Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Nintendo Switch review – a bolt in the blue

In the event you’re unfamiliar with the phrase ‘boomer shooter’ that’s honest sufficient as a result of I solely just lately discovered about it. It’s a time period the web has coined to explain the kind of pixelated FPS video games that dominate PC gaming historical past from the 90s, comparable to Doom, Wolfenstein, Quake, and Duke Nukem. A number of of those nice titles are on Change due to trendy ports, however now there’s a brand new participant on the desk.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a brand new ‘boomer shooter’ drawing heavy inspiration from the traditional FPS’ of the 90s, using a closely pixelated fashion and visceral motion to evoke one of the best that PC gaming has to supply from the period of Spice Women and Pogs. Equally to these traditional boomer shooters, Warhammer 40K: Boltgun is a no-nonsense recreation that focuses on killing, and little else, although it does function some good touches from its tabletop inspirations.

The universe of Warhammer 40K presents some good world-building and lends itself extremely nicely to this kind of recreation. The truth is, it appears onerous to consider that any such entry within the franchise doesn’t exist already. From the cumbersome energy armor of the House Marines and the vicious whirring of the chainsword, to the grotesque foes just like the Chaos Terminator, this franchise and the boomer shooter are like peanut butter and jelly.

I’m not completely up to the mark with the Warhammer 40,000 franchise, however some occasional dips into the videogames and a love of tabletop gaming imply I do know the gist. I’m knowledgeable sufficient in regards to the world of space-faring heretics and non secular zealots to get by, and in addition to, there actually isn’t a lot to go on right here anyway. You’re a House Marine on a mission to destroy Chaos House Marines and daemons of Chaos. Sure, it’s going to be bloody.

Probably the most spectacular factor right here is the arsenal at your disposal, along with your belief chainsword because the mainstay and a pleasant collection of weapons in addition. Eviscerate enemies with the titular boltgun, which fires tiny missiles, a shotgun, a plasma rifle, or extra critical weaponry just like the grav-cannon. What’s extra, you may discover every stage and infrequently bump into short-term further ammo sorts, such because the boltgun’s kraken bolts that may pierce by means of armor.

Whereas the quantity of weapons is technically small, between the discoverable enhancements, and extra gadgets comparable to frag grenades, there are nonetheless plenty of methods to mess up enemies and loads of room for techniques. Plus, the number of enemies forces you to shortly change between them, as your weapon power solely works on enemies with matching power, so it’s smart to save lots of the heavier artillery for the large boys.

Talking of enemies, there’s a pleasant selection in Boltgun, in addition to a slew of attention-grabbing ranges over the eight-to-ten-hour marketing campaign. There’s plenty of non secular imagery, dank dungeons, and lengthy corridors, however there may be nearly sufficient selection to maintain issues contemporary. Nonetheless, the pool of enemies might be barely larger, as even with the occasional bosses, the line-up of daemons and house marines does shortly run dry.

There are nonetheless some good variations as you progress, such because the purge mode, the place when coming into sure areas, the display screen runs blood crimson, and it’s essential to incapacitate a sure variety of enemies to proceed. There’s typically one thing enjoyable to connect to your weapons in these areas as nicely, so you may actually go to city and revel within the glory of blood and guts. When Boltgun works, it feels superb.

One space that positively shortly runs out of concepts is the extent design. Most ranges supply a pleasant stage of verticality, and hidden secrets and techniques comparable to short-term ammo rounds and everlasting weapon augmentations like further ammo capability are an excellent motive to discover. You additionally don’t take fall harm, so it is best to positively be taking advantage of the house, leaping off ledges, and shocking your foes.

What’s tedious is the fixed want to search out keys to open doorways, with little or no in the best way of selection in the case of precise exploration. To not point out, with the heavy crunch of the pixels on display screen, it could actually often be just a little powerful to make out the place you’re going or your subsequent goal.

There’s a sarcastic Servo-Cranium that follows you round like a demonic Navi, often stating ammo and hinting in the direction of the best way, nevertheless it’s usually extra sardonic than useful. It’s not an enormous nitpick as the degrees are typically brief sufficient that you just gained’t ever get actually misplaced, however there may be nonetheless just a little an excessive amount of unintentional backtracking for my liking.

There are some good choices for folks wanting a neater expertise as a result of in addition to 4 problem choices there’s additionally the choice to activate invulnerability, in addition to unlock all ranges. So in case you merely wish to mow down foes and sit back, the choice is there. In the meantime, in order for you the traditional problem of a 90s boomer shooter, slam up that problem, and I promise that Boltgun calls for each your reflexes and your tactical prowess.

One factor I am keen on is the presentation, as Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun knocks it out of the park when it comes to audio design. The soundtrack is suitably stuffed with spectacular rock-infused tracks that steadiness the depth of a 90s shooter with the grandiose ambiance that the Warhammer 40k universe calls for.

The sound results are equally nice with the satisfying squelches of enemies bursting out of your explosive rounds, the visceral revving of the chainsword, and a lot extra. Plus, there’s even a devoted ‘Rahul Kohli’ button because the Midnight Mass actor voices the titular House Marine, and a faucet of the X button offers you zingers comparable to “none will survive” and “the Emporer’s will likely be finished.”

Sadly there are some points with efficiency, as I’ve skilled slowdown with the scene being caught for a number of frames, in addition to the sport needing to pause and cargo in the course of fight. I get there’s a lot occurring, however with such a chunky pixelated artwork fashion, I’m disillusioned that my playthrough is routinely being interrupted and even placed on maintain. I’d actually love some patches to supply a smoother expertise.

Lastly, even after adjusting a number of instances, I’m nonetheless fighting the sensitivity of the cursor. I’ve slammed all of the choices as much as the utmost, and nonetheless, my House Marine seems like a strolling fridge. I do know that matches into the universe, however I’d just like the motion to really feel just a little extra responsive. I particularly would actually love movement controls down the road, as they add a lot to the unbelievable ports of titles like Duke Nukem on Change.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun may not break new floor, nevertheless it’s a violent and bloody riot that’s a few of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had within the Warhammer universe. A unbelievable visible fashion and unfold of weapons completely match the tone of the boomer shooter, and there are plenty of enemies ready to be slain over the 8-10 hour marketing campaign. I simply hope that we get some updates to enhance efficiency and presumably add movement controls.

For much more nice transportable motion, take a look at our guides to one of the best cellular shooters and one of the best Change FPS video games.