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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. JhonnyM.
    May 4, 2004
    10
    BEST GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. PhilW.
    Aug 8, 2007
    10
    Sublime graphics and gameplay. Even in 2007 there are few games that match it visually. The music is fantastic, the atmosphere can be horrific, psychadelic and demonically humorous. A must buy for anyone with a pulse.
  3. DavidS
    Jan 9, 2009
    10
    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 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.… Expand
  4. C.A.
    May 11, 2004
    10
    Great title with involving story.
  5. AleksasM.
    Jul 9, 2006
    10
    supreme graphics and physics, supreme soundtracks and music, variety of total free action (not like in doom3), big landscapes, fastest multiplayer ever created, original levels based on real structures in this world, insane bloodfest - monsters gib very naturaly, high potencial of making all sorts of trickjumps and other things, plus unique features like painkillerjumping, gibing, tarot supreme graphics and physics, supreme soundtracks and music, variety of total free action (not like in doom3), big landscapes, fastest multiplayer ever created, original levels based on real structures in this world, insane bloodfest - monsters gib very naturaly, high potencial of making all sorts of trickjumps and other things, plus unique features like painkillerjumping, gibing, tarot cards and demon morph and of course - the bigest bosses ever seen in FPS. Forget Serious Sam.… Expand
  6. JamesP.
    Feb 10, 2007
    10
    Mindless violence perfected, who wouldnt love it?
  7. JohnS.
    Feb 2, 2007
    10
    Perfect. Just perfect, Taking out an entire army of demons to save yourself and get into heaven, killing giants, The blood lust is perfect.
  8. WesleyC.
    Aug 10, 2007
    10
    I never played the full game but I just bought it. Anyhow, The demo game is truly amazing! The giant bosses stay in your head so you can't stop thinking about them! They might give you nightmares as well! The game is incredibly fun. I am shivering because I can't wait to try the full game! IT'S A MUST HAVE!
  9. JohnR.
    Jun 15, 2009
    10
    Seriously - I'm not joking: Painkiller may be one of the best action games ever made. Most people describe it as a more serious and darker Serious Sam... but in fact Painkiller is much more. The epic story about Daniel Garner who is being abused to fight for heaven is... not really important since there is no direct connection between the cutscenes and the levels but it's still Seriously - I'm not joking: Painkiller may be one of the best action games ever made. Most people describe it as a more serious and darker Serious Sam... but in fact Painkiller is much more. The epic story about Daniel Garner who is being abused to fight for heaven is... not really important since there is no direct connection between the cutscenes and the levels but it's still a fantastic backbone for those weird worlds the player is about to encounter. There is graveyards, caves but also military bases, a medieval village and even a cathedral and an amphitheatre where you fight the weirdest kinds of demons ranging from skeletons armed with clubs to fat punks with machineguns. The game is a really surreal experience and has a high artistic value. And you can be sure to find some of the greatest bosses in this game. Anyway: Painkiller is simple. It absolutely sticks to simplicity and that's its strong point. Every single one of the six weapons is perfectly designed and every enemy has his own ways of attacking you - if you're not too ignorant to accept this simple kind of action you will actually even be surprised how perfect the gameplay is. And there is some unique features that make Painkiller really special such as the demon transformation gained by collecting enemies' souls and unlockable tarot cards which give the player some bonusses. And these tarot cards can only be achieved by fulfilling special tasks such as only using a certain weapon, not being hurt once in a level, collecting all gold, killing all enemies etc.. These special tasks make the action actually quite varied. Also the multiplayer mode is plain fun. It's one of the most entertaining deathmatch games ever made. The fast pace and the very different kinds of weapons are making it really special - and the fact that the game was represented at the World Cyber Games speaks for itself. Also check out the official addon Battle out of Hell which is almost as great as the main game. But don't even think about playing Overdose which is actually just a fan made production that somehow got turned into a commercial addon - it simply sucks. Btw: By now there is sort of a sequel to this game called NecroVisioN. It has been made by some of the original developers and it's even using an improved PAIN engine. Unfortunately the developers didn't stick to the formula of Painkiller but tried to combine the story with the actual gameply and make the fighting more "interesting" - which actually made NecroVisioN just another average shooter. That's why I even more recommend Painkiller and its addon Battle out of Hell. The gameplay won't get old and the graphics are still nice to look at.… Expand
  10. BrianG.
    Feb 10, 2004
    10
    Great looking game..shouldb e a goody.
