Punch Planet is a Competitive Sci-Fi 2D fighter with a rich and immersive universe, spanning exotic planets, advanced cities, and alien races.
The core system revolves around a "Time Cancel" (T-Meter) mechanic, which allows players to cancel attack recovery or blockstun by spending meter. This enables a wide variety of combo extensions, mixups, and defensive options that encourage creative and expressive playstyles. The game also includes an "Energy Attack" (E-Meter) system, where players can spend meter to enhance their special moves or execute powerful "Advanced Attacks" by combining multiple meter stocks. Reviewers consistently praise the depth and flexibility of these mechanics, noting how they allow for a high skill ceiling and a diverse range of playstyles across the relatively small (but growing) character roster.
Players consistently compare the game's tight, responsive controls to classic 2D fighting games like Street Fighter 4, highlighting the low input delay and fluid animations. The controls strike a balance between accessibility and depth, described as "extremely responsive" and "lenient enough to be fun to learn, but combos are not as easy as a game like SFV where anyone can learn max damage combos in a tiny amount of time."
The gameplay emphasizes a strong neutral game and footsie-based fundamentals, drawing comparisons to classic Street Fighter titles. Reviewers highlight the well-paced neutral interactions, which reward careful positioning, whiff punishes, and smart use of the game's defensive options. The footsie-focused combat creates a satisfying "back-and-forth" between opponents, with the Time Cancel mechanic adding an extra layer of depth and risk/reward to the neutral exchanges.
Despite the currently small roster size, the game's characters are described as offering a diverse range of playstyles and approaches. Reviewers note that no two players seem to utilize the same character in quite the same way, thanks to the flexibility of the game's mechanics. The unique abilities and movement options of each fighter, combined with the creative combo and mixup potential afforded by the Time Cancel system, allow for a high degree of personal expression and experimentation.