Latest news with #Painkiller
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Painkiller is a rough-around-the-edges FPS that feels like the lovechild of Doom and Left 4 Dead
Schlocky co-operative FPS action is alive in full force in Painkiller, which feels like a rush to play despite not being the most polished. If you're seeking a Doom-like FPS experience you can play with friends, Painkiller is shaping up to be a hell of a good time for players who like mindlessly shooting demons together. Painkiller is the type of co-operative FPS where you can look at one screenshot or brief gameplay segment and know instantly what vibes it's going for. It doesn't want to be big, or even particularly clever – let alone genre-pushing. What it does want to be, however, is bloody fun (literally). It offers you and up to two other friends the chance to fight your way through Purgatory itself using interesting weapons, character classes, and randomised Tarot Card power-ups. Having now played through the prologue and two levels, I feel confident in saying it achieves its goal – it's a real blast. It could even turn out to be especially great providing developer, Anshar Studios, dedicates the time to balance its odd difficulty spikes better and smooth out its slight yet noticeable technical problems. Taking on the role of one of four determined demon hunters, and gunning down legions of hell's forces feels quickly cathartic in Painkiller. Helping this sense of instant gratification hit harder is no doubt the game's decision not to start you off with a simple pistol or machine gun, but rather a litany of different weapon types that work brilliantly to decimate foes. Chief among them is the titular Painkiller, being a primarily melee-driven device with a rotary fan attached on the end that will see enemies spew out with ammunition whenever resources are low. There's always a risk using it, though, since it forces you to get in close, but it does well to see blood spill over the screen. Far more effective at range are the Stakegun and Electrodriver, which both tout functions that are just as badass as these names suggest. The Stakegun serves as your shotgun of sorts although with a more precise shot, capable of being upgraded so that each stake rapidly twirls to drill into demons and do far more damage. The Electrodriver, meanwhile, functions as your starting assault rifle, yet doubles up as a way to shock larger enemies with a health bar using a long burst of lightning. Cast enough of it and you'll be able to stun the foe, opening them up for an instant kill attack. If you can't tell already Painkiller is the type of hell-based FPS not wanting to take itself too seriously, encouraging players to get in, get killing, and have fun while doing it. The weapons certainly play an important factor to accomplishing this, but so too does just how great it feels to move through its underworld stages. This is where Painkiller most definitely takes a page out of the Doom rulebook, letting you slip and slide around, and latch onto grapple points that in theory makes getting overwhelmed by the hordes less of a possibility. When this gameplay loop works, it really works, allowing Painkiller to punch well above its weight. House of pain I say this since nothing that Painkiller does is particularly new per se, but it excels in pooling together familiar systems and mechanics from elsewhere, grinding it up in such a way that it made me remember, 'oh yes, that's right. FPS games are meant to be fun and hard-to-put-down'. One aspect somewhat original to Painkiller is the Tarot Card system, whereby earning enough gold and advancing far enough into levels will let you equip up to two unique, gameplay-altering perks. From doubling the amount of gold received upon completing a raid to upping your damage output, I can see how Tarot Cards should help make undertaking repeat runs interesting. The one thing harming my enjoyment of Painkiller right now is its persistent lack of polish. Sure, sliding through a graveyard to mash through a giant Taurus enemy looks and feels good in the moment. Not so much when you latch onto a grappling hook and sling yourself across a stage only to end up caught in the level's geometry. It also feels a tad unbalanced in terms of difficulty too, with certain portions of both the Defiled Quarry and Cathedral Bridge stages I played both having bottleneck portions where enemies have a habit to swarm, attack, and never let up. Also not helping is how health bottles aren't exactly easy to find. I'm hoping that these issues are more a case of me playing both sections with two bots as opposed to real-life partners, as intended. There are four difficulty levels to pick from prior to set up a raid, but even then, Azazel's forces proved to be particularly cruel – even on the lowest setting. Luckily, this did nothing to dissuade me from jumping back into to both stages I had access to multiple times, especially since I wanted to squeeze out as many upgrade unlocks for my Stakegun and Electrodriver as I could, coupled with a good degree of Tarot Card experimentation. From the few hours I played, Painkiller is proving to be not so much of a pain, and more of the kind of old-school co-op FPS action that makes me nostalgic for the days of 2016's Doom and even Left 4 Dead before that. Many games of this ilk have tried and failed to fill this slot, but Painkiller proves tough enough to put down I'm hoping it'll have the juice to stick around. 3D Realms, after all, is the type of publisher that has a penchant for shepherding this exact style of game, so providing the few areas of unpolish are resolved prior to Painkiller's launch this October 9, 2025, there's every reason to be excited about the prospect of endless FPS slaughter with friends.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary heavy metal band pays tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at North Yorkshire gig
