Punch Club

 3DS
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 19, 2017
    85
    Punch Club is one of the best fantasies about being a grown-up that I've ever played. [Issue #26 – March/April 2017, p.19]
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  2. Video Chums
    Jan 24, 2017
    66
    Punch Club is the kind of game that's addictive in short bursts. Therefore, if the idea of a training simulator appeals to you then it may be worth picking up but keep in mind that it likely won't inspire you to train every day.
  3. DarkStation
    Mar 22, 2017
    60
    Punch Club is a cleverly devised fighter management sim, and could have been better if not for the arduous stat decay system. The monotonous grind screeches gameplay to a halt, possibly demoralizing you to the point of quitting. The decay itself doesn’t need to be removed to improve this title. But if it was less harsh and appropriately factored in the pressure of the daily grind, it could have been more manageable. Punch Club is only for the most hardcore micromanagers who don’t mind the long, grueling road to fighter stardom. It’s challenging, but it manages to replicate the hardships of real fighters, who constantly toil against vicious diminished growths, but then achieve amazing feats in the ring.
  5. Nintendo Life
    Feb 10, 2017
    60
    Punch Club has a fantastic soundtrack, great 16-bit art, and a good amount of content going for it. We can't help but state, however, that this game quickly evolves into a grind, and thus we only recommend it to committed fans of this genre.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. NeptunePirate
    Apr 25, 2018
    8
    In Punch Club, you play an up and coming boxer that has to train and prepare for boxing matches, working your way up the ranks. The storyIn Punch Club, you play an up and coming boxer that has to train and prepare for boxing matches, working your way up the ranks. The story starts out with your father having a boxing background, being shot and killed by a mysterious figure, that the main character witnesses when he is a child. As you progress through your boxing career, you continually try to track down your father’s murderer.The game is comprised of very detailed pixel art that is reminiscent of the Super Nintendo days. The top screen of the 3DS handles all of the actual gameplay you will see, while the bottom screen will handle all of the menu choices. The menus only have the ability to be used by the actual touch screen, you won’t be able to make any dialog/destination choices by using the analog or d-pad. There is also no 3D support for the game, which doesn’t take away from the experience at all.

    One noticeable change to the 3DS version is that you have direct control over the main character while moving around each area, you can interact with objects/people that you walk up to by hitting the A button. Previously in the PC and mobile versions, you have to point and click where you would like to move or what to interact with.

    Gameplay is comprised of training your three fighting stats, Strength, Agility, and Stamina. You want to choose one to try to excel at, because after every in-game day, all three stats will decrease by a little. This becomes one of the more challenging parts of the game, trying to build up one, but also not letting the other two become too low. Then alongside that, you have meters akin to something like The Sims. Energy, hunger, health, and happiness. You have to always keep an eye on those, between working out, working a job for money, fighting, etc. When you’re too low on one, you won’t be able to do anything until you fill it back up.

    The time element is handled in a day by day basis, where time only progresses when you actively do something. Eating, working out, traveling to another location in town, it will all push the clock forward. Just standing, walking around, talking to people, will not push the clock at all. Although just because time progresses, doesn’t mean that you are under a certain time limit. It plays more as a way to track story completion time and deplete stats after each day.

    The more you fight, you will gain attribute points that you can spend on a decent size skill tree. You can unlock different abilities to add to your fighting options before each fight. Eventually you can unlock three different styles of fighting that offer different abilities. Way of the Bear, Way of the Tiger, and Way of the Turtle. Bear being brute force, Tiger focusing on agility, and Turtle excelling in blocking. Before each fight you can choose a limited amount of skills/actions to use within the fight. Along with having to option to change after each round, if available.

    All of the fighting is done simulation style. You as the player will just set the actions you want the main character to use. While you then sit back and watch the fights play out in real time, round after round. If you notice that you are taking a lot of unnecessary hits during the first round, you may want to switch out that low kick ability with a blocking ability before that second round starts. Players shouldn’t be too upset if they lose a few fights here and there, because you will still gain ability points to spend after each fight. You just earn more if you do win.

    The entire game is comprised of really fine tuned management simulation. You can not just throw abilities on your fighter and expect to win. It takes planning and precise stat management to progress. It’s one of the few management simulations that give you a very nice feeling of accomplishment when you win a fight after training hard for it. Along with earning enough money from fights and working jobs to buy your own workout equipment for your garage. Giving you to option to stop paying the $10 gym fee every time you walk through their doors.

    I don’t want to talk too much about the story or events that happen within the game, leaving that to be experienced by the player. That said, the overall atmosphere pulls inspiration from 1980’s & early 1990’s action films, which does a good job of helping immerse you into the game itself. The main story will probably run you 10-15 hours of game time. The game also has a storyline tree that shows you the ways the story branches off and gives you a good idea how much you’ve progressed through it. The Nintendo 3DS version also includes the free expansion, The Dark Fist. Which adds super hero sty    … Full Review »
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