Charles Howington

Charles Howington

Chuckowski fancies himself an artist, musician, avid gamer, medicine man, and now writer for the site you're currently viewing. He loves great games, enjoys good games, and can appreciate bad games (especially if they're so bad they're good). Everything is fine, nothing matters, and do the lives we live outweigh those of the people we scarred living them, or does none of that matter once we've returned to the hungry ground we spawned from? Just ignore that last sentence, let's enjoy some games!

Thursday, 28 September 2017 14:25

Absolver Review

The moments I did have a good time were few and far inbetween, often overlooked and bogged down by repetitious fights and long periods of grinding out moves and experience. The glitches I experienced were numerous, but thankfully Sloclap is aware of most of these problems and is releasing patches to help eliminate them, while also adding new features. If you’re looking for crazy flashy combos and special moves, this isn’t the title for you. While Absolver is a fighting game, it’s a far cry from the likes of Street Fighter, Tekken, or Injustice. With many moves grounded in reality, or at least inspired by them, Absolver’s combat system still requires strategy, but even moreso patience — a quality for which many do not play fighting games.

Thursday, 27 April 2017 00:00

Flinthook Review

Yet another rogue-lite glorifying the genocide of the pirate race, Flinthook’s clever controls and mechanics bring challenging gameplay that requires practice to make perfect. Procedurally-generated levels and progression through death ensure a unique experience, reinforced by pleasing visuals and an equally accomplished soundtrack. All will find themselves motivated to keep playing, and lovers of the genre will surely appreciate the twists that successfully make Flinthook a unique experience in a saturated market.

Friday, 03 March 2017 00:00

Torment: Tides of Numenera Review

The writing team, led by designers Adam Heine, Colin McComb, and George Ziets, show their chops throughout this engaging experience, as shown by the way everything comes together, like a rubik's cube of moral dilemmas. Discover the treasure of TToN, rich and rewarding for lovers of the RPG genre, new and old alike.

Saturday, 25 February 2017 00:00

Hidden Folks Review

The amount of hard work that went into developing Hidden Folks is impressive. No points or timers mean there’s no rush to hurry through a puzzle, and the grandness of each level means you’re assured to spend plenty of time sifting through the world. The sheer number of things to find, and ways to do find them, also increases the replay value for anyone without a photographic memory.

Wednesday, 08 February 2017 00:00

Tales of Berseria Review

If you’re wondering whether or not to purchase this title, don’t. Because the answer is a resounding yes, do it. Experience what Tales of Berseria has to offer on your own. Don’t just watch a let’s play or read a synopsis, taste it for yourself. A burger this good isn’t common these days, and boy, do I like burgers.

Wednesday, 28 December 2016 00:00

Heroine Anthem Zero Review

Heroine Anthem Zero’s strength lies in its story and depth of world. If you expect to play a masterpiece ARPG with innovative and intuitive mechanics, character level progression, and/or a high skill cap that requires regular practice, look elsewhere. But if you want an interesting, albeit sometimes by the book, story played out through captivating visuals and don’t mind the occasional moment of "ecchi," then HAZ may be the ARPG for you. Solid gameplay and appealing boss fights help carry the action between story moments, while not forcing a skill wall on the player, and the promise of more content to come help increase the value of its meager $14.99 price tag.

Saturday, 03 December 2016 00:00

Chilie Review

The story is goofy and enjoyable for a young one, but the gameplay in between is far too frustrating and uncontrolled to provide any semblance of a meaningful challenge such a title should offer. Perhaps a future update will help set matters straight, but until then, we can always look forward to whatever Beckoning Cat releases next.

Friday, 18 November 2016 00:00

Small Radios Big Televisions Review

Small Radios Big Televisions is a thoroughly exuberant experience. Sadly, lackluster gameplay and a very brief completion time work against the narrative, quickly leaving you to ruminate on your own. As much as I’d love to recommend this title, I cannot at this time. Perhaps it’ll be easier to do so at the next Steam Sale.

Tuesday, 15 November 2016 00:00

Yesterday Origins Review

My experience with Yesterday Origins as a whole was wonderfully enjoyable, to say the least. Interesting characters living in curious locales, all interacting throughout different time periods help Yesterday Origins tell a mature story full of compelling twists and copious amounts of dark humor. Thought provoking puzzles add to the appeal, mixing great gameplay with great storytelling. Pendulo Studios is back!

Monday, 07 November 2016 00:00

Talewind Review

Talewind is an ode to classic platformers with a challenging difficulty, straightforward controls, and diverse level routes, all packaged in a beautiful art style. Regular updates and free content help this title to stay fresh and exciting without changing the formula unnecessarily, further increasing the value of the meager 10 dollar price tag.

Monday, 31 October 2016 00:00

Infinite Air with Mark McMorris Review

At the end of the day, Infinite Air with Mark McMorris is a sports simulation title. Those who should make the $50 purchase are those who are snowboarders, those who want to snowboard, and/or those interested in a life-like representation of snowboarding in a game. You know who you are, and here is the title you’ve been waiting for.

