Summary
- Release Year: 2013
- Genres: Adventure, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up, Indie, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360
- Publishers: Ska Studios
Charlie Murder: A Raucous and Violent Beat ‘Em Up with a Killer Soundtrack
Charlie Murder is a 2013 action role-playing beat ’em up video game developed by Ska Studios and published by Microsoft Studios. The game follows the members of the garage punk band Charlie Murder as they fight to save the world from a demonic army raised by their former bandmate. Players can complete the game alone, or can team together with up to three other people, through either offline or online cooperative gameplay.
The game is set in a suburban neighborhood that has been overrun by demons. The player characters must fight their way through hordes of enemies, using their fists, feet, and special abilities to defeat them. The game features a variety of enemies, including zombies, demons, and giant monsters.
Charlie Murder is known for its fast-paced combat, its over-the-top violence, and its humorous story. The game’s soundtrack is also highly praised, and features a variety of punk rock songs.
Gameplay
Charlie Murder is a side-scrolling beat ’em up game. The player controls one of five characters, each with their own unique abilities. The characters can punch, kick, and use special abilities to defeat enemies. Players can also collect power-ups that will give them temporary boosts, such as increased strength or speed.
The game can be played alone or with up to three other people. In cooperative gameplay, the number of enemies that appear on screen at once increases. This makes the game more challenging, but it also allows players to team up and use their combined abilities to defeat powerful enemies.
Plot
Charlie Murder tells the story of the members of the garage punk band Charlie Murder. The band is made up of five friends: Charlie Murder, the lead singer; Lars Ümlaüt, the guitarist; Frank “The Fixer” Gibs, the bassist; T-Bone, the drummer; and Shotgun Suzi, the keyboardist.
One day, the band’s former member, a demon named Scab, returns from Hell and raises an army of demons to destroy the world. Charlie Murder and his friends must fight their way through hordes of demons to stop Scab and save the world.
Along the way, the band meets a variety of characters, including a talking dog, a giant robot, and a group of survivors who have been hiding from the demons. The band also learns more about Scab’s plans and the reasons why he wants to destroy the world.
Characters
- Charlie Murder: The lead singer of the band and the protagonist of the game. Charlie is a charismatic and confident leader, but he is also reckless and impulsive.
- Lars Ümlaüt: The guitarist of the band. Lars is a skilled musician and a loyal friend. He is also a bit of a nerd and is often seen reading comic books.
- Frank “The Fixer” Gibs: The bassist of the band. Frank is a tough and resourceful guy. He is also a bit of a ladies’ man and is often seen flirting with women.
- T-Bone: The drummer of the band. T-Bone is a powerful and aggressive fighter. He is also a bit of a hothead and is often seen getting into fights.
- Shotgun Suzi: The keyboardist of the band. Suzi is a skilled musician and a deadly fighter. She is also a bit of a tomboy and is often seen wearing overalls and carrying a shotgun.
- Scab: The former member of Charlie Murder and the main antagonist of the game. Scab is a powerful demon who wants to destroy the world. He is a cunning and ruthless enemy, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Reception
Charlie Murder received generally positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its fast-paced combat, its over-the-top violence, and its humorous story. The game’s soundtrack was also highly praised.
However, some critics found the game to be too repetitive and too short. The game’s difficulty was also criticized by some, as it can be difficult to complete the game without dying multiple times.
Overall, Charlie Murder is a solid beat ’em up game with a lot to offer. The game’s fast-paced combat, over-the-top violence, and humorous story make it a lot of fun to play. However, the game’s repetitive gameplay and short length may be a turn-off for some players.
Legacy
Charlie Murder has been praised for its unique art style, its over-the-top violence, and its humorous story. The game has also been cited as an influence on other beat ’em up games, such as Double Dragon Neon and Streets of Rage 4.
Charlie Murder is a cult classic among beat ’em up fans. The game’s unique blend of action, humor, and violence makes it a truly memorable experience.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
