 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Punisher
- PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Price: $49.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Intriguing but extremely violent shooter.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the extreme violence makes this game a poor choice for kids and younger teens, and warrants a discussion for older players. The star rating given this game is based on quality of gameplay within this genre and is not an endorsement of the violence in the game.
What's it about?
THE PUNISHER shares a storyline with the comic book series and films based on the main character: Former government agent Frank Castle becomes a vigilante after his family is murdered by the mob. Muscle-bound Frank uses an assortment of weapons to exact revenge on all kinds of criminals from Japanese Yakuza to Russian mercenaries. The point of the game is simple: Kill as many of the bad guys as possible.
The Punisher's vast armory includes pistols, shotguns, machine guns, sniper rifle, and grenades, as well as the odd crowbar, baseball bat, hatchet, and the ever-ready knives he uses to stab and twist in opponents' faces or cut their throats. Players are guided through a number of scenarios where they carry out missions to blow up boats and rescue hostages, for example, all the while gathering information that leads Frank closer to a showdown with Jigsaw, the crook responsible for his family's deaths.
Is it any good?
Deaths number roughly 70 to 100 people per mission by way of shooting, explosions, knife work, strangulation, and any number of creative deaths. There is also "slaughter mode," which allows the character to enter a psychotic haze of violence to get out of tricky situations. Victims gurgle, scream, whimper, and whine, especially when being interrogated. Interrogation is particularly disturbing because the player has an active hand in how much torture to inflict.
Violence aside, The Punisher has an intriguing storyline that overshadows the rather average graphics. There is a great deal of dialogue between the characters as well as the Punisher's inner monologue, which includes flashbacks to Vietnam, the death of his family, his attempt to lead a normal life, and so on. Even in easy mode, the game requires serious problem-solving skills to advance, but the challenges aren't unreasonable and the patterns are consistent. Overall the game is intriguing, but the violence overwhelms all.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about vengeance. Do you understand Frank's anger? Is violence-as-vengeance ever appropriate? What is appealing about Frank's method? What do you do when you're feeling mad?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Good game.
Got this for my ps2 .its really not bad come on you kill the bad guys.thats actually educational teach your kids that it dosent pay to commit crimes and you will get killed in the end of it all these people that you kill in the game are criminals who you dont even feel any empathy for they're getting their just desserts but believe me,I'm not telling your kids that revenge pays,I'm not ,I'm saying crime dosent pay,that's the message of this game and the blood is so minimal.
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AGE
READ
This game is well deserved of its M rating! If any of your kids ask for this game, you only need to say one thing: NO!
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AGE
it's really not as violent as people are making out,me and my brother play it and he's 7
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AGE
Why?
Honestly, who wants these images and story lines in their kids minds? How do families benefit by playing games that center on killing people? These games were invented to desensitize military personnel so they could cope with the horrors of war. There are so many better options out there in the video game world.
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AGE
what to watch out for
good game but it is very gory so watch out and the language is pretty bad but over all good game
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AGE
Punisher game extremely violent
holy crap! this game is the most violent game (aside from Prototype) that i have ever played!!!! it is gory, bloody and literally spine tingling in it's violence! the player has the ability to push someone's head into a knife, a shark tank, a saw, a car tire while it's moving, the leg of a chair, a glass table and more! you can also kill men with a flamethrower, chop them up with a knife and shoot the crap out of them with an automatic gun!! HOLY CRAP!!!
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AGE
liked the movie liked the game.
This game is so absurdly violent, that in respect, it is no longer appaling. Seriously, I want video games that I can do this kind of stuff, because thats what they are there for, acting out various roles that cannot really happen in life. I actually wished they didnt censor certain parts. This game is fun for fans and not so much for newcomers. Try it out if you like violent over the top games. NOT FOR KIDS though.
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AGE
it was a good fun game for those mature enough
The game itself was really fun. the probability of your parents letting you get it is pretty unlikely. there is enough blood, guts, and bodies to fil the ocean. the violence is the only issue there is nothing else to fear. play it if you can, God Bless.
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AGE
its a great game but one example of language is when you enter a room you hear someone scream "you little pr*ck" and then he shoots him
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| Platforms: | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Volition |
| Release date: | January 17, 2005 |
| Price: | $49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M |
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