Sunday, 16 October 2016 00:00

Scrap Garden - The Day Before Review

Overall, I enjoyed my brief time with The Day Before, and if you do too, consider buying Scrap Garden, as there’s much more to enjoy with extra variation and substance to bite into. If Scrap Garden is a meal, consider The Day Before to be the complementary chips and salsa. They’re free, they’re great, but it’s not gonna fill you up unless you really try.

Tuesday, 04 October 2016 00:00

Aragami Review

A stellar entry in the action stealth genre, one that certainly deserves attention to any looking to scratch that itch, or even explore the genre for the first time.

Sunday, 02 October 2016 00:00

Wuppo Review

Gameplay is enjoyable, controls are tight and responsive, characters are alive and full of personality, and the soundtrack is more than a pleasure to listen to on a regular basis. Wuppo is my future nostalgia.

Thursday, 29 September 2016 00:00

Klang Review

Jack of all trades, master of none is a perfect summation of Klang. The combination of rhythm and platforming is an interesting concept that may have a future, but currently is just not quite there yet. Unique visuals and an active soundtrack help distinguish Klang from other titles, but generally ok platforming mixed with well done rhythm gaming create an awkward hodgepodge of a title that underperforms as a whole.

Saturday, 17 September 2016 00:00

Event[0] Review

The backstory surrounding the mysterious events you find yourself in are beautifully thought out, with motives and perspectives changing your own thoughts and opinions of what happened on the Nautilus. If you enjoy a good story, do yourself a favor and have a little chat with Kaizen.

Thursday, 15 September 2016 00:00

DOGOS Review

DOGOS is a great idea, a great prospect, but the execution is not as well implemented nor improved as it could have been. Hopefully OPQAM’s next venture into the multi-directional shooter will prove more fruitful. 

Wednesday, 07 September 2016 00:00

Black Hole Hazard Review

t takes the small concept of propelling yourself through space, and it greatly expands upon it to galactic levels throughout 150 levels of top-down, challenging puzzle-platforming that’s only played with one hand! This is not a title to pass up, especially with such a humble price tag as the only barrier to entry.

Tuesday, 30 August 2016 00:00

Ian's Eyes Review

Deceiving camera angles, unpredictable enemy AI, and an inconsistent difficulty spike with puzzles make the promise of an enjoyable indie horror game with unique mechanics unattainable in its current state. 

Monday, 15 August 2016 00:00

Scrap Garden Review

While lacking in difficulty, the title is a solid play that anyone can enjoy. It’s simple enough for anyone to appreciate, but only those who pay attention will ever truly understand.

Wednesday, 03 August 2016 00:00

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge Review

Tight, responsive controls, an addictive, high energy chiptune soundtrack, and a visually vibrant and attractive art style all culminate in one of the hardest platformers I’ve played this year.

Monday, 01 August 2016 00:00

Demons Age Preview

If what I played was an actual final build of DA and exactly what we’re to expect, I’d still play it. The problems I encountered were present, but by no means game breaking, just thoroughly annoying. But in the event that it is, just know that your best bet is to start with a warrior. You can hire other classes at taverns once you’re a higher level.

Sunday, 24 July 2016 00:00

Quadrilateral Cowboy Review

Quadrilateral Cowboy is an exciting, thought-provoking experience that challenges a player’s mental fortitude with new ways of thinking required to pass through unique barriers. An intriguing story, timed missions, and learning new tricks to solve older scenarios help increase the replayability significantly. QC builds on and surpasses Blendo Games’ previous titles in this world.

Saturday, 16 July 2016 00:00

EXZEAL Review

Responsive controls, varying ships with unique playstyles, clever level and enemy design, and the classic challenge of quarter-fed arcade shmups (yes, there are areas that you must use a bomb to survive) all culminate into an honorably satisfying package that delivers exactly what a true shoot ‘em up of the 00’s should be. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Friday, 01 July 2016 00:00

Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma Review

Whether or not you are familiar with the Zero Escape series, Zero Time Dilemma goes over and above what one can expect an interactive story to deliver. This isn’t a detached puzzle game that moves from one challenge to the next. This is a profound experience that stays with its players well after the credits roll.

Friday, 24 June 2016 00:00

Transmissions: Element 120 Review

Great gameplay and clever puzzles, new dynamic lighting making an older source game still shine today, along with the new moody soundtrack all come together into a quick package that makes you thirsty for more.

September 28, 2011, is a date that will forever live in the minds of all of us PC gamers as the day the greatest game of all time was released. Yes, you already know, I’m talking, OF COURSE, about Dat Boi (The Binding of Isaac)* and all of its subsequent updates/releases/updated releases (more precisely, The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth). Now, you might be thinking, “Don’t you mean Skyrim: The Elder Mods V?” And my answer is, no. No, I’m not.