Punisher

Other products 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

• Our recommended age: 17 - 20 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 0 months and up
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00067AVSS
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: January 18, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,795 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

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

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME SHOOTING GAME BASED ON MARVEL CHARACTERS, January 16, 2005

By	Jeff Howard (South Dakota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

I've been waiting a long time for a Punisher game. I played the demo in Game Stop and it is awesome. A lot like Max Payne, but populated with various Marvel Comics characters, including Black Widow, Nick Fury, the Russian, Bullseye, Kingpin, Jigsaw, Iron Man, and even Matt Murdock.

All kinds of exotic Punisher weapons, Punisher attitude and Punisher humor. You can make the Punisher interrogate crooks to gain health. One example is by stuffing them into a pool of piranhas to make them talk. But don't keep them under too long or the piranha will eat their face off before they talk.

You can use the crooks you catch as human shields until they are shot to death by their own guys. Great graphics and a good-looking Punisher character. Lots of shooting and situations. Just awesome. It get progressively more difficult as you make your way through the game.

After buying the game I'm even more impressed. The Punisher in the game has Tom Jane's voice from the movie. Great writing and quotes. The opening movie is CG but so photographically stunning you're not sure if it's live action. You unlock other CG movies along the way and they are something else.

The Punisher gets additional health from interrogating bad guys and breaking them for info. He also has a Slaughter Mode that gives him superhuman strength and restores health. The music is top notch too.

This game is rated M for a good reason. There is a lot of obscene language and the Punisher tortures crooks for info. Sometimes they die if you push to hard. So, maybe not for young kids.

I hope there is a Punisher 2 and that it involves him going after Middle Eastern terrorists. I could really get into a game like that. Here they limit it to safe Russians. In a CG movie by Kingpin it is implied that there may be a Punisher 2. I will be looking forward to that. This one had some great chapters. My favorite was at the funeral home where he hides in a coffin and pops up during a funeral to mow down "the family".

You'll love this game if you like single player shooter games or Marvel Comics. And once you've worked your way through once, you'll want to go through again, increase your score, and more fully explore Slaughter Mode and the Quick Kills.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Max Payne Meets Mortal Kombat !!!!!!!, January 24, 2005

By	Jason J. Sum (Carlyle, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This Game MIGHT just be the GEM of 2005 It's so Cool and fun to Play.. Does have a few Prob. The Audio during the Cut Scenes Being one of them But, that can be over-looked The Story Line is Smart Takes Place after the events of the Movie Saint's Name is Brought up a few times The Voice Acting is Realy Good,(Tom Jane returns as the Punisher) The Gun Play is Fun and Looks Sharp! Has some Unique Moments One takeing Place at A Wake!
Without a Doubt Not for Kids The Mature Rating is Pushesed to the Limits (More Violece & Extreme Gore Then The GTA Games)
The Prev. Punisher Games in the Past have been very Lame
You can tell Both THQ and Marvel did a Great Job on this Action title
If you Enjoyed The Movie or a Fan of the Comic Books you will like it! If you Loved the Max Payne Games you'll Love it
The Best Comic Book Game I've ever Played! Hopefuly if sales are High on this title they can Make a Sequal to the Game and The Movie!
Close to A Perfect Game I give it a 9.5/10

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Play! Addictive and exciting!, January 25, 2005

By	Mcgamer - See all my reviews

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

The Gameplay, the graphics and the soundtrack are great! The Voice acting is impressive and it is great that we can connect the voice of the film Punisher with the game Punisher since they are one and the same! The unexpected appearances of some much loved or loathed characters added to the gameplay! I won't say who for those who have not finished the game yet but you will be somewhat impressed. The controls on the X-Box version are smooth and the controls on the Playstation 2 version are good too.
Remember to interrogate as many as possible. Even in a fire fight, you can move back to a more secluded place to interrogate.
Remember to take your time with a boss if you have a weaker weapon. The onslaught of typical bad guys gives you ammo.
Stick to the walls or some kind of obstacle in the large gunfights (That is probably just common sense but I thought I'd add it.)
During your second time through try to hop on higher platforms if you can and crouch to avoid damage.
Great game and when you defeat it, play it again!
Semper Fi!