Painkiller Hell & Damnation similar games & best alternatives

Painkiller Hell & Damnation

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 • 2012

Should you play it?

Evil has returned! Demonic powers are manifesting themselves as a myriad of dark creatures, fighting over the fates of imprisoned souls caught in Purgatory.

What works
  • Fast-paced, satisfying old-school fps gameplay
  • Heavy metal soundtrack enhances atmosphere
  • Cooperative mode adds social play
  • Improved graphics and effects over original
  • Large arsenal of unique weapons
Things to keep in mind
  • Base game content is short and many levels locked behind dlc
  • Story is weak and minimal
  • Multiplayer is mostly dead
  • Some bugs and glitches reported
  • Dlc pricing considered excessive

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Shadowgrounds

  • Quake 4

  • Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death

  • Saints Row: Gat out of Hell

  • Dead Island: Riptide Definitive Edition

  • The Typing of The Dead: Overkill

  • Returnal™

  • Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

  • Far Cry® New Dawn

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Comanche 4

  • Desecrators

  • Rogue Trooper

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    Hellslave

  • Violence

    Gladio and Glory

  • Autonomy

    Painkiller: Black Edition

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Painkiller Hell & Damnation: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Expression.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose weapons, use alternative fire modes, and select tarot cards to customize abilities, allowing personal playstyle and tactical decisions."

    Capsule for Painkiller: Black Edition Painkiller: Black Edition

    "Players have freedom to choose weapons, use tarot cards, and explore levels with some secrets; gameplay encourages personal skill and decision making."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game challenges players with fast-paced combat, boss fights requiring strategy, and skillful movement like bunny hopping, rewarding mastery and tactical thinking."

    Capsule for Painkiller: Black Edition Painkiller: Black Edition

    "Game challenges players with fast-paced combat, boss fights, and skillful movement like bunny hopping; feedback through kills and achievements."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -2

    "Focus is primarily on single-player campaign and personal progression; multiplayer exists but is mostly dead, so competition is minimal."

    Capsule for Painkiller: Black Edition Painkiller: Black Edition

    "Focus is mostly on single-player campaign and co-op; multiplayer is present but largely dead, so competition is minimal."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report addictive gameplay with desire to replay missions for upgrades and stars; campaigns and DLCs provide several hours of play, encouraging habitual play."

    Capsule for CastleStorm CastleStorm

    "Players report addictive gameplay with long sessions possible; DLC and achievements encourage replay and extended play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Co-op mode is available and appreciated by players, though multiplayer is largely inactive."

    Capsule for Sniper Elite V2 Remastered Sniper Elite V2 Remastered

    "Co-op mode for two players is included and appreciated; multiplayer is mostly inactive but co-op adds social play."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Limited player creativity in level design or character creation, but modding support and community maps add some creative elements."

    Capsule for Left 4 Dead Left 4 Dead

    "Limited creativity in level design as many maps are remakes; some new weapons and tarot cards add minor creative elements."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "No evidence of dominance or power assertion over others; multiplayer is cooperative or equal participation."

    Capsule for Retro Game Crunch Retro Game Crunch

    "No evidence of domination or power over others; cooperative and balanced multiplayer interactions."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a challenging distraction and stress relief, immersing themselves in intense gameplay and music."

    Capsule for TETRIS® THE GRAND MASTER 4 -ABSOLUTE EYE- TETRIS® THE GRAND MASTER 4 -ABSOLUTE EYE-

    "Players use the game as a stress relief and distraction with intense action and heavy metal soundtrack."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Some experimentation with weapon combinations and tarot cards, but core gameplay remains consistent and routine."

    Capsule for Painkiller Overdose Painkiller Overdose

    "Some experimentation with different weapons, tarot cards, and strategies; but core gameplay is familiar and routine."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Levels have hidden areas and collectibles encouraging exploration beyond main paths."

    Capsule for Wolfenstein: The New Order Wolfenstein: The New Order

    "Levels contain secrets and hidden areas encouraging exploration, though many maps are remakes limiting novelty."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -2

    "Limited character customization; players mainly use predefined characters and equipment with minimal cosmetic modification."

