The 2023 sprite-based FPS reimagined Warhammer 40,000’s grim darkness of the far future as a fast, bloody throwback. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 follows that game, with Auroch Digital again handling development and Big Fan Games and Devolver Digital publishing. It retains the pixel aesthetic while expanding nearly every other element: there’s a second playable hero, a branching campaign, new foes, and a named daemonic antagonist.
Quick answer: The release date is October 14, 2026, for PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, priced at $24.99; a Nintendo Switch 2 edition is coming later. Each playthrough lets you choose between Malum Caedo and Nyra Veyrath.
Release date, platforms, and price
The game launches on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 14, 2026. A Nintendo Switch 2 edition is in development and lands after the other versions; no official Switch 2 date is confirmed yet. On Steam it lists for $24.99, and a free demo is available there as well.
| Platform | Release | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Oct 14, 2026 | $24.99 |
| PlayStation 5 | Oct 14, 2026 | $24.99 |
| Xbox Series X|S | Oct 14, 2026 | $24.99 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Later, no date | — |
A bundle pairs Boltgun 2 with the original Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun on Steam at a combined discount. The game is single-player only, with Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud, and Family Sharing support, and full English voice with subtitles in more than a dozen languages.
Two playable heroes
You choose one of two characters at the start of a playthrough and stick with them rather than swapping mid-run. Each has a different kit, so a second run with the other hero plays differently.
Malum Caedo
The Ultramarine and Sternguard Veteran from the first game returns. His heavy arsenal includes a boltgun and shotgun, followed by a plasma gun and, in addition, a heavy bolter; a chainsword handles close combat. He can charge in a straight line through weaker foes, making him the durable, hard-hitting choice.
Nyra Veyrath
A new Sister of Battle built for speed. She carries a crossbow whose bolts pierce through enemies and a flamethrower that leaves ash in her wake. Her slide chains into a jump and triggers bullet time, giving her a nimble, hit-and-move rhythm that contrasts with Caedo’s brute force.
The story and Vashtorr the Arkifane
Boltgun 2 begins immediately after the original’s ending. Caedo and Veyrath head to a remote star system to investigate escalating Chaos activity, where they encounter Vashtorr the Arkifane, an immensely powerful demigod from recent 40k lore. Vashtorr rouses an enormous daemonic machine deep in the planet, setting off a devastating blast that wipes out much of the Imperial fleet.
The pair then travel between worlds, purging the corruption behind Vashtorr’s schemes before trying to send the demigod back to the Warp. Their campaign visits biomes not seen before, including the lofty reaches of a hive city and the thick mangrove wetlands on a jungle world.
What’s new compared to the first Boltgun
The sequel keeps the deliberately retro sprite look and explosive strafing combat while addressing the original’s main complaint, repetition, with more variety across the board.
- A branching campaign, where each path features its own unique levels.
- A second playable hero with a distinct playstyle and arsenal.
- New enemies drawn from different factions, plus new weapons.
- New locations and biomes to fight through.
- Find Purity seal collectibles, watch pixel-art cinematics, and use new taunts for each of the two characters.
- A navigation guide to keep you pointed toward the action.
The lineup brings back plague-spreading Nurglings and Chaos Cultists alongside fresh foes. Bloodletters, accompanied by daemonic Juggernauts, surge forward with almost nothing able to halt them; as your arsenal grows stronger, the enemies become more formidable too.
Hands-on impressions of the demo describe the levels as more linear than the first game, with no backtracking, a single grenade type shared by both heroes, and the old weapon-resistance toughness system largely removed.
Mick Gordon on music
Guest composer Mick Gordon, known for his work on DOOM (2016), DOOM Eternal, and Wolfenstein: The New Order, contributed an original track for the game. The release date trailer gave a first listen to his work, and his score is tied to the finale against Vashtorr.
That industrial, synth-heavy tone carries over to the front end. The title screen presents the stylized Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun II logo above an Imperial gothic interior, with arched windows opening out onto space and an armored purple skimmer parked on a landing bay, all set to an extended dark synth and orchestral menu theme.
PC system requirements
The install footprint is small at 13 GB, and both tiers target 1080p at 60 FPS. Minimum settings aim for low quality, while the recommended spec targets high quality.
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 11 x64 |
| CPU | Core i5-8600K / Ryzen 5 2600 | Core i7-7700K / Ryzen 5 1500X |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| GPU | GTX 980 / R9 Fury / Arc A580 | GTX 1650 / RX 570 |
| DirectX | 12 | 12 |
| Storage | 13 GB | 13 GB |
For newcomers, that mix of a bulldozing Space Marine and a nimble, flamer-wielding Sister of Battle is the clearest reason to run the campaign twice. For returning players, the branching levels, broader biomes, and expanded enemy roster are the additions worth watching when you drop in on October 14.
