7.5/10 (gets a point or so because of the Punisher charm)
Despite being a massive Punisher fan, I avoided this game when it came out because video game comic book adaptations were rarely anything remotely special. I wish I would have played it back then because I think I would have really loved it. Unfortunately, it is a product of …
7.5/10 (gets a point or so because of the Punisher charm)
Despite being a massive Punisher fan, I avoided this game when it came out because video game comic book adaptations were rarely anything remotely special. I wish I would have played it back then because I think I would have really loved it. Unfortunately, it is a product of its time in some respects, while still being a fun game.
They nailed the character. Whether it's what he's saying, his mentality and actions, or even the comic book pages that pop up on screen, Castle was done correctly. It adds a lot and makes it more than just a game about a guy with a vendetta.
Because of that, the repetitive nature of the levels was okay in my book: it was glorious to simply slaughter criminals, especially when you factor in a neat torture/interrogation system. The game feels a lot like Max Payne, but Max Payne had better shooting mechanics. Sometimes this feels really stiff, and the precision aiming is incredibly awkward by the standards of today. You run through similar levels, just opening doors and blowing everything away that you see, which got the game criticized when it came out and the level design certainly hasn't aged well. Even still, mowing people down with a shotgun just seems right when you're Frank Castle. It bothered me a lot less than it would in other games, for the record.
So, I enjoyed this. It was a good time despite the flaws. I wish we could see a new one because they could do some amazing things this generation.
