Games

Best of 2008 | 07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Painkiller

EMAIL PRINTpc

7.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 62 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 76 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: DreamCatcher Interactive

Developer: People Can Fly

Genre(s): First-Person Shooter, Action

Players: 32

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: April 9, 2004

Summary

You play as Daniel Garner, a seemingly regular guy who as just been killed in a horrific car accident. Trapped in a dark and unwelcoming world between heaven and hell, you struggling to uncover the reasons why you've been denied entry into heaven. Awaiting your purification, you must fight through a seemingly endless number of demon soldiers as you to attempt to stop an imminent unholy war. [DreamCatcher Interactive]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: ActionTrip Preview Adrenaline Vault Preview Firing Squad Preview Game Chronicles Hands On Game Chronicles Preview GamerFeed Preview GameSpot Preview Official Website People Can Fly

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Maxim Online

With speed and smarts to match its outrageous visuals, Painkiller boasts fiendishly clever monsters that attack in groups and learn from your defenses. No corpses shambling around like they have a load in their pants, these are monsters of the 28 Days Later variety: quick and scary.

Read Full Review >

100

Four Fat Chicks

This game is the sort of which I'd like to see more: breathtaking attention to detail, deeply satisfying gameplay, and a focus on pure, simple fun that doesn't in any way defeat or diminish a richly powerful thematic narrative.

Read Full Review >

100

Computer Games Magazine

It gamely delivers the pure joy of superbly crafted chaos, something it does better than any game released (so far) this year. [July 2004, p.56]

Next Level Gaming

I love it. I became addicted to this game very quickly. My wife is starting to get jealous now.

Read Full Review >

GamerArchive

There’s an eerie absence of a whole lot of noise sans the atmospheric sounds in each level; another sinister part of the game to keep your interest in what is going on.

Read Full Review >

Gamers' Temple

Painkiller puts the action back into action gaming and will pull you in, pump you up, and unleash the righteous demon-slayer buried within.

Read Full Review >

Frictionless Insight

To call the game simple fun is to ignore Painkiller’s proof that straightforward play in elaborate environments with creative, demonic enemies and a sophisticated sense of style is tremendously entertaining. This is a first-person shooter that can be enjoyed in brief sessions or a protracted weekend of play.

Read Full Review >

GameSpy

Perhaps what's most amazing is that it plays like the work of a seasoned developer with a rare grasp on atmosphere and tone, a rock-solid set of technologies, and sophisticated ideas about game design.

Read Full Review >

Game Chronicles

An excellent mix of intense first person shooting combined with a sophisticated risk-reward system that actually integrates into the gameplay. The Tarot cards are pure genius and add a whole new level to the genre.

Read Full Review >

2404.org

It offers a quick adrenaline rush and beautifully detailed levels running on the spectacular Havok2.0 physics engine and, I must say, this game is one of a kind.

Read Full Review >

Stuff

Painkiller sports some of the best graphics to come down the PC pipe all year. The bosses (the hammer-wielding Saphathoraél in particular) all look incredible.

Read Full Review >

AtomicGamer

Painkiller delivers satisfying gameplay, excellent visuals, and a visceral feel that veteran FPS players will feel right at home with.

Read Full Review >

Gamer's Hell

But obviously, the gameplay is incredibly repetitive. There’s no denying that you don’t do much beyond running around shooting monsters and blowing up stuff.

Read Full Review >

PC Gameworld

Its addictive and amazingly detailed single player game, coupled with a fun and varied old school multi-player game, set Painkiller apart from the rest while at the same time harkening us back to shooter days of old.

Read Full Review >

Gamezilla!

A visceral, intense shooter with well designed and realized levels, and certainly a “must have” title for FPS aficionados.

Read Full Review >

DailyGame

The shooter has outstanding graphics, addictive gameplay and solid multiplayer components, but it’s held back from becoming a true classic through its disappointing narrative and mediocre soundtrack.

Read Full Review >

VideoGamesLife

Breathtaking attention to detail served with great graphics that'll run on anyone's system all make it highly commendable. The game provides a lot of intensely focused carnage, but absolutely nothing else, and that wasn't quite enough to keep us entertained for it's whole duration.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

A great game that will truly be appreciated by FPS purists like myself who remember the good old days where all you needed was a bunch of ammo, some nasty monsters, periodic powerups, and an itchy trigger finger to get you from the beginning of the stage to the end.

Read Full Review >

Game Informer

The outstanding graphics, unparalleled physics, huge levels, tons of unlockable cards, enormous bosses, and gameplay variety make this a must-have for anyone who pines for the glory days of "Doom." [June 2004, p.134]

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

It offers up lots of spectacularly visceral, bloody, in-your-face action through its numerous, action-packed single-player levels. And it looks beautiful, it sounds great, and it's got a pretty good old-school multiplayer deathmatch mode, for good measure.

Read Full Review >

Worth Playing

The story is interesting, without getting too laden with metaphysical theory, the action is blistering, the sound is creepy, the graphics sharp and clear (with a few minor slowdowns when multiple multiple enemies attack), and the multiplayer fun and varied.

