The Punisher (2005 video game)

Infobox VG| title = The Punisher


image_caption = PlayStation 2 version of The Punisher
developer = Volition, Inc.
Amplified Games "(mobile)"
publisher = THQ
designer =
engine =
released = January 18, 2005 "(NA)"
April 12, 2004 "(mobile)"
genre = Action
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB:Mature (M)
PEGI: 18+
BBFC 18
OFLC RC (Original rating) 18 (re-rating)
platforms = PlayStation 2
Xbox
Microsoft Windows
Mobile Phones
media = DVD
requirements =
input =

"The Punisher" is a 2005 action game which stars the Marvel Comics vigilante, The Punisher. After his family was murdered by the mafia, Frank Castle devoted his life to the punishment of criminals. Players take control of the vigilante hero to track down criminals and kill them. The game's story is a loose mixture of the 2004 film, as well as the 2000 mini-series, "Welcome Back, Frank", written by Garth Ennis and pencilled by Steve Dillon (with the title character designed to look like Dillon's depiction of the character), wherein the Punisher has no aversion to committing acts of extreme violence. A mobile phone game based on this series was also released.

Gameplay

Gameplay in "The Punisher" offers a combination of exploration, stealth and combat. When encountering an enemy, the Punisher can attack, or sneak up to perform a one-button "quick kill". Depending on the villain, the current location, and a player-determined level of aggression, one of numerous fatal assaults will be performed. The game's environments also feature interrogation "hot spots", where the vigilante can essentially torture his enemies, coercing them to share information that may help him in his quest.

The (Xbox and PC) versions saw the Punisher's torture sequences censored to some degree (limited blood and gore, no finishing death scene, scenes rendered in black and white, etc.). Much of this can be removed with a Codebreaker or Gameshark. Internet codes and a modified Xbox allow the restoration of some of the original content. Other patches intensify the gore and violence.

The game features many cameo appearances from Marvel Comics characters, such as Iron Man, Nick Fury, Black Widow, Matt Murdock (the alter ego of Daredevil), Bushwacker, The Kingpin and Bullseye. Also present are several characters from the "Welcome Back, Frank" storyline, such as detectives Martin Soap and Molly Van Richtofen, the Punisher's neighbors Joan and Spacker Dave, Ma Gnucci, The Russian and General Kreigkopf.

tory

The game begins with the Punisher being captured by police officers after killing several men. He is then transferred to Rikers Island and interrogated by two police officers, Detectives Molly Van Richtofen and Martin Soap. The remainder of the game occurs in moments of flashback during this interrogation.

First, the Punisher invades a crackhouse. After almost getting hit by a car upon his exit, he traces the vehicle to a chop shop. After killing every criminal there, he learns that it is owned by the Gnucci mafia family. In a subsequent mission, the Punisher kills Bobby Gnucci, one of the sons of Ma Gnucci, the family's head.

Ma Gnucci hires Bushwacker to capture Joan, a neighbor of the Punisher. The Punisher traces her to the Central Park Zoo, where he rescues her. The next mission occurs in a funeral home, at the mob funeral of Bobby Gnucci, where the Punisher kills Eddie Gnucci, the other Gnucci son. The Punisher then travels to the Gnucci estate to kill Bushwacker and Ma Gnucci herself. After fighting his way through Ma's remaining men, Castle throws Ma through her mansion's top floor window, in a scene reminiscent of the Marvel Max Punisher storyline, "The Slavers".

During the Punisher's assault at the Gnucci residence, he learns that the Gnuccis are getting drug money from Russian mercenaries on New York City's waterfront. At the docks, he hears that "General Kreigkopf" plans to smuggle nuclear weapons into New York City. After attacking men on a cargo ship supposedly carrying the weapon (it was not on board) and being assaulted in his apartment by a huge man called The Russian, the Punisher attacks Grand Nixon Island, his next lead on the weapon's location. On the island, the Punisher meets Nick Fury, who helps him to defeat Kreigkopf and the Russian, and to prevent the launch of the nuclear device. Both escape before the missile detonates, destroying the island.

