The Punisher
For the past decade, movies, comic books and videogames have continued merge into each others worlds like never before, making original concepts that were once media specific more lucrative assets in not one, but multiple industries. The result of this ever growing combination is that, not only will a popular comic book get videogame these days; it will get a movie as well. It hasn't been until recently that these industries have realized how far a well done version of people's favorite comic characters will go. And on that note, THQ and Volition have been adorned with the task of recreating the digitally interactive version of Marvels most infamous, dark and mysterious vigilante, The Punisher.
We videogame fans haven't been graced with a playable version of The Punisher since Capcom's Final Fight style, beat 'em up side-scroller back on the Genesis. While that effort wasn't holistically impressive, it did maintain the original and key concepts that made our famed vigilante what he is, in other words, his one simple rule "If you're guilty, you're dead!"
As a former, and highly decorated, U.S. Marine captain with an extensive knowledgebase in firearms and explosives, Frank Castle made for what most would consider the epitome of a true solider. After his duration in the armed forces, he acquired a position as an undercover FBI agent, where he used his experience with hostile warfare and combat (both armed and hand-to-hand) to help make his own world a little safer. This was until he saw his family fall victim to a vicious mob hit, intending to gun down the whole family; he survived.
Visions of his wife and child being brutally murdered tormented his mind into a devastating rage, forever altering his image of the world and compelling him to begin his own war against crime and terrorism. One man against all evil. By taking up new fighting skills and arsenal, and using his former knowledge in the armed forces and FBI, he set out to deal his own sort of personal punishment to every criminal as quickly and effectively as possible, deeming himself judge, jury and executioner for any bad guy that crossed his path.
While DC Comic's Dark Knight (aka Batman) has forever been touted has being one of the most "realistic" and gritty comic characters around, the Punisher has always been overlooked when it comes down to a judgment on the realist of the real. He has no superhuman powers, no extrasensory perception, no heightened senses, no special tool belts, no genius intellect, fancy gadgets or unrealistic muscle abilities; The Punisher has only his wits, his hands and his guns! And he's been more then overdue for an update, and what company better to do it then those that brought us the Red Faction and Summoner series?
After being allowed to whiteness the production on various parts of the game over the last four months, I have to say, it's turning out to be something that will indeed impress. At first glance, the style of the game undoubtedly reminds me of Enter the Matrix. Its third person perspective and camera movements reflect the play mechanics of the Matrix game, though Volition has a continuous knack for polishing the play mechanics of their games to eliminate all bug like symptoms.
The Punisher is a mission based title that, for the most part, is hush, hush. Specific story details, superhero appearances and a solidified weapon lists have all been secured tightly behind Volition and THQ non-disclosure agreements. What can be spoken on however are the play mechanics that entice players to not only fill enemies with lead -- though that is a major part of the journey, for all those trigger happy videogamers out there -- but to interrogate and torture enemies as well while gaining knowledge that will help you advance in the game.
As a former marine, I'm sure he was trained in the subtle art of information coaxing. In The Punisher, there are hot spots littered through out levels that allow for an extra gruesome killing, properly titled environmental kills. Players will be able to toss foes off balconies, make their heads extra crispy when dumped into a deep fryers, have heads shut downward sliding doors, as well as being pressured with the simple, yet effective, tactic of holding a gun up to temples with a hair trigger. There are more the 100 ways to "punish" enemies which show special cut scenes once a punisher movement in a hot spot has been initiated for an environmental kill.
The Punisher will also be able to use other enemies as his body shield while he disposes of his additional opponents with his fire arms. The game uses an interesting lock-on system that allows The Punisher to keep firing toward a certain enemy -- without the need of consistent camera fidgeting -- while running around and dodging in the heat of battle. This lock-on scheme maintains the focus of his bullets toward an enemy, again, similar to the Matrix game in this fashion. This sort of play system allows the game to preserve its entertainment factor, while also producing a level of difficulty and tact in deciding when and where to attack enemies (i.e. hiding behind obstacles till the opportune time or possibly avoiding them all together with stealth).
The Punisher uses a Volition created and customized engine that produces some impressive and highly destructible environments. Bottles, tables, chairs in nightclubs can be broken, lights can be shot out, glasses can be thrown, and enemies can be choked and hit with objects. But out of all things, the best part is that levels can be completed in a number of ways, depending on how a player likes/wants to play, each level will cater to different gaming tactics. For those that simply enjoy blasting their way through anything that moves, they will be given a certain path, but there are smarter ways to complete missions, and these variances occur throughout the game, giving every player an incentive to play through again, because they'll most likely see things they didn't the first time through.
With the programming advancements made on our current gaming systems, the graphical integrity of games has become more prevalent, and The Punisher is no different. Light shines beautifully off The Punisher black leather duster; slick floors and guns shine; clothes have real textures; lighting is dramatic; wind blows paper through the streets; faces are stubble ridden and feature specific; fire, explosions and gun shots are luminescent, lighting characters up in the dark; and best of all, the game moves beautifully in motion. Every detail oozes with passion and care that it takes for an appropriate recreation of what the ideal Punisher game should be.
So far Volition is doing a fantastic job, and it's hard to sit comfortably in my seat when I know such a fantastic game is just a little bit down the road. It's only been recently that we've been lucky enough to get quality movie and videogame renditions of our favorite superheroes and I truly hope the trend lasts as long as possible, because it's only making life better for us videogame and comic fans alike.
With Volitions solid background in FPS and RPG element based games, The Punisher promises to be an all encompassing comic extravaganza. From upgradeable weapons -- yes, the trusty M-16 is a major element for all those Punisher fans out there -- to intuitive and fluid controls, as well as blissful graphics and dramatic lighting, finally we're going to see a treatment for The Punisher in the entertainment market that's never been seen before. We're finally seeing the things we've been begging for with this games high production values and nothing but a top shelf quality. So until next time gaming fans, stay tuned, there's only more to come.
;)~silver