Painkiller: Hell & Damnation

 Xbox 360
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Vandal
    Jul 3, 2013
    70
    This is a good old classic aimed at those who look for quick, fast action. We think it could have been more "evolved" to fit better among the current games, but still it's a great choice if you know what it's going to offer.
  2. ZTGD
    Oct 25, 2013
    69
    Overall it’s a good time, although it feels slightly overpriced for a game that has been out on the PC for over a year (and is currently $10 cheaper there). For those looking for some fast, nostalgic action it’s a solid choice, although a price drop would make it a more enticing package.
  3. Gaming Nexus
    Dec 6, 2013
    65
    Painkiller: Hell & Damnation is what it is. So what is it? It’s a low-budget game that would have received the same poor marks at the dawn of this generation as it does at its dusk. The simplistic action can be fun, however, so play it at your own risk.
  5. IGN Italia
    Jun 28, 2013
    65
    Painkiller: Hell & Damnation is inevitably affected by the nine years passed since the first episode and its expansion, but those who really appreciate this kind of FPS can count on one of the best old-school franchises along with Serious Sam.
  6. GameOver.gr
    Jul 18, 2013
    60
    The polished graphics and the fun factor that you'll find in this package cannot hide its age. He's still a bad ass, but Daniel hasn't aged that well.
  7. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Jul 2, 2013
    60
    Too damn short. [Issue#99, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Xbox Achievements
    Jul 5, 2013
    55
    The short nature of the game, and the flimsy co-op and multiplayer offerings, mean that even as a budget title, Painkiller H&D never feels like value for money.
  9. MondoXbox
    Jul 31, 2013
    50
    A dated gameplay concept, poor enemy AI and barren environments are the main weaknesses of a game conceived almost ten years ago; nothing much more remains, except the game's budget price.
  10. Gamereactor Denmark
    Jul 30, 2013
    50
    If it weren’t for the many glitches and regular stuttering, Painkiller H&D could have been a decent if somewhat repetitive retro shooter. But the technical issues make it difficult to recommend even as a niche title.
  11. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jul 23, 2013
    50
    Spills more brains than it actually has. [Aug 2013, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. Official Xbox Magazine
    Apr 24, 2013
    50
    The story extends Daniel's tale, but Hell & Damnation's 14 levels are merely somewhat revamped versions of environments from the original Painkiller and its Battle Out of Hell expansion. [May 2013, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. InsideGamer.nl
    Jul 12, 2013
    48
    The small group of people chomping at the bits for a new Painkiller would do well to play Hell and Damnation on a PC. The console-version is ugly, doesn't play well and is a technical mess. Hell will freeze over before you can get a full mutliplayer match going, which says enough.
  14. XGN
    Jul 6, 2013
    30
    Painkiller is a game that most people would likely hate. The shooting is very repetitive and boring, and you can survive while you have your eyes closed. The story is extremely boring too. The only thing that is good about Painkiller are it's diverse enemies and awesome weapons, but with that alone it can't survive on the enormous shooting market.
  15. Slant Magazine
    Jul 25, 2013
    20
    Not only is the game an unsightly, tedious, and mind-numbingly dimwitted distraction, it's also completely unnecessary--a nearly bottomless descent into uncompromising mediocrity.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 9 out of 31
  1. clickgames
    Dec 11, 2013
    10
    For some gamers, bored with the slower pace of games like Far Cry or Rainbow Six, this is a very attractive approach. Gamers who found SeriousFor some gamers, bored with the slower pace of games like Far Cry or Rainbow Six, this is a very attractive approach. Gamers who found Serious Sam or Will Rock either shallow or monotonous will definitely find Painkiller to be equally boring. 4 me great shoot … Full Review »
  2. drlowdon
    Nov 18, 2013
    3
    Right from the horribly scripted opening cut-scene it is clear that Painkiller: Hell and Damnation is aiming to be an old school shooter,Right from the horribly scripted opening cut-scene it is clear that Painkiller: Hell and Damnation is aiming to be an old school shooter, unfortunately the developers don’t seemed to have realised that some things are best left in the past. Fair enough consoles have been swamped with copy cat cover based shooters all aiming for a share of the Gears of War and Call of Duty crowd but this is not an enjoyable alternative.

    Played across 14 levels (so I’m told I’d lost interest way before then) the gameplay involves nothing more than heading into an arena, killing the bad guys, before moving on and doing the same again. The enemies have no intelligence whatsoever and will always just run straight at you, meaning that all you need to do is find a corner, stand still and keep firing. Dated graphics and a number of glitches, such as enemies’ bodies getting stuck in the scenery, only makes things worse. The story, such as it is, is also dull and told through horribly scripted dialogue that wouldn’t even hold up in a Syfy Channel B-Movie.

    People Can Fly, creators of the original Painkiller, have long moved on from the series (first with the excellent Bulletstorm and then with Gears of War: Judgement) I suggest gamers do the same.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »