WAAAGH! Never Changes – Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef Review

Warhammer 40 000 has had a long history with video games, but most of those games have been of the strategy variety.  This makes sense to a degree as the tabletop game is a wargame, but the lore provides so many more options for developers to choose from. As such, it is incredibly satisfying to see a developer trying something new with the franchise, such as with Shootas, Blood & Teef.

A 2D run ‘n gun staring the Orks instantly caught the eye of many, but was the game any good? Well, there are some stumbling blocks out of the game that need to be addressed before getting to the good stuff. The game uses a twin stock mechanic for aiming that feels more suited to PC ( and it is on PC), but on consoles just feels cumbersome and awkward, making even turning around a bit of a chore.

There are some performance issues as well, such as long load times between sections and occasional hiccups in terms of the audio. There have also been some issues with crashes, but these are rarer and should not be a big issue. Despite all the flaws mentioned, Warhammer 40 ,000 Shootas, Blood & Teef is not a bad game and has much going for it.

Any game focused on the Orks was going to be one steeped in humour and Shootas, Blood & Teef is indeed an incredibly funny game. For a franchise based around being grim and dark, this is a game that manages to take the piss out of the franchise and how serious some take it. Encounters with commissars, genestealers and Imperial Knights are all hilarious and really manage to capture what fans love the best about the Orks and will leave long-time fans laughing.

As for the gameplay, this is a run ‘n gun game with roots in Metal Slug and Guns, Gore and Cannoli and sees you take on an Ork seeking revenge against the warboss who stole his hair squig. You will unlock numerous weapons along the way, and with each category, you open up, more options appear at the in-game mek shop for you to spend your teeth on.

The game features several, but not all, of the different Ork clans and multiple different classes to choose from such as the Weirdboy, which affects your melee attack and special weapon. This offers some replay for the single-player mode, but the main draw is the multiplayer mode where several players can join in for a good time, teaming up to take down enemies.  The multiplayer can get a bit hectic but never feels too overwhelming, much like the single-player with its intense action.

What stands out is the attention to detail in terms of the lore in the game. The White Scars space marines have lore-accurate accents and their battle cry (and it is great to see them featured in a video game), the genestealers are accurately portrayed (along with jokes about their nature) and the weapons of the Imperium are all reflected properly, along with the sense you are invading a hive city.

And then there are the boss fights. No spoilers will be given, but these are intense battles and yet once you know the pattern, things become easier. Some of the boss fights are a true highlight in terms of fun, while some are more frustrating, yet never unsatisfying. This is a game that builds and builds on intensity and by the end, you feel like you truly got your money’s worth.

Warhammer 40 000 Shootas, Blood & Teef is a game for Ork fans, Hardcore 40K fans, casual 40K fans, and run n’ gun fans in general. The odd design choice does create a bit of a learning curve, but once that is overcome, the experience is a very fulfilling one. It is very easy to recommend Shootas, Blood & Teef because it is a game by 40K fans for 40K fans that does not end up excluding non-40 K fans, who can enjoy it for the action and the humour. This is definitely one to check out.

Disclaimer: A review key was provided

You can pick up physical versions of the game here:

Vanilla version: https://www.iningames.com/games/warhammer-40000-shootas-blood-teef/

Collector’s edition: https://gamesrocket.com/Warhammer-40-000-Shootas-Blood-and-Teef/