The Punisher

Viktor Tarasov
	12.04.2005

Platform: PC/Xbox/PS2 Genre: Action Developer: Volition Publisher: THQ Publisher in Russia: Russobit M Project website: http://www.russobit-m.ru/rus/games/punisher Requirements: P-March 1000, 128Mb RAM, 32Mb Video, 2Gb free space Exception to the rule Once again, we pochuyut so beloved by overseas developers (or more precisely - their publishers, the rich) dish - "a game based on". It would seem - why, who needs it? Created by "hot pursuit" designs sell well in Hollywood at this time starts on the conveyor next batch of films, and for him again stamped the game. In short, the cycle of licenses in nature. But this time, our keen sense of beauty is not strongly affected, because the film version of this product is, frankly, not so hot. Same film six months ago did not hit the viewer sparkling plot, action and exquisite quality soundtrack. Therefore it is not entirely clear exactly buying the license to develop the same game. It is possible that Volition has already existed as studies for the creation of "bloody" action, could only tie the game mechanics to any plot? So the plot was released at a time on the screens of The Punisher (we are talking about the film in 2004, and not smelling of mothballs version of the glorious era of the 80's. - Ed.). Volition seriously came to the creation of his brainchild. This time it's not a one-time hack "based on" similar to the single going to the movies, and more ... Mediocre movie, good game - like the picture we saw in the case of the Chronicles Of Riddick: Escape From The Butcher Bay. Can it be a trend? The film The Punisher, in turn, is based on the popular comic strip Americans of the infamous Marvel Comics Group. Comic is pretty old and not gained special popularity (compared to the "pillars of the genre, like Spider-Man-ca, ed.). In it, and accordingly in the game, tells about Frank Castle (Frank Castle) - an exemplary American, obzavedshegosya extraordinary weapon skills even in times of war Vetnaskoy. One day, Frank went with his family to the park, which was in the thick of a gunshot clashes between gang factions. Glavgeroy overnight lost a child and wife, then, chose a resounding nickname "The Punisher" has become a sort of illegal crime fighters. His methods of justice and deprivation of life villains are rather far from the concepts of "humanism" and "humanity." Bespredelschik humanist The plot is simple and unpretentious, as narrated in the form of memories of Frank, in the end, Caught in the clutches of tenacious cops. On interrogation, he says, and step by step, how to send to the light almost half of the criminal world of New York. Each new episode of the case - is another chapter to his personal feud with the mountains of dead bodies, firing, and particularly sadistic executions, which we'll talk. Kill not only give civilians, but the criminals, even kneeling and praying for mercy - as much as necessary and in any quantity. An experienced gamer will find something here of Dead to Rights, something of the ancient KingPin, a newcomer uglyadite comparison with Max Payne. Spirit "Maksizma" is simply impossible not to notice. The first thing catches the eye of purely superficial similarities.Long black cloak, a love of heavy firearms, facial expression, which is never a smile, a personal tragedy caused by the loss of the family - all these elements were created by Marvel has for many years before the birth itself Remedy Entertainment. So, quite possibly, it was the Finns took the image of the Punisher as a basis for the plot. (Controversial statement, although not devoid of logic. - Ed.) Despite the originality of the plot, the game looks like a low budget and nestilny clone of Max Payne. Gameplay is trying to stand out only the possibility of torture and lots of blood. Punisher just runs with several types of firearms and generally kills the enemy, sometimes firing, as if in some kind of Soldier of Fortune, foes of the body (here only this element is much more primitive and clumsy). Weapons of the hero can carry only three: the first slot, he can put a pistol or pistols, in the second - a heavy weapon such as a shotgun or M16, and the last - a grenade. Allowed to take weapons in both hands simultaneously (Akimbo!). But the problem is that you can never predict what kind of weapons can be used in the next battle - the exact rifle or shotgun killer. Good features Advantages and at the same time a kind of innovations in the gameplay somewhat. One of them - the ability to capture the enemy and its use as human shields. At this point, the hero becomes virtually invulnerable. The second novelty - a "quick kill" with one button. At such moments, the Punisher in one sitting virtuously crushes the enemy. For example, the protector of all offended and outraged loves to shove the victims of a grenade in his mouth and he can cut his throat with a knife and stick it in your eyes or on top - in temechko. A third new product name is already mentioned by us torture and massacres, which may play a crucial role in a number of plausible reasons for buying Punisher. Grasped vrazhin can be brought to a special mark in the form of a white skull and start trying. The choice of executions is enormous. Here and in the cage with a rhinoceros, and the electric chair, and a set of chef's knives, and piranhas. The process itself is made in the form of mini-games. Actively crawl the mouse, you need to hold a special LED strips in the Orange area for three seconds. After a successful interrogation filled health and other "kits" in the game there. The game has three standard levels of complexity. Crucially they are from each other are no different, and the pass game is not difficult. Randomness and incoherence of the enemy, developers have tried to compensate for their large number. As a result, opponents only know how that jump forward, but hiding behind various objects, while sticking his head. Pleases only variety of enemies. In the course of the game to face with the Russian military, and with the yakuza, and with the Green Beret, and the lower ranks of the underworld. The fact that discourages Finally, we broke away from the biography of Frank and got to strongly delayed the moment talking about the schedule. If you do not raise this issue, Punisher stands solidly crafts with a claim for a couple of evenings, but the game graphics to the claim dramatically chop. Angular objects, pale, fuzzy, blurry and ugly textures does not contribute to a pleasant pastime.Natural result of multiplatform. Sound in the game, too, does not touch, do not save even the fact that the voice of the Punisher for the role thereof character in the movie - Thomas Jane. For the physics of the game meets the special engine Havok 2.0, is well proven in Psi-Ops and Half-Life 2, but it is not implemented in the Punisher. You can move the chairs, bottles can be broken, the enemies of beautiful fall, but all this can be achieved without eminent engine. To summarize, we note that fans of "blood and flesh" will be satisfied in any case, but referred the game to the category of "best" is impossible. What else can you expect from platformers of the port, "plus" which is nothing but racket bloody atrocities and the comic-movie-license? It is also worth mentioning that the Punisher is passed very quickly, easily and unobtrusively. All about everything is unlikely to go away for more than two days. The result - another third-person shooter, encouraging grassroots sadism and sparkling graphics. Fans of the Manhunt and Postal recommended. Gameplay: 7.0 Graphics: 5.0 Sound and music: 6.0 Design: 6.0 Estimation of the author: 6.5 Rating: 61%