Painkiller (2004)

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 394 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 304 out of 394
  2. Mixed: 66 out of 394
  3. Negative: 24 out of 394
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  1. armadonpower
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    This quake-engine game is a non-stop adrenaline rush with epic boss battles, intense gameplay, and a killer soundtrack.
  2. KarolP
    Jun 3, 2023
    9
    Fast, old school shooter with not necessary, but interesting story. Variety of guns, enemies, maps, well balanced difficulty levels makes you play way more than once and try to do something better with another attempt. One of my best and most memorable FPS experiences,
  3. LT_Gruber
    Jan 6, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazing game and one of the best First Person Shooters I have played.

    Painkiller is just Epic. In the core it is just a First-Person Shooter in which you shoot monsters and progress to the next stage, classic stuff that Doom, Serious Sam and Duke Nukem did before, but this game feels different somehow. It has a unique style of playing and some mechanics that are different in a way that it offers a fresh new concept.

    You play as Daniel Garner, a happily married dude who dies, along with his wife Catherine, in a car crash. Catherine goes to heaven and lives happily ever after, but not you. You are sent to Purgatory and are trapped there. Then, an Angel called Samuel makes a deal with you. If you can wipe out the four generals of Lucifers army, to prevent a battle between Heaven and Hell, you will be purified and can join your wife in Heaven. You accept and go off to war. On your journey, you meet a chick named Eve, who is also trapped in Purgatory. She aids you with information on the whereabouts of the next generals and other useful tips.

    The graphics in Painkiller are great. The environments are beautiful and detailed, and every level has some sort of Gothic theme that enhances the graphics even more. I especially liked the “Town” level and the “Opera” stage. The animations are perfect too. Enemies have Ragdoll and you can blow them away with your shotgun or nail them to the wall with your stake gun. Explosions and fire effects are really well done too. There are some clipping issues tough, but I take that for granted. Every level is completely unique with different themes, environments and enemies, keeping the game fresh.

    The controls are fluent, as can be expected from a fast-paced shooter like this. They feel natural and responsive. The Weapons are awesome. You got some sort of blade spinner as a melee weapon, shotguns, rocket launchers, machine guns and, best of all, your stake gun which lets you fire wooden sticks at enemies, nailing them to every surface. It is just epic.

    Some unique mechanics in this game is the soul collecting when killing enemies, which increases your health by one for each soul collected and let you enter demon rage mode, killing everything you point at. You can also earn Tarot cards that give you a bonus in each level if you selected that specific card for the level. You first earn those cards by completing a challenge in a level, for example, kill fifty monsters with explosions, or kill all enemies on the stage. When you earned the card, you need to buy it so you can use it. This can be done with gold, which you can collect and scavenge throughout the levels. I really liked this mechanic, and it gave some kind of RPG feel.

    Painkiller offers excellent and well-balanced multiplayer, only matched by Serious Sam. It is fast paced, fair and gives everyone a fair chance. I really liked it back in the day, even tough it is now mostly abandoned.

    What sets this game apart for me is the sound and music. I think I can say, without a doubt, that this game has the best music that I have experienced so far, even better than Serious Sam. Every level has a unique Heavy Metal fight track that really gets you pumped up. Combine this with the excellent sound effects of your weapons and the enemy grunts and it makes for one epic experience. It is just a masterpiece.

    The ending of the game is true badass style, Daniel knows that the killing is not done yet and is eager to return to the fighting, even tough he is offered to go to heaven like promised.

    In the end, Painkiller is a masterpiece in every way and one of the games that I can play any time of the year. It is a real classic and that it why it has multiple sequels and a remake, rightfully so.

