3D Realms and Anshar Studios have released the first major content update for Painkiller on consoles. Titled ‘Metal as Hell’, this update is available now for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S users. The release includes a mix of free gameplay additions, quality-of-life improvements and separate downloadable content.
The free portion of the update introduces new combat options for players. Two new throwable items have been added to the arsenal: Demon Blood, which possesses leeching properties, and the Holy Orb Turret, designed to provide powerful stationary fire. Significant expansions have also been made to the game’s roguelike component, Rogue Angel Mode. This mode now features 10 additional arenas and a new boss fight. Alongside these content additions, the update addresses several existing systems. Improvements include adjustments to weapon progression within Rogue Angel Mode, balancing tweaks and changes to the functionality of the titular Painkiller weapon.
Several quality-of-life features have been implemented to improve the user experience. These include a new progress bar for reviving teammates and the addition of push-to-talk functionality for voice chat. Further settings options have also been made available.
Coinciding with the patch is the release of the ‘Metal as Hell’ DLC pack. This premium content is available as a standalone purchase or as a free download for existing Season Pass owners. The pack contains cosmetic items, specifically four character skins and six weapon skins.