Returning home, the Punisher discovers that The Kingpin has been taking over former Gnucci rackets. He raids the headquarters of the Kingpin's Fisk Industries, where he fights and defeats Bullseye. The Kingpin tells the Punisher that his real enemy is the Japanese Yakuza.

The Punisher then visits to Stark Towers, a facility owned by Tony Stark (Iron Man), after learning that the Yakuza are attempting to steal some high tech weapons and armor. The Punisher decides to assault the Takagi building, the home of a Yakuza leader. He discovers that his enemy Jigsaw has infiltrated the gang, and is gaining followers. While Jigsaw is being imprisoned in Ryker's Island, the Yakuza is already planning to bust him out. After escaping the Takagi building, the Punisher allows himself to be captured by the police and taken to Rikers Island, to confront Jigsaw there, at which time, the flashbacks catch up to the story, and the remainder of the game takes place in the present.

During the interrogation, the prison erupts into a riot. The Punisher escapes from his cell, and starts fighting his way through the inmates. He reaches the rooftop and meets Jigsaw face to face, ultimately defeating him. As the Punisher leaves in a helicopter, he throws Jigsaw out, killing him.

Main characters

*Jigsaw - Archenemy of the Punisher. The Jigsaw character is different from his comic book incarnation. He is presented as John Saint, the disfigured son of the movie villain, Howard Saint.
*Detective Martin Soap - Friend of the Punisher, helped him escape from custody at Ryker's Island prison.
*Lieutenant Molly Von Richtofen - A lesbian police investigator interrogating the Punisher. [ [http://www.gayleague.com/gay/characters/display.php?id=76 Molly Von Richtofen] at GayLeague.com]
*Spacker Dave - The Punisher's neighbor, and technical genius who helps him during the raid on Stark Towers.
*Joan - The Punisher's next door neighbor. She is kidnapped by Bushwacker in the Central Park Zoo as bait for The Punisher.
*Bushwacker - A former CIA agent. One of his arms is a gun.
*The Russian - A hitman hired by General Kreigkopf.
*Ma Gnucci - The matriarch of a mob syndicate. Her sons serve as her lieutenants in her operations.
*Black Widow - Helps the Punisher take down the Russian mercenaries.
*Nick Fury - Member of S.H.I.E.L.D., aids the Punisher on Kreigkopf's island.
*Matt Murdock - The appointed lawyer for the Punisher, he is the secret identity of Daredevil, but does not appear as the superhero.
*Iron Man - Has a small cameo during the raid on Stark headquarters.
*Bullseye - Attacks the Punisher during the raid on The Kingpin's headquarters.
*The Kingpin - Runs most of the illegal activities in New York. The Kingpin does not appear to have a vendetta against The Punisher until the end of the game.

Voice actor cast

*J. Grant Albrecht -
*Steven Blum - Bullseye, Matt Murdock
*S. Scott Bullock -
*Vince Corazza -
*Robin Atkin Downes - Snowblind, Stillwell, Republic 2, Soldier 2, Prisoner 2
*John Cygan -
*Loy Edge -
*Chris Edgerly - Russian Thug, Yakuza
*Nika Futterman
*Michael Gough - Detective Martin Soap, Russian Mercenary, Yakuza Mercenary
*Daniel Hagen -
*Phil Hayes -
*Saffron Henderson -
*James Horan -
*Thomas Jane - Frank Castle/Punisher
*Bob Joles -
*John Kassir -
*Darryl Kurylo -
*Julie Nathanson -
*Nolan North -
*Charlie Schlatter -
*Dwight Schultz -
*David Sobolov - Kingpin
*Fred Tatasciore -
*James Arnold Taylor -
*Paula Tiso -

ee also

*Punisher computer and video games

References

External links

*moby game|id=/punisher-|name=The Punisher
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/919349.html The Punisher (PS2)] at GameFAQs
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/xbox/data/919350.html The Punisher (XBOX)] at GameFAQs
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/data/924946.html The Punisher (PC)] at GameFAQs