Punishing: Gray Raven (PGR) is a fun game. With limited resources which have to be managed during intense boss fights, I believe PGR provides fun as a challenge. There are several mechanics in PGR, but I’d like to discuss some of the most relevant to fighting bosses. These mechanics include the orb system which includes a limited number of red, blue, and yellow orbs which can be consumed to do special skills, the core passive system which allows even more skills, the limited dodge gauge, and the three character team you can bring into battle.
In addition to being an action RPG game, PGR is also a resource management game. You will constantly be using your orbs to rearrange them into 3-pings (3 same colored orbs) and using your dodge gauge to avoid enemy attacks. At the same time, you will be switching characters to take advantage of their ability to restore orbs and dodge gauge upon entering the battlefield. These mechanics serve as additional obstacles that you must overcome if you want to defeat the boss battle.
The mechanics of the limited orbs and dodge gauge give resource management as a core dynamic in PGR. Players may choose to constantly use their resources to try to deal the most damage as quickly as possible. Other players may choose to play more slowly, conserving their resources to make the best moves at any given moment (something that the community calls “stylish” gameplay). I lean more towards using all of my resources as quickly as possible and swapping characters to keep the pace of battle quick and engaging.
I find completing a difficult boss battle to be extremely fun since I knew I properly managed by orbs, timed my best attacks, and dodged the bosses skills.