    You really need to play Painkiller at least once in your lifetime, in my humble opinion.    … Expand
  4. ugarov_jr
    Nov 19, 2022
    7
    One of the best killthemall at that time. Beautiful graphics, driving gameplay, good atmosphere. Of the minuses, this is a very simple plot, and the second half of the game is frankly weaker than first.
  5. KapralDominik
    Aug 29, 2022
    8
    Бодрый и дерзкий боевик, который дал старт целой плеяде игр с гордым наименованием "крепкий шутан из 2000-х". Ваши похождения в разнообразных увлекательных локациях (от заснеженного средневекового замка до глубин Ада) в которых вы козыряя распрыжкой под аккомпанемент тяжелого металла разносите орды противников априори не могут устареть и теплить душу еще долгие годы спустя. К сожалению, неБодрый и дерзкий боевик, который дал старт целой плеяде игр с гордым наименованием "крепкий шутан из 2000-х". Ваши похождения в разнообразных увлекательных локациях (от заснеженного средневекового замка до глубин Ада) в которых вы козыряя распрыжкой под аккомпанемент тяжелого металла разносите орды противников априори не могут устареть и теплить душу еще долгие годы спустя. К сожалению, не обошли игру стороной многочисленные баги и неочевидный для нового поколения игроков геймдизайн, но на мой взгляд - это настолько ничтожные мелочи, что в глобальном плане они даже упоминания не достойны (все баги - не критичны для прохождения, а второму пункту можно пожелать лишь терпения). Оценка: 8.… Expand
  6. Jackie_Jackson
    May 26, 2022
    9
    РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ РЕЗНЯ
  7. coolernen
    Mar 14, 2022
    10
    Shooter of the year. 2004, i think. I played this masterpiece all my childhood on my celeron, and i love this game ever since.
  8. etominskdetka
    Aug 26, 2021
    10
    One of the best shooters, as time has shown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  9. kndr
    May 21, 2021
    1
    Bland gameplay and level design. It is so repetitive with no change. Enemies are bullet sponge and it doesn't give you enough health kit.
  10. JaydenPickens
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Classic game. Amazing gameplay, amazing music, amazing levels, amazing monsters. Play this instead of the HD crap version from 2012. This one will always be the best Painkiller game. Pickens approves!
  11. ImperialYama
    Dec 22, 2020
    8
    Painkiller is mostly a good game, but It just offers not enough content to be a great game and can get repetetive quickly.
  12. AVP
    Feb 7, 2020
    10
    A great old-school shooter that you enjoy playing even after many years, with the best soundtrack.
  13. iddqd4
    Feb 12, 2018
    9
    Эволюция механик заложенных серией Doom, орды монстров в преисподнем мире, стрейфись-стреляй или умрешь.
  14. RagingPoet
    Feb 12, 2018
    8
    8.5 out of 10.
    Painkiller took not only gameplay from Doom but also hellish atmosphere. It also added physics and arsenal of interesting weapons with alternative fire modes for maximum carnage.
  15. Al89ex
    Jan 24, 2018
    10
    It's the best game of that time. It has an awesome gameplay and It is not boring to play the game
  16. naniin
    Nov 16, 2017
    9
    "Painkiller" - классный мясной шутер. С хорошей графикой для 2004 года, с интересным сюжетом , да даже с классными боссами! Вообщем это попросту ностальгия.. Жаль что серия потом превратилась в такой кал.
  17. LegitGamer1995
    Sep 10, 2017
    10
    This is my first review on Metacritic, so here we go. As a kid, I always enjoyed Painkiller. Back when I first played it in 2006/2007 (maybe, IDK) I'd spent countless hours on the PC blasting away demons with the chaingun/rocket launcher, pinning zombies to the wall with a stakegun, and killing just about
    every monster this game had to offer with my trusty shotgun. All five chapters, each    This is my first review on Metacritic, so here we go. As a kid, I always enjoyed Painkiller. Back when I first played it in 2006/2007 (maybe, IDK) I'd spent countless hours on the PC blasting away demons with the chaingun/rocket launcher, pinning zombies to the wall with a stakegun, and killing just about
    every monster this game had to offer with my trusty shotgun. All five chapters, each with unique settings and it's fair share of monsters. I enjoyed the hell out of the boss fights; fighting a huge monster in the Enclave, trying to take down Thor's hammer in Ruins, and destroying statues that gave Alastor some health. Some levels I enjoyed, some levels I didn't. Like Monastery, because that
    level gave me a hard time. Even though it was the constant process of going through checkpoint after checkpoint with doors closed, then blasting some monsters, and having the cycle to repeat itself over and over again, I still had lots of fun. If my dad hadn't showed me this game, I don't think I would've had the same childhood I had today.    … Expand
  18. 99dolar
    Mar 12, 2017
    6
    This game feels like another version of serious sam. Killing tons of similar monster in every level got me bored even on the first chapter. But I played this game patiently till the end. Now when I think about this game I figured that the only moments I enjoyed about this game was the boss fights. I don't recommend this game if you are looking for quality game experience.
  19. PutCashIn
    Mar 12, 2016
    4
    A rather Bible-esque version of Serious Sam, except where Serious Sam has decent weapons, this game has one over powered short range shotgun, then some ridiculous stake launcher, along with another op short range infinite ammo starter game weapon.

