The Punisher (2005)

 Xbox
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
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  1. JHango
    Apr 13, 2011
    10
    This is one of the best games I ever played. Good graphics, good story and very good game play. The tortures and killings are the best! when I'm angry I play this game and feel better.
  2. SteveP.
    Jan 19, 2005
    7
    I have never understood why this excellent website posts user reviews and ratings from people who have obviously never played the game in question. [Ed: me too!]
  3. JeffA.
    Jan 20, 2005
    9
    Finally a really good videogame based on a comic book character. This game is a perfect mix of Max Payne mixed with Manhunt. It's a run and gun game but unlockable weapons and modes keep it fresh. Interrogations are great and Special Interrogations are superb. What other game lets you feed your enemy to a shark or cremate them? Don't believe the low scores from the Finally a really good videogame based on a comic book character. This game is a perfect mix of Max Payne mixed with Manhunt. It's a run and gun game but unlockable weapons and modes keep it fresh. Interrogations are great and Special Interrogations are superb. What other game lets you feed your enemy to a shark or cremate them? Don't believe the low scores from the "professional" gaming sites. This game is violent, dark and moody. Best of all it's a lot of fun.… Expand
  4. AlfonsoR.
    Feb 1, 2005
    10
    This game is the best i have ever played.
  5. JohnC.
    Feb 2, 2005
    10
    I love this game! even though some mags disagree. This will go down as one of the greatest shooting games I ever played.
  6. MercenaryforHire
    Jan 18, 2005
    6
    Great, another Max Payne game with a few new moves! Enough with all the comic book games and movies. It's getting really old now, just like GTA and all its sequels and all its rip-offs. After the first level, the excessive violent selling point has no effect anymore. PS2 graphics don't cut it on Xbox for the last time, and Driver 3 animations and controls make Hitman look like Great, another Max Payne game with a few new moves! Enough with all the comic book games and movies. It's getting really old now, just like GTA and all its sequels and all its rip-offs. After the first level, the excessive violent selling point has no effect anymore. PS2 graphics don't cut it on Xbox for the last time, and Driver 3 animations and controls make Hitman look like he moves with grace. Don't even rent this, and maybe developers will get the message that this is enough already with all the boring comic book cash-ins.… Expand
  7. BlueFalcon
    Feb 21, 2005
    6
    This game isn't nearly as impressive as I expected. While the semi-gratuitous punishment is cool, it could have been more fun. The graphics are poor overall. If you compare this to max payne, the punisher looks from a previous generation of console. Overall I can't imagine anyone not preferring max payne 1 or 2, if they're looking for a gritty, violent, shooter.
  8. BobJ.
    Mar 23, 2005
    10
    I love this game it is awesome the kills are sweet.
  9. Vapor96
    Jun 19, 2019
    8
    A seriously dark game featuring some extremely brutal environmental kill mechanics. Still, the game does not rely exclusively on the shock factor but provides a solid experience all around instead.
  10. frederik1478
    Sep 23, 2021
    4
    The punisher feels most like a beta version of saints row, the game doesn't have satisfied punch to any of the weapons and the interrogation mechanic it get boring fast, and the punisher is boring and doll , I can only recommend it if you're interested in where the first saints row game get it mechanics from
  11. MyHumbleOpinion
    Jun 10, 2019
    10
    (2019 review) This game clearly deserves a 10 even almost a decade and a half later. It has really good mechanics that make it fun to shoot the guns. It's gory, has awesome regular kill moves as well as special kills. The characters that show up include Nick Fury, Black Widow, Iron Man, The Kingpin, Bullseye, and Jigsaw (might have forgot one or two).
    The game has 16 missions probably    (2019 review) This game clearly deserves a 10 even almost a decade and a half later. It has really good mechanics that make it fun to shoot the guns. It's gory, has awesome regular kill moves as well as special kills. The characters that show up include Nick Fury, Black Widow, Iron Man, The Kingpin, Bullseye, and Jigsaw (might have forgot one or two).
    The game has 16 missions probably running 30-45 min each (one mission was about 3 min). It's not a very long game but it's long enough. Perfect length to keep you interested in going back to revisit the missions on a harder difficulty and trying to unlock more upgrades.

    There were a couple things that could have been better but didn't hinder the fun. Clicking right thumbstick was aim and left trigger was throw grenade, those should have been swapped. I finished the game yesterday and can't remember the other minor things. They really don't matter when you're in the action.

    I give it a 10 for the game itself as it's great for someone to play even today. And if you're a retro gamer who gets that special enjoyment from older games, it's even better.    … Expand
  12. storygamer
    Oct 16, 2020
    8
    The Punisher on Xbox is one of the most underrated comic adaptations ever released. Forget the crappy movies and series, this one is close to the cult comics! The gamplay is action packed, the levels and missions are diversified and the atmosphere is badass! One of the coolest and most brutal action games of all time!
  13. ACanadianGuy
    Jan 31, 2022
    10
    To simply state that this game is a 10 out of 10 would do no justice. This game deserves the justice it provides the punisher in representing him how he truly is in this game. Firstly, the enemies you take on and the gruesome ways you kill them embodies what frank castle is about - the character model of the punisher further encompasses him by making him look like a mean SOB. I played thisTo simply state that this game is a 10 out of 10 would do no justice. This game deserves the justice it provides the punisher in representing him how he truly is in this game. Firstly, the enemies you take on and the gruesome ways you kill them embodies what frank castle is about - the character model of the punisher further encompasses him by making him look like a mean SOB. I played this game when I was a kid and I had nightmares because of it - that should tell you how well done Frank's real persona is done in this game.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005
41
#41 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 47 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 47
  3. Negative: 1 out of 47
  1. Xbox Solution
    75
    Sure, it may appear to be a "Max Payne" clone, and the violence is sure to make waves with your local senator but damn, killing in a game was never so much fun!
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  2. Gaming Target
    73
    Everything about it screams "average", from the relatively enjoyable but repetitive gameplay, to the nice but not spectacular graphics.
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  3. GameShark
    70
    There are many things in The Punisher that make it stand out from other games, such as the interrogations, the superb voice acting, the appearance of other comic book heroes and villains (not going to say who to spoil it), but the repetitiveness of each level can start to wear you down.
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