Painkiller: A Tale of Two Shooters - Reboot vs. Original

Embrace the Chaos: Why the Original Painkiller Still Reigns Supreme

The Uninspired Reimagining: A Look at the New Painkiller

The latest iteration of Painkiller, presented as a reboot and sharing the same title as the original, has recently become available on Steam. However, it fails to impress, embodying a trend of subsequent Painkiller releases that fall short of the groundbreaking 2004 game. While not inherently flawed, the new title, based on its demo, offers a competent yet unremarkable co-op shooter experience reminiscent of Doom-style gameplay.

Co-op Conundrum: The Bots and the Burden of Assisted Play

A notable feature of the new Painkiller is its mandatory co-op design. Even in solo play, players are accompanied by AI companions who deliver exposition and often dominate combat encounters. This hands-off approach diminishes player engagement, as bots efficiently clear enemies, leaving little for the player to do, even on standard difficulty settings.

Shrunken Scope and Familiar Arsenal: A Comparison to the Original

The reboot feels more confined and less expansive than the first Painkiller, despite maintaining a similar level progression—eliminate enemies in one area, then advance. The demo showcased classic weapons like the stake gun, electrodriver, and the iconic whirling-blade Painkiller, which function similarly to their original counterparts. However, after two decades, they lack the initial impact that once captivated players.

A Moderate Reception: Player Sentiments on the New Release

The new Painkiller is generally considered adequate; it performs acceptably and appears visually decent without technical issues. Nevertheless, it offers no compelling reason for recommendation, nor does it warrant strong dissuasion, though its $40 price tag seems steep compared to other titles like Helldivers 2 or the upcoming Arc Raiders. The game's Steam reviews reflect this ambiguity, with a "mixed" rating largely due to its deviation from the spirit of the original. As one reviewer noted, those seeking the classic Painkiller experience should look elsewhere, while fans of generic, co-op focused shooters might find it acceptable.

Recalling the Roots: The Enduring Appeal of the First Painkiller

The original Painkiller, launched in 2004 by Polish developer People Can Fly, was a unique blend of outlandish levels, bizarre adversaries, distinct weaponry, and intense heavy metal music. Its narrative, centered on a man performing penance by battling Lucifer's forces after an accidental tragedy involving his wife, was wonderfully absurd and contributed to its status as a cult classic. This game left an indelible mark, one that no subsequent attempt has managed to replicate.

Revisiting a Classic: Nostalgia Confirmed

To ascertain if personal fondness for the original Painkiller was merely a product of nostalgia, the author revisited Painkiller Black, which includes the base game and the Battle Out of Hell expansion. The experience confirmed that the memories were indeed accurate: the game remains outstanding. It runs smoothly on modern PCs and retains its stunning visual appeal. Initially, its movement felt slow, but remembering the technique of bunny-hopping revealed its true fast-paced nature, essential for navigating hordes of unique enemies like axe-wielding monks and opera-singing ninjas. The powerful weaponry, dismemberment effects, and rocking soundtrack continue to deliver immense satisfaction.

A Modern Marvel: The Painkiller RTX Remix Mod

A minor technical hurdle—the inability to run the game flawlessly in 4K—led to the discovery of the Painkiller RTX Remix mod. This mod completely transforms the 20-year-old game, making it look brand new with enhanced lighting, reflections, shadows, and improved enemy models. The visual upgrade is so significant that it earned the "best overall" prize and $20,000 in Nvidia's RTX Remix mod contest.

A Work in Progress: Challenges and Triumphs of the RTX Remix

While the Painkiller RTX Remix mod is still under development and can be unstable, experiencing it firsthand is truly remarkable. Despite occasional crashes with old saves and during level transitions, the visual transformation is astonishing, and the game's performance remains fluid. The mod's quality is so high that it could easily be mistaken for a professional remaster, breathing new life into the classic title.

Final Recommendation: Choose the Original

Ultimately, while the new Painkiller exists, it offers no compelling advantages over contemporary titles like the new Doom games, Borderlands 3 or 4, Wolfenstein, Ultrakill, or even Atomic Heart. For those curious about the original's legacy, it is strongly advised to play Painkiller Black. Available for just a few dollars, it stands as one of the best value shooters. For long-time fans looking to reignite their passion, the RTX Remix mod, despite requiring some manual installation effort, represents the most significant advancement for Painkiller in two decade