Painkiller (2025)

 
Painkiller is a modern reimagining of the 2004 cult classic, developed by Anshar Studios and published by Saber Interactive. Released on 21 octobre 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, this reboot trades the lonely, gothic isolation of the original for a frenetic, class-based co-op shooter. While it nails the visceral “crunch” of demon-slaying that defined the early 2000s, long-time fans may find the shift to a hero-shooter structure a controversial departure from Daniel Garner’s solitary crusade.
Blades, Bullets, and Bunny Hopping: Core Gameplay

The Arena Loop: The gameplay loop is pure adrenaline: enter a gothic arena, lock the doors, and slaughter waves of grotesque demons until the heavy metal music stops. Movement is fast and fluid, heavily inspired by Doom Eternal, with dashing, double-jumping, and grappling becoming essential for survival.
Class-Based Carnage: Unlike the original, you choose from four distinct characters—Ink, Void, Sol, and Roch—each with unique passive perks and stats [web:4217]. This adds a layer of synergy for the new 3-player co-op mode, where balancing crowd control and heavy damage is key to surviving higher difficulties.
The Arsenal: You carry the titular Painkiller (a spinning blade that acts as a melee grinder/grapple) plus two other weapons from a customizable loadout. Favorites like the Stakegun and Electrodriver return, now upgraded with elemental effects and alt-fire modes that can freeze or electrocute entire mobs [web:4215].
Tarot System 2.0: The Black Tarot card system returns but has been retooled. Instead of just passive buffs, cards now act as active modifiers you can swap to tailor your build, allowing for “rogue-lite” progression within the new infinite “Rogue Angel” mode added in the December 2025 “Metal as Hell” update [web:4216].

Comment cela se passe-t-il ?
Painkiller (2025) is a boomer shooter with a zoomer skin.



Jeu
Principale différence




Painkiller (2004)
The original was a solitary, atmospheric journey through Purgatory with a massive arsenal held at once. The 2025 Reboot limits you to a 3-weapon loadout and focuses on co-op synergies, making it feel more like Le destin rencontre Tremblement de terre than a true old-school shooter.


Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal is “combat chess,” requiring specific weapons for specific enemies. Painkiller is looser and more chaotic; you don’t need to swap weapons to kill a specific demon, you just need to keep moving and shooting. It is less cognitive, more reflexive.


Guerrier de l'ombre 3
Both are short, fast, linear arena shooters. However, Painkiller offers more replayability through its “Rogue Angel” mode and co-op, whereas Guerrier de l'ombre 3 is a “one and done” campaign.



Détails clés

Développeur : Anshar Studios.
Éditeur : Saber Interactive / 3D Realms.
Plateformes : PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC.
Date de sortie : 21 octobre 2025.
Genre : Co-op FPS / Arena Shooter.
Vibe : A death metal album cover come to life.

Pour qui ?

Incontournable pour co-op groups. If your squad is tired of tactical shooters and just wants to hold down the trigger and scream at demons, this is the perfect Friday night game.
Parfait pour movement junkies. The “soul-catcher” mechanic (bunny hopping to collect souls) keeps you in a constant flow state. If you stop moving, you die.
Sauter si you are a 2004 purist. The limited weapon loadout and hero abilities fundamentally change the feel. It is not the Painkiller you remember; it is a new game wearing its skin.

Pourquoi ça marche
Il fonctionne grâce à la physics. In an era of hit-scan shooters, Painkiller remembers the joy of projectiles. Pinning an enemy to a wall with a wooden stake effectively “ragdolls” them in a way that never gets old. The feedback—the sound of the stake flying, the thud of impact, the physics reaction—creates a tactile satisfaction that few modern shooters manage to replicate.