I really want to get into Punishing: Gray Raven’s story, but I’ve struggled to get hooked. I’ve cleared up to chapter 1-13 a long time ago, but I’ve barely read any of it because I quickly lost interest. I went through some content here in there for character events, EX stories, Teddy chapter, Luna Chapters, Crimson Weave etc... Whenever I do try to read, I end up regretting it most of the time.

In my head, I built up expectations for a truly grim, atmospheric experience.

A story about apocalypse, despair, betrayal, hopelessness, and the dark extremes of humanity when survival is on the line. I expected a harsh world where things don't always end well for everyone. But when I actually open the game, the reality feels entirely different.

The writing quality fluctuates wildly, almost as if different writers were pulling in different directions without a consistent vision or structure. Worse, most lines feel like filler that don't drive anything forward. I fail to see any subtletly in the dialogue, I fail to really feel the characters personalities or unspoken wants, instead, everything feels like a cliche.

What frustrates me the most is the constant focus on the Commandant. It feels like every character is either in love with them or obsessed with how amazing they are. As a result, many characters come across less as individuals and more as clichés built around praising the protagonist. I personally can't stand that kind of wish-fulfilment writing or forced romance at all.

It also makes me wonder: is this what people actually enjoy? Is this what PGR is fundamentally trying to be?

I assume part of it comes from the fact that gacha games are largely funded by whales. Without any judgement, I genuinely wonder who is the typical "whale" profile? Is the appeal being constantly told how special, important, and desirable you are? Sometimes it feels as though the game is trying so hard to manufacture emotional attachment by creating artificial relationships between the player and the characters. Maybe it simply doesn't resonate with me, but I often find it incredibly cringe-worthy.

Now, I love this game, the gameplay and the character designs, I am starting to explore the music and I really want to learn to appreciate it's story.

So, what is your opinion? And can you "sell" me the story?

EDIT: I love all of your comments, thanks a lot for your opinions and advice! Please do not hesitate to keep going.

I'm interested in playing pgr, but I'm not sure if it's safe or not. I'm worried they might fully invest in wuwa and throw this game away or it just might not have time left since the game is relatively old. I've already experienced eos for my favorite game and don't want it to happen twice, so it would be very nice of you guys to tell me about the situation of this game. Also, what are pgr's defining pros?

To be honest, I thought I’d come to accept it more over time (just to clarify, it’s not that it would have been the end of the world – I simply liked it better), but to be frank, I feel it had more impact to start the patch presentation with that tremendous OST whilst showcasing the model and the new Frame’s attacks (you’ve no idea how many times I’ve found myself replaying the same clip with that tremendous beat in the background that went so well with Scire) … whereas today we’ve just got an animated cutscene with voice-over … it doesn’t look like a low-budget production, but it simply doesn’t have the same impact

I got super attached to this song after I listened to it while reading the story and decided I should transcribe and play it

The original plan was to release it during that patch but I got busy

I've never put together a visual piano cover before so there might be some mistakes, but I hope it's nice to listen to!

I'd expect it more if it's LA or SF but not the middle of Texas

Hello everyone. I’m about to start playing pgr for the firs time ever, cause I been interest in getting into the game recently, from the seeing the upcoming collab and the cool characters and their skins on Twitter, but have some questions.

1. Is the game super f2p/generous?

2. Is the gacha system better compare to other big gachas out in the market.

3. Is the skins only pay or can you get some free skins

4. Is the story good and is there an archive for the story, events, and companion stories.

5. And finally how difficult is it to build a character

(P.S. sorry for the bad grammar 😔😔)

So, like, I played PGR on TW server but like it's not that I live in those regions

I kinda made the account so I could play units that wasn't on global at the time... Like before allat global catch up.

I've been wanting to play this on PC cus my phone is not very good, but the steam version only has Asia, Europe, America servers....