Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 PS5 Hands-On Preview – Purging Heresy At Full Speed

If the original Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun had a problem, it wasn’t its combat. Rather, it was everything around it that sometimes got in the way. Brilliant shooting could be buried under messy layouts and uneven pacing. Even so, Auroch Digital still carved out something loud, fast and gloriously excessive. Now, after two preview missions of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2, it already feels like those rough edges are being burned away for pure, controlled chaos.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 PS5 Hands-On Preview – Purging Heresy At Full Speed

Carve Your Path

Following the events of the first game, Malum Caedo returns as the Emperor’s angriest walking tank. In addition, he is now joined by Battle Sister Nyra Veyrath. Caedo remains a frontline powerhouse built around overwhelming aggression. For example, abilities like Obliterating Charge let him smash through enemy ranks. Meanwhile, Chainsword Lunge keeps pressure constant at close range. As a result, his fantasy is pushed even further into unstoppable force territory.

Nyra Veyrath, on the other hand, immediately shifts the pace whenever she enters combat. Her kit focuses heavily on mobility and precision. For instance, Fervent Slide allows rapid repositioning. From there, it flows into slow-motion aerial strikes. At the same time, Melta Bombs bring explosive burst damage. Likewise, her Power Sword supports a more aggressive close-range rhythm. Importantly, both characters also use regeneration mechanics. This helps maintain momentum without breaking combat flow. Even in just two missions, however, the difference between them is already clear.

That contrast also shows up in smaller details. For example, fan-favourite taunting returns in a more dynamic form. In addition, both characters have unique voice lines. These taunts also change depending on context. Sometimes you are fighting enemies. Other times you are speaking with Imperial allies. Even though it is a small feature, it reinforces the game’s theatrical Warhammer 40K tone.

Kill It With Fire

Meanwhile, combat still sits at the centre of everything. It hits with the same weight as before. Weapons feel heavy and deliberate. At the same time, enemies explode into pixelated gore. As a result, encounters constantly demand movement and prioritisation. One standout addition is the Condemnor Stake Thrower. Specifically, it is a single-shot weapon with brutal stopping power. Because of this, it quickly becomes one of the highlights of the build.

In terms of control, handling is also noticeably improved. Previously, the original could feel unwieldy during heavier fights. However, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 adds refined sensitivity options. It also includes a vertical aiming multiplier. As a result, movement feels smoother overall. More importantly, combat flow benefits immediately.

Similarly, mission design is more focused this time around. In the original game, momentum sometimes slipped. By contrast, these missions avoid that issue entirely. Objectives are clearer. Likewise, arenas flow better. As a result, exploration rarely slows things down. Overall, it gives everything a stronger sense of direction.

Heavy Metal Weaponry

Enemy variety also appears broader. Once again, Chaos cultists and Nurgle forces return. However, there are also hints of a wider Chaos roster. Even in this short slice, encounters feel more varied. At the same time, they feel more aggressively designed.

Some fights, for instance, lean heavily into projectile pressure. Because of this, they push the game closer to DOOM-style intensity. Even so, the retro identity is still fully intact.

Visually, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 keeps its chunky sprite-based style. However, it pushes detail much further. Gothic interiors feel denser. Industrial warzones feel heavier. Likewise, daemon-infested areas feel more oppressive. Enemy density also increases. As a result, the chaos is stronger, but still readable.

Watch The Fireworks

Importantly, tone remains one of its strongest elements. Malum Caedo feels less like a character and more like a walking engine of Imperial violence. He carves through heretics without hesitation. Crucially, the game embraces Warhammer 40K‘s excess without irony. That is exactly why it works.

By the end of these two missions, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 already feels more focused. It does not simply repeat the first game. Instead, it refines it. Combat is tighter. In addition, systems feel more varied. Pacing is also better controlled. However, there are still questions around repetition in the full campaign. Even so, early impressions are strong. For fans of retro shooters and Warhammer 40K, this looks like another relentless purge worth watching.

Finally, what stands out most is confidence. It already knows what it wants to be. If the full game maintains this momentum, it could hugely surpass the original rather than just iterate on it.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 launches in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.