Original Xbox Exclusive From 2006 Returns in 2025 to Divisive Reviews

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A game that originally launched on the Xbox in 2006 has made a comeback in 2025, but fans are split on whether it’s an improvement. “Console exclusive” means a game is available on one console and PC, which was the case here – it first came out on PC in 2004, then on the original Xbox in 2006, and never appeared on any other systems. Now, after nearly twenty years, a reimagining of the game has been released, though many believe the original was better.

The original Xbox game, Painkiller, was created by People Can Fly and published by DreamCatcher Interactive. People Can Fly is also known for later games like Gears of War: Judgment (2013), Bulletstorm (2011), and Outriders (2020). However, they first gained recognition with the release of Painkiller in 2004 and 2006.

Contentious Reboot

Anshar Studios and 3D Realms released the updated version of the game this week, following its initial announcement in March. It’s available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X for $39.99. Reactions are mixed, with some players enjoying the reboot while others are disappointed.

The original Painkiller game received a score of 81 on Metacritic. The recently released reboot doesn’t have a Metacritic score yet, but player reviews are starting to come in. Console players seem to be enjoying it, with a 4.28/5 rating on the PlayStation Store (based on 187 reviews) and a similar 4/5 on the Xbox Store (after several dozen reviews). However, on Steam, where there are more reviews, it only has a 57% approval rating from 364 users. The main criticism from those negative reviews is that the new game doesn’t feel connected to the original Painkiller.

The new version of this game is quite different from the original. The first game was mostly for single players, but the new one is really built for playing with others, though you can still play alone. The gameplay has also changed a lot – the original was straightforward, while the new version creates levels randomly and has elements of roguelike games, meaning each playthrough is unique. Interestingly, people who are new to the game seem to be enjoying it more than those who played the original version twenty years ago.

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2025-10-24 23:44