The Painscreek Killings on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Quick menu
Investigate an infamous cold case in the eerie, abandoned town of Painscreek. Search for evidence, connect the dots and uncover who killed Vivian Roberts. Can you expose the truth behind this town’s dark secrets?
The Painscreek Killings is a investigation, mystery and detective game
developed and published by EQ Studios.
Released on September 27th 2017 is available only on Windows
in 14 languages: English, Japanese, Russian, French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Portuguese - Brazil, German, Hungarian, Korean, Italian, Spanish - Spain, Polish and Spanish - Latin America.
It has received 5,217 reviews of which 4,753 were positive and 464 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 7.99€ on Steam with a 60% discount, but you can find it for less on Gamivo.
The Steam community has classified The Painscreek Killings into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at The Painscreek Killings through various videos and screenshots.
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
- Processor: i3-2120 @3.3GHz
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 745 (or AMD equivalent)
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 11 GB available space
- Additional Notes: *Subject to change after updates
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
I rarely write any reviews since I most games don't really need them other than complaining about bugs or poor development, but with this game its a tricky case. Let me elaborate: -- What is this game exactly? Well I'm not really sure I can call this a game, because most of the gameplay is reading and going around the place picking up stuff, piecing clues together in your head, or on a piece of paper. What I can definitely say is that this game is an experience that leaves you wanting more, currently I'm searching for similar titles because the experience was just too captivating. However if you want a game with tons of action (or basically any action at all since only like 1% of the game is "intense") this is definitely not for you. -- What can this experience offer? 1. First of all an amazing story with an excellent mystery. 2. Once you get the hang of it the game flows extremely well (for the most part...) there are some parts which I will mention in the "problems" section 3. A lot of the puzzles are really well thought out and make you feel a sort of self accomplishment when figuring them out on your own. 4. The worldbuilding is amazing and the characters are even better. Even though we only read about them and never meet them all of their goals, lives and intentions are there for us to find out and none of them feel forced or unreasonable, which speaks of excellent writing. 5. I think the graphics are charming and really give off the feeling that you're exploring a once lively ghost town which is great because its a "lonely" experience -- The Problems I know I said the game flows well once you get the hang of it, but: 1. Starting out is extremely difficult. I know that there are many points where you can start your investigation and still get to the end since nothing locks you out of anything, but after a while of running around because you have nothing to point you to a specific direction most players will start to get frustrated and like me will have to turn to a steam guide in order to get their bearings and really get into the flow of things. 2. The realism of the game makes it too easy to miss things. The interactable items do not have an outline and therefore will often blend into their surroundings resulting in you missing them and being unable to progress. There are 3 instances from my playthrough where I didn't notice something because I thought it was decoration or just didn't see them because of the giant areas you have to search and many other things you have to focus on. I will list them here with spoilers: 1. The doctor's kaycard in the hospital is just sitting on a random bench in the emergency ward. Note that it was written somewhere that he was there, but since that note was written 4 years have passed in the game and makes no sense for him to leave his keycard there. Also there is nothing interesting going on around that specific bench and most of the other medical equipment easily draws your attention away from it. 2. The shovel in the photo studio. There are many documents in the room where the shovel is located and also a wrench that has its own toolbox, while the shovel is standing in a basket next to many other tools which you cannot interact with. 3. All of the birthday gift hints from Matthew to Sofia. Even if you know where to look for the hints (their favorite places) they are still extremely hard to find and easy to miss because the could be anywhere on house exteriors and most of the time they are in the most unexpected corners that even with a picture as a reference from the internet. They are still hard and frustrating to find. 3. Information overload. Since this is basically a journalism simulation of course there will be useless information which you'll have to learn to ignore, but I feel it starts a little too soon which leads back to problem number 1. Also the game urges you to take your own notes but when starting out as a hopeful new journalist you have no idea what kind of notes to take and what could be important and after noting a lot of useless stuff thinking it would be important and missing a lot of important stuff thinking it would useless you'll probably just give up on taking notes entirely and turn to a guide if you ever get stuck. -- Conclusion Even with all the negatives regarding the ease of play I still have to give this experience a 9/10. They deliver exactly what the offer, a brutally difficult journalism simulator. Most of my listed problems could be easily solved by a toggleable internal monologue switch which if you turn on would show what our character who is an aspiring journalist thinks they should do or where to start out, so that the experience would be more accessible and less hardcore for most people. It would also be useful if there was a setting that would give a white outline to interactable objects so they are easier to notice. Thank you to whoever is reading my review and I hope it helped with figuring out whether this is the right experience for you! <3 Final verdict: !
Expand the review
Yeah... I sat for 12 hrs straight. Couldn't leave my desk. It was glorious. Get the game!
Expand the review
Painscreek Killings is an excellent game, i had a very nice time finishing it, the exploration is wonderful, although you explore a town on your own it's like all the other characters described in the notes you find are there and their motive is crystal clear from their point of view. As the story unfolds you can feel a dark secret coming to light and it gets very intense to the point where you cannot leave the game until you find out what really happened. I didn't need to take much notes as i could memorize the places quite easily but anyone finding the need to feel free to do it, it only adds to the detective feeling the game gives. I recommend this game to everyone who likes hardboiled detective mysteries as this game does not hold your hand you are free to discover the world on your own. The only downside to the whole game is the lack of replayability as the true ending is only one so once you get to it the next time you are going to play it is going to feel already spoiled. Nevertheless, i am definitely going to play it again as the atmoshphere is excellent and the feeling remains the same fron start to end.