    Capsule for Returnal™ Returnal™

    "Limited customization; players mostly use predefined characters and environments with minor cosmetic DLC."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong dark fantasy theme with demonic pacts, supernatural powers, and gothic atmosphere."

    Capsule for Hellslave Hellslave

    "Strong fantasy theme with demons, purgatory, supernatural weapons, and dark gothic atmosphere."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    2

    "Some sense of community through co-op play and shared achievements, but mostly individual play experiences."

    Capsule for Outland Outland

    "Community exists around the game; co-op play and shared achievements foster some social connection."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills in combat, movement, and strategy; tarot cards and challenges encourage learning and improvement."

    Capsule for Painkiller: Black Edition Painkiller: Black Edition

    "Players develop skills in combat and movement; unlocking tarot cards and achievements supports personal growth."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of FPS; no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad with Rising Storm Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad with Rising Storm

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of FPS; no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires continuous attention and active engagement during combat; not suited for background or idle play."

    Capsule for The TakeOver The TakeOver

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during combat; not suited for idle or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Social interactions are limited to local co-op; no evidence of close emotional relationships formed through gameplay."

    Capsule for Aqua Kitty - Milk Mine Defender Aqua Kitty - Milk Mine Defender

    "Social interactions limited to co-op and multiplayer; no evidence of close emotional relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -3

    "No leadership roles; cooperative play is shared and balanced without authoritative control."

    Capsule for Redeemer: Enhanced Edition Redeemer: Enhanced Edition

    "No leadership roles described; cooperative play is balanced without hierarchical control."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect tarot cards, souls, and weapons upgrades, showing accumulation and progression."

    Capsule for Painkiller Overdose Painkiller Overdose

    "Progression through unlocking tarot cards, achievements, and DLC content; collecting souls and items."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Some players find flow and catharsis in rhythmic gameplay, though difficulty can cause tension."

    Capsule for BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE

    "Some players find flow and catharsis in fast-paced combat and music; others note tension from difficulty."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Strong sensory stimulation from fast-paced action, gore effects, and heavy metal soundtrack."

    Capsule for Hellbound: Survival Mode Hellbound: Survival Mode

    "Strong sensory stimulation from gore, visual effects, heavy metal soundtrack, and intense action."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Little social recognition or status seeking; achievements exist but multiplayer is inactive."

    Capsule for Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered

    "No emphasis on social recognition or popularity; achievements exist but multiplayer is inactive."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    1

    "Story is present but minimal; mostly context for gameplay rather than deep narrative."

    Capsule for Archvale Archvale

    "Story is present but minimal and considered weak or secondary; mostly context for action gameplay."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Some tactical elements in ability and weapon choice, and cooperative play, but overall straightforward gameplay."

    Capsule for Livelock Livelock

    "Some strategic elements in weapon choice, tarot card use, and combat tactics; overall straightforward gameplay."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Players enjoy suspense and excitement from challenging encounters and boss fights."

    Capsule for Borderlands 2 Borderlands 2

    "Players enjoy suspense and thrill from boss fights, survival mode, and intense combat encounters."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    1

    "Mixed opinions on value; base game is short but DLC adds content; some complaints about DLC pricing."

    Capsule for LEGO® MARVEL's Avengers LEGO® MARVEL's Avengers

    "Game offers good value especially on sale; base game is short and DLC pricing criticized but adds content."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    5

    "High enjoyment of combat, gore, dismemberment, and destruction is central to the game experience."

    Capsule for Gladio and Glory Gladio and Glory

    "High enjoyment of combat, gore, dismemberment, and destruction; core to gameplay experience."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Modes like Survival challenge players to avoid failure and manage increasing difficulty."

    Capsule for Lumines Arise Lumines Arise

    "Survival mode and combat challenge players to avoid failure and manage resources like health and souls."

Last update: 01/06/2026