Comparison

Punishing vs Reverse

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Punishing

Lead an elite task force to reclaim Earth from a mechanical army in this fast-paced sci-fi action RPG. Engage in fluid, high-speed combat, explore a dystopian world, and uncover the secrets of a devastating virus.

Highlights
  • Lightning-fast 3D combat
  • Real-time squad switching
  • Intuitive 3-Ping skill system
  • Rich visual-novel storytelling
  • Stylized post-human aesthetic
  • Character dormitory customization
Features
Read full description

Punishing: Gray Raven is a Fast-paced Sci-fi Action RPG. Humanity stands on the brink of extinction. Earth has been overrun by the Corrupted—a mechanical army twisted and warped by the deadly biomechanical virus known as The Punishing. The last remnants of mankind have taken refuge in orbit aboard the spacefaring vessel Babylonia. After years of preparation, the Gray Raven, an elite task force, now leads the mission to reclaim their lost homeworld. You are their Commandant. As the commandant of the Gray Raven squad, you must assemble the most powerful Construct soldiers ever created and lead them into battle. Uncover the dark truths behind the Punishing Virus, push back the Corrupted, and reclaim Earth in this stylish, high-octane action RPG. LIGHTNING-FAST COMBAT Immerse yourself in fluid, high-speed combat with real-time 3D control. Seamlessly switch between squad members mid-fight, master unique abilities, and chain together dazzling combos. Utilize an intuitive 3-Ping skill system to parry, dodge, and unleash devastating Signature Moves. A DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI SAGA Delve into a beautifully ruined world and unravel the mysteries of a grim cyberpunk future. Through rich visual-novel storytelling spanning hundreds of chapters, discover a hauntingly beautiful universe filled with hidden wonders—and even darker secrets waiting to be uncovered. EXPLORE A FALLEN PLANET Journey through breathtaking environments—from desolate city ruins and desert battlegrounds to towering megastructures and surreal digital realms. Battle the Corrupted across frozen wastelands and beyond Earth's atmosphere in an ever-expanding cinematic narrative. STYLIZED POST-HUMAN AESTHETIC Flesh is no match for the Punishing Virus. Mankind's last hope lies in the Constructs—human consciousness housed in advanced mechanical bodies. Recruit and command a diverse roster of these living weapons, each meticulously designed and animated in full 3D, to face off against hundreds of enemy variants. SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION Move to the pulse of an electrifying soundtrack that blends atmospheric synthscapes with intense drum & bass. Every battle becomes a rhythmic dance of destruction—a feast for both the eyes and ears. A SANCTUARY BEYOND THE FIGHT Find respite from the relentless war in the warmth of the character dormitory. Customize your space with various themes, interact with beloved characters, and cherish the moments of peace you're fighting to protect. --- CONTACT US --- We'd love to hear from you! Reach out through any of the following channels: Official Site: https://pgr.kurogame.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PGR.Global X: https://x.com/PGR_GLOBAL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PunishingGrayRaven Discord: https://discord.gg/pgr

About

Reverse

Embark on a time-traveling adventure as a Timekeeper, journeying through the 20th century to uncover the mystery of the "Storm." Assemble a team of Arcanists, cast spells, and battle enemies in this strategic RPG with stunning retro-modern visuals and full English voice acting.

Highlights
  • Time-traveling narrative
  • Strategic RPG combat
  • Arcanist team building
  • Retro and modern art styles
  • Full English voice acting
  • Arcane spellcasting
Features
Read full description

Reverse: 1999 is a 20th Century Time-Travel Strategic RPG developed by Bluepoch. On the last day of 1999, the "Storm" fell upon the world. You witnessed an era reversed beneath the rising raindrops. Defying all reasons, what unfolds in front of you is the world of an era long past. As the Timekeeper, observer of eras, you are free to travel through these eras after each "Storm." With the aid of Sonetto, a powerful Arcanist and ally from the Foundation, your mission is to travel through eras to where the "Storm" is most active, find other Arcanists who can sense the coming "Storm," and save them from being "sifted out" of the timeline. ▶▶Stunning Visuals Blending Retro and Modern Aesthetics◀◀ Step into the mysterious alt-history animated by unique visual elements that blend Pop Art, classical oil painting, and more art styles in history. ▶▶A Cinematic Adventure across the 20th Century◀◀ From the Roaring '20s to the turn of the millennium, you will embark on a journey across time and space, and uncover the truth about the "Storm" and the mystery of the year 1999. ▶▶Full English Voice Acting with Authentic Accents◀◀ Immerse yourself in ages past. Enjoy a story performed by diverse cast of voice actors with British, Italian, French, and other accents. ▶▶Fantastic Arcanists from Different Times and Regions◀◀ People once called them "mages," "wizards," and "freaks." Now they live in uneasy coexistence with regular humans … But who are the Arcanists, really? ▶▶Weave Arcane Incantations to Attain Glorious Victories◀◀ Build your team, cast spells, and use gorgeous arcane skills to defeat your enemies. Begin your exciting adventure through time in this all-new RPG. Official Website: https://re1999.bluepoch.com/en/home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reverse1999global Twitter: https://twitter.com/Reverse1999_GL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Reverse1999 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/reverse1999

