Classic Shooter ‘Painkiller’ Returns This October

3D Realms and Anshar Studios have confirmed that their reimagined Painkiller will launch on 9th October 2025 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. This modern take on the classic action franchise promises to deliver the brutal, fast-paced demon-slaying combat that made the original memorable, whilst adding three-player online co-op functionality for contemporary audiences.

Redemption Through Violence

The reimagined Painkiller maintains the series’ distinctive premise, casting players as souls condemned to Purgatory who must earn redemption through violence. The Voice of the Creator offers one final chance at salvation, tasking players with stopping the fallen angel Azazel’s invasion of Earth by blasting through hordes of demonic enemies.

This setup provides the perfect excuse for the series’ trademark over-the-top action, where players traverse gruesome gothic environments using an arsenal of both classic and new infernal weapons. The addition of modern movement mechanics like jumping, hooking, and dashing should provide more dynamic traversal options compared to the original’s more grounded approach.

Cooperative Carnage

Perhaps the most significant enhancement is the inclusion of three-player online co-op, allowing friends to tackle Purgatory together. This multiplayer component transforms what was originally a solitary journey into a shared experience of demon-slaying mayhem, with players able to explore diverse locations, uncover secrets, and face terrifying enemies as a coordinated team.

The game features four distinctive characters, each with unique perks that boost different aspects like energy, health, power, and damage. These character choices, combined with a tarot card upgrade system and ranking progression that expands your arsenal, suggest meaningful customisation options that could differentiate each player’s approach to combat.

Pre-order Incentives and Editions

Both Standard and Deluxe Editions are available for pre-order, priced at £39.99 and £49.99 respectively. The Standard Edition includes the “Iron Crusade” skin pack featuring character skins for all four protagonists (Ink, Void, Sol, and Roch) plus weapon skins for six armaments including the Electrodriver, Stakegun, and Hand Cannon.

Physical console pre-orders receive an exclusive “Burnished Pride” weapons pack with additional gold skins, whilst the Deluxe Edition includes three post-launch DLC packs, each containing six weapon skins and four character skins.

Classic Brutality, Modern Polish

The gameplay footage suggests that Anshar Studios understands what made Painkiller special, maintaining the series’ emphasis on visceral, high-speed combat whilst modernising the presentation and mechanics. Players will face various horrifying enemies, from standard demon hordes to massive Nephilim, the monstrous children of Azazel.

With its October release date, Painkiller arrives at an ideal time for horror-themed gaming, offering both nostalgic fans and newcomers a chance to experience updated demon-slaying action. The combination of classic Painkiller DNA with modern co-op functionality could create exactly the kind of arcade shooter experience that feels increasingly rare in today’s gaming landscape.