Does this shooter deliver pain or relief?
Painkiller is a modern reimagining of the classic franchise, featuring online co-op for up to three players and offline play. Battle hordes of demons and titanic terrors across richly detailed gothic environments. Trapped in Purgatory, you are sentenced for your transgressions against Heaven. But the Voice of the Creator gives you a chance to redeem yourself. As one of the Champions, you are to stop the fallen angel Azazel who is about to unleash his demonic armies onto Earth. You will face hordes of enemies, demons with unique powers and three monstrous children of Azazel – the Nephilim. Will you succeed in your mission and earn your salvation?
I reviewed a HD remaster of the original Painkiller back in 2012, I remember enjoying it, but was surprised to hear about a new entry. This reboot doesn’t require you to know anything about the series prior and the story is pretty barebones, it just about gives you the motivation to push on through but it’s nothing special in that department.
The game doesn’t handle like a classic FPS of yesteryear like the original games did, but instead it handles like a wave-based arena shooter. It tries a bit too much to be like COD Zombies but it doesn’t quite have the strength in its arsenal to give it a run for its money. The weapons themselves feel weaker than you would imagine them to be. Playing solo isn’t particularly enjoyable, but it is better with co-op players who can assist you on clearing the 9 levels that are available at launch.
It does have its moments, but it doesn’t do anything to make it unique. It doesn’t make any lasting impression, which is what you need with shooters like these. A hook, something that keeps them coming back, but I just couldn’t find it. It may have impressive visuals and a smooth framerate, but it just goes to show that alone isn’t enough to save a game from mediocrity.
The Verdict
Painkiller tries to fit into the wave-based arena shooter genre instead of sticking to its roots, which diminishes it immediately. The original Painkiller was enjoyable for what it was, while this reimagining strips it of its identity which results in a forgettable co-op shooter.