Charlie Murder

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,438 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • graphics
Charlie Murder Game Cover
This game is a blast from start to finish, and best enjoyed with a friend. Strangers work too, and it’s worth a look even for the lone indie gamer.
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In "Charlie Murder," players control the titular punk rock band as they battle through a world possessed by evil. Fight hordes of enemies, customize characters with tattoos and equipment, and engage in musical duels in this side-scrolling brawler. The game features a single-player campaign and multiplayer options for up to four players. Cooperate with friends to uncover the mystery behind Charlie's fate and save the world from darkness.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,438 reviews
music153 positive mentions
stability56 negative mentions
  • Charlie Murder is a fun and chaotic side-scrolling beat 'em up that combines RPG elements with a punk rock aesthetic.
  • The game features a unique art style, a great soundtrack, and a variety of characters with different abilities, enhancing replayability.
  • Playing with friends adds to the enjoyment, making it a great local co-op experience.
  • The online multiplayer is plagued with bugs and desynchronization issues, making it nearly unplayable.
  • Some players have reported frustrating difficulty spikes and a lack of clear direction in certain levels.
  • The controls can be awkward, especially when using a keyboard and mouse, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • music271 mentions

    The music in "Charlie Murder" is widely praised for its energetic punk rock soundtrack, which enhances the game's overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with some even stating it played a significant role in shaping their musical tastes. The incorporation of rhythm-based mini-games and the overall quality of the music contribute to the game's charm and replayability, making it a beloved title among fans of the genre.

    • “Amazing soundtrack that made me fall in love with punk.”
    • “The music in this game is very good for fitting the theme of the game and overall just makes everything better about this game.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, I cannot compliment this game enough.”
    • “The soundtrack is uninspired, story non-existent, gameplay is meh...so no recommendation.”
    • “It probably could be fun if played together with friends, but single player is lacking in more ways than one: controls are far from ideal, design does not feel that good, inventory mechanics are over-engineered, the soundtrack became boring fast (at least for my tastes), rhythm games are also badly designed for single player.”
    • “The lyrics for the little amount of songs that have them almost sound like gibberish until you actually listen to them multiple times.”
  • story172 mentions

    The story of "Charlie Murder" is described as a wild and engaging blend of punk rock themes, humor, and emotional depth, with a unique art style and a captivating soundtrack. While some players found the narrative to be simple or lacking in complexity, many appreciated the character backstories and the overall charm of the plot, which enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the game offers a fun and memorable story that complements its beat 'em up mechanics, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.

    • “The unique amalgamation of hack n slash, RPG, absurd graphics and storyline set in a punk rock world hooked me.”
    • “This is an incredible beat 'em up game/side scroller RPG that is dripping with style, great music, and it has a beautifully told story.”
    • “Everything about this game is amazing, the story (although it isn't anything crazy, it's still really good in my opinion), the soundtracks, the characters, the boss fights, the gameplay.”
    • “My only complaint was the story, which didn't matter as the game was much less about story and more about gameplay.”
    • “The story is bland; there isn't much to it besides speculation.”
    • “The soundtrack is uninspired, the story non-existent, gameplay is meh... so no recommendation.”
  • graphics153 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique, hand-drawn art style that blends comic book aesthetics with a punk rock theme, creating a dark and atmospheric visual experience. Many players appreciate the game's distinct and engaging visuals, which are described as both humorous and unnerving, while the overall design complements the gameplay and soundtrack effectively. Although some critiques mention jagged edges and a simplistic style, the general consensus is that the graphics contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The unique amalgamation of hack n slash, RPG, absurd graphics and storyline set in a punk rock world hooked me.”
    • “The art style is amazing, the soundtrack is amazing, the gameplay is amazing.”
    • “The graphical style is unique, and the dark and moody levels are quite inspired.”
    • “The graphics look like they were doodled by a bored teen during detention, and the gameplay is about as exciting as watching paint dry.”
    • “While there wasn't anything too bad about the graphics before, there were a lot of jagged edges in the general art style, not to mention the lighting flare and blur effects were pretty bad.”
    • “Many, including some of you reading this now, probably dismissed Charlie Murder for its crudely-drawn minimalistic art style and animation... and that would be a colossal mistake.”
  • gameplay142 mentions

    The gameplay of "Charlie Murder" is widely praised for its engaging beat-em-up mechanics combined with RPG elements, offering a fun and addictive experience enhanced by a killer punk rock soundtrack. Players appreciate the game's unique art style, character customization, and replayability, although some note that the controls can be confusing, especially on keyboard. Overall, it is considered a standout title in the genre, particularly for those who enjoy co-op play and nostalgic references to early 2000s gaming.

    • “Charlie Murder is one of my favorite 2D beat 'em ups with fun RPG gameplay. It's really enjoyable, and after the Xbox 360 store died, I thought I missed out on this game forever, but soon realized it's on Steam and works like a champ. The drawn style and music make it age like fine wine, so give this game a try!”
    • “The gameplay is amazing, and the abilities each character has give this game great replay value. There are actually quite a few mechanical systems, and a bunch of characters that each play differently and enhance replayability.”
    • “The beat 'em up style of gameplay is done extremely well and it will keep you going. The gameplay is optimized for a controller, and the default controls are very confusing on a keyboard.”
    • “The graphics look like they were doodled by a bored teen during detention, and the gameplay is about as exciting as watching paint dry.”
    • “The soundtrack is uninspired, story non-existent, gameplay is meh...so no recommendation.”
    • “With the 'hop' and the 'slide' mechanics...it's extremely hard to pick up items as it is...and now you tack on this added difficulty, sets the stage for annoyance and frustration.”
  • humor66 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and dark undertones, blending over-the-top co-op moves with pop culture references and tongue-in-cheek jokes that resonate well with players. Reviewers appreciate the game's unique art style and the seamless transition between humor and more serious themes, creating a memorable experience that is both entertaining and engaging. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay, making it enjoyable whether played solo or with friends.

