The sixth level of Painkiller: Battle Out of Hell, Leningrad, is a challenging one set in the eponymous city during World War II. There’s close-quartered house to house combat, snipers to contend with, tanks to destroy, air strikes to avoid and it ends with a huge chaotic set-piece in an open square. While it’s by no means a realistic depiction of urban warfare during that era, the level has enough of its flavour to prove satisfying.
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For some reason I’ve yet to discover, I found myself playing level five of the Painkiller expansion, Battle Out of Hell, after completing the first three levels. The fourth level is apparently not accessible at the Insomnia difficulty level.

Anyway, the fifth level, Dead City, is an expansive one set in an abandoned city. There are zombies and mutant dragonflies lurking and waiting, but the Panzer Spiders are the most likely reason for the city’s abandonment. The latter are mechanical creatures so huge and powerful they can send you flying in the air by merely stamping their forelegs.

The action takes place on the city streets, in a multi-level carpark, a mall and a parking area before ending with a battle in a tunnel. The combination of the realistic environments and the supernatural creatures makes Dead City a very satisfying level to play through.
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Painkiller: Battle Out of Hell’s third level, The Lab, has an interesting mixture of action styles. There’s the usual panic-inducing mob of foes who will cause most players to scream expletives shrilly while frantically clicking the left mouse button.

Then there are the sniping sections which require a steady hand and a careful aim to take out distant foes. I find these parts to be very enjoyable as there’s no greater satisfaction to be had from a game than from a well-executed headshot.
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