Expand the review
This is possibly one of the best detective games I have ever played. It requires you to step back from viewing tasks from a gamer perspective and actually put yourself in the situation and piece together a plan of action. The Devs masterfully crafted an atmosphere in this game that has you on edge the entire time. I have never been so anxious in a well lit, airy, open environment. I spent almost the entire game acutely aware of just how many windows and viewing angles there were everywhere. They would let the player steep in this feeling of unease until it became familiar and then like clockwork you would find a journal or note with just the right line to send you right back on edge. They also did a great job in establishing a level of trust with the player that there was a logical next step. Establishing this crucial component was a choice that I think a lot of puzzle games need to be making. It made it so even when I got lost, I never looked up a guide, because I trusted that the Devs had planned it this way. I did feel lost a few times but that is because I was trying to play the game like a gamer completing a checklist. I had to step back and think of what I had done so far and what I thought the logical next step would be. Not once did I feel like a puzzle/next step was unfair, cruel, or too abstract to figure out. Sometimes they just required patience to let my brain connect the pieces I already had. I will say, one drawback I felt the game did have was how the information and menus were organised. They felt clunky and it was sometimes hard to find things I had read before, especially when not all notes get "copied" for later. This meant if you didn't catch that a note hadn't been copied and remembered to take a photo, you would have to try and find it again. I do understand some of their choices were to add "realism" to the experience but I do wish they allowed for players themselves to organise the information provided. A murder board style menu where you could organise journal entries, documents, newspapers, and photos all together in the way that works best for you would have been amazing!!
Expand the review
One of, if not THE best detective/mystery game I have ever played. Extremely underrated. I will always be looking for another game like this. I love how it's completely open with no quests or guidance. You follow the clues you discover and you better take good notes. One of the games where I wish I could wipe my memory and play again.
Expand the review
Similar games
View all
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery. Purchase this game to get both the original and the Unreal Engine 4 remaster called The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux.
Dahlia View
Sometimes it takes a nightmare to wake a place like Dahlia View. Lead the investigation into a missing child and discover the dark secret of Dahlia View in this story-driven observational thriller from the creators of The Occupation and Ether One.
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments
Become the most celebrated detective of all time: Sherlock Holmes! Use your impressive talents as a detective to solve six thrilling and varied cases: murders, missing persons, spectacular thefts and numerous investigations that sometimes lead you into the realms of the fantastic.
Blue Prince
Welcome to Mt. Holly, where every dawn unveils a new mystery. Navigate through shifting corridors and ever-changing chambers in this genre-defying strategy puzzle adventure. But will your unpredictable path lead you to the rumored Room 46?
Kona II: Brume
Northern Québec, 1970. A bizarre mist —the Brume— is disconnecting a rural mining village from its quiet reality. Step into the shoes of Detective Carl Faubert as he unfolds the mysteries haunting the region while battling for his own survival.
Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The First Cases
Discover an untold crime story from the mysterious youth of the famous detective Hercule Poirot.
The Case of the Golden Idol
A new kind of detective game that allows you to think and investigate freely. Discover clues surrounding 12 strange and gruesome deaths and build your own theory. Pick your suspect, deduce the motive, unmask the awful truth.
The Rise of the Golden Idol
The Award-winning detective saga returns in this standalone sequel to The Case of the Golden Idol. Uncover the truth behind 20 strange cases of crime, death and depravity in the 1970s. The world has changed dramatically - the sins of humanity have not.
Murders on the Yangtze River
"Murders on Yangtze River" is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries.
Once Alive
A story-driven, first-person adventure game offering a cinematic experience. Embark on a journey to HaustVille, an abandoned settlement in a post-apocalyptic world. Explore your surroundings and uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of the last survivors.
Strange Horticulture
Strange Horticulture is an occult puzzle game in which you play as the proprietor of a local plant store. Find and identify new plants, pet your cat, speak to a coven, or join a cult. Use your collection of powerful plants to influence the story and unravel Undermere’s dark mysteries.
Enigma of Fear
Become Mia, a paranormal detective searching for her missing father inside the Perimeter - a place that doesn't exist. Investigate clues like a real detective and unravel the mysteries behind the Enigma of Fear, defeating the terrible monsters who'll try to stop you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Painscreek Killings is currently priced at 7.99€ on Steam.
The Painscreek Killings is currently available at a 60% discount. You can purchase it for 7.99€ on Steam.
The Painscreek Killings received 4,753 positive votes out of a total of 5,217 achieving a rating of 8.80.
😎
The Painscreek Killings was developed and published by EQ Studios.
The Painscreek Killings is playable and fully supported on Windows.
The Painscreek Killings is not playable on MacOS.
The Painscreek Killings is not playable on Linux.
The Painscreek Killings is a single-player game.
The Painscreek Killings does not currently offer any DLC.
The Painscreek Killings does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
The Painscreek Killings does not support Steam Remote Play.
The Painscreek Killings is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for The Painscreek Killings.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 29 October 2025 22:01 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 21 October 2025 16:18 |
| Steam price | 01 November 2025 04:47 |
| Steam reviews | 31 October 2025 05:59 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about The Painscreek Killings, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about The Painscreek Killings
- SteamCharts - Analysis of The Painscreek Killings concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck The Painscreek Killings compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
34
Developer
EQ Studios
Publisher
EQ Studios
Release
27 Sep 2017
Platforms
Clicking and buying through these links helps us earn a commission to maintain our services.