Chris InglisPainkiller is a co-op first-person shooter developed by Anshar Studios and published by 3D Realms, and released on October 21, 2025, on PC and consoles. This reimagining transforms the cult-classic solo demon-slayer into a high-octane, cooperative raid experience with you and two other players, set within the gothic depths of Purgatory. While the shift toward a multiplayer-centric structure is a departure from the original games that may jar with longstanding fans, the stunning visuals and ferocious gunplay make it an excellent experience.
Admittedly, I went into this one relatively blind. Having missed the original games of the 2000s, I didn’t have the nostalgia that many long-term fans carry. I was first drawn in by the game’s intense trailer which promised a metal-infused descent into madness, and I’m happy to report that the visual fidelity is nothing short of awesome. The lighting effects hitting the blood-stained gothic architecture are so striking that I frequently found myself pausing mid-slaughter just to take a screenshot.
The gunplay is pure high-speed adrenaline shots, taking similar notes from the aggressive style of Doom: The Dark Ages. It’s fast, fluid, and heavy. Every trigger pull feels impactful, especially unlocking later guns like the shotgun and railgun. The movement system encourages you to stay in the thick of the fight rather than cowering behind cover with jump pads and grapple points aplenty to zip across the area. The “sacred” Painkiller weapon remains a highlight—a whirling dervish of blades that makes close-quarters combat feel visceral.
The gunplay is a high-speed adrenaline shot, clearly taking notes from the aggressive “forward-combat” style of Doom: The Dark Ages. It’s fast, fluid, and heavy. Every trigger pull feels impactful, especially unlocking later guns like the shotgun and railgun. The movement system encourages you to stay in the thick of the fight rather than cowering behind cover with jump pads and grapple points aplenty to zip across the area. The iconic Painkiller weapon is a whirlwind of blades that makes close-quarters combat feel right up close and personal.
The game’s overarching structure was my biggest surprise. I went in expecting a curated, linear single-player campaign, but I quickly learned that the experience is built entirely around 3-player co-op raid runs with mates or bots. While you can play in offline mode with bots, the game doesn’t change its DNA for the solo player; you are still tackling separate raid missions rather than a traditional narrative journey. This focus on co-op gameplay pivots the experience toward something much closer to Remnant II.
You aren’t just a lone warrior here; you are part of a squad of four distinctive “Champions,” each with unique perks:
- Ink (Tactician): Boosts energy restoration by 20%.
- Void (DPS): Increases flat weapon damage by 10%.
- Sol (Heavy): Grants a massive 50% ammo capacity boost.
- Roch (Tank): Provides a vital +25 bonus health.
The Tarot Card system adds a layer of build-crafting that kept me hooked through multiple sessions. You earn ancient seals and coins that allow you to re-use spent tarot cards or buy new ones, as well as upgrade your arsenal of weapons. You choose two starting tarot cards to buff your run, but the real magic happens when you sync with your team. Combining your passive buffs with your teammates can turn a difficult encounter into an absolute slaughter. It transforms the game from a standard shooter into a strategic one.
Beyond the nine main raids, which take you through three varied, hellish landscapes, the endgame Rogue Angel mode revolves around randomised, handcrafted arenas. These survival missions test your group’s coordination to the limit. It’s where the “one more run” addiction kicks in, especially when you are trying to earn currency for more weapon upgrades.
Overall, Painkiller is a great co-op experience rich with a dark atmosphere and fast paced run-and-gun mechanics. Longtime fans of the Painkiller games are feeling it is too far beyond what they have known and loved from the early 2000s era of FPS games. If you wanted a 1:1 remake of the 2004 solo experience, you might be surprised by the shift in direction. However, as a standalone modern title and if you have a squad of mates or load up with bots ready to dive into the trenches of Purgatory, this is an easy recommendation.
This review utilised a key provided by Sandbox Strategies and Painkiller is available now on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation.
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