What do you get if you smash 1996’s Quake movement into 1993 Doom sprites, then wallpaper the whole thing with classic Warhammer 40,000 enemies? Boltgun. In this review I go through what it actually plays like in 2026-brain, not 1997-brain: a fast, loud, retro “boomer shooter” where you’re a walking battleship, the maps explode into Strawberry Jam within seconds, and the game basically dares you to keep up. I cover the core loop across 24 levels (three chapters), how the health/armour (yes, “contempt”) pickups keep you topped up, and the 40k-style Strength vs Toughness damage system—plus why the “recommended” weapon matchups don’t always reflect reality. I also dig into the good and the wonky. The commitment to the bit is glorious—chainsaw charge, taunts, servo-skull quips, pixelation settings, and a lot of deep-cut model references—but it comes with old-school baggage: light-as-air story, no co-op or multiplayer, erratic AI, confusing levels (thank the Emperor for the N-key waypoint), and a loop that can start to feel like key-door-room-repeat. I finish with my verdict on price, why the Forges of Corruption DLC is the best part for arena purge events, and what I’d change (weapon wheel, New Game+, better bosses) without turning a Greggs sausage roll into fine dining.