Well . . . don't bother comparing it to Max Payne. Otherwise the game would get a 2.0
User Rating: 7.3 | The Punisher PC
Let's face it. In a perfect world, people would be happy with games based on comic books. For the most part, that just isn't true. People forget that there still needs to be a story, character developement, and, oh yeah . . . good graphics, gameplay, and sound would be nice too. Well, I don't mean to break anyone's hearts, but this isn't a perfect world. And The Punisher is definitely a testament to that. But just because it doesn't measure up to other 3rd person shooters, doesn't make it an alltogether bad game. The gameplay is simple. Point the gun, preferably at the head, and squeeze the trigger. Simple enough. That's where the gameplay becomes a detriment to itself. It's so easy, that it's redundant. The interrogations are a nice touch. And I for one, like the the black and white artistic touch. Too many people are have a morbid need to the act take place. It's as if their imaginations have shut themselves off because of too much exposure. I say, let the imagination take over. Enjoy the moment for what it is. Another issue I have with the game, is the linearity of the levels. It just doesn't seem appopriate in this day and age to move from point A to point B. Let the player seek out the path they wish to take. The graphics are ok. The Punisher (Frank Castle) looks great. It's true to the older comics. He's a big character with a passion for punishment. The body and posture definitely fit the bill. The levels have no dynamic lighting to speak of. And the weapons and other models look to a little under par. The sound is only saved by the soundtrack and Thomas Jane doing Frank Castle's voice. The weapons are kind of pathetic. And the movements are anything more to talk about. As far as Punisher games out there, it stands out because it's on a newer console. It also has the interrogations, which can be pretty fun. It would have been nice to have hundreds of lines of dialogue. But, THQ apparently only cared about the interrogations themselves. I wouldn't rush out to buy this game, unless you're a diehard comic book fan. I just so happen to be one. And quite frankly, I'm a little disappointed. But not much. Rent it first, buy it if you feel the need to.
