Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun similar games & best alternatives

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2023

Should you play it?

Load up your Boltgun and unleash the awesome Space Marine arsenal to blast your way through an explosion of sprites, pixels and blood in a perfect blend of Warhammer 40,000, frenetic gameplay and the stylish visuals of 90’s retro shooters.

What works
  • Fast and satisfying combat
  • Authentic warhammer 40k atmosphere
  • Great sound design and music
  • Polished retro aesthetic
  • Good value with dlc included
Things to keep in mind
  • Repetitive enemy variety and level design
  • Some difficulty balancing issues
  • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative modes
  • Navigation can be confusing without map
  • Minimal story depth

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • DUSK

  • Valfaris

  • STRAFE: Gold Edition

  • ETHER VAPOR Remaster

  • INCISION

  • Dread Templar

  • Viscerafest

  • Touhou Chireiden ~ Subterranean Animism.

  • Jets'n'Guns Gold
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • INCISION

  • Viscerafest

  • Supplice
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
  • Violence

    Dread Templar
  • Competence

    Titanfall® 2

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Relaxation.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore levels, solve puzzles, and choose combat approaches, though progression is linear."

    Capsule for Indiana Jones® and the Emperor's Tomb™ Indiana Jones® and the Emperor's Tomb™

    "Players have freedom to explore levels, choose weapons, and approach combat with different tactics, though the game follows a linear progression."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Gameplay is skill-based with a high skill ceiling, requiring mastery of movement mechanics and combat tactics."

    Capsule for Titanfall® 2 Titanfall® 2

    "Gameplay is skill-based with fast, responsive combat and challenges such as Horde mode and higher difficulties requiring mastery."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on single-player campaign and personal challenge rather than direct competition or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Banner of the Maid Banner of the Maid

    "Focus is on single-player campaign and personal challenge rather than direct competition or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report long play sessions and replay value for achievements, indicating sustained engagement."

    Capsule for Beyond The Edge Of Owlsgard Beyond The Edge Of Owlsgard

    "Players report strong engagement and replay value, with some playing multiple modes and achievements encouraging continued play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Game is primarily single-player with no cooperative multiplayer elements mentioned."

    Capsule for Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed

    "Game is primarily single-player with no cooperative multiplayer elements mentioned."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Some exploration and secret hunting encourage creative problem solving, but gameplay follows classic shooter templates."

    Capsule for Darkenstein 3D Darkenstein 3D

    "Some exploration and secret finding encourage creative play, but core gameplay follows established shooter conventions."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solo and balanced without social dominance mechanics."

    Capsule for Midnight Fight Express Midnight Fight Express

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solo and focused on personal empowerment rather than social dominance."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game to immerse themselves in the Warhammer 40K universe and escape real life through intense gameplay."

    Capsule for Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® – Winter Assault Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® – Winter Assault

    "Players use the game as a fun, immersive escape into the Warhammer 40k universe with satisfying combat and atmosphere."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Voidtrain Voidtrain

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different weapons and tactics to overcome enemies, though within a familiar FPS framework."

    Capsule for Shrine Shrine

    "Players experiment with weapon strengths, enemy weaknesses, and movement tactics, though within a familiar shooter framework."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Levels have secrets and puzzles encouraging exploration, though overall linear."

    Capsule for Rune Classic Rune Classic

    "Levels contain secrets and some maze-like design encouraging exploration, though overall progression is linear."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -2

    "Limited customization options; focus is on gameplay rather than avatar or environment personalization."

    Capsule for DEMON'S TILT DEMON'S TILT

    "Limited customization options; players can toggle pixelation but no deep avatar or environment personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong immersion in the imaginative grimdark Warhammer 40k universe with fictional classes and lore."

    Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

    "Strong immersion in the imaginative Warhammer 40k universe with space marines, heretics, and grimdark lore."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Minimal social interaction; primarily a solo experience with no multiplayer community features."

    Capsule for Zeno Clash Zeno Clash

    "Minimal social interaction; primarily a solo experience with no multiplayer or community features emphasized."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills to master challenging gameplay and learn enemy patterns."

    Capsule for Platypus Reclayed Platypus Reclayed

    "Players develop skills to master combat mechanics and learn enemy behaviors, though gameplay is straightforward."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of FPS games; no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of FPS games; no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not designed for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Resident Evil Village Resident Evil Village

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; gameplay is individual and tactical."

    Capsule for Warbanners Warbanners

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; gameplay is individual and combat-focused."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; solo player experience."

    Capsule for Hogwarts Legacy Hogwarts Legacy

    "No leadership or group management elements present; solo player experience."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate weapons, power-ups, and unlock achievements; progression through levels and DLC content."

    Capsule for Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter

    "Players accumulate weapons, power-ups, and achievements; campaign and DLC provide structured progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Fast-paced, intense combat creates excitement and adrenaline rather than relaxation or flow."

    Capsule for Painkiller: Black Edition Painkiller: Black Edition

    "Fast-paced, intense combat creates excitement rather than relaxation or flow states."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Strong sensory stimulation through gore effects, fast action, impactful sound design, and intense music."

    Capsule for BUTCHER BUTCHER

    "Strong sensory stimulation from impactful sound design, music, visuals, and gore effects."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on personal achievement."

    Capsule for ScourgeBringer ScourgeBringer

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on personal accomplishment."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Minimal narrative flavor and setting details enhance immersion but no deep story."

    Capsule for Utopia Must Fall Utopia Must Fall

    "Story is minimal but present, fitting the setting and providing context without deep narrative immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires tactical weapon choice, resource management, and positioning to survive hordes."

    Capsule for Serious Sam 3: BFE Serious Sam 3: BFE

    "Requires tactical weapon choice and movement, especially in Horde mode and higher difficulties."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Gameplay provides excitement and adrenaline from fast-paced combat and challenging encounters."

    Capsule for REAVER REAVER

    "Gameplay delivers adrenaline, suspense, and excitement through fast combat and challenging encounters."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players feel the game offers good value for price, especially with included DLC and long playtime."

    Capsule for Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars

    "Players perceive good value for price with polished gameplay, content, and DLC at a reasonable cost."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    5

    "Enjoyment of combat, destruction, and gore is central to the experience."

    Capsule for Dread Templar Dread Templar

    "Enjoyment of combat, gore, and destruction is central to the experience."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must manage health and resources to survive waves of enemies and challenging encounters."

    Capsule for SiN Episodes: Emergence SiN Episodes: Emergence

    "Players must manage health and resources to survive waves of enemies and challenging battles."

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Last update: 01/06/2026