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Games like Painkiller

Anshar Studios · 2025 · Windows

Steam: 52 % positive of 1,142 reviews, as of Oct 28

The classic Painkiller series is back! Battle through Purgatory in fast-paced co-op action, wielding infernal weapons against relentless demonic hordes. Condemned for your sins, the Voice of the Creator offers you a chance at redemption. Will you seize it or be lost to darkness?

24 games that play like Painkiller and 24 that look like it. Closest by gameplay: Painkiller Hell & Damnation, Painkiller: Black Edition and DOOM Eternal.

Player tags

  • Shooter
  • Action
  • Gore
  • Fast-Paced
  • FPS
  • Gothic
  • First-Person
  • Horror
Map region: Shooter Campaigns
Open on Steam ↗

Steam reviews

What players say

Mixed reviews: a fun, polished co-op arena shooter that many feel is not really Painkiller, and it is short and light on content at full price.

Many players say the gunplay is smooth and satisfying, with varied weapons and an upgrade and mod system that changes how each gun feels, and that the game runs well with few technical problems. Some find the arena combat mindless but enjoyable, especially with friends, and say it is worth buying on sale. The most common complaint is that it is not a Painkiller game: many reviewers miss the original's gothic maps, atmosphere and single-player campaign, and say the name misleads buyers. Others criticise the forced co-op, bots that fill the team, very few maps and enemy types, and a total playtime of only around five to seven hours. Recent reviews are more positive, mentioning offline and solo modes that were added later, which many say make the game much better.

Praised

  • Satisfying gunplay

    Players enjoy the smooth, punchy shooting, varied weapons and the way upgrades and mods change how each gun feels.

    Many players
  • Mindless arena fun

    Players like the fast, brainless waves of demons and say it is a good way to switch off, especially in co-op.

    Many players
  • Good on sale

    Players say the game is good value at a discount but not at full price.

    Many players
  • Good performance and visuals

    Reviewers say the game runs smoothly, even on Linux, and looks good for its genre.

    Some players

Criticised

  • Not a real Painkiller

    Reviewers say the game lacks the original's gothic maps, atmosphere and style, and that the Painkiller name misleads buyers.

    Many players
  • Forced co-op

    Players object that co-op is mandatory and that bots fill the team, making the game feel more like a multiplayer title than a single-player one.

    Many players
  • Too short and thin content

    Players say there are only three maps with three levels each, a short playtime and few enemy types or mission types.

    Many players
  • Repetitive missions

    Reviewers find the arenas and mission objectives repetitive, with bots getting in the way and the same challenges returning.

    Some players
Who it suits
Players who like fast arena shooters and co-op with friends, especially on sale.
Who should skip it
Players who want a Painkiller-style single-player campaign or the original's gothic atmosphere should skip it.

Short vs. long playtime: Players with more than 20 hours tend to recommend the game, while those with less playtime are split, and long-time players more often mention the offline mode and the rank system that repeats the same content.

Summarised by AI from 63 Steam reviews (English, helpful and recent), as of Oct 28, 2026.

Best matches

Plays and looks like Painkiller

These games are close to it by gameplay and by look, so they appear in both lists below.

By gameplay

Plays like Painkiller

Matched from Steam descriptions and player tags. The tags under each game are the ones both games share.

More matches

  1. Sker Ritual82 % positive of 4,916Shared: Shooter · FPS · First-Person
  2. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide71 % positive of 109,727Shared: Shooter · FPS · First-Person
  3. Blood Reaver87 % positive of 162
  4. REMNANT II®82 % positive of 46,997Shared: Shooter · Horror · Online Co-Op
  5. Warhammer: Vermintide 284 % positive of 91,188Shared: Gore · FPS · First-Person
  6. DEVOUR90 % positive of 68,951Shared: Gore · First-Person · Horror
  7. Painkiller: Recurring Evil40 % positive of 360Shared: Shooter · Gore · FPS
  8. Remnant: From the Ashes84 % positive of 47,576Shared: Shooter · Horror · Online Co-Op
  9. Devil Daggers95 % positive of 7,494Shared: Shooter · Gore · Fast-Paced
  10. Killing Floor94 % positive of 39,917Shared: Shooter · Gore · FPS
  11. UNLOVED78 % positive of 957Shared: Shooter · Gore · FPS
  12. Hellbound: Survival Mode86 % positive of 1,906Shared: Shooter · Gore · Fast-Paced

By look

Looks like Painkiller

Matched from screenshots. Each card shows the screenshot closest to the look of this game.

More matches

  1. BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE91 % positive of 9,614
  2. Serious Sam 482 % positive of 15,722
  3. Conan Exiles Enhanced78 % positive of 80,137
  4. Shadow Warrior 3: Definitive Edition68 % positive of 4,874
  5. Witchfire91 % positive of 17,491
  6. Necromunda: Hired Gun68 % positive of 5,920
  7. Crysis 3 Remastered88 % positive of 7,836
  8. Turbo Overkill93 % positive of 6,464
  9. Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem92 % positive of 4,789
  10. Borderlands 458 % positive of 59,082
  11. Shadow Warrior 286 % positive of 24,191
  12. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 296 % positive of 877

At a glance

What games like Painkiller have in common

  • The tags they share most often with Painkiller: Shooter (21 of 24), Gore (17) and FPS (12).
  • They came out between 2007 and 2026, one of them after Painkiller (2025).
  • Best rated by Steam players: Devil Daggers (95 % positive of 7,494).

How these matches work

Matches come from embeddings of Steam descriptions, player tags and screenshots, computed offline. “Plays like” compares what the games are about and how players tag them; “Looks like” compares their screenshots. The share of positive reviews is based on Steam user reviews.

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