- The Punisher is one of the most standout games in the action genre and rightfully deserves a remaster.
- The gruesome gameplay, combined with satisfying mechanics, makes it worth revisiting.
- The atmosphere and storytelling also significantly contribute to making the game appear even darker and more grim than it already is.
Superhero games have been around for decades. While Batman and Spider-Man have dominated the market, there have been occasional other superhero games as well, which can be formidable competitors; however, they have sadly failed to capitalize on the competition despite having massive potential.
Games like Infamous and Prototype come immediately to mind when we think of such games. However, there have been some other games that aren’t discussed as much as Infamous and Prototype. One of those games is The Punisher (2005).
Simple Story With Unique Storytelling
The game’s story is based on Frank’s revenge for the murder of his wife and kids. But it leads the player in a different way than most games of that time. The concept is that Frank is caught by the two police officers who are interrogating him.
He unfolds all the events that take place in the game, and as he narrates, players are led forward in the story. Essentially, the game relies on a monologue-style storytelling approach, narrated in the voice of the protagonist.
It was a great way to tell a story that we had already seen a year before the game. This gave the game’s story a fresh feeling and prevented it from being repetitive.
As we progress in the story, we have to take down several mob bosses and their gangs, along with the other people who are responsible for the murder of Frank’s family.
Some of the big names he has to take down are Jigsaw, Kingpin, and The Russian. We also see some special appearances in the game, like Tony Stark and Nick Fury.
Although the game’s story is similar to Max Payne’s and was released around the same time, it still manages to stand out and deliver a unique experience that doesn’t feel like a copy-and-paste effort.
Brutally Chaotic Gameplay
As good as the story is, it’s not the highlight of the game. The game truly shines in the gameplay department due to the over-the-top violence it brings to the table, as the name suggests. As we know, Punisher has a thing for heavy weapons, and the developers also didn’t forget to keep that in mind.
The game features a diverse array of guns, ranging from pistols and rifles to shotguns, submachine guns, heavy machine guns, anti-tank rocket launchers, flamethrowers, grenade launchers, and more. The gunplay feels solid and satisfying, especially with the gory effects included in the game due to its R rating.
However, the gore doesn’t stop, as developers ensured to utilize this rating to the fullest extent and bring the wrath of the Punisher to life. The interrogation feature is probably the most interesting and satisfying thing about this game.
This feature lets you interrogate your enemies by hanging them from the top of a building, putting their face right next to the deep fryer, setting them below a window and pushing it down to their throats, and more.
The best thing about this is that you can kill your enemies after you interrogate them. You can let the enemies fall from the building or shove their face into the deep fryer with boiling oil. The mechanics for this have been well-executed, which makes these brutal fatalities all the more satisfying to watch.
The vibe of the game is dark and grim, just like the Punisher himself. There are several locations or stages in the game, including warehouses, mob mansions, nightclubs, and docks. Each level brings a change in the atmosphere, but the overall tone of the game remains gothic and chaotic.
Conclusion
The Punisher may be an underrated game, but it remains a classic among fans of this genre. In today’s era of remasters, where nearly every game released just a few years ago receives an undeserving remaster, The Punisher is the game that truly deserves a remaster, being one of the best action games out there.
The Punisher – a game worth replaying
byu/Just_a_Player2 inpatientgamers
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
[Error Fix Expert]
Hello, I’m Uzair Shabir, a tech enthusiast pursuing a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering. At Tech4Gamers, I’m an Error Fix Expert, crafting articles on different issues and how to fix them. With a Google IT Support Certificate, I navigate tech complexities to deliver insightful perspectives.
Get In Touch: UzairShabir@tech4gamers.com