    Beyond that I wouldn't know as I gave up at World 1 Level Five - The Boss was untouchable with the Shotgun as it has such a short range and    A rather Bible-esque version of Serious Sam, except where Serious Sam has decent weapons, this game has one over powered short range shotgun, then some ridiculous stake launcher, along with another op short range infinite ammo starter game weapon.

    Beyond that I wouldn't know as I gave up at World 1 Level Five - The Boss was untouchable with the Shotgun as it has such a short range and the Stake gun runs out of ammo, forcing you to enter the center of the map to gain more, whence you are insta killed by some silly tornado ability. Interestingly, it appears you do more ammo shooting the boss in the arse rather than Staking it in the head.

    Believe me, I can literally do some levels of Quake 2 either walking backwards or with my eyes shut, this is no 'spiritual sequel' to Q2, it is Serious Sam with a Seriously bad weapon load-out.

    Just Bad.    … Expand
  20. Sirik_Matak
    May 24, 2015
    5
    I recently got it on GoG and honestly I still can't understand why this game came out to be so successful and grew to be considered a "classic".
    The art design, sound assets and weapons are pretty neat, true, but the actual gameplay is just boring. I played it for the first time back in 2006 or so (I really don't remember, I'm sure I still have CDs put somewhere amogn my old things,    I recently got it on GoG and honestly I still can't understand why this game came out to be so successful and grew to be considered a "classic".
    The art design, sound assets and weapons are pretty neat, true, but the actual gameplay is just boring. I played it for the first time back in 2006 or so (I really don't remember, I'm sure I still have CDs put somewhere amogn my old things, though) and ditched it after the first boss (necrogiant). How bad that fight was, oh my. I get it, bosses in this game were collosal at the time this game came out. They were impressive, true. But did gameplay really benefit from that? I would say: no, not at all. It still just a huge arena with a boss that has a di**y set of moves (the necrogiant's tornado boiled its fight to being lucky with your positioning while the boss casts the tornado - more often than not it will be put right where you stand, killing you instantly). It's managable, of course, the fight itself is not hard, but the succes boils down how lucky you are.

    But that would be a minor disadvantage. The biggest problem in the vanilla PK are levels. It doesn't matter the game has wonderful weapons, interesting enemies and shooting itself feels ok, while it all happens in a boring mostly square-shaped arenas with little to no secrets at all. I'm half through the game now (I'm determined to finish it at last), and there is no alternative to "kill everything in a square room - process further to the next room". Serious Sam series at least varied your environments you fight in, mixing open arenas that have little to no environmental design with actual levels that consist from more that 2 corridors.

    Yeah, you have some gimmicks like cards, that help you a lot during boss fights, but they're not something I would call revolutionary or game changing. They're basically achievements with gameplay benefits.

    It's just a sub-par shooter. Still a real shooter, much, much more fun and demanding than your typical modern warfare BS, but a sub-par shooter nonetheless. The first add-on is better in level design aspect, it's a whole better game than the vanilla, but it's still nothing to write home about.

    Why was it so successful? Why is is considered a classic? It didn't bring anything new to the genre (its physics were quickly beaten up by HL2), it just recycled ages old schema and put it into mediocre frames.    … Expand
  21. Neddy
    Mar 22, 2014
    7
    I deliberated for ages about whether to buy this.

    I wondered if it would look old. However it looks fine and the gameplay is great. Score 7.5/10 The video options have the 1920x1080 resolution settings, which was a good start. I was disappointed that the opening cutscenes froze. I hit ctr-alt-del and 'start task manger', then clicked the icon on the task bar. This unfroze it, but    I deliberated for ages about whether to buy this.

