Boltgun 2 offers two heroes, more than 30 branching levels and 40+ new enemies. It keeps the original's fast-paced retro FPS core, while taking you into a single-player campaign that begins directly after the first game's ending. The biggest choice in Boltgun 2 vs Boltgun 1 starts before the shooting: you pick Malum Caedo or Nyra Veyrath for the entire campaign, then choose your route between worlds.
Boltgun 1 vs 2: what changes in the campaign?
Boltgun 2 gives you a branching campaign with more than 30 levels across its different routes, and you cannot see everything in one playthrough.
Your destination choices decide which unique levels you visit and which regions you surrender to the enemy. Treat a deployment choice as a commitment to a route. If your aim is to see every environment, plan around replaying the campaign rather than expecting one sweep to cover everything.
The story moves beyond Malum's campaign on Forge World Graia into new worlds and biomes. These include a hive city, mangrove swamps and the heart of the Ark of Omen. Each location brings its own environmental challenges, so the sequel changes more than the backdrop behind the next arena.
For route planning and the distinction between the full campaign and a single run, head to Boltgun 2 levels.
How does choosing Malum or Nyra change combat?
You choose one of two characters at the beginning and play that character for the entire campaign, with different weapons and abilities shaping your approach. Malum returns from the original; Nyra is the new playable Sister of Battle.
Choose Malum Caedo for toughness and charging attacks
Malum is the better fit if you prioritise survivability and want the familiar Space Marine approach. He is slower than Nyra, but combines his resilience with heavy weapons and ways to close the distance.
His Chainsword Lunge returns, letting him launch toward enemies. Obliterating Charge also returns with new visuals and more power. Frag grenades sit alongside a weapon selection that includes the Boltgun, Grav Cannon, Missile Launcher and Plasma Gun.
Pick him if you want to stay with the original hero while exploring the new campaign structure. His movement abilities still let you push into close combat despite his lower movement speed.
Choose Nyra Veyrath for mobility and fire
Nyra is the better fit if you prioritise movement and want a different combat rhythm. Her kit includes a Power Sword, Bolt Pistol, Flamer, Meltagun and Melta Bomb.
Fervent Slide sends her forward at high speed, damaging and knocking back enemies in her path with her Power Sword. You can use that momentum to jump higher and attack from above, or close into melee against weaker foes. That gives you a practical reason to use the slide beyond simply crossing an arena.
Your character choice also affects the arsenal you can use. Compare the Boltgun 2 characters before starting, especially if a particular weapon or movement ability is the reason you want to replay.
What changes with enemies, bosses and allies?
Boltgun 2 adds 40+ new enemies, brings in Khorne and Slaanesh forces, and introduces Death Korps of Krieg allies on some planets.
| Change | What you face in the sequel |
|---|---|
| Chaos forces | Enemies from Nurgle, Tzeentch, Khorne and Slaanesh |
| Khorne additions | Bloodletters, Juggernauts and Bloodcrushers |
| Slaanesh additions | Daemonettes, Noise Marines and Tormentors |
| Boss encounters | More complex encounter design, aimed at challenging fights without simply inflating health |
| Imperial allies | Death Korps of Krieg troops fighting alongside you on some planets |
The new foes change what demands your attention. Daemonettes leap and lunge around the battlefield, while Noise Marines attack with sonic weaponry. Tormentors can send accurate bolter fire across the arena. Watch for pressure from range as well as enemies closing into melee.
Krieg troops add friendly soldiers to some battles, but the campaign remains single-player. Two playable heroes and allied troops do not turn that campaign into co-op. For the wider roster, see Boltgun 2 enemies.
Does Boltgun 2 add a map and new accessibility options?
Boltgun 2 adds an optional automap and Undying Mode, while bringing back the original's Navigation Guide and gameplay accessibility options.
| Tool or setting | New or returning? | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Automap | New | Helps track where you have been and locate unfinished objectives |
| Navigation Guide | Returning | Shows a path to your next objective |
| Undying Mode | New | Lets you take damage, then saves you just before death |
| Invulnerability | Returning | Provides an invulnerability option |
| Infinite Ammo | Returning | Provides an infinite ammunition option |
| Unlock all weapons | Returning | Provides an option to unlock all weapons |
If you lose your bearings, use the automap to work out where you have already been and what remains to do. If you just want the next objective, the Navigation Guide supplies a path. Both tools are optional, so you can leave them unused when you prefer exploring on your own.
Undying Mode is worth choosing if you want to experience incoming damage while avoiding a fatal outcome. Its distinction from Invulnerability is the ability to get hurt before being rescued at the point of death.
What else changes in weapons and collectibles?
The sequel adds weapons, purity seal collectibles, pixel art cinematics and hundreds of new taunts across both characters. Its arsenal includes Bolters, Flamers, Stakethrowers and Shotguns, with access depending on your chosen hero.
Do not treat every weapon in that list as a new invention for the sequel. Malum's Boltgun and Chainsword return, and his Boltgun now carries purity seals and parchment reflecting its history on Graia. Check Boltgun 2 weapons when deciding which character's equipment suits you.
There is also a Mick Gordon guest track accompanying the final boss. Together with the new cinematics and character taunts, it adds presentation changes around the returning run-and-gun combat.
You now have the main choices for your next campaign: a hero whose movement suits you, a branching route to explore, and optional navigation tools to keep you moving. Once you start looking beyond the main objectives, continue with Boltgun 2 purity seals for the sequel's new collectibles.