Painkiller

Painkiller is a 2004 first-person shooter developed by People Can Fly and published by DreamCatcher Interactive. Set in a grim Purgatory, players control Daniel Garner, a man who must defeat Lucifer’s generals to earn a place in Heaven. The game is known for its frantic, wave-based combat, where the player clears arenas of dozens of enemies, collecting their souls to power a devastating demon mode. The arsenal features five weapon combos that each have alternate fire modes, resulting in ten distinct weapons, including the iconic pain/killer (a spinning blade launcher) and the rocket launcher/chaingun. Black tarot cards offer passive and active bonuses, adding a light customization layer. Painkiller received mixed reviews: praised for its graphics, physics, and inventive weapons, but criticized for repetitive level design, simplistic enemy AI, and uneven boss fights. It spawned an expansion (Painkiller: Battle out of Hell) and a sequel/remake (Painkiller: Hell & Damnation). The game remains a cult classic among fans of mindless, high-octane shooters.