Painkiller Releases October 21 With Rogue Angel Co-op Mode

Painkiller, one of the most iconic shooters of the early 2000s, will return on October 21. The game from Anshar Studios and 3D Realms adds a new feature called Rogue Angel, a co-op roguelike mode that shifts the series toward procedurally generated levels and multiplayer teamwork. The trailer for the mode shows squads battling through a new realm of Purgatory with randomized loot drops, increasingly punishing demons, and repeated runs designed to build skill and progression over time.

The trailer presents the mode as an accessible cooperative experience, but its style has raised concerns among longtime followers of the series. Painkiller originally built its reputation as a fast-paced single-player shooter about one man tearing through Hell’s armies with overwhelming firepower. Its dark setting, heavy metal tone, and focus on individual skill defined its character. Rogue Angel, by contrast, emphasizes voice lines, squad calls, and design elements more reminiscent of modern cooperative shooters than the series’ gothic origins.

Earlier, Painkiller also received a graphical overhaul with the RTX Remix v0.1.6 update, adding flashlight support, lighting upgrades, and a wave of visual nostalgia.

The tone of the dialogue in Rogue Angel is one of the biggest sticking points for fans. Lines such as “Let’s go—on me” and “Hold your ground” resemble the chatter of contemporary military shooters rather than the surreal descent into Hell that defined the franchise. Community responses to the trailer highlight this disconnect. Comments on YouTube range from “They Borderlandsed Painkiller For Gen Z” to “Please let us disable the quips.” Others noted the mode “looks like it could be good, but it doesn’t look Painkiller good.”

For many players, the concern is not that Painkiller is evolving but that its identity may be getting diluted. The original release from 2004 told the story of Daniel Garner, a man trapped in Purgatory who battles Lucifer’s forces in order to reunite with his wife. The plot was simple and melodramatic, but it fit the structure of a one-man crusade against Hell. Rogue Angel seems designed for cooperative fun with friends rather than that singular intensity. The question is whether both approaches can coexist in the same package without alienating different parts of the audience.

By the way, about the ultra bloody visual style of Painkiller, there is one more perfect massacre FPS shooter this fall, Painted in Blood, launching in Steam Early Access on October 23, 2025, with a new trailer highlighting its surreal mix of frantic gunplay and nightmarish visuals.

Despite the pushback, Rogue Angel is only one component of the upcoming release. The core campaign remains the main draw, and Anshar Studios has not removed the single-player experience that fans expect. For players uninterested in multiplayer roguelike mechanics, the traditional structure should remain intact. That distinction has softened some of the criticism, even among those who were vocal about the new direction.

Painkiller, 2025, is available for pre-order.

The release also ties into renewed interest in the franchise’s history. Painkiller Black, a definitive edition of the original, is currently discounted on Steam, offering new players an opportunity to see why the series built such a cult following in the first place. Its combination of exaggerated weaponry, massive enemy waves, and arena-based level design helped define an era of shooters often contrasted with slower, cover-based games that followed.

Painkiller’s return has been a long time coming. After multiple sequels and spin-offs failed to capture the original’s impact, fans were uncertain whether a revival could succeed. The announcement earlier this year raised expectations that a new developer might deliver a more faithful continuation. The inclusion of a cooperative roguelike mode shows a willingness to experiment, though it also highlights the risks of diverging too far from the qualities that made the game distinctive in the first place.

Painkiller will launch worldwide on October 21 and is available for preorder on Steam. Players who want to revisit the original can pick up Painkiller Black at a discount for a limited time. The campaign remains the focus for many, while Rogue Angel provides an optional way to play. Whether the update broadens the appeal or fragments the fanbase will only become clear once the game is in players’ hands.