Painkiller: Overdose

Release Date: October 23, 2007

Action, FPP, FPS, horror, shooters, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet, LAN

71%

Steam

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A direct sequel to Painkiller, the popular first-person shooter from 2004. In contrast to the original, the production wasn’t developed by the Poland-based studio People Can Fly but Mindware Studios, a Czech studio. We don’t assume the role of Daniel Garner, the protagonist of the prequel either, although the events partly take place before his lone crusade.

Plot
Mechanics
Game modes
Technical aspect

Painkiller: Overdose for PC is an official sequel of 2004’s first-person shooter developed by People Can Fly. However, the continuation was created by another company, namely Mindware Studios. The developer is known Voodoo Nights (PC, X360) or Cold War: Behind The Iron Curtain (PC, XBX).

Plot

The single player story campaign consists of sixteen entirely new levels that can be beaten on several different difficulty levels.

The events of Overdose party take place before the events of the original so we assume the role of a completely new character. Like before, the story plays a supporting role and doesn’t interfere with mass extermination of monsters that appear on the screen.

Mechanics

Painkiller’s sequel doesn’t introduce any revolutionary changes. The gameplay is still focused on mass extermination of monsters with the use of more or less bizarre weaponry.

There are over 40 different kinds of demons for the player to tackle. Some of these creatures make a debut, while some were already present in the previous game. The developer also created new bosses inspired by those from the original Painkiller. Such opponents are therefore huge and incredibly powerful.

The available weapon arsenal was expanded with six new guns. The player can also count on gathering much more powerful collectible cards.

Game modes

The game doesn’t lack for an adequately extensive multiplayer. The developer enhanced the options of tracking our progress, among other things. The multiplayer is also compatible with maps and game modes from the original Painkiller.

Technical aspect

Graphics-wise, Painkiller: Overdose for PC resembles its predecessor, although many new visual effects were added, of course. The action is still observed from the first-person perspective.

Last updated on July 26, 2017

Videos and Screens

[1:38] Painkiller: Overdose GC 2007

71%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Mostly Positive (849)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Creative Enemies and Designs: Players appreciate the variety and creativity of the enemies and their attacks, which include a mix of demons, mummies, and aliens.
Stylish Weapons: The weapons have been described as visually appealing, adding to the overall aesthetic of the game.
Graphics: The graphics are considered good for the time of release, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
Gameplay Variety: Some players found the gameplay to be fun and engaging, with diverse levels and enemy types providing a decent amount of entertainment.
Adrenaline-Fueled Action: The fast-paced shooting mechanics cater to fans of the genre who enjoy relentless action.

The main cons of the game

Repetitive Levels: Many reviews mention that the levels become monotonous, primarily revolving around killing enemies without much variation in objectives.
Bugs and Glitches: A significant number of players report various bugs, including crashes, freezing, and issues with save files, which severely affect gameplay.
Poor Sound Design: The sound effects for the weapons are described as lacking impact, and the overall soundtrack does not match the energetic vibe expected from a Painkiller game.
Difficulty Issues: Some users find the game to have poorly balanced difficulty, with certain enemies being overly powerful and ammunition being scarce.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Story Depth: Players noted the lack of a meaningful story, with many feeling that the narrative is almost nonexistent or poorly developed.
Multiplayer Features: There is a sentiment that the game lacks robust multiplayer options, which were a part of earlier entries in the series.
Enhanced Audio Experience: Users expressed disappointment over the absence of a strong metal soundtrack, which was a hallmark of previous Painkiller games.
Level Design Improvements: Some players suggested that the level design could be more engaging and varied, as it often feels uninspired compared to earlier titles in the franchise.
Quality Assurance: There is a call for better testing and polish to address the numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience.

Summary

Overall, while Painkiller Overdose has its entertaining moments and creative elements, it suffers from significant flaws that prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessors.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024

8.0

GAMERS Score

Average score from 922 votes.

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GAMES

in Painkiller Game Series

Game Series

Painkiller Series

A series of first-person shooters (FPS) in the climate of bloody horror. The series was started by People Can Fly studio, and its development involved such development teams as Eggtooth, Mindware Studios, Med-Art and The Farm 51.

8 video games

Painkiller Game Series