The Punisher Video Game

[stray]

Hmm...Well, I decided to delay RE4 for the Punisher. Probably not the wisest choice, I admit, but I couldn't deny what looked to be the first decent Frank Castle game.

It turned out to be not only that, but I'd argue that it's the best comic-based game period, for the simple fact of being perfectly true to the license. As for gameplay alone, it's just a simple 3rd person shoot-em-up, in the spirit of Max Payne...Albeit, with some minor differences, and a much better gimmick.

Now, as lackluster as that may sound, it's still good shoot-em-up fun. I don't know about you, but I don't need "innovative" and "game of the year" in every game I play. Simple "fun" will do. And as long as it's done right, and the characters and story don't suck, guns and violence will usually provide that.

As for the gimmick: Max Payne had it's "Bullet Time", but the Punisher's "Interrogation" sequences are much more gratifying (and just as integral to gameplay as Bullet Time was). The number of ways to kill (or simply "interrogate") someone almost seem limitless, as they depend upon the environment a particular criminal is subjected in. Other things improved upon Max Payne: Special kill moves (not the same as interrogation moves), human shields, more weapons, and a bigger body count.

So far, the story is top notch (written by Garth Ennis, of "Preacher" fame...As well as being the current writer for the Punisher comics), the voice acting equally good (Tom Jane reprises his role from the film, though this is based on the "comic" Punisher, not the movie version), and the graphics, even on the X-Box, are not only great, but capture the look of the comics perfectly. And if the PC demo is any indication, it doesn't look like shit there either.

Punisher fans, at least, will love it. I think Max Payne fans will enjoy it as well. And anyone who gets a kick out of gore and violence in their video games will find that Frank Castle does not disappoint.

That being said, it doesn't seem to be very long, so just rent it. It's definitely worth that at least. Those who'd rather use their PC's can get a demo, and try it out.

[Aenovae]

best comic-based game period,

Better than Spider-Man 2 or X-Men Legends?

[Velorath]

It turned out to be not only that, but I'd argue that it's the best comic-based game period, for the simple fact of being perfectly true to the license.

Yeah, but it's the Punisher.  How hard is it to really stay true to the license?  He shoots criminals and wears a shirt with a skull on it.  As long as those remain in tact it's hard to not be true to the character unless you're really trying (like that shit where he was a fucking angel or whatever that was).

Anyway my favorite comic-based game is still the Spider-man game that came out on the Genesis.

[Aenovae]

Comix Zone was the best.

That Batman beat-em-up was pretty good too.

[Riggswolfe]

About the only comics game I've played that I found much enjoyment in was Spiderman 2. I somewhat enjoyed a batman game I played on the NES way back when but honestly, I asked for alot less out of my games in those days.

[stray]

I guess one could argue Spider-Man 2 was equally good, but I myself thought some of the missions and combat were a bit sloppy. It's definitely a much better "playground" though. There's nothing else around like the swinging mechanics in Spidey 2, so I still keep it around just for kicks.

The Punisher doesn't provide anything close to the open-ended environment as Spidey, nor does it have much replay value, but I think the core story-based experience is done better, and the combat more interesting. Then again, maybe it just comes down to character preference.

Either way, it doesn't suck.

[Margalis]

Batman for the NES ruled. It was a great game, Batman or no Batman - and it had Batman.

As far as staying true to the character of the Punisher, the movie wasn't very true. The Punisher is really a state of mind, that the movie guy didn't possess.

[stray]

Batman for the NES ruled. It was a great game, Batman or no Batman - and it had Batman.

As far as staying true to the character of the Punisher, the movie wasn't very true. The Punisher is really a state of mind, that the movie guy didn't possess.

I didn't know much about Tom Jane coming into it, but when I saw it, I thought he kicked ass. He's the only newer actor I can think of who could go back in time and fit right into a Leone flick. There's so many pussy actors nowadays, but he isn't one of them.

