The original Painkiller game appeared in 2004 and was very appreciated by critics and gamers alike, as well as being used in Cyberathlete Professional League, until 2006, when it was replaced by Quake 4. Developed by Mindware Studios and originally intended to be a game mod for Painkiller, it has grown since Dreamcatcher decided to support the project and make it a full expansion for the game. Now let's see if the latest game in the series can live up to its predecessors and continue the fast paced monster killing action that we are used to.

The lengthy introduction sequence explains everything to you. You're not playing Daniel anymore, in this part you take the role of Belial, Master of Portals. Belial is the unwanted offspring of a warrior of light and a mistress of darkness. Half demon - half angel, Belial is able to travel to both heaven and hell, yet is wanted by no realm and even feared for his abilities. Deciding that he is too dangerous to be left on his own, a pact is made between Heaven and Hell to capture and imprison him. Lucifer sends Cerberus, his three headed dog to rip his wings apart and capture him, while the angel Sammael watches.

Imprisoned in Lucifer's deepest darkest prison, tortured and mocked, Belial is filled with hatred. The hate consumes him, and his only thoughts are those of revenge against Lucifer and Sammael. Millennia pass until something happens and Belial is released (Daniel, anyone?). Sounds interesting? Let's face it, the story is just there to make you feel like you have a goal while eviscerating hundreds of monsters in levels that have nothing to do with Purgatory, Heaven or Hell.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the level design and was very impressed by some of them, especially by the Amusement Park, however I feel like they don't really fit in the game.

The original had levels that seemed to be more appropriate, like deserted villages full of zombies, gothic cathedrals, cemeteries, every place you would expect to see while chasing demons. Each level has its own theme and has appropriate monsters, but I don't see why Belial has to go from a Sci Fi looking alien base with purple flying things, to a movie set with skeletons, flaming desert with scorpions and mummies, plane hangars, nuclear plants, Civil War trenches, spooky forests, and so on. If you don't mind the fact that you don't exactly know what you're doing there and how you got to each place, and just admire the scenery and monsters, then you're going to have loads of fun... that is if you don't run out of ammo.