  11. LivioM.
    Apr 12, 2004
    10
    Great Game! Stylish and packed with adrenaline!
  12. AlbertoR.
    Apr 16, 2004
    10
    Hello? this is the BEST GAME EVER!
  13. MasP.
    Jun 22, 2004
    10
    Game of the year.
  14. Mr.x
    Jun 22, 2004
    10
    Kix ass !!!
  15. JohnF.
    Jun 27, 2004
    10
    This is a great action game in the tradition of the Doom games. It has great graphics and awsome cut scenes.
  16. MichaelA.
    Jan 27, 2007
    10
    To all the whiners who say this game sux... Get a life... Painkiller takes the meaning FPS to a whole new level, of course its just running around shooting stuff, but thats what most of us like, its like the good old Doom games, and Duke Nukem, just with a twist of speed, and better graphics... There no thinking theres just slaughter, and thats what makes this game so special old To all the whiners who say this game sux... Get a life... Painkiller takes the meaning FPS to a whole new level, of course its just running around shooting stuff, but thats what most of us like, its like the good old Doom games, and Duke Nukem, just with a twist of speed, and better graphics... There no thinking theres just slaughter, and thats what makes this game so special old school... Painkiller gets 10 from me awesome game.… Expand
  17. KakH.
    Feb 11, 2008
    10
    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.
  18. PainkillerWins
    Dec 28, 2009
    10
    Painkiller is one of the most straightforward games of all time. That isn't saying it's bad; after all; Pacman was straightforward; yet it's made of win. Painkiller offers hours of fun killing, the attention to detail is superlative in every level; and you can see how much work was really put into it. Don't bother listening to the people who say it's boring or Painkiller is one of the most straightforward games of all time. That isn't saying it's bad; after all; Pacman was straightforward; yet it's made of win. Painkiller offers hours of fun killing, the attention to detail is superlative in every level; and you can see how much work was really put into it. Don't bother listening to the people who say it's boring or mindless. While it doesn't actually have THAT good a story; the missions are different enough from each other to play and have fun in. Unlike some modern FPS games; it's not trying to boast its physics. It's just there for FUN; something which a lot of people seem to have forgotten how to have.… Expand
  19. MarkH.
    May 25, 2004
    10
    Simply the best shooter of 2004 so far - if, of course, you prefer shooting to hiding in bushes...
  20. Tom
    Jul 26, 2004
    10
    Suuuuuuuuuch cool, gr8 weapons, physic, and suuuuuuuch interesting... :D ...and polish 8) (I'm proud of it!)
  21. kokoskokos
    Aug 23, 2007
    10
    Great game, biiig boss and super guns! POLISH GAME!!!
  22. FlorianA.
    Sep 23, 2007
    10
    Thats the best ego shooter ever.
  23. NicenV.
    Aug 14, 2008
    10
    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.
  24. Firmar
    Aug 13, 2010
    10
    Bloody massacre coupled with unusual weapons. One of the first big titles with Havok physics.
    This is most unexpected game which rightfully earned AAA status in gamers' minds shortly after release.
  25. zerossj
    Nov 6, 2011
    10
    Genial música, física muy buena. Me encanta ver como despedazo a los monstruos. Un buen surtido de armas, cada una con sus pros y contras. Jefes finales... cinematicas....Esta traducido a varios idiomas incluido las voces. Para mi es un FPS 10.
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. MrPortoPimenta
    Jul 14, 2013
    10
    The gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
  29. 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
  30. 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
prev
Page:

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
See all critic reviews »