Charlie Murder
A garage punk band fights demons to save the world.
Charlie Murder is a side-scrolling beat 'em up video game developed by Ska Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360, and later self-published for Microsoft Windows. First revealed in January 2010 as an Xbox Live Indie Games title, it underwent a complete overhaul and was eventually released on August 14, 2013, through Xbox Live Arcade. The game received positive reviews, with critics praising its soundtrack and hand-illustrated visuals.
- Developer
- Ska Studios
- Publisher
- Microsoft Game Studios (Xbox 360), Ska Studios (Windows)
- Release Date
- August 14, 2013 (Xbox 360), May 12, 2017 (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Genre
- Beat 'em up with role-playing elements
- Platforms
- Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
- Modes
- Single-player, four-player online and offline cooperative
- Notable Feature
- Two endings based on collecting hidden pieces of Smockula
Lore & Background
The game follows the garage punk band Charlie Murder, whose lead vocalist and namesake kicks founding member Paul out of the band. Under the name Lord Mortimer, Paul forms his own band, Gore Quaffer, and makes a pact with a demon, raising an army of demons and undead to destroy Charlie Murder. The band is killed at the beginning of the game, fights out of hell, and is reborn on Earth amidst an apocalypse caused by Lord Mortimer. To stop the apocalypse, Charlie Murder must defeat Gore Quaffer in a Battle of the Bands. Flashbacks detail the backstory, showing Charlie not wholly positive nor Paul wholly negative. An in-game talk radio station provides additional lore through callers.
Reader's Guide
Charlie Murder is significant as a late-era Xbox Live Arcade title that showcased Ska Studios' distinctive hand-illustrated art style and punk-inspired soundtrack. The game features five playable characters, each with unique magical attacks called Anar-chi, and incorporates role-playing elements such as leveling up, inventory management via an in-game Windows 8 phone, and a tattoo parlor for unlocking abilities. Its cooperative gameplay, both offline and online, allows up to four players, with enemy count scaling accordingly. The game's two endings—one where Lord Mortimer is defeated and a credits montage reveals childhood friendship, and another where the player collects all pieces of Smockula to confront the Angel of Chaos and achieve reconciliation—add replay value. The development story, including James Silva's proposal to Michelle Juett at PAX 2011 using an in-game cutscene, highlights the studio's personal approach. The game was later offered as a free download with Microsoft's Games with Gold program in June 2014.
Did You Know?
- Charlie Murder was first announced in January 2010 as an Xbox Live Indie Games title before being overhauled for Xbox Live Arcade.
- The game features a Windows 8 phone mechanic for inventory management, leveling up, and scanning QR codes.
- James Silva proposed to Michelle Juett at PAX 2011 using a secret in-game cutscene at the Charlie Murder booth.
- The game has two endings that depend on whether the player collects all hidden pieces of Smockula.
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