    I wondered if it would look old. However it looks fine and the gameplay is great. Score 7.5/10

    The video options have the 1920x1080 resolution settings, which was a good start. I was disappointed that the opening cutscenes froze. I hit ctr-alt-del and 'start task manger', then clicked the icon on the task bar. This unfroze it, but brought it to the main menu, so I could play on.

    Other cut scenes froze too, but I was able to get past them with this 'fix'. This brought the game back up and running. Ctr-alt-del also cleared a graphical glitch I met. These bugs aside the game is fine.

    The weapons rock. The atmosphere in fairly unique, and this sets it aside from many games. It has a demonic feel to many of the enemies. To be honest a couple of the levels were boring and a very few maps were quite plain. However it's strengths lay in its otherworld persona.

    Really though it doesn't look too bad at all. I mean it's not the Crysis 3 engine, but for a ten year old game it's brilliant - no question. [Release date April 12, 2004.] I added 32x anti-aliasing in the nvidia control panel so all the lines are straight, with no jagged edges.

    The game itself opened well, then soon I thought 'hmm a little mindless', then it got going. It feels more like getting from A-B than just mindless areas of enemies. I mean there is a flow and a progression. Getting some of the secrets is fun, some are just way too tricky to spend ages trying to get.

    Overall - so glad I bought it. Great stuff.

    N.B. Bug right at the end after I killed the last boss. Can't finish it. Hope this doesn't affect Battle Out of Hell. Without the bugs - easy 9/10.    … Expand
  22. lach1223
    Nov 1, 2013
    7
    Painkiller is a solid FPS game with one very simple premise: shoot, shoot and shoot. The game style is very basic as there are no keys, no real switches, or cut scenes in levels. You merely make your way through seemingly unconnected levels, killing every enemy in your sight. If you like endless shooting, the game does provide no-nonsense fun, but if you want a game with interestingPainkiller is a solid FPS game with one very simple premise: shoot, shoot and shoot. The game style is very basic as there are no keys, no real switches, or cut scenes in levels. You merely make your way through seemingly unconnected levels, killing every enemy in your sight. If you like endless shooting, the game does provide no-nonsense fun, but if you want a game with interesting characters and an intriguing plot I would suggest something like Half-Life.… Expand
  23. MrPortoPimenta
    Jul 14, 2013
    10
    The gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
  24. MrCyberDino
    Jun 12, 2013
    9
    This is a great game. It has such good gameplay. It is more satisfying than any modern shooter like Call of duty or battlefield. This is the demonic love child of old school shooters like doom, quake and serious Sam, mixed with the graphics of 2004. Admittedly, I can't get past the first level of the demo, but I'm not that great at shooters, so don't think the game is too hard. If youThis is a great game. It has such good gameplay. It is more satisfying than any modern shooter like Call of duty or battlefield. This is the demonic love child of old school shooters like doom, quake and serious Sam, mixed with the graphics of 2004. Admittedly, I can't get past the first level of the demo, but I'm not that great at shooters, so don't think the game is too hard. If you liked games like serious Sam, you will love this game, The only complaints are the story is bad and, this isn't a complaint, I just think it's a bit difficult, but that's just me. A great game, and well worth your time and money.… Expand
  25. Glaice
    Feb 3, 2013
    8
    If there is any Painkiller game in the series that holds its water, it is this one and the expansion Battle out of Hell. The original more or less gets the formula right with plenty of action, ambiance when not battling and massive bosses. Recommended if new to the series.
  26. suneater
    Dec 13, 2012
    6
    Over the top FPS in the style of DOOM. Don't bother with the sequels/expansions; this is the best one of the series. Crazy weapons (a gun that shoots shurikens AND lightning), great old-school level design that encourages exploration and rewards completionists, and some semblance of a plot to keep pushing you forward. There's a "black tarot" system where you unlock cards to give yourselfOver the top FPS in the style of DOOM. Don't bother with the sequels/expansions; this is the best one of the series. Crazy weapons (a gun that shoots shurikens AND lightning), great old-school level design that encourages exploration and rewards completionists, and some semblance of a plot to keep pushing you forward. There's a "black tarot" system where you unlock cards to give yourself active & passive powerups by performing certain tasks in levels. You equip these between maps and they give you unique boosts such as increasing your base health, faster movement speed, and temporary invincibility. Not many games can competently pull off the old school style of FPS and I think the is one of the better ones.… Expand
  27. fedak
    Nov 29, 2012
    8
    Painkiller doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is- its a level based mob combat FPS in the spiritual vein of Doom or Serious Sam. The plot is incomprehensible- and what little sense it does make has little to do with the enemies and levels it throws at you.

