Since the success of the Doom remake in 2016, new so-called boomer shooters regularly appear on Steam. However, there were already some competitors to the game concept before that. A legendary title returns in the form of a reinterpretation later this year.
What game is it? Painkiller will resurrect a legendary shooter from 2004 later this year. The game will, like its predecessor, be a boomer shooter. It can be compared to the Doom series, which received a new installment this year.
In Painkiller, you play as an angel tasked with looking after the fallen angel Azazel in purgatory. But you won’t have to do this alone. Unusually for the genre, the new Painkiller features coop.
Boomer Shooter with Classes, Coop, and Crazy Weapons
What’s behind the new Painkiller? The game is published by 3D Realms and Saber Interactive, the creators behind Space Marine 2. The shooter is being developed by the Polish studio Anshar Studios
. They have collaborated with other studios on several titles. They also worked on Outriders, Layers of Fear, and Observer.
The biggest innovation compared to the original is the coop mode in Painkiller. In groups of three, or alone with AI companions, you will face large hordes of demons that consist not only of small cannon fodder but also of large opponents.
As a boomer shooter, the game also wants to provide fast and dynamic movement. The level design is expected to focus on jumps, sprints, and a grappling hook. Weapons will also play a major role.
The arsenal will consist of more than just classic rifles or shotguns. In the trailer, you can see ice or lightning weapons, as well as a melee weapon that apparently allows you to dash against demons. The combat is combined with tarot cards that give you passive effects and 4 classes with different abilities.
How is the community reacting? Under a trailer on YouTube, some people are excited, but there is also criticism from fans of the classic:
- @edgetansit3320 is a big fan of the genre and is looking forward to 2025:
A new Doom and a new Painkiller in the same year? The FPS gods are smiling upon us.
- @OmegaWolf2899 trusts the publisher:
After Space Marine 2, I will support any game with Saber.
- @vojtabombisyky9597 thinks the game is fundamentally good but criticizes the name:
It looks nice, but has nothing to do with Painkiller.
Despite positive voices, there is also negative feedback, especially regarding the name. Many fans believe this title apparently has little to do with the original. AI companions are also receiving criticism. Apart from that, the trailer for the game is well received by many players.
When will the game be released? The game is expected to be released on October 9, 2025, on Steam. A PS5 and Xbox Series X|S version is also expected to be released. You can find more coop shooter action here: A grim coop shooter on Steam now offers you the ideal opportunity to get started in Warhammer 40,000
