Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 asks one question: how many heretics can you turn into red paste before dinner? The retro shooter from Auroch Digital launched on October 14, 2026, and this Boltgun 2 guide covers everything you need before you buy it. You will get the release date, price, PC requirements, how the branching campaign works, which hero to play first and an honest verdict, all checked against Steam and early reviews. The answer to the first question is "a lot." The game is also single player only, so nobody will judge your body count.
⚡ Quick Answer
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is a single player retro first person shooter from Auroch Digital. It launched on October 14, 2026 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S at $24.99. You play as Malum Caedo or Nyra Veyrath through a branching campaign of more than 30 levels. A Switch 2 version is coming later.
What Is Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2?
Boltgun 2 is the direct sequel to the 2023 original, a boomer shooter that treats the Warhammer 40,000 universe like a 1990s corridor shooter. It is developed by Auroch Digital and published by Big Fan Games and Devolver Digital. The Steam page promises new locations, including a hive city, a jungle and the Ark of Omen.
The story follows two heroes investigating Chaos activity in an isolated star system, where they run into the demigod Vashtorr the Arkifane, as Gematsu reports. Expect more than three dozen new enemy types, Death Korps of Krieg allies in some levels, and the first mounted enemy in the series, the Bloodcrusher. Rahul Kohli voices Malum Caedo and Alanah Pearce voices Nyra Veyrath, according to the studio's FAQ.
What Is the Boltgun 2 Release Date, Price and Platform List?
The Boltgun 2 release date was October 14, 2026. It costs $24.99 on Steam, and the Steam page also lists three bundles. The game is digital only, with no physical version planned.
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| Item | Details (USD, Steam, Oct 18, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Release date | October 14, 2026 |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Confirmed for later, no date yet |
| Price | $24.99 |
| Boltgun + Boltgun 2 bundle | $28.42 (was $42.28) |
| Boltgun 2 x AMID EVIL bundle | $40.48 |
| Boltgun 2 x ULTRAKILL bundle | $49.48 |
Prices come from the Steam store page and change by region and sale. A launch discount of 10% ran until release day, according to Axeetech, so the full price is what you pay now.
What Are the Boltgun 2 System Requirements?
The Boltgun 2 system requirements are friendly to older rigs. Steam targets 1080p at 60 FPS on both tiers, with low settings for the minimum and high settings for the recommended spec.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64 bit | Windows 11 64 bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8600K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-7700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GTX 980 / Radeon R9 Fury / Arc A580 (4 GB) | GTX 1650 / Radeon RX 570 (4 GB) |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 13 GB | 13 GB |
⚠️ Important: One outlet reports that the game is Steam Deck Verified, but the Steam page I checked does not show a rating. Look at the Steam page yourself before you buy for the Deck. Also, a studio patch planned for the week after launch adds crosshair options, including a dot, opacity and scale.
How Does the Boltgun 2 Branching Campaign Work and How Long Is It?
The first game was a straight line of corridors. The sequel gives you a map and lets you pick where to go next. COGconnected explains that finishing a mission, usually two or three levels, unlocks a path to the next one, and several optional side missions sit on the way.
📊 Key Stat: Gaming Trend counts 33 missions in total and cites about 9 hours on Hard as Malum. COGconnected says one playthrough covers roughly 15 of its 30 or so missions.
So how long is Boltgun 2? Plan on roughly 9 hours for one run, longer if you chase every branch. Because a single run skips about half the missions, the game wants a second visit. Finishing the campaign unlocks a replay with the other hero, a level select and an option to play levels you missed.
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Navigation also got fixes. The new map shows several elevation levels, and the yellow dotted path returns to point you toward optional objectives, Gaming Trend notes. Secrets, hidden rooms and alternate routes are spread through the levels, GamingBolt reports.
Who Should You Play First: Malum Caedo or Nyra Veyrath?
You pick one hero per campaign and cannot swap mid run, so the choice matters. Here is how the two compare, based on the two reviews I read.
Malum Caedo, the Walking Wall
Malum is an Ultramarine Sternguard Veteran returning from the first game. His kit stays familiar, with a stronger charge and a more polished chainsword. His arsenal covers the bolt gun, plasma gun, shotgun, frag cannon, melta gun, heavy bolter, volkite caliver, missile launcher and grav cannon, Gaming Trend lists. He is the tankier and more forgiving pick.
Nyra Veyrath, the Fast and Flammable One
Nyra is a Sister of Battle with a Fervent Slide that mixes a powerslide, a jump and slowed time. She also carries a Melta Bomb and a power sword for quick lunges. COGconnected says her flamer alone makes her worth playing, but warns that the slide is hard to control near deadly drops. Gaming Trend found her weapon selection a bit lackluster, with too many similar bolters and heat weapons.