There's only two Punisher "state of minds" that I think are valid ones: The Leone kind, which he was good at, and the Travis Bickle type (and the only one who comes to mind for me there is Henry Rollins. But he doesn't care to play the part).

The script wasn't very good, of course, but I saw no wrong in his portrayal. Pre-Punisher Frank, he was good. Post-traumatic Frank...I dunno, he sat around drinking Wild Turkey and loading his guns. And killed people. What more did you expect?

[Margalis]

The Punisher (at least in his glory days, I've not kept up) thought of everything as a war scenario. He fought in Vietnam then came back the US and realized there was a war here that needed fighting as well. It doesn't work with him as a cop. They really should have made him a Gulf War vet or something.

Yeah, the portrayal wasn't bad, it was the script really.

[stray]

The Punisher (at least in his glory days, I've not kept up) thought of everything as a war scenario. He fought in Vietnam then came back the US and realized there was a war here that needed fighting as well. It doesn't work with him as a cop. They really should have made him a Gulf War vet or something.

Yeah, the portrayal wasn't bad, it was the script really.

Actually, he was a Gulf War vet in the film, but it's only touched on briefly (when Spacker Dave is researching Frank on his computer, he pulls up CTU and military history). Supposedly, the script was going to open up with more prehistory, and borrow some of Ennis' take on Castle's tour in Vietnam. Unfortunately, the director was on a very tight budget, and wasn't allowed to film the scenes.

Even worse than that, he was forced to film in Tampa Bay. He had to readjust the entire storyline and characters around the most unlikely location of all. Fucking Tampa Bay. They should have waited for more cash before they made it. I'm sure Travolta took a hefty chunk of it too...Throwing him out would have probably opened up more options.

Also, in the comic history, Castle joined the FBI after the war, and worked undercover in the mob...Which lead to his family's murder. That part of the film (details aside) was somewhat accurate. EDIT: Hmm...I think. I kind of recall old Punisher War Journal issues touched on a similar story, but that was ages ago. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Shockeye]

I enjoyed "Golgo 13" for the NES. I have some of the comics that it came from. Or maybe the comics came from the game. I forget.

[Margalis]

I thought his family died in a random drive by in the park or something like that?

Here is what I found on some random website:
"Celebrating his return with a picnic in Central Park, the Castle Family stumbled upon a gangland execution and were gunned down. Only Frank survived. After avenging his family, he decided to wage war on all criminals."

So it's pretty much as I thought.

[Rodent]

Been enjoying the Punisher so far, although I'm only on level 4. Killing people with drills, grinders, pirahnas etc. is a ton of fun.

[stray]

I enjoyed "Golgo 13" for the NES. I have some of the comics that it came from. Or maybe the comics came from the game. I forget.

Heh, I forgot about that one. Wow, that's old. I don't remember a whole lot about it though. Except the sniping mission. Were there any games with sniping before that?

Not sure if the comics came first though. I was just ran it through Google for a sec...I didn't realize Leon (the Professional) is based on it.

-----

Anyways...Since I only said good things before, here's a couple of irritations I have about the Punisher game: Tom Jane's acting and dialogue is really good in this, and the Punisher character model looks great. Problem is, they don't quite match up. They should have modeled it on Tom Jane's face, or given the current model a different, deeper voice.

While the Punisher face looks cool, the character movements are kinda stiff. The running animation sucks.

Some of the more gruesome Interrogation moves are sensored with a black and white effect.

[schild]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. That is all.

[Jain Zar]

Golgo 13 has been around since at least sometime in the 70s IIRC.  It really predated the game.  Its one of those things in Japan that ran for a long time.

Don't forget about UN Squadron either.  Arcade and SNES shootemup based on the excellent Area 88 comic that was from the early 80s.

The Spiderman, X Men, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles beat em ups at the arcade were great too.  You could almost count that GI Joe arcade game as comic based since the GI Joe comic started in 82, way before the cartoon came out.