Punishing: Gray Raven

About

"Punishing: Gray Raven" is a fast-paced, single-player Sci-fi Action-RPG with stunning graphics and a sensational soundtrack. As the commandant of the Gray Raven unit, lead your cyborg soldiers into battle against the robotic Corrupted army to reclaim Earth. The game features lightning-fast combat action with real-time 3D battles, character-specific special moves, and intense combos. However, be prepared for lots of grinding, bugs, and occasional intrusive ads amidst the wholesome storyline and beautiful atmosphere.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,000 reviews

story1.2k positive mentions

monetization124 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and character designs that enhance the overall experience.
Engaging combat mechanics that require skill and strategy, making battles feel rewarding.
F2P friendly gacha system that allows players to obtain characters and resources without spending money.

Frequent crashes and loading issues, particularly after updates, causing frustration for players.
Limited stamina system that restricts gameplay time, making it difficult to progress without waiting for energy to recharge.
Disparity in rewards and pricing between global and other regional servers, leading to dissatisfaction among players.

story
2,352 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The story of "Punishing: Gray Raven" is generally well-received, with many players praising its engaging narrative and character backstories, which often evoke strong emotions. However, some critiques highlight that the pacing can be slow, with lengthy dialogue sections that may detract from the gameplay experience. Additionally, players have expressed disappointment over the halved rewards for novice missions compared to other servers, which has raised concerns about the game's monetization practices. Overall, while the story is compelling and immersive, there are calls for improvements in presentation and pacing to enhance player engagement.
- “The story is surprisingly really really good.”
- “The story is immersive/engaging and interesting, and you get to feel for all the characters.”
- “The story is captivating, and all characters pack a great backstory.”
- “I find it a huge bummer that the story isn't voiced at all, which makes it pretty boring... however, the UI design and especially the characters are gorgeous!”
- “The story is mediocre and I feel no connection to these characters.”
- “The story is hard to follow and the missions are too short, but good game.”
gameplay
1,995 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
30%
2%
The gameplay of the game has received widespread praise for its fluid mechanics, engaging combat, and impressive graphics, often drawing comparisons to titles like Honkai Impact 3rd. Players appreciate the skill-based nature of the gameplay, which requires timing and strategy, making it both challenging and rewarding. However, some users express concerns about the game's monetization practices and the limited stamina system, which can hinder the overall experience and lead to repetitive gameplay.
- “Great action gameplay with a decent amount of complexity, a very engaging story and cast of characters, and some pretty stunning visuals for the hardware it's running on.”
- “I've had a lot of fun playing this game for a couple of months, I just can't seem to put it down, the gameplay is thrilling once you learn how to use each character, let's not forget that each character requires you to play differently to master them.”
- “The gameplay is so much fun, bringing a console-level experience to my mobile device.”
- “The gameplay is limited because of energy.”
- “The gameplay feels very clunky when there are a lot of enemies.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive yet exciting for every attempt (only for non-whales).”
graphics
1,776 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
74%
25%
1%
The graphics of "Punishing: Gray Raven" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning quality and smooth performance, even on lower-end devices. Players appreciate the game's vibrant art style, detailed character designs, and impressive visual effects, often comparing them favorably to console-level graphics. While the gameplay is engaging, some users have noted occasional issues with optimization and lag during intense scenes, but overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal and immersive experience.
- “The graphics and effects are out of this world!”
- “Great action gameplay with a decent amount of complexity, a very engaging story and cast of characters, and some pretty stunning visuals for the hardware it's running on.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is smooth.”
- “I tried to lower all the graphics but it still would crash every time I enter a mission.”
- “My only complaint is that there's this very annoying graphical glitch where the background and part of the UI becomes textureless then it crashes.”
- “Every time I try to load up even a short mission the game just crashes even with the lowest graphic settings.”
music
332 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The music in "Punishing: Gray Raven" is widely praised, with many players describing it as "god-tier" and "phenomenal," enhancing both the gameplay and emotional experience. The soundtrack is noted for its variety and quality, often compared to top-tier mobile game OSTs, and is considered a significant factor in the game's appeal. Overall, the music complements the game's visuals and combat, contributing to a highly immersive experience.