Read Full Review >

Australian GamePro

Painkiller gives us both something ancient and something fresh and off the cuff. It’s bold in its approach and defiantly steps away from trends.

Read Full Review >

1UP

Painkiller focuses little on AI, puzzles, or plot, and instead sets its sights squarely on appeasing the raw twitch shooter in most of us. At this, the game excels marvelously.

Read Full Review >

eToychest

The atmosphere, over-the-top-physics, vast seas of enemies and bosses that reign as some of the most impressive in any video game to date all equate to title that is worth your time. It is unfortunate that with a little more focused effort on fleshing out the multiplayer game, Painkiller could have gone from a very good game to an instant classic.

Read Full Review >

Warcry

I did enjoy the game itself, but I got tired of going back to find that one monster that would trigger the next area. The cutscenes are great, though I did find the storyline a bit weak. Then again, this isnt an rpg. It's a fps!!

Read Full Review >

Armchair Empire

In long stretches, Painkiller can become repetitive. (By long stretches, I mean two or more hours.)

Read Full Review >

Play.tm

Gruesome, bloody and at times compelling - even if you might admonish yourself for thinking it.

Read Full Review >

PC Gamer

Visually, Painkiller is sumptuous. I won't disclose the awe-inspiring setting of the last level except to say that it's one of the most dazzling displays I've ever seen in a game. [July 2004, p.76]

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

If you're not precious about tactical elements it's a real hoot. With more level consistency, it could've become the shooter king. [GamesMaster]

Read Full Review >

Computer and Video Games

Painkiller abounds with sublime touches, such as the boxes full of postcards that flutter down around you when shot and the fireworks that send multi-coloured sparks whizzing in all directions. I've said it once, and I'll say it again - there's nothing wrong at all with violent videogames. Disagree, and I'll send you to hell with a wooden stake through your eye socket.

Read Full Review >

Game Over Online

This title is pure unadulterated action, a great adrenaline run. Its staying power will rest on how fleshed out the multiplayer can be and whether there are any new maps, levels, modifications or expansion packs in store.

Read Full Review >

PGNx Media

What makes Painkiller different from other similar games are the awesome visuals. The architecture is particularly great.

Read Full Review >

Play Magazine

The striking image quality of this absolutely gorgeous pastiche of tainted purgatory is a big factor in Painkiller's appeal. [June 2004, p.66]

Gaming Age

The environments created, enemies that spawn, and weapon you use sets this apart from most FPS’s on the market.

Read Full Review >

FiringSquad

The stake gun and painkiller are simply useless in multiplayer, and they’re your starting weapons. This is as poorly thought out as id giving the blaster as the weapon in "Quake II."

Read Full Review >

AceGamez

An incredibly addictive and surprisingly fun FPS that concentrates more on mindless button bashing than in tactics, exploration or anything else than many modern shooters now live by.

Read Full Review >

PC Arena

In delivering a fantastic single player experience for a street price of $40, Painkiller is one of the best FPS money can buy today and isn't anything short of highly recommended.

Read Full Review >

GamePro

One of the most lovingly crafted games in years, Painkiller looks awesome, sounds intimidating, and controls simply and smoothly.

Read Full Review >

Thunderbolt

Painkiller is like a cold drink on a hot day; refreshing.

Read Full Review >

GMR Magazine

The game's physics interact brilliantly with your actions to create game sequences much more memorable than any cut-scene could ever be. [July 2004, p.86]

Computer Gaming World

The truest and most gratifying shooter since "Doom." [July 2004, p.69]

Cheat Code Central

You'll need a fairly souped up machine and graphics card to get the most out of Painkiller but if you have yearned for the return of games like "Serious Sam," "Doom" and the original "Quake" your next stop is Purgatory. Tell 'em I sent you.

Yahoo! Games

Meaty weapons, fast action, and overwhelming odds bring a Doom-like vibe to its high body count. And thanks in no small part to the excellent physics engine, Painkiller is an intense and visceral game.

Read Full Review >

Gamer.tv

This game is so scary that even the end-of-level warps give you the creeps...Extremely playable and well-designed.

Read Full Review >

Adrenaline Vault

It has times where it bogs down in the monotony of endless waves of enemies that do nothing but cluster on your position, but it balances itself out with a great deal of depth in what they do.

Read Full Review >

WHAM! Gaming

Blasting an exploding barrel just as a group of foes are shambling past it and watching their aerial acrobatics just never gets old.

Read Full Review >

G4 TV

Painkiller is pure adrenaline. If you don't feel the rush while playing this game, you're probably dead.

Read Full Review >

RealGamer

Graphics are smooth and clean and detail in the game is never compromised with interactive surroundings, excellent weapon effects and great animation of the action taking place.

Read Full Review >

GameShark

The multiplayer is adequate but uninspiring and the cutscenes are best skipped, but the single-player game brings home the bacon.

Read Full Review >

GamerFeed

The action is fast paced, with great weaponry and enemies that will surprise the hell out of you. Multiplayer is even faster than the single-player game, and is amazingly reminiscent of "Quake."

