Milkduds

Painkiller - First Impressions

February 3rd, 2005

I installed and played Painkiller last night. I’ve been really out of touch with the gaming world the past couple years because my priorities have changed (family, work, other grown-up responsibilities), but I try to keep up with what games people are raving about. I got a free subscription to Computer Gaming World and received my first issue last Friday, which included their games of the year awards. Painkiller beat out Half-Life 2 and Doom 3 for single player action game. And since I loved HL2 so much, I had to try it to see for myself.

The premise of the game is that you and your girlfriend have been killed in a car accident, and while she’s gone on to heaven, you have been chosen to bring down Lucifer’s generals before God lets you in. I don’t think that really meshes with Biblical doctrine, but I guess it makes for a good story. Anyway, you accept this assignment and start out in a graveyard that goes well beyond the description of haunted. I played through the first level, and so far, I don’t agree with the award it was given - Half Life 2 was much more involving and original. BUT, this is a pretty fun game to play. Unlike HL2, the action is completely non stop and you are constantly shooting bad guys. It feels very much like an arcade game, and I think that was the point because there are high score markers at the end of the level. I took a couple screenshots, but the level I played was way too dark, so I’ll make sure to get in some lighter areas before I snap another. I’ll keep playing for a while, but I don’t know if I’ll finish it.

Entry Filed under: Games