Painkiller review

[Realm]

Painkiller is awesome. If you wanted a review in one word, that would be it: awesome. It is a very specialized game for a very specific audience: hardcore first-person shooter players. It is made from the ground up to be the best pure shooter to come out in years, and it accomplishes this very well. Many call it a throwback to the old-school days of shooters, the Quake 1 era. Painkiller is no simple clone though; it is crammed full of its own unique style. The exacting time and care with which it was made is a testament to the dedication of the developer, People Can Fly.

The thing that most stands out about Painkiller are the levels themselves. From swamps to insane asylums to snowy bridges to opera houses, each level is a cohesive, smooth-flowing package of fun, art, and beauty. One almost feels the urge to look around and enjoy himself, though there’s very little time for lingering - the levels are jam-packed with enemies. The last level of the game, Hell, is a creation so unique it literally makes one gape. (no spoilers, don’t worry)

Note to Far Cry fans: Painkiller’s enemy AI is very simple. Do not complain about the “poor AI” when the truth is that the AI is exactly what it’s meant to be. The entire point of the game is to avoid tactics and strategy and to instead focus on making the “run-n-gun” experience as perfectly enjoyable as possible. Your obstacle in Painkiller is not the ultra-smart AI, but merely the sheer number of enemies.

Speaking of enemies, they are quite awesome in their own right. Each level will never feature more than a few different types of enemies (in large numbers) but don’t expect to see many of the enemies recycled from level to level. Each level is packed with enemies that fit into the “theme” of the level perfectly. One of the most popular levels, Asylum, takes place in a dark, creepy “haunted house” building stuffed with Ghosts, Amputees (people crawling around without hands or feet), and Freaks (people in straightjackets with electrifying helmets), perfect for an asylum. All of the enemies are well made and well balanced. Most are dangerous at both close and far ranges, with several types of attacks.

The bosses are one of the real highlights of the game. While there are several “end of level” bosses in the game, the real bosses are something completely in a league of their own. There are five of them, one at the end of each chapter, and these guys are huge. They are beautifully rendered too, not only big but detailed as well.

So while we’re on the subject of detail, let’s talk graphics. In a word: excellent. Everything you would expect from a just-released game. While there’s nothing revolutionary about them, everything is well made, well lit, well shadowed, and all done quite artistically.

Sound is also superb, the music especially. From the chilling sounds of the loading menu, to the soft creepy level themes, to the guitar/metal music that plays during combat, the music is not only well-done, but fits the levels and the theme of the game perfectly. Other sounds are good as well. From the distinctive “clink” of a grenade to the low heartbeat sound that a checkpoint makes, they are all memorable.

There are five weapons in the game: the Painkiller, the Shotgun/Freezer, the Stakegun/Grenade Launcher, the Rocket Launcher/Chaingun, and the Electrodriver. Given that each weapon has 2 firing modes (and most have a special combo move) there are plenty of options. Each weapon is well made and very capable, though everyone will develop his own preferences.

The plot is weak. The basic premise is that your character, Daniel Garner, has died and been refused admittance to Heaven. Stuck in Purgatory, a dark place between Heaven and Hell, he is given a challenge: kill Satan’s four generals and he will be let into Heaven. That plotline is basically enough to hold the game together till almost the end, when there are a couple of twists. Don’t expect a Max Payne here though, even though the game’s 6 cutscenes are pretty well done, the characters and plot are simple, shallow, and fairly bland. The entire point of the game is the action though, not the plot, so it’s hardly a concern. Interesting to note though, rumor has it that if one unlocks and beats Trauma mode (the hardest) there is a bonus level in Chapter 4 and an alternative ending.

Multiplayer follows the theme of the game as well: fast-paced run-n-gun. While there are 5 multiplayer modes, all of them are some form of Deathmatch. A very good internet connection is needed, and even then only 4 players are allowed in a server. The multiplayer maps are well made though nothing spectacular. Overall the multiplayer is “decent,” but nothing that anyone will be raving about.

Overall, Painkiller is a very unique game in today’s market. While it isn’t a game quite to everyone’s tastes, it is nonetheless a splendidly crafted experience that will remain one of the highlights of the shooter genre for years to come.

Score: A+ (Awesome, damn-near perfect hardcore FPS)

[jayt11]

That's it, now i'm DEFINETELY not buying this game!!!!

cool review Realm.

"fools can't mess with the god"