Read Full Review >

ActionTrip

The level design is not always top-notch and occasionally, the game might lose some of its pacing, but in the grand scheme of things, it all balances out nicely with the unique and fun bosses and some frantic over-the-top shooting, slashing, breaking and stabbing action.

Read Full Review >

Loaded Inc

This is the antithesis of thought and strategy. It is a carnival ride, an action movie and an all-you-can-eat-burger bar. This is the quintessential twitch game.

Read Full Review >

Game Revolution

If you’re a fan of mindless destruction, you’d be hard pressed to find a game as immediately gratifying as Painkiller. Just don’t expect it to be a cure-all.

Read Full Review >

Gamers Depot

The Painkiller soundtrack doesn’t exist. It is a heavily repetitious heavy metal lick that repeats itself way too much.

Read Full Review >

IGN

Rather than presenting us with individually challenging enemies, Painkiller opts to throw dozens of enemies at you at a time. On the other hand, since Painkiller focuses just on twitch play, it's free of the distraction of puzzles, plot and, for the most part, personality.

Read Full Review >

Boomtown

It's about being scared out of your wits one minute and then bellowing with laughter at something gruesomely humorous the next.

Read Full Review >

Cincinnati Enquirer

A good choice for folks who want to wind down at the end of the day with a fast-paced diversion that requires absolutely no brainpower to master and enjoy.

Read Full Review >

Total Video Games

We were massively disappointed by the comical AI, which definitely has a substantial impact on the game – Serious Sam has shown that run-and-gun games can be fun, but this seriously detracts from the overall experience.

Read Full Review >

games(TM)

As a celebration of the FPS genre's base instincts, Painkiller crosses the finishing line in first place; anything more than that and it doesn't even make it out of the blocks. [June 2004, p.100]

Read Full Review >

VIA Gamers Arena

Even with it's absolutely gorgeous maps and great physics this game lacks any type of real challenge in the story. It is a straight out FPS with only mindless monsters to kill over and over again.

Read Full Review >

Edge Magazine

If you're looking for a sparklingly attractive shooter with a side order of slinky physics, this delivers the goods. But it's about as average as FPS gaming gets. [June 2004, p.105]

PC Format

Hugely repetitive action game. Hugely repetitive action game. Hugely repetitive (you get the idea).

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 76 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

David S gave it a10:
Painkiller is simple and focused, and although its niche gameplay will turn off some, those who can appreciate its deliberate repetitive and un-complex gameplay will find it to be surprisingly deep, polished, and thrilling. My only objection is the game's story, which is unneccasary, and depressing. However, since the story doesn't actually enter into the gameplay, and all cutscenes are skip-able, so I don't feel the need to deduct points for it. Think of it as a diamond that has a piece of ugly rock embedded in it. Once the rock is removed, you still have a diamond.

Tim C. gave it a0:
Worse FPS ever, repetitive, poorly concepted and drab, this game is ok for maybe 5min but when you have completed one level you have completed them all.

Nicen V. gave it a10:
Don`t be fooled by ppl who have no idea. If u love fps , if u love action and straight forward shooting you u r right here. NO lame "we are so great we have a physic" stuff from HL2. Pure FPS Fun.

Mark R. gave it a9:
Fantastic game. Oozes atmosphere with superb graphics and sound. Very simple arcade gameplay and with great 'pick up and playability. Absorbing environments and enemies, coupled with some amazing weapons make this my all time fav horror game. Love the clowns in the expansion!

Kak H. gave it a10:
This is a cool game. Great phisics engine, and nice to look at. Most importantly, this game reminded me of Serious Sam, one of my all time favourite games. It is mindless violence, and like Serious Sam, is a throwback to old games like Doom, but with better graphics. If you loved Doom, Serious Sam, or any other similar game (Quake, Heretic, etc), you should buy this game now.

Eric E. gave it a5:
*Warning I only played the DEMO* What I played of the demo was quite dumb. You walked into a room. The doors behind you closed. The doors in front of you closed. Then wave after wave of mobs came at you. When you killed them all then the doors opened and you went into the next room and did the same thing. Was really disappointed and definitely will not be buying it. Even though it is several years old it is still a very pretty game. The monsters were pretty cool looking. Just got boring after awhile. In one level it told me I had killed 353/353 mobs. Nearly four hundred mobs in one level. If you enjoy just masses of mobs coming at you with not much else to do then this game is for you. Personally I prefer a little bit of a story line and a few less mobs which are more strategically placed.

Peter F. gave it a9:
I am a fan of first person shooters. My favorites are 1.Crysis, 2.HL2, 3.FEAR, 4. Quake4, 5.Painkiller and all others come after that. Painkiller ist pure fun playing. It has some of the best weapons of all shooters and defenitely the best shotgun i ever played. And it has huge bosses. It can be played more times than only one and doesnt get boring, because the final target is to play it on hardest difficulty, and that`s really hard. You must practise a lot, to get skilled enough for that. Also try the add-ons: "Battle Out Of Hell" is stunning, "Overdose" is not that good as BOOH, but is still good enough.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Painkiller

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases