Painkiller RTX: A Classic FPS Gets A Beautiful Path-Traced Upgrade

Channel:

Digital Foundry

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Published on May 31, 2025 3:09:46 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyigIFJoEFQ

Game:

Painkiller (2004)

Duration: 0:00

127,179 views

5,062

Produced by talented Polish developer, People Can Fly, the original Painkiller was incredibly impressive from a technological perspective back at launch in 2004. Today, thanks to Nvidia's RTX Remix technology, the game receives a full path-traced upgrade. It's still work-in-progress, it's punishingly heavy in terms of performance fully maxed - but it's certainly something special. Alex looks back at the original game and what the modding team has delivered so far.

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00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:47 What made Painkiller so great in 2004?
00:05:23 What does this RTX Remix mod add?
00:14:35 Path Tracing Performance and Optimised Settings
00:17:23 Conclusion