Space Marine arsenal to blast your way through an explosion of sprites, pixels and blood in a perfect blend of Warhammer 40,000, frenetic gameplay and the stylish visuals of 90’s retro shooters.
