The Punisher: No Mercy

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
47

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 30
  3. Negative: 18 out of 30
  1. Play UK
    49
    No Mercy's biggest failing though is its atrocious netcode that makes playing games a nightmare. [Issue#182, p.83]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. GameSpot
    45
    This online first-person shooter is too shallow and buggy to entertain for long.
  3. Gamer Limit
    45
    Mild fan service in a package that looks like Ace Ventura personally delivered to the PSN.
  5. Gamervision
    45
    Zen Studios delivered a game that even hardcore fans of the comic book vigilante would have to be extremely bored to even attempt trying, let alone devote extended periods of time to playing.
  6. GameWatcher
    45
    When a licenced game fails to excite fans of the franchise on which its content is based, it had better have something in reserve for the swathes of other consumers to latch onto. Unfortunately for The Punisher, it ends up unrecommended in both regards.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    44
    This game was about as close to "painful" as I've seen in recent memory.
  8. IGN
    42
    A pretty bad game all around. The somewhat interesting upgrade mechanics don't help overcome the numerous problems: a super-short (and boring) single-player mode, laggy online play, almost complete lack of feedback when hitting someone, bland level designs, and a good deal more.
  9. 1UP
    42
    Its biggest flaw is feeling old hat in an already overcrowded marketplace, and it is unlikely to pull any FPS devotees from their game of choice. No Mercy -- despite being a competent shooter set at a value price -- simply doesn't stand out like its title character.
  10. 3DJuegos
    40
    Even Frank Castle fans will find no joy in The Punisher: No Mercy.
  11. GamesRadar+
    40
    An aggressively mediocre FPS. Any decent ideas suffer from bad design decisions, and so the shallow multiplayer is a hollow experience that even the most hardcore Frank Castle follower will want to skip.
  12. Impulsegamer
    40
    Punisher: No Mercy....no single player game to speak of....but lock and loaded for multi-player.
  13. Thunderbolt
    40
    Digested in short bursts there is some stupid amusement to be gleaned, but with the myriad of shortcomings found in the title there are certainly much better ways to get your senseless violence on.
  14. Gamers' Temple
    40
    Use your $10 on a bargain game that you'll want to play after the first day you buy it, or put it in your piggy bank and save up for a real shooter.
  15. Gamer 2.0
    35
    The Punisher: No Mercy tries hard to mimic the success of the Unreal franchise but fails at even delivering a quality clone.
  16. Gaming Age
    33
    It's a pretty standard, somewhat shallow multiplayer FPS, and in a time when you can hop onto games like QuakeLive - FOR FREE - it's hard to get enthusiastic about a game that doesn't really differentiate.
  17. Destructoid
    30
    The lazily created campaign mode, the dreadful level and upgrade design, horrendous lack of bullet feedback and latency are all factors working against it. The great visuals and matchmaking have nothing to do with the core game, which is lifeless, sluggish, and dreadful.
  18. Metro GameCentral
    30
    You'll be begging for mercy after just a few hours with this distressingly poor online shooter.
  19. Edge Magazine
    30
    It's the first game we can recall, for instance, to feature a them tune comprising a single note. [Sept 2009, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 28
  3. Negative: 10 out of 28
  1. Arcturian
    Jul 8, 2009
    4
    Waste of money. For $10 you can get countless games from this generation that all function as well as or better than Punisher: No Mercy, whichWaste of money. For $10 you can get countless games from this generation that all function as well as or better than Punisher: No Mercy, which is nothing more than a hyped Unreal Tournament 3 mod that you pay for. I beat the "story" mode in under one hour of playtime, and multiplayer is "equip the rocket launcher until you fall down" mode. So it's Unreal, but slower and without the weapon variety. Just go out and get The Orange Box, or even the actual Unreal Tournament 3, both under $20 retail nowadays, cheaper on Steam, and play the games that inspire developers to make games like Punisher: No Mercy instead.… Full Review »
  2. TylerH
    Jul 6, 2009
    4
    Its a rather bland first person shooter. The Unreal Engine on its death bed (its beginning to look terrible), only on life support by theIts a rather bland first person shooter. The Unreal Engine on its death bed (its beginning to look terrible), only on life support by the cheap devs that want a quick engine (it does work for cheap games I suppose). While its only $10, your not getting that much. Single player is a massive 3 stages of surviving waves of enemies or kill a set amount. Guns are ok. Only fun first 10 minutes, fades quick. Hit detection is terrible, especially in multiplayer. Whether it be extreme lag, or people cheating in multiplayer already, I dont know (its not my connection), I was skipping around the map, continuously dying from questionable shots, not to mention theres maybe 20 people on. Overall, not worth it. I played it for an hour, and I probably wont touch it again. Theres other games that deserve my time than this dull, repetitive mess with a headache multiplayer.… Full Review »
  3. Kswitchy
    Nov 9, 2010
    7
    Decent game for the new discount price on PSN ($4.99). Single player is short but once finished unlocks Skirmish Mode (Player vs Bots in MPDecent game for the new discount price on PSN ($4.99). Single player is short but once finished unlocks Skirmish Mode (Player vs Bots in MP maps). The MP is good and has tons on unlockables. Graphics are also nice but some animations are clunky.… Full Review »
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