Painkiller Reviews
Painkiller combines DOOM’s speed, Back 4 Blood’s cooperative chaos, and its own legendary flair for carnage. The refined weapon system, deep progression, and atmospheric visuals make it a must-play for fans of high-intensity shooters. Though brief in length, its sheer entertainment value and co-op replayability secure its place as one of the best action titles of the year.
Painkiller is a hard game to recommend. It’s certainly not made with the loyal fans in mind and does little to appeal to the new crowd. Even if you’re dead-set on getting on sale, I recommend buying your best mates extra copies because the real painkillers are the friends we made along the way.
Painkiller attempts to build on the legacy of the series whose name it carries. Yet it delivers very little content and offers almost nothing truly memorable. As such, it ranks among this year’s disappointments, though one can hope it won’t permanently tarnish the series.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Painkiller is a game about nothing for no one, a mediocre resurrection of a classic trying to put a new cover on an old book and hoping it still has some relevance 21 years later
Painkiller has some truly incredible weapons and powers, but not a lot to do with them. I saw everything the game had to offer in one sitting, and while there is replayability, the repetitive and boring objectives prevent me from wanting to keep going. The game looks awesome, but falls into generic territory in several ways, while also adopting a lot of that Marvel-esque vibe we're all tired of. It's reductive to say, but we already have DOOM at home.
Painkiller is a shame not because it's especially bad, but because some of the fun weapons and combat are buried beneath the dull, uninspired and repetitive mechanics, and a surprisingly short 6-hour runtime. It can be fun to shoot demons with cool weapons and a friend or two, but this just feels a bit too disposable, and ultimately uninspired.
You’ll have a blast tearing through demons, laughing at the ridiculous story, and remembering why simple, over-the-top shooters still have a place in 2025. If you’re playing solo, though… your mileage may vary.
Despite its dynamic gameplay, Painkiller stumbles in every other aspect. The game will certainly disappoint series veterans and solo players, and even co‑op enthusiasts would find it hard to recommend at such a high price point.
Review in Russian | Read full review
If you're craving the wholesale slaughtering of otherworldly beings, Painkiller has you covered despite a myriad of superior alternatives. You'll enjoy buddying up with co-operative pals and relish in the carnage of the game's meaty weaponry. However, if you're a veteran of the arena shooter or a learned observer, you'll find Painkiller is far too similar to the genre's juggernauts than can be comfortably accepted.
It's not the return fans of the series were hoping for, but that doesn't stop it from being a decent cooperative shooter. It does, however, need more content.
Review in Italian | Read full review
I’ll give Painkiller props for its imaginative weapons, sharp visuals, and visceral combat. It’s a hollow and transitory experience for solo players offline, and you can see what Painkiller has to offer in very short order. As a co-op game, it fares better.
Derivative, degenerative, and largely despondent in what it offers, the completely unnecessary co-operative core of this Painkiller reboot is what sabotages its potential.
The new Painkiller is a weird, unfinished hybrid – a game with a story-driven campaign that masquerades as an endgame, a game that was meant to provide fun by playing quick raids, but someone forgot to create a worthwhile goal for it all. It looks like some random elements were cobbled together without key game systems.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Some baffling design decisions mar what is otherwise a satisfying shooter.
Considering the limited amount of content available at launch, it's hard to justify a $40 price tag for Painkiller. That said, its core gameplay remains fun and engaging, and with future content, it has the potential to become a solid co-op action experience.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Painkiller has artistic visuals and decent gameplay, but unfortunately in many aspects it doesn't make sense and doesn't achieve its goal. The game showcases co-op elements and seems to be proud of them, but ultimately doesn't use them intelligently. On the other hand, the levels, although standard, feel outdated and can't compete with even older titles in the genre. The result is a game that, despite its great potential, falls short of its goals.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Great-looking and fun reboot for the beloved Painkiller
The new Painkiller is here, and while you'll enjoy shooting alongside other players, it's not the game that players wanted ' it's too far from the original concept.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Your feelings on the latest iteration of Painkiller will depend on several different factors. If you're looking for a title with a good story and characters or crave a true single-player experience, you'll hate it. If you're looking for something that doesn't require grinding to get the most out of the title, you'll also dislike the game. If you're looking for boomer shooter sensibilities in a co-op setting and really dig the different hellish vibes, you'll like Painkiller. Even then, unless you're a completionist, it'll take one run through all of the levels and perhaps a few attempts at the roguelike mode before you move on, making this a fleeting experience rather than something with staying power.
With it being a co-op shooter, series fans aren't likely to get on with this new Painkiller unless they approach it with an open mind. And indeed, while it's nothing special, slaughtering demons with friends while amassing an arsenal of upgraded and customised weapons can be good fun.