A legendary heavy metal band paid tribute to rock icon Ozzy Osbourne at a North Yorkshire concert last night. Rob Halford, lead singer of Judas Priest, paid tribute to the Black Sabbath frontman as the rock band played a headlining show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Wednesday (July 23). The band dedicated their song Giants in the Sky to Osbourne, who died on Tuesday, alongside other fallen heroes of rock as has become practice at their live shows. Rob Halford (Image: CUFFE & TAYLOR/SCARBOROUGH OPEN AIR THEATRE) On stage, Halford said: 'It's been tough the last 24 hours right but he would want us to be doing this. "He would want us to be together, he would want us to be having a good time which is what we're doing right now. We love you Ozzy.' He then paused before fans joined in chants of the late singer's name. Click here for a review of the show (Image: CUFFE & TAYLOR/SCARBOROUGH OPEN AIR THEATRE) Halford added: 'This next song is all about him and all of the other greats that we've lost. Their music lives forever. "They used to be down here on the earth plain, now they're in the sky plain as we call it. This is Giants in the Sky.' The show in Scarborough was one of just two UK dates Judas Priest are playing this summer as they celebrate 35 years since the release of their iconic album Painkiller. Most read Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy 'saddened' over NHS trust's breast cancer failings County Durham man blamed needle fear for failing to provide blood sample to police How night out for group of friends ended in callous murder of dad by teen knifeman Halford said: 'It's good to be home, we've been all over Europe the last six weeks or so. "We started in Finland, we've been all over Europe, everywhere you could imagine. That's the power of metal, it's everywhere man but we've been looking forward to these two show back home here at Scarborough and a couple of days later at the 02 in London.' The near two hour set featured songs from Painkiller alongside other hits from their back catalogue including Breaking The Law, Freewheel Burning and Electric Eye.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rock legends deliver 'bone crushing' gig and pay tribute to Ozzy Osborne
Review: Judas Priest, Scarborough Open Air Theatre, July 23, 2025 Words and photos by Dave Lawrence HEAVY Metal royalty in the form of Judas Priest were the latest band to take the stage at Scarborough Open Air Theatre last night. Birmingham's metal gods were here to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their classic Painkiller album. They also performed material from their fine 2024 release Invincible Shield and threw in an abundance of classic tracks from their extensive career. The band delivered a bone crushing performance that those who witnessed it will cherish for a long time. Before the band arrived on stage the PA played War Pigs, the band's regular tribute to the hugely influential Black Sabbath. Halford and bassist Ian Hill are the only two original band members still touring but guitarists Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap do great jobs and drummer Scott Travis can hardly be considered a newcomer having joined in 1990. Halford, wearing a heavily studded black leather frock coat paced the stage as they band launched into a killer version of All Guns Blazing. Resembling a metal priest with his shaven head, nose ring, extravagant beard and shades he moved close to each guitarist make spell casting gestures as they shredded away on their instruments. Hell Patrol followed and had the audience going wild much to Halford's delight as he yelled to his acolytes, 'Hello metal maniacs, your priest is back!' The band didn't take their foot off the throttle although Halford removed his shades and swapped jackets regularly before leading the band through an awesome version of one of their signature songs, Another Thing Coming. A couple of fan favourites, Breaking the Law from 1980's British Steel album and Freewheel Burning came early in the set and the band showed they had plenty in reserve by performing Solar Angels a song from the early eighties. The stage set, light show and screens were spectacular, and the sound was punishingly loud with the twin guitars cutting through Hill's bass and Travis's double kick bass drumming. Introducing Giants in the Sky, Halford paid tribute to the late Ozzy Osborne saying 'It's been a tough 24 hours. But Ozzy would want us to be out together, enjoying ourselves and having a good time. We Love you Ozzy'. During the song - a tribute to musicians now gone - the screen displayed images of the likes of Ronnie James Dio, Lemmy, Freddie Mercury, Taylor Hawkins and Christine McVie finishing on two gigantic images of Ozzy. During Hell Bent for Leather we got the smoke, the thunderous revving, and yes, we got Halford arriving on stage astride a Harley Davidson wearing a leather cap with a riding crop clenched between his teeth. Wrapping up a superb performance the metal gods returned to the British Steel album and Living After Midnight. Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons opened the show. Campbell was Motorhead's guitarist from 1984 until Lemmy's death in 2015 when Campbell set up the new band which features his three sons, Todd, Dane and Tyla. Their set warmed us up nicely, particularly their takes on the Motorhead songs Going to Brazil and Ace of Spades.
Axios
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Sugar House Mexican restaurant levels up
De Los Muertos, a Mexican eatery that debuted in Sugar House in 2022, has a new space – and a new name. State of play: The restaurant rebranded as Muertos Cantina and opened earlier this month, moving just a few doors down from its original location. The vibe: The reimagined eatery offers an elevated dining experience, a far departure from its former fast-casual setup. It also features a full-sized bar, plenty of booths and an expanded food menu with heartier plates like shrimp cocktail and fajitas, along with an agave-forward cocktail program. Plus, the restaurant now serves free chips and salsa to its customers. What they're saying:"We wanted to create a vibe where people could come and drink and hang out," co-owner Tanner Slizeski told Axios. He said the rebrand allows them serve larger parties and people celebrating special occasions. The old operation could only seat up to 20 people, he noted. What I ordered: I was a big fan of the tasty fajita platter with chicken, shrimp and steak ($23) that came with a side of tortillas, rice, beans, guacamole and chipotle lime crema. I enjoyed my dish with a pineapple agua fresca ($6) and a frozen "Painkiller" cocktail ($17) mixed with rum, pineapple, orange, coconut and nutmeg.