- “The music is god-tier and easily enhances the experience.”
- “The soundtrack is phenomenal and compliments the fast-paced gameplay.”
- “The music and sound design is top tier.”
- “But needs better music.”
- “There's not even music playing in the background.”
- “The sound track is literally the only reason I came back to give it another try but sadly these developers are just greedy and desperate for cash and don't want to give a good player experience.”
monetization
316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
50%
39%
The monetization of the game has been widely criticized for being predatory and significantly less generous compared to other regional versions, particularly the Chinese server. Players have expressed frustration over high prices for in-game purchases, reduced rewards, and paywalled events that hinder free-to-play experiences. While some players find the game enjoyable, the overall sentiment is that the monetization practices are a major turn-off, leading many to label it as a cash grab.
- “Being free to play, expect some predatory monetization, but the grind so far is much better than games like Genshin or Honkai.”
- “You can obtain most items without the need for microtransactions (with the exception of certain skins and passes).”
- “Fantastic game, runs pretty good on my garbage phone, very f2p friendly, the combat is so good, would recommend to anyone.”
- “The monetization is so terrible that the excellent game itself can't save it.”
- “Stylish action gameplay ruined by greedy monetization.”
- “The global version of this game is just a cash grab.”
optimization
295 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
26%
2%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance even on low-end devices. While it excels in running well on a variety of smartphones, some players have noted issues with latency during co-op gameplay and specific performance drops on certain devices. Despite these minor setbacks, the game's graphics and gameplay are generally considered well-optimized, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.
- “The game is unbelievably optimized and I can play this game on my phone that can barely handle its biggest competitor.”
- “This game is surprisingly well optimized and runs well on my phone at a relatively cool temperature.”
- “The game is well optimized and very f2p friendly, but the UI needs more work, a dark theme should be good since the text is white.”
- “Extreme latency in gameplay performance during co-op mode.”
- “The only critique I have is definitely some of the UI optimization, especially for dialogue text when you're in battle.”
- “Fun game to play, but co-op still has lag issues which makes playing the highest difficulty impossible, and there's a constant issue with the camera stuttering sometimes which gets annoying.”
character development
264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
26%
1%
Character development in the game is widely praised for its stunning and diverse character designs, which many players find visually appealing and integral to their enjoyment. The characters are noted for having unique backstories and personalities, contributing to an engaging narrative experience. However, some reviews express a desire for deeper storytelling and more character interactions to enhance the overall development and connection players feel with the characters.
- “The post-apocalyptic sci-fi story with massive world-building involving deep lore about the deconstruction of multiple cultures to fit more in the futuristic timeline, amazing character developments involving an influx of characters each with their unique backstories and the big picture of reconquering Earth and fighting ascendants and agents for the freedom of humanity.”
- “The character stories are amazing and gripping, and the character designs are incredible.”
- “I love the character design, the story, and the fact that no matter how high the graphics are, it does not lag the game.”
- “Sadly, the game looks dull, and the colorful character designs look very out of place against the gray slabs called maps here.”
- “The combat system is amazing, but the character designs are plain and lackluster compared to other titles out there.”
- “Lastly, the character designs are too generic.”
grinding
244 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
2%
96%
Grinding in this game is a contentious aspect, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in late-game content where the energy system limits progress. While some appreciate the rewards that come from grinding, others feel that the effort required often outweighs the benefits, leading to frustration, especially for free-to-play players. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is a staple of the gacha genre, improvements in the energy system and more engaging content could enhance the experience.
- “There is no farming stress in this game.”
- “It's not too easy and the tempo of leveling is not too grindy.”
- “I love this game and the content is amazing and isn't that grindy!”
- “Grinding the difficult content does not feel very rewarding.”
- “It will take you a year of grinding every single event to completion before you'll have enough tickets to pull on an event banner.”
- “You don't feel rewarded from grinding hours and hours; rewards from missions and achievements don't compare to the materials needed to upgrade the characters.”
