Punishing: Gray Raven

Punishing: Gray Raven
App icon depicting Lucia
DeveloperKuro Games
PublisherKuro Games
Composers
  • GhostFinal
  • Haloweak
  • CoyDe
  • Polyblue
  • Rabbit J
EngineUnity
Platforms
ReleaseAndroid, iOS
  • CHN: December 5, 2019
  • JP: December 4, 2020
  • WW: July 16, 2021
Windows
  • WW: May 14, 2023
GenresAction role-playing, hack and slash
ModeSingle-player

Punishing: Gray Raven (Chinese: 战双帕弥什, lit. 'Punishing: Double Fight') is a free-to-play action role-playing game developed and published by Kuro Games. It was first released in China on December 5, 2019, in Japan on December 4, 2020, and globally on July 16, 2021.[1][2] The game was released on Microsoft Windows in May 2023 and later distributed through Steam in February 2026.[3]

Gameplay

Titular logo

Punishing: Gray Raven have 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 called Matrix upon successful evasion, slowing down time and allowing the player to land additional hits to the enemy or take better position along with giving the next used orb a temporary ability to activate 3-ping version.[4] Evading attacks will consume stamina, which prevents players from freely dodging all the time (visually stamina bar is dodge button's outline).

Constructs can be strengthened by leveling up and promoting them, as well as leveling up weapons and equipping "memories" (which add pure stats to character, also majority of them have special effects upon equip 2, 4 and 6 pieces). 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 (60 or ~80–100, depends on banner type).

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.[5]

Plot

The story of the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that has been overrun by Corrupted cybernetic enemies because of the Punishing Virus. The surviving humans have left Earth and escaped to the space station Babylonia. The player takes on the role as the Commandant of Gray Raven, an elite squad of Constructs who fight against the Corrupted and other opposing forces to retake the planet.[6]

Reception

Punishing: Gray Raven received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.[7] 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] Multiplayer.it highlighted the long campaign and characters, but finds faults in the short missions and gacha elements.[11]

As of July 2020, the game has surpassed 20 million downloads.[12]

Animation

Panini: Gray Raven animation PV art

Panini: Gray Raven (Chinese: 战双帕尼尼; pinyin: Zhàn shuāng pà ní ní) is a short web animation based on the world view of Punishing: Gray Raven. It was produced by Big Firebird Cultural Media Co., ltd.(Chinese: 大火鸟文化; pinyin: Dàhuǒ niǎo wénhuà). It officially began broadcasting on the Bilibili platform on October 27, 2020.[13][14]

Theme songs

Singer: Natsu Doko (Japanese: Kugimiya Rie )
Arranger: Haloweak
Composer& Lyrics: Mira.Z
Produced by: Vanguard sound

Composer: Haloweak

Produced by: Vanguard sound

Music: GhostFinal

Video: MDR

Produced by: Vanguard sound

Music:@Super.Yy酱 &@墨蓝酱油Polyblue

Composer: CoyDe & Polyblue

Producer:Vanguard Sound & Kuro Games

Singer: Kinoko_蘑菇

Composer& Lyrics: GhostFinal
Produced by: Vanguard Sound & Kuro Games
  • Gaze of Wind (Chinese: 风的视线; pinyin: Fēng de shìxiàn) (Japanese: 風の視線)[26][27]
    Music: GhostFinal
    Adapted by: M€I & GhostFinal
    Lyrics: Mira.Z
    Singer: Asagiri Sakako (Japanese: Ito Miku )
    Produced by: Vanguard sound, Michitaku Iwano
  • Me (Chinese: 我; pinyin: Wǒ) (Japanese: 私)[28]
    Singer: Liu Feifei (Japanese: Inoue Marina)
    Arranger: Tureleon
    Lyrics: baker (TOKYOLOGIC)
    Production: baker (TOKYOLOGIC)
  • Echoing[29][30]
    Vocals: Liu Zhixiao
    Arranger: Zhou Cun
    Lyricist: Roland L.
    Production: Kuro Studio
  • DIM LIGHT[31][32]
    Vocal: Electric Bird Lightbulb (Japanese: Matsuoka Masaki )
    Arranger: MeLo
    Lyricist: Hideo Noguchi
    Produced by: Vanguard sound
  • Long Way Home (Chinese: 長路歸航; pinyin: Zhǎng lù guī háng)[33][34][35]
Singer: Shanghai Rainbow Chamber Choir (Japanese: Wada Yuki, Remi, SAK., KOCHO Takimoto Shinko, Hongo Shiori, Aikawa Mika, Matsuoka Daimi, Sho Yuya)
Arranger: Xu Xiao (Japanese: KOCHO)
Lyrics: Kocho
Produced by: Kuro Studio