💡 Pro Tip: My read of the reviews: start with Malum if you want the safest first run, then use the post game replay to learn Nyra's slide without a ruined first impression.
What Are the Best Boltgun 2 Tips for Beginners?
These tips come from the Steam page, the studio and published reviews.
- Try the free demo first: it has two levels, a swamp and a frozen battlefield, and lets you test both heroes, per the press release.
- Use the weapon wheel: it makes switching faster, so match the gun to the crowd instead of holding one favorite.
- Watch the enemies, not their health: the sequel removed enemy health indicators, so rely on hit reactions and keep moving.
- Follow the yellow dotted path: it points toward optional objectives when the map confuses you.
- Poke around: hidden rooms and alternate routes are built into the levels.
- Let allies tank: the Death Korps of Krieg appear in some levels, and they make decent bullet sponges.
- Tune the difficulty: the reviews mention plenty of gameplay options, so adjust them if the action overwhelms you.
Is Boltgun 2 Worth Buying?
📊 Key Stat: On October 18, 94% of 158 Steam reviews were positive, which earns a Very Positive rating. That is a small sample, so expect it to move.
Critics agree with players. Gaming Trend gave it 90 out of 100, and COGconnected gave it 82. COGconnected's complaints are repetition and a generic metal soundtrack, not broken combat.
"A straight upgrade."
Here is my verdict on the buy decision:
- Buy it if you loved the first game, like fast retro shooters, or want a short campaign with real replay value.
- Skip it if you want co-op or multiplayer. The game is single player only.
- Wait if you are on Switch 2. That version has no date, and the Steam demo is a cheap way to test your taste.
What Does Boltgun 2 Feel Like to Play?
⚠️ Important: [REPLACE BEFORE PUBLISHING: write 80 to 100 words about your own play session, in first person.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 a direct sequel?
Yes. Boltgun 2 continues the story of the 2023 original and brings back Malum Caedo, the Ultramarine hero. Auroch Digital developed both games. You can follow the sequel without replaying the first one, though the Steam bundle lets you buy both together at a lower price.
Who are the playable characters in Boltgun 2?
You can play as Malum Caedo, a returning Ultramarine Sternguard Veteran, or Nyra Veyrath, a new Sister of Battle. Each has their own weapons and abilities. You choose one for the whole campaign, and finishing the game unlocks a replay with the other hero.
How long does it take to beat Boltgun 2?
One playthrough takes about 9 hours on Hard as Malum, according to Gaming Trend. Because the branching map lets a run skip roughly half the missions, seeing everything takes more than one playthrough. Your time will change with difficulty and how much you explore.
Does Boltgun 2 have co-op multiplayer?
No. The studio describes Boltgun 2 as a single player experience, and Steam tags it as singleplayer. There is no co-op or multiplayer mode mentioned anywhere in the official FAQ. AI controlled Death Korps of Krieg allies appear in some levels, but you cannot play with friends.
What platforms is Boltgun 2 available on?
Boltgun 2 launched on October 14, 2026 for PC through Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is confirmed for a later date that has not been announced. The game is digital only, so there is no disc release planned.
Does Boltgun 2 have a branching campaign?
Yes. You choose the order of missions on a map, and each branch holds its own levels, with more than 30 levels in total. Optional side missions are included. After the credits, a level select and an option to play missed levels unlock, so you can catch up.
Is there a free Boltgun 2 demo?
Yes, a free demo was released on Steam in May 2026. It covers two levels, a mangrove swamp full of Nurgle daemons and a frozen Imperial facility, and you can play as Malum or Nyra. Check the store page to see whether it is still listed.
Final Thoughts
Boltgun 2 does not reinvent the boomer shooter, and it never pretends to. It takes a solid first game, fixes the confusing maps and repeated bosses, and adds a second hero and a path you choose yourself. At $24.99 with a free demo, the risk is small. The gaps worth watching are Steam Deck status, the post launch patches and the Switch 2 date, and I will update this guide when they land.
📚 Sources & References
- Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 on Steam, Auroch Digital, accessed Oct 18, 2026
- Boltgun 2 FAQ, Auroch Digital
- Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Review, Gaming Trend, Oct 14, 2026
- Warhammer 40K: Boltgun 2 Review, COGconnected
- Boltgun II launches October 14, later for Switch 2, Gematsu, Aug 2026
- Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2, Everything You Need to Know, GamingBolt
- Boltgun 2 Launches October 14, Axeetech
- Free Boltgun 2 demo press release, Cosmocover, May 21, 2026
