Paunch

About

Paunch is a multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Kozhakov and was released on December 4, 2019. It received very positive reviews from players.

With 12 lives for two, players must fight to gain points from each kill. The containers of life are boulders freely moved by characters in the arena and used for throwing. In hand-to-hand combat the characters interact using their muscles and initiate targeted hits. When all containers are exhausted the game enters the final stage, where the victorious player takes the points earned.

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,531 reviews

humor235 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

humor
236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
1%
The humor in *paunch* is widely praised for its absurdity and slapstick elements, with players enjoying the chaotic and silly interactions between characters, particularly when playing with friends. The game's clumsy physics and exaggerated character designs contribute to its comedic appeal, making it a source of laughter and entertainment, especially in multiplayer settings. While some find the humor can wear thin after a short time, many agree that it offers a uniquely hilarious experience that is best enjoyed in a lighthearted, social context.
- “The physics are perfectly clumsy, every impact both hilarious and heroic, and the sheer intensity of two paunchy gladiators battling for dominance is something you need to feel to believe.”
- “It’s a chaotic, hilarious, and utterly satisfying battle royale that is as much about wit as it is about timing and precision.”
- “This game is hilarious, me and my buddy play it every now and again to catch a good laugh.”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
- “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
- “The attempts at comedy just missed the mark entirely.”
gameplay
219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
The gameplay of "Paunch" has received mixed reviews, with some praising its innovative mechanics, engaging combat, and replayability, while others criticize it for being shallow, repetitive, and plagued by technical issues. Many players appreciate the humor and chaotic nature of the gameplay, but some find the mechanics frustrating and lacking depth. Overall, it appears to be a divisive experience that can be entertaining in short bursts, especially with friends, but may not hold long-term appeal for all players.
- “The gameplay mechanics contained in Paunch are by far the best I've ever experienced.”
- “The gameplay itself is a finely crafted dance of both chaos and strategy.”
- “It's a visual treat that perfectly complements the game's zany gameplay.”
- “While gaming is subjective, and preferences vary, Paunch has been widely criticized for its lackluster gameplay, uninspiring narrative, and technical shortcomings.”
- “The game relies on repetitive and uninspired mechanics that fail to engage players.”
- “The mechanics are so terrible and there are so many in-game mechanics that are so messed up it is actually unreal at how poorly this game was made and it is a mistake to the Steam community.”
story
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The reviews for the game's story are highly polarized, with some praising it as a deeply emotional and immersive experience filled with complex characters and gripping plot twists, while others criticize it for lacking originality and depth. Many players highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and create a rich narrative, while others feel it falls short in storytelling, making it difficult to connect with the characters or the plot. Overall, the game's narrative is seen as a significant aspect that can either elevate or detract from the overall experience, depending on individual perspectives.
- “It has everything you need for a gripping story, emotionally complex characters, raw gritty battle scenes, nail-biting suspense!”
- “The storytelling is nothing short of exceptional, drawing you in and making you a part of this touching narrative.”
- “The story is easily one of the greatest I've ever experienced; it left me with tears in my eyes many times, the dynamic characters and how I could tell that some of them were improving struck close to home with me and I found myself rapt in Paunch's world.”
- “The game's plot lacks originality and fails to captivate players with its unimaginative and predictable twists.”
- “Characters lack depth and development, making it challenging for players to form emotional connections or invest in the overarching story.”
- “In a gaming landscape where narrative-driven experiences are thriving, Paunch's lackluster storytelling stands out as a significant flaw.”
graphics
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
43%
7%
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising their breathtaking quality, vibrant colors, and attention to detail, including advanced features like ray tracing and realistic physics. While some critiques mention technical issues and a reliance on asset store visuals, the overall consensus highlights the graphics as a standout feature that enhances the immersive experience. The unique art style and minimalist approach also contribute to a fresh aesthetic that resonates well with players.
- “The graphics are nothing short of breathtaking, with meticulously crafted landscapes, dynamic weather systems, and character animations that approach lifelike realism.”
- “The visuals of the game are indeed a spectacle.”
- “The graphics alone bring this game up to one of the greatest.”
- “Paunch has been widely criticized for its technical shortcomings, ranging from graphical glitches to inconsistent performance.”
- “The graphics are mediocre and aren't anything to complain about.”
- “It looked like a very amateur game with lackluster graphics and very basic combat, and at the time I wasn't sure whether I could afford to play it with my limited amount of time that I play video games.”
music
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its immersive quality and emotional impact. Reviewers describe the soundtrack as a "masterpiece," highlighting its ability to enhance the gameplay experience and evoke strong feelings. The combination of catchy themes and cinematic scores contributes to a vibrant atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “I don't think I've heard actual objects produce such works of art, truly musical masterpieces.”
- “The setting, the physicality, the beauty in the simplicity of the music... everything in the game has a reason and the reason is to be the best game you ever played.”
- “The music is addictive to listen to and gives a good vibe while playing.”
- “The main menu music makes me cum in my pants instantly.”
- “Fun but problems overrun the fun. 1 in 10 matches work because you constantly disconnect. You can be beating a guy 9 to 0 and it ends in a draw. The ping is crazy high; the music gets so annoying.”
- “I touched the mouse and the previously black screen lit up and some strange music began playing.”
emotional