    • “The co-op moves are hilarious and over-the-top, making it feel like you’re in a mosh pit with your best mates.”
    • “Absurd pop culture references, tongue-in-cheek humor, and what feel like inside jokes (the radio broadcast you can listen to while in tattoo shops is the perfect example).”
    • “It is a wild blend of beat-em-up action, punk rock, and humor that is guaranteed to keep you entertained from start to finish.”
  • stability56 mentions

    The game's stability, particularly in multiplayer mode, is heavily criticized due to frequent glitches, crashes, and lag, making co-op play often unplayable. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over the persistent bugs that detract from the overall experience, especially in the PC port compared to the Xbox 360 version. Overall, while the game has nostalgic value and fun gameplay, its stability issues significantly impact multiplayer enjoyment.

    • “Any connection issues either player has results in a terribly buggy experience that leaves it unplayable in co-op; it's main charm.”
    • “Multiplayer is extremely laggy and buggy to the point where the game is unplayable.”
    • “The game has some bugs and glitches when you revive someone; it doesn't revive them. The game is also very laggy on co-op. The game is great, but the bugs need fixing badly.”
  • replayability44 mentions

    "Charlie Murder" is highly praised for its replayability, featuring diverse character classes, engaging mini-bosses, and unlockable content that encourages multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the game's unique mechanics, such as using a cellphone to unlock secrets, and its strong multiplayer options, making it enjoyable both solo and with friends. Overall, the game offers a wealth of content and fun, ensuring it remains a favorite for repeated play.

    • “Ng+ modes are awesome as well and the game is highly replayable.”
    • “The gameplay is amazing and the abilities each character has gives this game great replay value.”
    • “Very enjoyable and there's replay value, but the netcode is very bad. I haven't had that much problem with it, though, and I have lots of memories from the 360 as well.”
    • “The effort that clearly went into this makes the replayability higher than any other game in the genre.”
    • “There are actually quite a few mechanical systems, and a bunch of characters that each play differently and enhance replayability.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is described as a unique blend of dark, gothic imagery infused with humor and moments of unexpected depth, creating a memorable and engaging world. While some players appreciate the satirical and cult-like elements, others criticize the lack of impactful gameplay and the pacing of cutscenes, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a defining feature, though opinions on its execution vary significantly.

    • “And somehow the hilarious story and atmosphere still manage to glimmer with sudden, ephemeral moments of unexpected depth.”
    • “It's atmosphere, characters, and world space are just straight up perfect.”
    • “The artwork in the game is awesome, gothic, dark, and atmospheric.”
    • “This just doesn't have atmosphere or character; the attacks have no impact, enemies can easily ignore your attacks while staggering you at the same time.”
    • “In between, there's the plot and the atmosphere and the pacing, which all feel like they'd be better at home in something like Salt & Sanctuary (where the moodiness and slow unfurling of the story work perfectly).”
    • “Dark atmosphere but still humorous.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    Players find the game surprisingly emotional, often highlighting its touching story that contrasts with its gory and bizarre elements. Many reviewers express that the game evokes strong feelings, with some even crying during pivotal moments, particularly due to the impactful endings. Overall, the combination of a fun gameplay experience and a heartfelt narrative makes it a memorable and cherished title.

    • “I really do enjoy this game, and beneath all the gore, zombies, demons, and drug use... it is actually quite wholesome :')”
    • “This game is a legendary expedition, great and touching story, with all the aspects an arcade-style game should have!”
    • “In a game, I have never seen such a satisfying ending ever. Trust me when I say the good ending and bad endings will make you emotional.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding in the game to be extensive but enjoyable, often describing it as a nostalgic experience that can last for months. While the grinding is seen as a significant aspect of gameplay, it can also be a drawback, particularly when it becomes necessary to progress through late-game levels. Overall, the fun and challenge of the final areas help mitigate the potential frustration of grinding.

    • “There is no reason that you shouldn't get this game (unless you made an oopsie daisy and have to spend hours grinding, but that's the only problem with this game).”
    • “I had no other option than grinding the late-game levels prior to the skill gate.”
    • “The final area and boss were a fun challenge that the grinding didn't manage to sour, but it's still a mark against the game.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game is well-optimized for controller use, but the default keyboard controls can be confusing. While single-player performance is generally smooth, multiplayer suffers from significant optimization issues, making it nearly unplayable on PC. Additionally, the game is supported on the Steam Deck, though performance may vary.

    • “Multiplayer is the biggest problem that surrounds this game; it is almost unplayable since the multiplayer specifically lacks optimization for PC.”
    • “The gameplay is optimized for a controller, and the default controls are very confusing on a keyboard.”
    • “Multiplayer is the biggest problem that surrounds this game; it is almost practically unplayable since the multiplayer, in particular, doesn't have much optimization for PC.”
    • “Hell, even this game is supported on Steam Deck for all the portable Steam users (I've never used a Steam Deck, so play the game at your own risk on there). Stuttering rarely to never happens unless you have worse than a potato.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The character development is enhanced by visually appealing designs and a vibrant color palette, which effectively make the characters memorable and distinct.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
2-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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