References

  1. ↑ 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. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Punishing Gray Raven is now up for Pre-Registration, Expected to release in July 2021". Mobile Gaming Hub. June 24, 2021. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  3. ↑ Stenbuck, Kite (2026-02-04). "Punishing: Gray Raven is now available on Steam". RPG Site. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  4. ↑ Kit (May 31, 2021). "A Commandant and their Constructs – Punishing Gray Raven Beta Impressions". GamerBraves. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  5. ↑ Catherine Ng Dellosa (May 31, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven is cyberpunk anime goodness with an actual story – plus waifus". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Punishing: Gray Raven review - "Beauty, tragedy, and awesomeness in a sleek, cyberpunk package"". www.pocketgamer.com. 2021-07-16. Archived from the original on 2024-05-27. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  7. 1 2 "Punishing: Gray Raven for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 8, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. 1 2 Catherine Ng Dellosa (July 16, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven review – "Beauty, tragedy, and awesomeness in a sleek, cyberpunk package"". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Gravelle, Cody (July 16, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven Review – Satisfying Sci-Fi Gacha Combat". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Ben (July 16, 2021). "Punishing Gray Raven Review – Making you feel like a badass". GamerBraves. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Pugliese, Tommaso (July 28, 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven, la recensione" [Punishing: Gray Raven, the review]. Multiplayer.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  12. ↑ "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. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  13. ↑ 哔哩哔哩番剧. "战双帕尼尼". www.bilibili.com (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  14. ↑ Punishing Gray Raven (2022-11-22). Panini: Gray Raven Trailer. Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  15. ↑ パニシング:グレイレイヴン (2020-12-08). 「パニシング:グレイレイヴン」リリース記念テーマソング『二輪の花』. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ パニシング:グレイレイヴン (2021-10-16). 「パニシング:グレイレイヴン」新章「終焉の福音」テーマ曲——「月」Full Ver. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  17. ↑ Vanguard Sound Studio (2021-01-08). 【Haloweak】月 Full Version feat. Mira.Z 「Punishing: Gray Raven OST - 终焉福音」 【パニシング:グレイレイヴン】Official. Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Vanguard-Sound. "【Haloweak】战双帕弥什 NARWHAL - 极地暗流BGM官方完整版_哔哩哔哩_bilibili". www.bilibili.com (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  19. ↑ Vanguard Sound Studio (2019-12-27). 【Haloweak】NARWHAL 「Punishing: Gray Raven OST - 极地暗流」 【パニシング:グレイレイヴン】Official. Archived from the original on 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-09 – via YouTube.
  20. ↑ Vanguard-Sound. "【GhostFinal】LAMIA Full Ver. 「战双帕弥什: 绝海星火」_哔哩哔哩_bilibili". www.bilibili.com (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  21. ↑ Vanguard Sound Studio (2021-07-03). 【GhostFinal】LAMIA「Punishing: Gray Raven OST - 绝海星火/ラストスパーク」 【パニシング:グレイレイヴン】Official. Archived from the original on 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-11 – via YouTube.
  22. ↑ Vanguard-Sound. "【战双帕弥什】「曙星致意」EP - NANAMI IKIMASU_哔哩哔哩_bilibili". www.bilibili.com (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  23. ↑ Vanguard Sound Studio (2022-03-24). 【Polyblue】NANAMI IKIMASU「Punishing: Gray Raven OST - 曙星致意」 【パニシング:グレイレイヴン】Official. Archived from the original on 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-11 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ Vanguard Sound Studio (2022-03-24). 【GhostFinal】Revelation .feat Kinoko蘑菇「Punishing: Gray Raven OST - 遥岸方舟」 【パニシング:グレイレイヴン】Official. Archived from the original on 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-09 – via YouTube.
  25. ↑ Vanguard-Sound. "【战双帕弥什】「遥岸方舟」EP - Revelation_哔哩哔哩_bilibili". www.bilibili.com (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  26. ↑ パニシング:グレイレイヴン (2022-07-22). 「パニシング:グレイレイヴン」本編「滅亡照らす残光」テーマ曲【風の視線】. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  27. ↑ Punishing Gray Raven (2023-02-11). Punishing: Gray Raven | Liv: Empyrea EP - Gaze of Wind. Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ パニシング:グレイレイヴン (2022-04-22). 「パニシング:グレイレイヴン」ヴィラ キャラクターソングPV——「私」. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  29. ↑ パニシング:グレイレイヴン (2022-09-09). 「パニシング:グレイレイヴン」特別編「幻奏のレチタティーヴォ」セレーナ・幻奏イメージソングPV【ECHOING】. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  30. ↑ Punishing Gray Raven (2023-03-05). Punishing: Gray Raven | Echoing - Selena: Capriccio's Character Impression Song. Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  31. ↑ パニシング:グレイレイヴン (2023-07-23). 「パニシング:グレイレイヴン」リー・超刻イメージ曲【Dim Light】Full Ver. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  32. ↑ Punishing Gray Raven (2023-12-20). Punishing: Gray Raven | Dim Light - Lee: Hyperreal's Character Theme Song (Full Ver.). Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  33. ↑ 战双帕弥什. "【战双帕弥什×彩虹合唱】法奥斯学院毕业曲《长路归航》_哔哩哔哩_bilibili". www.bilibili.com (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  34. ↑ パニシング:グレイレイヴン (2024-04-15). 「パニシング:グレイレイヴン」ファウンス士官学校校歌【遺志継ぐ帰航】PV. Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.
  35. ↑ 戰雙帕彌什 (2023-12-11). 《戰雙帕彌什》×彩虹合唱《長路歸航》——法奧斯學院畢業曲. Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-06-02 – via YouTube.