Screenshots

Punishing4 screens
Reverse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Reverse at 4.8 against Punishing's 4.2. Reverse also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 65%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Punishing sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Reverse sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Reverse holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8.7K and 10K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Punishing's written reviews are positive against 81% of Reverse's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 12, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Punishing versus Reverse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPunishingReverse
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (8.7K ratings)4.8 (10K ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.2% of reviews80.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8.7K10K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3.7 GB3.6 GB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperKURO TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) CO., LIMITEDBluepoch Co.,Ltd.

Customer experience

Punishing

All ratings8,722 ratings
Positive79.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative16.8%
Written reviews1,224 reviews
Positive65.2%
Neutral10.7%
Negative24.1%

Reverse

All ratings10,171 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.4%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews725 reviews
Positive80.8%
Neutral6.5%
Negative12.7%

User reviews

Punishing

From 8.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 👍 Unique characters
  • 💎 Generous free-to-play model
  • 🎨 Impressive visuals and soundtrack
  • 🔥 Addictive combat system

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Confusing UI and menus
  • ⏱️ Slow progression and stamina system
  • 💰 Expensive monetization practices
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🌐 Unequal treatment between global and other servers

Reverse

From 10K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 🎨 Beautiful art and character designs
  • 👍 Diverse cast of characters with unique accents
  • 💎 Generous gacha system and rewards
  • 🎬 Immersive story and voice acting

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional voice acting and translation issues
  • ⏱️ Repetitive gameplay and lack of endgame content
  • 🔋 High energy consumption and resource requirements
  • 🤔 Confusing story and tutorial at times

Bugs and requests

Punishing

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Account resets after updates
  • Unresponsive controls and camera issues
  • Difficulty spikes in certain missions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved co-op mode
  • More cinematic story cutscenes
  • Faster stamina recovery
  • Controller support optimization
  • Consistent rewards across all servers

Reverse

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes and decompression issues on launch
  • Inconsistencies between voice lines and subtitles

Requested features

4 requests
  • Multiplayer and PvP modes
  • More frequent story updates
  • Improved character progression and customization
  • Account transfer and merging functionality

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Punishing

One-time8
  • 5 Rainbow Card$0.99
  • 28 Rainbow Card$4.99
  • 34 Rainbow Card$5.99
Show 5 more
  • 59 Rainbow Card$9.99
  • 71 Rainbow Card$11.99
  • 119 Rainbow Card$19.99
  • 299 Rainbow Card$49.99
  • 600 Rainbow Card$99.99
10 purchases

Reverse

One-time10
  • Rookie Shopping Day$0.99
  • Gold Collection$0.99
  • Rookie Special$1.99
Show 7 more
  • 300 Crystal Drops$4.99
  • Roaring Month$4.99
  • COLLECTOR'S EDITION$9.99
  • Summon Sale Pack$9.99
  • 980 Crystal Drops$14.99
  • COLLECTOR'S EDITION DELUXE$14.99
  • Offer of the Month$24.99

Questions

Is Punishing free?
Punishing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reverse free?
Reverse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Punishing or Reverse?
Reverse is rated higher. Punishing averages 4.2 out of 5 from 8.7K ratings, while Reverse averages 4.8 from 10K ratings.
Do Punishing or Reverse have ads?
Neither Punishing nor Reverse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Punishing or Reverse?
Punishing ships an update every 6 weeks, and Reverse every 6 weeks. Most recently, Punishing was updated on November 12, 2026 and Reverse on November 12, 2026.

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