The Punisher

by THQ

Product Features

• Work with an incredible variety of realistic weapons - pistols, shotguns, submachine guns, rocket launchers, remote-detonation mines, frag grenades and sniper rifles
• The Punisher's training & experience let him turn almost anything into a weapon -- the fully interactive environments let you do the same
• Use Interrogation Mode to get information from criminals using the ruthless methods you've ever seen
• Relive special Punisher in-game moments from The Punisher War Journal
• Act out The Punisher's frustrations in some of the most intense, visceral action ever in video games!

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00067AVT2
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: January 18, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,407 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Game Informer Review

Until a developer creates a game that puts players into the shoes of a severely demented protagonist who disembowels his adversaries with a plastic fork and wears their intestines as suspenders, The Punisher will hold the notorious distinction of being the most grotesque and violent game to date. While most of the gameplay unfolds through fairly tame and enjoyable shootouts reminiscent of the Max Payne series, it paves its own bloody path with a unique interrogation system that shows just how ruthless and psychotic The Punisher can be.

Whether you are holding an adversary at gunpoint, dangling them off of a ledge, or threatening to grind the flesh off of their face on an electric sander, The Punisher knows just how to make people talk. It's what happens after they squeal that is truly disturbing. You can do the humane thing and let them go, or you can finish them off in a way that usually leaves a blood smear the size of Rhode Island. Horror movie fanatics like myself will appreciate just how creative Volition has been with the vast array of deaths in this game. Limbs and heads are lost in fans, bodies are crushed in compactors, humans are added to shark and python diets, facial cosmetics are taken to the next level in deep fryers, and I've learned that wood isn't the only thing that burns in fireplaces. These executions are so grisly that you can't help but grimace at each drop of blood that is spilled. They are sick. They are wrong. But they are also executed brilliantly. If you think that a specific execution may be too much for your heart to handle, don't do it. Just get the info you need and release your prisoner. The player is the one who determines how violent the action gets. Do you value your ethics? Or do you want a gruesome thrill? The choice is yours.

Mechanically, the interrogation system is easy to use and the array of actions that The Punisher can utilize is quite impressive. Volition also did a phenomenal job with level design. No two stages feel alike, and each is brimming with unique death traps, scripted events, and questioning techniques. The game also embraces the atmosphere of the comic series to such a degree that it also feels like you are playing through one of its stories. Several of Frank Castle's recent affairs in the comics are recreated, and Volition even enlisted the talent of longtime Punisher scribe Garth Ennis to give this script that authentic feel. To much surprise (this is going to floor you), this game isn't nearly as gory as the comic book. Regardless though, The Punisher still takes video game violence to the next level. In many ways, it makes Manhunt look as meek and mild as Sesame Street.

It's a decent play, but it doesn't stack up to other run and gun shooters like Max Payne and Psi-Ops. Laughable enemy AI, a poor targeting system, and sluggish movement really hold it back from being anything more than average.

Concept:
Enter the sick mind of Frank Castle and obliterate countless foes with guns ablaze or by torture

Graphics:
The environments leave much to be desired, but the detail in the character models is very impressive and the black and white polarizing effect rocks

Sound:
The Punisher's dialogue (voiced by Thomas Jane) is both witty and rightfully disturbing

Playability:
General movement is a bit sluggish and the targeting system is not very precise. The interrogations are great, however

Entertainment:
It delivers something new with its shocking kills, but remains a middle of the road action game

Replay:
Moderate

Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
Issue: February 2005

2nd Opinion:
For better or for worse, this game stays truer to its source material than most comic book games out there. It really captures the violence and black humor of the Garth Ennis/Steve Dillon run of the comic, which is perversely fun for the first couple hours. But beyond that, the game starts to grow stale, as there is really no variation to the run and gun gameplay. The interrogations and special kills that are so shockingly amusing in the early stages even start to feel like a chore – since they become increasingly less common as the story progresses, it feels like even Volition grew tired of the gimmick. Still, this game is good for a few evil laughs, but I think I'll continue to get my Punisher fix in comic book form.

Rated: 7.25 out of 10
Editor: Jeremy Zoss


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Product Description

The Punisher is a trip into the world of the deadly vigilante, as he picks up where justice leaves off. Frank Castle is a decorated war veteran who lost his family when a mob hit went wrong. Since then he's fought to punish any who use violence for personal gain, without caring who gets in the way. Now he applies his military training to a new mission: The total destruction of all crime syndicates. Help the Punisher eliminate his latest target, by using mobsters' techniques and weapons against them.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Make Every Bullet Count... (4.5 stars), January 24, 2005

By 

Michael Crane (Orland Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Punisher (Video Game)

It's been a long wait, but it's finally here. "The Punisher" is now available for the PS2 (there are also X-Box and PC versions available), and I can honestly say that they have finally come out with a superb vision of the dark and brutal world of this cold-blooded antihero. It's violent. It's disturbing. It's unsettling. It's intense.

As it should be.