    But as a pure mindless shooter it is an awful lot of fun. The levels are varied and well designed. The weapons are    Painkiller doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is- its a level based mob combat FPS in the spiritual vein of Doom or Serious Sam. The plot is incomprehensible- and what little sense it does make has little to do with the enemies and levels it throws at you.

    But as a pure mindless shooter it is an awful lot of fun. The levels are varied and well designed. The weapons are distinctive and well implemented- especially the eponymous     … Expand
  28. ixvo
    May 21, 2012
    10
    FPS the way it should be! At least according to old-school fans.... Considered by many to be more deserving of the name "Doom 3" than the actual one, this game takes everything that made up the classics, and pushes them to 11! ___Extremely vast choice of weapons, each of them more impressive and satisfying to use (that is, slaughter with).

    Also, impressive architecture, but just as the    FPS the way it should be! At least according to old-school fans.... Considered by many to be more deserving of the name "Doom 3" than the actual one, this game takes everything that made up the classics, and pushes them to 11! ___Extremely vast choice of weapons, each of them more impressive and satisfying to use (that is, slaughter with).

    Also, impressive architecture, but just as the "no punctuation" review says, if you spend longer than 30 seconds without shooting, you're doing it wrong.    … Expand
  29. mr_lahey
    May 10, 2012
    10
    Though it has its bugs and frustrations, I really can't say enough good things about Painkiller. At least the first two, and Overdose (included in Black Edition) is awfully cool too, but lacks some of the charm of the first. It's probably still my favorite after five years and countless other games. The fighting is insanely cool, though a bit repetitive. But mostly, its atmosphere andThough it has its bugs and frustrations, I really can't say enough good things about Painkiller. At least the first two, and Overdose (included in Black Edition) is awfully cool too, but lacks some of the charm of the first. It's probably still my favorite after five years and countless other games. The fighting is insanely cool, though a bit repetitive. But mostly, its atmosphere and creep factor can't be beat. Incredible, awe-inspiring maps. Pretty darned creepy monsters. Finding secrets is quite an interesting challenge as well. It scares you. It thrills you. It awes you. Wish the subsequent sequels lived up to the original. But alas, Painkiller was a landmark - and still seminal and stand-alone in the horror world. Plenty of good sci fi games. Only one good horror one - and that's PK… Expand
  30. DonCanardo
    Jan 18, 2012
    7
    Serious sam-like with less open spaces and less crowds of monsters. Great levels atmosphere (switching between medieval, cemetery, churches, city, Asylum, etc), great bestiary, hilarious physic engine (monster literaly flying when you shoot them), epic bosses. On the less shining side, the scenario and cut scene are so lame it's embarassing (but who cares in this type of game really), someSerious sam-like with less open spaces and less crowds of monsters. Great levels atmosphere (switching between medieval, cemetery, churches, city, Asylum, etc), great bestiary, hilarious physic engine (monster literaly flying when you shoot them), epic bosses. On the less shining side, the scenario and cut scene are so lame it's embarassing (but who cares in this type of game really), some really bad design at some point (you can't guess what to do without watching solution on the internet). All in all a really decent game, especially after work when you want some brainless entertainment.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best PC Game of 2004
13
#13 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004
31
#31 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 62
  3. Negative: 1 out of 62
  1. Cincinnati Enquirer
    70
    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
  2. Cheat Code Central
    80
    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.
  3. Next Level Gaming
    94
    I love it. I became addicted to this game very quickly. My wife is starting to get jealous now.
    Read full review
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