Tormentor❌Punisher
- June 2, 2017
- E-Studio
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam"Tormentor×Punisher" is a shooter game set on the fictional planet "Fuck You," where everything, including bosses, can be killed in one hit. The game features stellar mechanics, pretty visuals, and good music, with fast-paced gameplay encouraging players to rack up combos and discover new ways of killing enemies for upgrades. The game supports local multi-player for two players in a split-screen mode, with random order boss spawns and leaderboards for players to compete against each other.
Reviews
- The game offers intense, fast-paced gameplay that is both chaotic and satisfying, making it a great stress reliever.
- It features a unique and engaging upgrade system that rewards players for creative kills, adding depth to the gameplay.
- The soundtrack and voice acting are top-notch, enhancing the overall experience with a gritty and humorous tone.
- The game can be overly difficult, with instant death mechanics that may frustrate players, especially those new to the genre.
- Unskippable cutscenes and lengthy boss introductions can disrupt the fast-paced flow of gameplay.
- Visual clarity can be an issue due to excessive screen shake and chaotic graphics, making it hard to track the action.
- gameplay43 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Tormentor x Punisher" is characterized by its fast-paced, chaotic action and rich mechanics that encourage experimentation and strategic planning. While the core mechanics are engaging and rewarding, players may find the random boss order and unskippable cutscenes detract from the overall experience. Despite a steep learning curve and minimal tutorial support, the game offers a unique and enjoyable experience for those who appreciate its intense, adrenaline-fueled style.
“The charm is in the clever simplistic design of a single level and a fire/reload mechanic so simple yet so tight, you'll be sniffing out the combos for hours.”
“Tormentor x Punisher rewards you for playing with mechanics and experimenting (something that I don't see many games do) with not only points but upgrades - there is no XP in this game, but in a way you can hone a skill and 'level up'.”
“The amount of tiny details and careful thought put into every game mechanic, visual effect, and 'gamefeel' trick is honestly rather staggering, and I could write an essay on those aspects alone.”
“Gameplay consists entirely of keeping your index finger pressed on the left mouse button while running away from the boring enemies (usually) towards the edge of the arena or screen.”
“Though the mechanics do allow for a certain level of strategy, many of them are buried under a layer of unrelenting difficulty that most players will struggle to overcome.”
“The gameplay is absolutely chaotic and random.”
- music25 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its powerful and aggressive metal soundtrack, which enhances the chaotic gameplay experience and syncs well with the action. While some reviewers feel that the soundtrack could benefit from more extreme riffs to match the game's intensity, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment. The combination of punchy sound effects and a fitting score creates an immersive experience that keeps players engaged.
“The music is absolutely phenomenal, especially for an indie game.”
“The soundtrack is quite a banger, so there's that too.”
“The music is very fitting with a grungy, gritty, industrial electro-metal hybrid with unique tracks for bosses and various situations.”
“This might have been a necessity since the music, sound effects, screen shake, and particle effects make it hard to tell what's what from so much overlap, but it still doesn't feel worth it considering how much it slows down an otherwise rapid gameplay loop.”
“Also, it is a sad and missed opportunity that the game doesn't offer some more extreme music; some killer thrash/death riffs or death metal would have added the feeling of total destruction and carnage. Even if they have a couple of tracks that loop, it would have been great, as the game's setting asks for something brutal.”
“The music is decent, the sound effects are very punchy, and the voice acting is suitably over-the-top.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant, 80's/90's arcade-inspired pixel art style that appeals to fans of retro aesthetics. While some players appreciate the unique and bold visual design, others find the graphics bland and uninspiring, particularly in relation to enemy design. Overall, the game's aesthetic is described as engaging and fitting for its fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay, contributing to a memorable experience.
“The art style is incredible.”
“Very 80's/90's arcade-like graphics, pixel art style, appealing to the eye, especially for those who grew up with such style.”
“The aesthetic of the game is awesome!”
“The aiming is poor and awkward with the mouse, and the satisfaction gained from killing the nondescript and characterless enemies is limited by the bland and uninspiring graphics.”
“This game's control and action are extremely simple (move, shoot, and reload), but there are some depth which makes this game very enjoyable with its oversaturating visuals.”
“Fast-paced, twin stick shooter with a demonic aesthetic that feels overwhelming and chaotic.”
- story7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The story in the game is minimal and primarily serves as a backdrop for gameplay, focusing on a simple arena setting with a humorous tone. Players seeking a deep narrative or character development may be disappointed, as the emphasis is on action and weapon upgrades rather than storytelling. Overall, the narrative is light and nonsensical, prioritizing gameplay over plot.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“If you combined the strategic depth of the Civilization series, with the production value of Call of Duty, with the storytelling of The Last of Us, with the graphics of Crysis, you'd have a really good game, but it wouldn't be Tormentor x Punisher.”
“A nonsensical Augenblick Studio style opening is all you need for backstory to slay demons by the hundreds.”
“No story of any fluff, it's a simple arena that will always be the same, with the complexity coming from the great weapon upgrade system.”
“If you are looking for storyline, permanent progression, or really anything beyond an arena shooter - look elsewhere.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by its funny plot and witty dialogue, particularly from the vulgar main character, a gun-toting demon slayer. Players appreciate the blend of simple yet engaging gameplay with a hardcore soundtrack, all while enjoying the comedic elements of battling endless demon hordes.
“Has a good sense of humor too.”
“Simple but deep gameplay, hardcore soundtrack, and a hilariously vulgar main character.”
“Your character is a foul-mouthed, gun-toting demon slayer, and mowing down the endless demon hordes is hilarious and fun.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of "Tormentor x Punisher" to be tedious, particularly due to frequent restarts and the repetitive nature of early gameplay. Those who struggle with survival may experience frustration, compounded by clarity issues that hinder progress and enjoyment.
“It becomes so tedious.”
“It's for this reason I find playing Tormentor X Punisher to be tedious.”
“It's tedious to restart a run and unlock power-ups, which you will do often, and it has some severe clarity issues.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its gritty artwork and immersive sound design, which includes synchronized audio elements that create a vital, heartbeat-like experience. However, the screen shaking can lead to disorientation, contributing to a chaotic ambiance that some players find overwhelming. Overall, the combination of visual and auditory elements effectively draws players into the game's intense fantasy world.
“The artwork adds to the gritty atmosphere of the game.”
“The synchronization of the sound of the shotgun's blast and the design of the music creates an atmospheric sense of heartbeat that feels very vital and 'in your face'.”
“The established relationship between the gameplay's sound elements and the diegetic sound mixing is stylistically significant to the whole atmosphere of the game, allowing the audience to suspend their disbelief in a short adrenaline burst within this fantasy world.”
“The shaking of the screen adds more madness to the atmosphere of the game, but I can understand all the nausea complaints, because sometimes you really just lose track of what's going on in the arena.”
“Thus, the established relationship between the gameplay's sound elements and the diegetic sound mixing is stylistically significant to the whole atmosphere of the game, and further allows the audience to suspend their disbelief in a short adrenaline burst within this fantasy world.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is characterized by aggressive advertising, which some players find off-putting, but it shouldn't deter potential users from trying the game.
“The monetization system feels overly aggressive, constantly pushing players to spend money.”
“It's frustrating how many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending.”
“The in-game purchases are not just optional; they feel necessary to progress, which ruins the experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its addictive gameplay, excellent controls, and perfect music, making it a standout experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. The impressive graphics further enhance its appeal, solidifying its status as a top choice for replayability.
“It's so engaging, it controls like a dream, the music is downright perfect, it's super addictive, the graphics are awesome, and it's the most replayable game I know of.”
