Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 60 | 144 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 55% | 56 | 618 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 39 | 24 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 65% | 63 | 376 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 18, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 376 total reviews in window · weighted 87.7 up / 48 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (78)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“I understand it's a "reimagining," but it feels completely unoriginal. The developers have taken Doom Eternal, mashed it with Vermintide, added a painfully thin campaign, and tacked on a roguelike mode nobody asked for. All the unique aspects of the original Painkiller are gone. Personally, as a massive fan of the originals, I feel sour playing this. It's Painkiller in name only. That being said… if you have never played the original games, you might love this. If you can get over the name, forget it's a Painkiller title, and treat it like a new co-op shooter spin-off, it's actually a very good game to play. The shooting is fun, it runs perfectly, and it’s a decent co-op romp with friends. It's just not the game fans were waiting for.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“The new Painkiller is not a good game. This is not a title that almost succeeded or has untapped potential that modders will fix. This is a short production, poorly made and ill-conceived at almost every level.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Painkiller is, unfortunately, a huge disappointment for an old fan of the series, such as myself. A great arena shooter with a dark atmosphere has been reduced to a co-op shooter without any soul or interesting ideas. Unfortunately, despite the nicely crafted locations and good overall artistic vision, many mistakes were made in the design of the gameplay itself.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Despite its dynamic gameplay, Painkiller stumbles in every other aspect. The game will certainly disappoint series veterans and solo players, and even co‑op enthusiasts would find it hard to recommend at such a high price point.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“In the end, Painkiller aims for a complete overhaul of the series to attract a new audience but delivers a disappointing co-op experience that falls far short of its competitors. The campaign is excessively short, and enemies are recycled to exhaustion. Although the combat system shows some promise, it’s severely hindered by repetitive design that gives the impression of a rushed project.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you want a few hours of low commitment demon slaying with friends, Painkiller does the job and does it with style where it counts most, in your hands and on your triggers. If you are hunting for something deeper, richer, or more distinct in today’s crowded shooter scene, this will probably feel like a stopgap rather than a staple.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“The new Painkiller is a weird, unfinished hybrid, a game with a story-driven campaign that masquerades as an endgame, a game that was meant to provide fun by playing quick raids, but someone forgot to create a worthwhile goal for it all. It looks like some random elements were cobbled together without key game systems.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“With its main offering being the ability to shoot your way through Purgatory with friends, the shine wears off rather quickly.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Painkiller is a mixed bag. It's a classic case of a reboot that successfully captures the feel of a modern shooter. The moment-to-moment gunplay is enjoyable and player movement is fluid and responsive. However, these strengths are almost completely overshadowed by the game's numerous design compromises such as mandatory co-op and an all too short campaign.”
read full review ↗ - 64
“This remake of Painkiller certainly tried to evoke that feeling of nostalgia, but ultimately proved to be inconsistent.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Painkiller is a hard game to recommend. It’s certainly not made with the loyal fans in mind and does little to appeal to the new crowd. Even if you’re dead-set on getting on sale, I recommend buying your best mates extra copies because the real painkillers are the friends we made along the way.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Painkiller combines DOOM’s speed, Back 4 Blood’s cooperative chaos, and its own legendary flair for carnage. The refined weapon system, deep progression, and atmospheric visuals make it a must-play for fans of high-intensity shooters. Though brief in length, its sheer entertainment value and co-op replayability secure its place as one of the best action titles of the year.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
Gamepressure
ZdobywcyGier.eu
GameMAG
GameFM
GeekGasm
GRYOnline.pl
Seasoned Gaming
Total Gaming Network
Pizza Fria
Gameffine
A Gaming Network…and 66 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Painkiller - Demon AwakeningMar 18, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Metal as Hell UpdateDec 16, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Painkiller - Hotfix #1Nov 19, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Painkiller - Next Fest Demo HotfixOct 16, 2025