After 20 years, the cult shooter is back and promises plenty of action, co-op gameplay and captivating boss fights in purgatory.
There’s life in the old dog yet – and sometimes they shoot their way straight out of purgatory. Over 20 years after the last full-fledged game in the series, Painkiller is back. And no, not a reboot with monstrous subtitles, just: Painkiller.
The bloody shooter comeback was officially announced at the Future Games Show 2025 – along with a trailer that leaves no doubt about what this is about: hordes of demons, cool weapons and plenty of action. The game is being developed by Anshar Studios and published by 3D Realms and Saber Interactive. And it’s supposed to be released this year for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Doom meets Witchfire – in co-op
At first glance, the Painkiller reboot looks like a hellish trip somewhere between Doom Eternal and Witchfire. Fast-paced arena battles, grotesque demon opponents, brutal weapons with effect overkill – it’s all there. What’s new, however, is the co-op focus: up to three players can join forces to fight the hordes of the underworld. And yes, solo fans also get their money’s worth.
There are four playable characters that bring different strengths to the table: more health, more damage, more energy. There are also tarot cards that return as a buff system and enable new play styles.
The story seems like classic metal fantasy: You are a fallen champion who repents his sins in purgatory. But a voice from higher spheres offers you redemption – provided you stop the fallen angel Azazel and the Nephilim, his demonic children, before they overrun the earth.
Sounds like a pretext for a lot of action – and that’s exactly what Painkiller wants to be. The developers promise huge maps, vertical movement using grappling hooks, classic weapons like the stake gun with new twists, and boss enemies that could fill an entire battle arena on their own.
Painkiller will be released in fall 2025 – the exact date is yet to be announced, but you can already add the game to your wishlist on Steam. At first glance, the reboot seems to be exactly what fans have been dreaming of for years: uncompromising old-school action wrapped up in a look that oscillates somewhere between sacrilege and splatter fest. If Anshar pulls it off, we could have a real highlight on our hands here.
