Painkiller: Hell Wars

 Xbox
Painkiller: Hell Wars Image
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

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  • 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 fightYou 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.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. Play Magazine
    85
    As a first-person shooter, Painkiller flat out excels, crucifying nearly all comers on Xbox. [Jun 2006, p.47]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. GamerFeed
    80
    It's the equivalent of gaming junk food, a fast-moving blast-a-thon that doesn't let up throughout its 20-plus levels. While the frame rate stutters from time to time and some levels appear to be missing, what remains is still quite the ride.
  3. WHAM! Gaming
    78
    The other big reason for shooter fans to check this game out is because of the online multiplayer, which is surprisingly well done.
  4. Gaming Nexus
    70
    A pared down meat-and-potatoes shooter, heavy on visceral mayo and lite on the rest of the fixings. High fidelity to its PC forebears, putting you in a vegetative killing state with interspersed spikes of adrenaline.
  5. Gamezilla!
    70
    There are games that stand out, and then there are games that are just good. Painkiller doesn't really break any new ground, but it presents an experience that was satisfying throughout.
  6. Deeko
    60
    Painkiller: Hell Wars can be compared to a 10k marathon. You think it's a good idea at the time, but around mile three, you actually start questioning your own judgment.
  7. Yahoo!
    40
    Only the most desperate deathmatch champion will get their money's worth out of this purgatorial port.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. ToddK.
    Aug 2, 2006
    9
    Balls to the wall blast fest!! Very fun.
  2. BlueFalcon
    Jul 27, 2006
    8
    It's like doom, but with less thinking (yes less). There aren't any keys to find, or hidden exits. It's kind of nice actually. It's like doom, but with less thinking (yes less). There aren't any keys to find, or hidden exits. It's kind of nice actually. It could also be compared with Serious Sam except with better graphics.… Expand
  4. AnthonyV.
    Aug 4, 2006
    7
    Blue Falcon pretty much nailed it on the head. It's a mindless FPS that looks decent. The framerate almost always stays at 60 unless the Blue Falcon pretty much nailed it on the head. It's a mindless FPS that looks decent. The framerate almost always stays at 60 unless the game gets overzealous with visual effects when there are too many enemies in your face. If you're looking for old-fashioned fun, youcan't go wrong with this. If you're looking for something more cerebral, don't bother.… Expand
  5. Andyman
    Aug 19, 2006
    7
    Painkiller: Hell Wars is clearly a game designed for a multiplayer experience. Every single level in the game has a "no escape" feel to it... Painkiller: Hell Wars is clearly a game designed for a multiplayer experience. Every single level in the game has a "no escape" feel to it... great for deathmatch, but gets old extremely fast in single-player. The gameplay is very tight, but I'd like to see a lot more variety here. It's basically Doom For Dummies.… Expand
  6. Pitchshifter
    Aug 11, 2006
    5
    If you want a really boring and bland shooter pick this up, very repetitive and mindless. i thought Darkwatch was a lot better at least more If you want a really boring and bland shooter pick this up, very repetitive and mindless. i thought Darkwatch was a lot better at least more interesting.… Expand
  7. AlBacore
    Sep 29, 2006
    1
    Unbelievably bad....words can't describe how disappointed I was at this mindless, multiple enemy overkill FPS. The game itself ran fast, Unbelievably bad....words can't describe how disappointed I was at this mindless, multiple enemy overkill FPS. The game itself ran fast, but the poor graphics and detail likely helped this along. The level design was sub-par and it felt like the game took place in that "maze" screensaver for PC's. Possibly the worst FPS I have played.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best Xbox Game of 2006
22
#22 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2006
4
#4 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2006