Publisher: Ska Studios

Charlie Murder (2013)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 6 minutes read

Summary

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

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Salt and Sanctuary (2016)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 6 minutes read

Summary

Salt and Sanctuary: A Deep Dive into the Brutal and Rewarding 2D Action RPG

Introduction

Salt and Sanctuary is a challenging and rewarding 2D action RPG that seamlessly blends fast-paced combat with deep RPG mechanics. Developed by Ska Studios and released in 2016, the game has garnered critical acclaim for its unforgiving difficulty, intricate level design, and vast array of customization options.

Gameplay

At its core, Salt and Sanctuary is a 2D side-scroller with a focus on exploration and combat. Players take control of a customizable character and embark on a perilous journey through a cursed realm filled with deadly creatures, treacherous traps, and hidden secrets.

The combat in Salt and Sanctuary is fast, brutal, and unforgiving. Players must master a variety of weapons and spells in order to survive. Each weapon has its own unique moveset and properties, and players must carefully consider their choices based on the situation.

In addition to combat, Salt and Sanctuary also features a deep RPG system. Players can level up their character, allocate skill points, and equip a wide range of armor, weapons, and accessories. The game also features a robust crafting system that allows players to create their own custom gear.

Setting

Salt and Sanctuary is set in a dark and unforgiving world known as the Saltworn Realm. This realm was once a prosperous land, but it was cursed by a malevolent entity known as the Nameless God. The curse has turned the realm into a twisted and desolate place, and its inhabitants have been transformed into grotesque creatures.

Players will explore a variety of environments in Salt and Sanctuary, including forgotten cities, blood-soaked dungeons, and desecrated monuments. Each environment is filled with its own unique challenges and rewards, and players must be prepared to face anything that comes their way.

Characters

Players can choose from a variety of starting classes in Salt and Sanctuary, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. As players progress through the game, they will encounter a cast of memorable characters, both friendly and hostile.

Some of the most notable characters in Salt and Sanctuary include:

  • The Nameless God: The malevolent entity that cursed the Saltworn Realm.
  • The Saltborn: A group of survivors who have banded together to fight against the Nameless God.
  • The Heretics: A group of outcasts who have turned to dark magic in order to survive.
  • The Wardens: A group of powerful beings who guard the Saltworn Realm.

Story

The story of Salt and Sanctuary is told through a series of cryptic clues and environmental storytelling. Players must piece together the fragments of the story as they explore the game world.

The story revolves around the Nameless God and its curse on the Saltworn Realm. Players must travel through the realm and defeat the Nameless God in order to break the curse and restore the realm to its former glory.

Difficulty

Salt and Sanctuary is known for its unforgiving difficulty. Players must be prepared to die often as they learn the game’s mechanics and navigate its challenging environments. However, the game also offers a fair and rewarding experience for those who are willing to persevere.

There are a number of ways to make the game easier or more difficult, depending on the player’s preferences. For example, players can choose to play in co-op mode with a friend, or they can enable the “Saltborn” mode, which increases the difficulty of the game.

Reception

Salt and Sanctuary received critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and vast array of customization options. Many reviewers compared the game to the classic Dark Souls series, and some even hailed it as a worthy successor.

Salt and Sanctuary has also been a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. The game has been released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Conclusion

Salt and Sanctuary is a challenging and rewarding 2D action RPG that offers a deep and immersive experience. With its brutal combat, intricate level design, and vast array of customization options, Salt and Sanctuary is a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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