Style Blueprint
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
9 Frozen Cocktails to Try in BHAM This Season
Share with your friends! 891 SHARES 7 Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Summer days are luxuriously long and tinged with the spirit of celebration. Parks are packed, and restaurant patios clatter with activity. Every day feels like a Friday, and there's no better way to beat the heat than a frosty treat (or two). Pull up a seat at one of these local spots for a round of frozen cocktails! Tucana Painkiller Where to Get It: Tucana Tiki Bar Neighborhood: Downtown More Info: Cool off with Caribbean vibes in downtown Birmingham at Tucana Tiki Bar. Owner Nicky Vann Tisdale is constantly reinventing the seasonal menu filled with exotic rum drinks, and the frozen Painkiller is the tonic you'll be reaching for all summer. It starts with a mix of Pusser's British Navy Rum and Planteray Stiggins' Fancy Pineapple Rum, then blends in pineapple, banana, guava, orange, lime, and coconut cream. Pin Adult Capri Suns Where to Get It: Melt Neighborhood: Hoover More Info: Head to Hoover to sip on an 'adult Capri Sun' on Melt's patio. These fun drinks come in a pouch with a straw, and you can enjoy a variety of fruity flavors. Try the classic piña colada, the frosé, or a Bushwacker. You can also order them in bulk for your next summer party! Pin Frozen Mojito Where to Get It: Social Taco Neighborhood: Homewood More Info: Wind down and refresh at SoHo's Social Taco with one of its irresistible frozen cocktails. The frozen mojito tops our list with its mix of Cruzan silver rum, mint, agave, and lime. Pair your drink with their popular Tlayudas (Mexican-style pizza) or the one-of-a-kind Tablitas (mesquite-grilled short ribs). Plus, catch happy hour for half-off beverages every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pin Coco Piña Colada Where to Get It: Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant Neighborhood: Downtown More Info: Cuban-inspired Cayo Coco offers a tropical vacation in the heart of Birmingham. Enjoy a few sips of paradise with something from the frozen drink menu, which includes classic favorites like frozen daiquiris and piña coladas — all featuring high-quality spirits and syrups made in-house with fresh fruit. Complement your drink with ceviche or traditional ham and cheese croquettes. Pin The Rougaroux Hurricane Where to Get It: The Rougaroux Neighborhood: Forest Park & Mountain Brook More Info: At The Rougaroux, you'll feel like you've walked into a shotgun-style house on the outskirts of New Orleans — one that's serving up authentic Cajun and Creole food in Forest Park and Mountain Brook. And now that it's high season for frozen cocktails, you can also try the Hurricane, made with freshly squeezed orange juice, spiced rum, lime, passion fruit, and strawberry. There are also rotating frozen flavors like Blackberry Moonshine, Piña Colada, and the Salty Dawg. Pin Paramount Paloma Where to Get It: Paramount Neighborhood: Downtown & Homewood More Info: Blanco tequila, grapefruit, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup create this refreshing frozen Paloma at Paramount, with locations in Downtown Birmingham and Homewood. 'I love its classic simplicity and versatility in pairing,' says Tim Wardlow of Paramount. Tim suggests enjoying the frozen Paloma with the El Capitan Burger, a juicy patty topped with bacon, avocado, pico de gallo, mayo, and pickled jalapeños. Pin Rocket Booster Where to Get It: Saturn + Satellite Neighborhood: Avondale More Info: Saturn's signature frozen drink, the Rocket Booster, combines Cathead honeysuckle vodka and Aperol with Tang — yes, Tang, the orange powdered drink mix that's 'a kick in a glass' as the '90s commercials went. Tang was used in specially-formulated drinks for astronauts in the early days of space travel, making it a fitting ingredient in the space-themed bar's beloved cocktail. 'It's one of our best sellers for over 10 years now!' says General Manager Jennifer Waldrip. Pin Moe's Classic Bushwacker Where to Get It: Moe's Original BBQ Neighborhoods: Hoover, Lakeview, Trussville, & Vestavia More Info: If you're craving a classic boozy milkshake, head to Moe's Original BBQ for its signature frozen cocktail, the Bushwacker. Kahlua, rum, crème de cacao, and cream of coconut are blended for a sweet treat with a caffeine and alcohol kick. Pin Continental Vice Versa Where to Get It: Continental Drift Neighborhood: Downtown More Info: Prepare to be transported through travel, music, and nostalgia at Continental Drift and stay cool with one of its signature frozen cocktails. Along with seasonal offerings, the house menu offers three frozen beverage options: the A1A (a twist on the classic strawberry daiquiri), a blue tropical piña colada, and the Vice Versa, a dreamy combination of the two. Pin Stay cool out there, BHAM! ********* For the best of the South delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to StyleBlueprint HERE! About the Author Katie Leigh Matthews A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at and
