Punishing: Gray Raven
| Punishing: Gray Raven | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Kuro Game |
| Publisher(s) | Kuro Game |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing |
Punishing: Gray Raven (Chinese: 战双帕弥什, Japanese: パニシング：グレイレイヴン) is a mobile action role-playing game developed and published by Kuro Game. It was first released in China on December 5, 2019 and a year later on December 4, 2020 in Japan. The global release came out on July 16, 2021.[1][2]
Gameplay
Punishing: Gray Raven has players control a squad of up to three characters, known as "Constructs", against various enemies. Storytelling is presented in a visual novel format, while combat is hack and slash action-based, with the player fighting enemies in real-time in various stages. During combat, different colored "Pings" can be obtained, which will fire off different skills. Chaining 3 Pings with the same color will execute a powerful version of that skill. Players may also evade enemy attacks, which will trigger a bullet time effect upon successful evasion, allowing the player to land additional hits to the enemy.[3] Evading attacks will consume stamina, which prevents players from freely dodging all the time.
Constructs can be strengthened by leveling up and promoting them, as well as leveling weapons and equipping gears. Players can unlock additional Constructs by advancing the story, and more Constructs can be obtained via a gacha mechanic and in-game events. In-game currencies can be obtained through in-app purchases and playing the game, which are used to obtain Constructs and equipment through the gacha system. A pity system ensures that the player will receive rare items after a set number of pulls.
The game also features a housing system in the form of Dormitories. Players may decorate and move in Constructs to their dorms to improve their mood. Constructs can also be assigned chores to obtain in-game materials.[4]
Plot
The story of game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by Corrupted cybernetic enemies caused by the Punishing Virus. The last remnants of mankind have escaped to the space station Babylonia. The player takes on the role as the Commandant of an elite squad of Constructs known as Gray Raven. The player will lead the squad to fight against the Corrupted and other opposing forces to retake the planet.
Characters
Gray Raven
- Lucia (露西亞)
- Voiced by: 小N (Chinese), 尾狐殿 (Cantonese), Yui Ishikawa (Japanese)
- Liv (麗芙)
- Voiced by: 多多poi (Chinese), 間踏梧桐 (Cantonese), Ai Kayano (Japanese)
- Lee (里)
- Voiced by: 夏侯落楓 (Chinese), 犬畏 (Cantonese), Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Japanese)
- Nanami (七实)
- Voiced by: 赵爽 (Chinese), 岚风蜂蜜绿茶 (Cantonese), Minami Tanaka (Japanese)
Engineering Force
- Karenina (卡列尼娜)
- Voiced by: 花铃 (Chinese), 东东 (Cantonese), Haruka Tomatsu (Japanese)
Purificator Force
- Bianca (比安卡)
- Voiced by: 云鹤追 (Chinese), 神明凌 (Cantonese), Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese)
Strike Hawk
- Kamui (神威)
- Voiced by: DK (Chinese), 夏侯落枫 (Cantonese), Jun Fukuyama (Japanese)
The Forgotten
- Watanabe (渡边)
- Voiced by: 森中人 (Chinese), 星罗 (Cantonese), Yoshimasa Hosoya (Japanese)
Release
Kuro Game was criticized over their poor handling of Punishing: Gray Raven during its initial launch in China, notably regarding false gacha rate advertisement, and "over-rewarding" new players then taking back the rewards.[5] Since then, the developers have been praised for their improved management of the game, regularly addressing player concerns such as game balance and improving their gacha system.[6]
The global release was also scrutinized soon after launch, when players noticed that they received fewer rewards compared to other regions. Criticizing comments were also deleted from Punishing: Gray Raven's official Discord community, leading to a review bomb from angered players. Kuro Game published a statement to address the controversy.[7]
Reception
Pocket Gamer praised Punishing: Gray Raven as "a highly engaging game with one of the best storylines I’ve ever encountered so far".[8] Screen Rant criticized the game's localization, but praised the combat system, comparing it with Honkai Impact 3rd for their similarities in gameplay.[9] GamerBraves commended the game's optimization and "punishing but addictive combat".[10]
As of July 2020, the game has surpassed 20 million downloads.[11]
References
- ^ Gregson-Wood, Stephen (April 30, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven is a visually impressive action RPG that's heading for iOS and Android this summer". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ "Punishing Gray Raven is now up for Pre-Registration, Expected to release in July 2021". Mobile Gaming Hub. 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
- ^ Kit (May 31, 2021). "A Commandant and their Constructs – Punishing Gray Raven Beta Impressions". GamerBraves. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ Catherine Ng Dellosa (May 31, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven is cyberpunk anime goodness with an actual story - plus waifus". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ Pinky Dinky (December 20, 2019). "Trainwreck: Punishing Gray Raven". Medium. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ Pinky Dinky (April 19, 2020). "Punishing Gray Raven Review". Medium. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ Jessie Mai (July 20, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven Global bị fan quốc tế tẩy chay kịch liệt sau 3 ngày ra mắt" [Punishing: Gray Raven Global was vehemently boycotted by international fans after 3 days of release]. GameK (in Vietnamese). Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ Catherine Ng Dellosa (July 16, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven review - "Beauty, tragedy, and awesomeness in a sleek, cyberpunk package"". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ Gravelle, Cody (July 16, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven Review - Satisfying Sci-Fi Gacha Combat". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ Ben (July 16, 2021). "Punishing Gray Raven Review – Making you feel like a badass". GamerBraves. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ "全世界2000万DLの人気3DアクションRPG『パニシング：グレイレイヴン』日本上陸決定！ティザーPV＆公式Twitterが公開". Famitsu (in Japanese). July 25, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2021.