10 Must-Have Retro Shooter Features in Warhammer 40K

The Warhammer 40k franchise has surprised fans with its latest addition, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, a first-person shooter that combines the familiar Space Marine storyline with a retro twist on design and gameplay. As players battle the Forces of Chaos across the galaxy, they will be transported back to the days of classic shooters like Doom, thanks to the game's retro elements. While taking inspiration from this era, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun successfully captures the essence of retro shooters, providing a unique and exciting experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.

10 The Look

The design of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun truly captures the essence of a retro shooter with its classic visuals. Upon launching the game, players are transported back in time with the title screen and main menu reminiscent of arcade games from the past. The loading screens also add to the nostalgic feel with their pixelated backgrounds, tips, and instructions to "press any key to continue." The attention to detail is impressive, right down to the Space Marine hand cursor. The pixelated graphics are a perfect blend of old-school and modern, with enough detail to be recognizable and fuzzy enough to bring back memories of retro shooters. The use of vibrant colors, especially red, and 2D environmental objects that always face the player complete the retro look and feel.

9 The Sound

In Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, the retro shooter style is executed flawlessly by incorporating loud and chaotic sounds that match the game's gungho nature. The game's menus feature gunshot sounds when options are clicked, while walking is accompanied by thunderous footsteps. Encounter enemies and you'll be greeted by monstrous roars. However, the most satisfying sound in the game is the squelch and burst that accompanies the Space Marine's Boltgun, Chainsword, and other devastating weapons when they take down an enemy. The sounds of each armament are powerful and terrifying, adding to the game's overall immersive experience. The gory sound of an enemy's demise after each killing blow confirms the kill, and is both visceral and familiar, reminiscent of retro games from the past. Such audio design is an ideal fit for the grim dark universe of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun.

8 The Music

The soundtrack of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun enhances the game's already impressive audio experience with a mix of classic rock, techno, heavy metal, and ominous background music. Reminiscent of Doom, the music perfectly complements the game's high-energy gameplay and adds an extra layer of immersion. Every track on the soundtrack is well-suited to the game's retro design, and players will find themselves eagerly anticipating the title screen, menus, loading screens, and level complete screens just to hear the music. In fact, the music between levels is so outstanding that players will often find themselves rocking out before, after, and during breaks in the action. The music of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun not only sparks feelings of nostalgia but also embodies the essence of retro shooters while maintaining its unique identity.

7 The Gameplay

The gameplay of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is reminiscent of classic shooters, with a focus on fast-paced action and simple yet challenging objectives. Players must navigate through levels, taking out hordes of enemies and collecting power-ups along the way. In addition to the run-and-gun gameplay, there are platforming elements and occasional puzzles that add variety to the experience without becoming overly complicated or tedious. Overall, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun offers a satisfying blend of retro-style gameplay and modern action.

6 The Level Design

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun's level design is truly exceptional, with each map offering a unique experience that keeps players engaged from start to finish. Whether it's the visually stunning environments, thrilling side objectives, or challenging obstacles that only a Space Marine could conquer, there's always something new to discover. What truly sets Boltgun apart, however, is the layout of each map. Every platform, cover, nook, and cranny is strategically placed to facilitate fast-paced, high-action gameplay. With features like explosive red barrels and hidden secrets, the retro shooter influences are clear and add an extra layer of excitement to each level.

5 The Weapons

The Warhammer 40k franchise boasts a plethora of lethal weapons, making it a perfect fit for a retro shooter game like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. In this game, players are presented with a variety of armaments to earn and wield, each with its own unique ammo type and approach to dispatching enemies. This diversity adds depth to the Space Marine's arsenal and pays homage to the classic weaponry found in retro shooters. From the iconic Boltgun to the Chainsword, Shotgun, and Plasma Gun, every weapon in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is optimized for certain foes or environments, encouraging players to experiment and utilize their futuristic arsenal to its fullest potential. No matter the challenge, the Space Marine is equipped to overcome it.

4 The Powerups

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun offers players a vast armory and powerups that enhance the Space Marine's abilities and weapons. These powerups are not easily accessible, hidden in obscure or hard-to-reach locations, and require players to explore the map to earn them. However, they are not long-lasting and require wise usage to progress through the game.

3 The Enemies

The design of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, with its retro shooter style, compliments the vast array of enemies that exist within the Warhammer 40k universe. The Forces of Chaos were a wise choice for the game's opposing faction, as they offer a wide range of species, origins, and capabilities. This includes Chaos Daemons, Chaos Space Marines, heretics, and several other formidable adversaries, which adds diversity to the gameplay, as is customary for retro shooters.

The enemies featured in the game are diverse, but follow the common guidelines of retro shooters and can be identified by their respective roles. There are numerous weak enemies that attack in swarms, powerful ones that appear alone or in pairs, ranged attackers that strike from a distance, and ultimately, bosses that pose a significant challenge, often appearing at the end of a level. This element enhances Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, ensuring that players remain engaged and entertained throughout the game's various levels.

2 The Plot

In Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, a Sternguard Veteran Space Marine is entrusted with a daunting mission by an Inquisitor - to locate and put an end to the source of destruction plaguing the Forge World of Graia. To achieve this objective, the Space Marine must navigate through the entire Graia, facing countless enemies along the way. However, their unwavering commitment to the Imperium of Man and the Emperor drives them to fulfill this challenging task, despite the unfavorable odds stacked against them.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun follows the classic theme of retro shooters, where a single individual must overcome insurmountable obstacles to prevent a catastrophic event. Our Sternguard Veteran Space Marine embodies the quintessential hero of such games - possessing extraordinary power and capabilities to emerge victorious against all odds. The game offers a plethora of opportunities to explore, including cinematics, environmental storytelling, and dialogues, while staying true to its roots.

1 The Atmosphere

Playing Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun immerses players in the gritty and surreal universe of Warhammer 40k, reminiscent of classic retro shooters. The game evokes a range of emotions from awe to vulnerability as players navigate through the oppressive world of Graia. Despite the overwhelming atmosphere, there is a sense of wonder when encountering the fantastical elements of the game. This creates a powerful and ambiguous experience that leaves a lasting impact on players.

Like other retro shooters, such as Doom, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun elicits conflicting emotions from players. While players may be amazed by the game's features, there are elements that subvert this amazement, such as the Forces of Chaos. However, it is the unique atmosphere created by retro shooters that contributes to their enduring popularity in the video game industry.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.