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Paunch" is widely praised for its ability to evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to deep sorrow, through its compelling storytelling and character development. Players report experiencing an emotional rollercoaster, with many highlighting the game's heartwarming themes of friendship and camaraderie, as well as its capacity to resonate on a personal level. Despite some critiques regarding character depth, the overall sentiment is that "Paunch" offers a profoundly touching and memorable gaming experience that leaves a lasting emotional impact.
- “The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat – each match is an emotional rollercoaster you never want to get off of.”
- “Paunch is not just a game; it's a heartwarming and emotionally enriching journey that leaves you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.”
- “It's an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you inspired and reminded of the power of human connection.”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
46%
Players consistently express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of hours to progress. Many reviews suggest that the grinding feels tedious and unavoidable, leading to a sentiment that one would need a "second life" to fully engage with the game's demands. Comparisons to other games indicate that the grinding mechanics in this title are viewed as particularly burdensome and less enjoyable.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “When a character faces a logistical challenge or even just a tedious one, there is no skipping ahead or hitting fast forward; we live with them every step of the way.”
- “Many games cost money ($), many games cost hours of grinding to become good enough, many games require reliable friends to help us out in times of strife.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and emotional impact, with players noting that significant events contribute meaningfully to character growth. The designs are visually striking and relatable, enhancing the overall narrative experience. However, some critiques mention a lack of originality in character design compared to previous titles.
- “Everything that happens has significant meaning to the character development; if not obvious at first, you will slowly find out that every scene happens for a reason.”
- “Honestly, I cried at the end; it has so much character development and dynamic sets of places to explore. The amount of gameplay is grand and deep, with a very high skill ceiling, and on top of that, it's so replayable and fun.”
- “Amazing game! I would definitely recommend it if you want a superb story with deep character design and progression, along with other elements that make a good game.”
- “From its generic character designs to its uninspired level design, the game fails to offer anything new or groundbreaking.”
- “Nintendo’s latest ARPG really makes you feel like a half-naked Fat Albert; the high-end graphics perfectly reflect the serene beauty of Western Nigeria, but the story and character development still can’t hold a candle to some of their previous games such as Bubsy 3D or Cooking Mama Party Pack.”
- “The character designs catch your attention immediately the moment you load into the game.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
37%
18%
Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some users praise the game's smooth performance and quick startup, others highlight significant technical issues, including graphical glitches and inconsistent performance, particularly in multiplayer matches. Despite these criticisms, certain players express surprise at the game's performance on mobile platforms.
- “The gameplay is ironclad, and the performance is among the best.”
- “I never expected to get this level of performance out of a mobile game.”
- “The game starts up pretty quickly and generally runs smoothly.”
- “Paunch has been widely criticized for its technical shortcomings, ranging from graphical glitches to inconsistent performance.”
- “The immersion is unbreakable, since the game runs at a whopping 15 frames per second, although this was played on my Voodoo 1 3DFX GPU, so I was assured to reach maximum performance.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of Paunch has been heavily criticized, with users reporting numerous technical issues such as graphical glitches, inconsistent performance, and gameplay bugs that can hinder the experience. While some players find joy in the game despite these flaws, the overall consensus highlights significant stability problems that detract from its enjoyment.
- “Paunch has been widely criticized for its technical shortcomings, ranging from graphical glitches to inconsistent performance.”
- “[i]Paunch[/i] is also far from bug-free, and I encountered glitches that spawned me underneath the map.”
- “The rules are unclear and the game has many glitches including not being able to pick up rocks sometimes.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game is praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its simple yet genius design that avoids complexity. Players appreciate the deep character development, diverse environments, and high skill ceiling, making each playthrough engaging and enjoyable. Overall, it is considered infinitely replayable, offering a rich and dynamic experience.
- “It’s one of those games where the simplicity is its genius, giving you endless replayability without ever getting bogged down in complexity.”
- “Honestly, I cried at the end; it has so much character development and dynamic sets of places to explore. The amount of gameplay is so grand and deep, it's got a very high skill ceiling, and on top of that, it's so replayable and fun.”
- “✅ Infinitely replayable”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Reviewers express a desire for a balanced monetization approach, suggesting that small, non-intrusive advertisements could be more acceptable than intrusive microtransactions or season passes. They emphasize the importance of avoiding "cash grab" tactics to preserve the game's integrity and player experience.
- “I understand the developers' capitalistic desires (we all have those desires, whether you want to admit it or not), but I think it would be more beneficial (to both the developers and the players) if small, non-intrusive advertisements were implemented, much like a mobile game.”
- “Please dev(s), don't ruin this masterpiece by including season passes or other shameful cash grab techniques, thanks.”
- “[i][b]Microtransactions...?[/b][/i]”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by ultra-realistic graphics and an engaging soundtrack, contributing to a highly skill-based and intense experience. Additionally, the minimalist aesthetic enhances the competitive yet relaxed vibe, making it appealing to players.
- “Ultra realistic graphics, amazing soundtrack, and pixel-perfect hitboxes create a highly skill-based and intense atmosphere.”
- “Gameplay, atmosphere, graphics.”
- “It's got a catchy minimalist vibe that fits perfectly with the competitive-but-mellow atmosphere of the game.”