A little bit of the old ultra-violence
Publisher: THQ
Fri, 8 April 2005
by: Mugwai
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Ahh, The Punisher, another sacred comic book translated to movie translated to game. This can be sketchy territory. Comic book games should be brilliant given the rich source material (X-Men Legends) but some can be dire or complete turds, purged straight from Satan’s steaming asshole (the last Spawn game anyone?). Fortunately for us The Punisher, one of Marvel’s most violent characters, makes for play worthy game fodder.
So here’s the deal. Using a third person viewpoint, you as Frank Castle hunt down every two bit piece of scum, mob affiliated turd burglars and shoot seven shades of shit out of them. Now if this premise does not sound that inspirational The Punisher offers some interesting and decidedly gruesome ways to dispose of these spaghetti slurping, gun carrying stereotypes.
Although you have a variety of weapons capable of reducing your enemies to bloody, hole filled corpses, your environment presents some sadistic yet amusing alternatives. Areas in the game highlighted by yellow glowing skulls can be used to achieve special kills, while white glowing skulls indicate special interrogation areas, where you can threaten your cowardly gangsta’ for information or just finish him off if your having a really bad day. (You also have standard interrogations at you disposal when you grab an enemy including muzzle press, punch, choke and head slam or quick kill him with one button press).
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This method’s guaranteed to make your chosen mook need a second pair of pants (I don’t need pants) and are damned funny. Through the course of the game I continually slammed a window on a guy’s head, dangled another off a balcony, plunged a head into a tank of flesh eating piranha’s, disemboweled a man in the zoo with an irritated rhino, crispy fried a criminal in the crematorium and hammer drilled a palm aid skull. With interrogations you have the choice to just ice them or keep them alive for information, which is beneficial and helps you achieve more points which you can use later to purchase upgrades.
Points are earned via interrogations, killing quickly, accurately and massively. Get that body count up and no I’m not talking about disgraceful Ice T side project record. With enough points you can increase firing accuracy, body armor, ammo capacity, health regeneration, add a scope to your weapon and increase your slaughter mode ability.
Yes folks, slaughter mode, and yes it is effectively “bullet time” again. Though this concept has been witnessed more than the Paris Hilton video, the delivery is slightly different from your average pizza boy. Instead you are armed only with knives, which can be thrown or you can get up close and personal for a quick kill. If performed efficiently in slaughter mode, your energy bar will also replenish. To be honest I didn’t use the mode that often but it’s definitely handy when your in a tight jam. Also recommended is just grabbing the closest douche to you and using him as a human shield, saving you energy while ridding the world of one more scumbag.
If you are a fan of The Punisher, your enjoyment will elevate slightly higher than non fans as there is plenty of fanboy content. Ma Gnucci and the family are there, Nick Fury makes a surprise appearance as does the Black Widow and even better, you get to fight the Russian in Castle’s apartment. Tom Jane reprises his role from the film (I actually thought the movie was o.k. It took away the nightmares of that poorly acted, low budgeted Dolph Lungreen catastrophe) for the game vocals, giving it a touch of class. The score from the film is included, which delivers another nice touch of atmosphere. Renowned Punisher writer Garth Ennis scripted the game too, a definite plus and proof that Volition and Marvel care about their fans by staying true to the franchise. Tons of unlockables are available also, depending on your level rating though only hardcore fans will achieve them all.
The only downside to The punisher is that it’s just not that difficult to complete (set it on hard right away if you want a challenge) and at time the game becomes a little repetitive. At the same time, much fun was had hiding in a coffin at Bobby Gnucci’s funeral then suddenly emerging to waste thirty family members in a funeral home. True Punisher mayhem.
Apparently the game was considered uber violent by the OFLC and was subsequently toned down in it’s delivery. If so, it was probably a good move, this game although entertaining in a Quentin Tarratino kind of way, is excessively violent. Anything more would have been overkill. (bad pun) This one ain’t for the kids.
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Graphically the game is very decent, the Punisher looks the man and the death animations are impressive and hilarious. Enemies are not always as good and some backgrounds are a little bland while others are highly detailed. Not to worry, you will be too busy filling bodies with hot lead to notice, a competent engine regardless.
Fans will dig it and if you liked Max Payne there’s something here for you too. The Punisher is a fun and very stylish, violent shooter that’s worth checking out. Now where’s my flamethrower?
by: Mugwai
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