You're Frank Castle, a.k.a. "The Punisher." You have cemented yourself in a life of violence as you plead to punish the guilty since the judicial system does not. The story in the game is that you have been picked up by the police and they are now questioning you about a number of "assaults" carried out by you. You relive those flashbacks and gun down criminals left and right while trying to find out who is the mastermind behind the sudden crime wave (not to mention the number of attempts on your life). Your gut says it's Kingpin, but evidence points elsewhere. It's up to you to find out and learn why you're locked up in Ryker's Island to begin with.

The game has a pretty simple formula to it and once you've done it all... you've done it all. And yet, the game is so entertaining and engaging that the replay level is extremely high. The graphics are crisp and clear, the music is haunting and fits in with the mood, and the unfolding storyline guarantees you wanting to complete the game. There are a variety of weapons for you to choose from and different methods for taking out criminals. You can perform quick kills, use them as shields to protect yourself from gunfire, and the best feature of all, interrogate the guilty. You're going to need help along the way, so getting some answers from the criminal scum is a must. There's simple interrogations (gun tension, choke, face smash and punch), and there are also "special interrogations" on each level and section (can you say "buzz saw," "shark" and "electric chair?"). You can also perform "special quick kills" that differ from level to level. Not to mention the intense "slaughter mode" where you assault your enemies with an unlimited amount of knives.

A nice bonus is that the voice of "The Punisher" is none other than Tom Jane, who was the star of the most recent "Punisher" flick. To some, this may not be a big deal, but to fans like me, it is MAJOR. An excellent decision, I must say. He really adds the tone and mood of Frank Castle splendidly.

Some of the drawbacks are that the controls take a little getting used to and the number of enemies on certain sections can be overwhelming. Also, some of the "special interrogations" can be tricky and if you're not careful, you may prematurely kill the only person who can help you out (I suggest using the "special interrogations" on enemies that don't have the white skulls above them, so that way the only penalty you'll get for prematurely wasting them is some lost points). Like I said, once you've done everything, you've pretty much have done EVERYTHING. However, I have to say the replay level is extremely high. You'll want to replay certain levels over and over again.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with "The Punisher" videogame for PS2. "The Punisher" is one of my favorite comic book characters, and this game does a fine representation of it. If you're a fan, definitely check it out as soon as you can.

Remember, it's not vengeance... it's punishment.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT WHAT I EXPECTED!, March 28, 2005

By 

NAR (UK) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Punisher (Video Game)

when i got this i knew it was going to be ok but then i actually got on it and and it was better then ok it was great you can shoot interrogate and kill with bare hands but the best is interrogating you can (and these are only a few)

1.put gun to head
2.face smash
3.choke
4.punch
5.lay them down on counter then start shaking knifes
6.dangle from building
7.in a cage cell put them to the ground and bang the cell door into them
8.have them half out of a window and smash it down on them
9.drill
10.electrecute them to death in chair
11.hang them of the edge of somewhere
12.hang them over lead
13.hang over sharks
14.hang over paranas

and more

theres also speacial kills like

1.chucking out of window
2.chucking to a snake and snake eat him
3.chuck into electricity wires
4.chuck into bull horns on the wall
5.push into fire
6.put in coffin and put a bomb in and coffin explodes

and more

also theres great bosses from

the russian (also in film)
bullseye
kingpin
bushwacker

and more

and if that hasnt convinced you then what can?
this game is amazing

also you can go into slaughter mode where you mainly invinceable

weapons

flamethrower
shotgun
machine gun
pistol
sniper rifle

and more

the game is great if you have read the comic book then its based on it

note:when beggining new game put in v pirate (including the space) and you will have all movies unlocked all cheats unlocked all levels unlocked all flashbacks unlocked all guns unlocked and basicly everything unlocked. but if you dont like cheating like i dont then just put in what you want.

JUST BUY IT

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a Punisher game that lives up to it's license, February 16, 2005

By 

N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Punisher (Video Game)

Anyone remember Capcom's Punisher arcade game which was startingly similar to Final Fight? Or how about the light gun shooter released for the original 8-bit NES? To say that those games were lacking is saying it lightly, and thankfully, THQ's new Punisher game lives up to it's license. With a story written by current Punisher writer and Preacher creator Garth Ennis (with Jimmy Palmiotti), you play as criminal killing vigilante Frank Castle (voiced by the film adaptation's star Tom Jane) on a mission to not only avenge his murdered family, but to punish criminals everywhere. It's safe to call the game a by the numbers shooter, and the similarities to games such as Max Payne are apparent, but the Punisher proves to be plenty of fun as you can interrogate and "punish" crooks and such in some ghastly ways. The graphics are nicely done, despite some choppiness here and there, and the sound is well done too, including the reprisal of Tom Jane who, even in voice only, proves that he was born to play Frank Castle. Some of the other voice work is a little flat, and the control scheme can take some getting used to, but once you get past it, the game is plenty of fun. All in all, the Punisher is a fun game that lives up to it's Marvel Comics license, and fans of the comics and movie alike should definitely give this a look.