stability
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
2%
92%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with frequent reports of freezing and crashing during gameplay, particularly in battles and while navigating menus. Many players experience issues after updates, leading to frustration as they are unable to progress or even log in. While some users report smooth performance, the overall consensus indicates that the game is plagued by bugs and glitches that detract from the experience.
- “I really like the game's voices, graphics, art style, and stories. It kind of reminds me of Honkai Impact (another great game). I really like the characters and the plot is interesting. So far, so good—no glitches or issues. One of the best games I've played so far. Great work, developers!”
- “Looks great, runs great, and the combat is distinguishable enough from other mobile action games where you just tap away until something dies.”
- “Graphics are good too, and it runs great.”
- “Every time I try to play a mission or sometimes look at my constructs, the game freezes or just crashes.”
- “The game is not that bad; it's very entertaining at first, then gets repetitive and there are some glitches, like sometimes the screen is shaking when tapping the attack button.”
- “Update: the game constantly freezes, making it unplayable.”
emotional
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
85%
15%
Players have expressed a wide range of emotional responses to the game, highlighting its beautiful graphics, engaging combat, and particularly its touching storylines that often evoke tears. While many appreciate the heartfelt character backstories and the emotional weight of certain narratives, some feel a lack of connection to the characters, which diminishes their overall emotional investment. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and monetization, the game's ability to elicit strong feelings remains a standout feature for many players.
- “It's a great game and I love it. The combat is very fun and the OST is peak; it made me cry, and I haven't cried since I watched 'A Silent Voice' years ago.”
- “The backstories of the characters and the enemies really touch my heart and made me cry. Overall, this game is addictive to play!”
- “This game brings so much to the table, including top-tier graphics, outstanding gameplay, and a heartfelt story.”
- “Boring story.”
- “Terrible gacha rate, bland characters, boring storyline and forced long tutorials.”
- “Bad gameplay, p2w, boring story; it's just a cheap copy of some other games.”
humor
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
16%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark themes and lighthearted moments typical of anime, with players noting amusing mechanics and quirky character interactions. While some find the gameplay and story to be entertainingly funny, others highlight the absurdity of certain game mechanics and issues, leading to a mix of frustration and laughter. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the experience, making it enjoyable, especially in co-op play.
- “It's a dark and gritty setting that still finds time to be lighthearted and funny in that typical anime fashion.”
- “Fun gameplay and really good story concept with a mix of dramatic and funny.”
- “Very good fun to play with friends, co-op is laggy as hell and it's hilarious to just see someone standing still with a bunch of attacks hitting enemies from nowhere :)”
- “This is not a skateboard game, and I don't know about the online options, but this game is not funny.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced throughout the gameplay.”
- “I expected some laughs, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
8%
25%
The game effectively immerses players in a dark, gritty cyberpunk atmosphere, enhanced by stylish design, captivating music, and engaging storytelling. Reviewers appreciate the blend of sci-fi elements and character-driven narratives, which contribute to a rich and entertaining experience. Overall, the atmosphere is highlighted as a standout feature, making it particularly appealing to fans of the genre.
- “This game captures the dark, gritty cyberpunk atmosphere pretty well with some sci-fi elements.”
- “Very stylish, the story and atmosphere are great for sci-fi/cyberpunk fans.”
- “Beautiful design of the anime and UI, good music, and atmosphere.”
- “Atmosphere feels like if Arknights and Honkai had a baby with the dystopian plotline.”
- “Played the JP version for a while and I love the design and atmosphere; I'm really looking forward to being able to understand the dialogue and menu options.”
- “This game captures the dark, gritty cyberpunk atmosphere pretty well with some sci-fi elements as well.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Players appreciate the game's high replayability due to its fun mechanics and fresh concepts, with many expressing hope for additional content and playable characters. Recent updates have improved performance, enhancing the overall experience and encouraging continued play.
- “Great replay value.”
- “This game is good and very fresh with its concepts; it has a lot of replayability, it just needs more content.”
- “Game is a lot of fun, and the recent updates have made it more playable and it crashes less.”
- “This game is good and very fresh with its concepts; it has a lot of replayability, but it just needs more content.”