3D Realms and Anshar Studios’ Painkiller reboot arrives this October

Landing on consoles and the PC in time for a little Halloween fright, the Painkiller reboot is set to launch this October.

Seasonally appropriate

Die-hard fans of the classic Painkiller series of first-person shooters likely have an opinion, one way or the other, as to the upcoming reboot from Saber Interactive’s 3D Realms label and developer Anshar Studios. Not that it looks to be all that much of a thematic departure from the iconic games of yore, but it’s not exactly a continuation either.

That’s because the new title brings in the possibility of three-player co-op, and what certainly looks like a team-based vibe that leaves out the original hero, Daniel Garner. To that end, the game introduces Ink, Void, Sol, and Roch, four new heroes tasked with carving a path of destruction through the demonic hordes of Purgatory in the name of the Creator.

New to the series as well, each of those heroes will have their own special ability, “with unique perks to boost your energy, health, power and damage”, according to 3D Realms. They’ll need those powers, as they bring their arsenal to bear against a tidal wave of evil that threatens to spill out into the mortal realm.

Welcome to Purgatory! You’ve been sentenced for your transgressions against Heaven, but the Voice of the Creator is giving you one chance to redeem yourself. Blast through hordes of demons in brutal, fast-paced combat with an array of infernal weapons. Battle across gruesome gothic environments to stop the fallen angel Azazel’s invasion of Earth and earn your salvation – solo or in online co-op for up to three players.

3D Realms press release

If you checked out the trailer above, then you know that Painkiller is officially up for pre-order now, both digitally (for all platforms) and physically (for consoles). The game will come in two editions, with a standard and a digital-only Deluxe Edition. The latter packs in “three additional post-launch DLCs, each including six weapon skins and four character skins.” And since we’re talking about skins, we’ll let you in on some pre-order bonuses, for those who indulge.

Ordering either version of Painkiller in digital format will net you the Iron Crusade skin pack, which includes a bevy of aesthetics. Packed-in are “skins for all four characters – Ink, Void, Sol, and Roch – along with skins for six weapons: the Electrodriver, Stakegun, Shotgun, SMG, Hand Cannon and Rocket Launcher”. Prefer your games physical? You’re still in for a treat if you pre-order, with the Burnished Pride pack. That stocks golden skins for the above-named weaponry.

However you prefer to tackle the forces of Purgatory, you’ll be able to grab a copy of Painkiller this October 9th, for the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.