We're back at last and filled to the brim with nonsense discussions! This week we dive into Metroid Prime Remastered, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Monster Hunter Wilds. There's also talk of the Nintendo Switch 2, which is just around the corner... Follow Checkpoint Chat on...…

The conversation continues! In this thrilling second half of our cross-podcast collaboration, The Growlery joins forces once again with The Gays and Bookworm Babes to unravel the magic, politics, queerness, and dragons of Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree. We pick up where we left off—diving deeper into the themes of power, prophecy,…

It's our last episode for a while, so pull up a seat for fresh impressions on 33 Immortals and final thoughts on Assassin's Creed Shadows! Bonus content this week includes: pigeons and their personal poop agendas, and the sun. Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatI…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, it's all about sneaking around (sometimes) in a gorgeous feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed Shadows! Does Ubisoft's latest additions to one of its biggest franchises have what it takes to pull them out of their recent slump, though? Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https:…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, there are monster to hunt out there and weapons to craft from their corpses, with both Matty and Sandy absolutely in love with Monster Hunter Wilds. What's new in the sequel to Capcom's most successful game of all time? Quite a bit actually! Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Fac…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we check out Microsoft's first big game of the year with Obsidian finally releases Avowed. Is it the finally a game to fill the Skyrim-shaped hole in your heart or has the long wait underdelivered? Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointCh…

We're back from an extended break and ready to talk about all the latest games like...2024's sleeper hit Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, as well as 2005's own Half-Life 2 (which turned 20 a short while ago). Join us in easing into the new year just before the avalanche of games in February kicks in. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https:/…

It's been a hell of a year for videogames, so join us in celebrating some of the best experiences the last 12 months have offered us by looking back at some standout experiences. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpoin…

It's that time of year again where Geoff Keighley is opening up the stage to celebrate the best of the best and hopefully sneak in some surprising announcements along the way. Sandy and Matty return for their annual TGA predictions, with some surprising suggestions on who will walk away with the most accolades. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter:…

Hello! This episode is from the Theys, Gays, and Bookworm Babes podcast where I had the honor of having a conversation with Marz and Hanna on The Priory of the Orange Tree. Thank you to Marz and Hanna for allowing me to share this! This is Part one and Next up is Part 2...so stay tuned. Episode starts at: 2:39 Outro starts at: 1:04:33 How to find t…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Metaphor: ReFantazio has us locked into one of the best role-playing games of this generation, LEGO Horizon Adventures looks great but feels a bit thin, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is 2024's sleeper hit, and Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has promise despite big technical issues Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Tw…

It's a stacked week on Checkpoint Chat! We do a 180 (noscope) on Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, go too fast in Sonic X Shadow Generations, mess with the balance of nature for no real reason in Monster Hunter Wilds, have our eyeballs treated in Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and collect them all in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Metaphor: ReFantazio has us hooked with its familiar and drastically improved take on the classic Persona formula, while innovation is the name of the game in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and its far more varied campaign and gameplay mechanics. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Fac…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Sandy and Matty copy everything in sight to solve emergent puzzles in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, enjoy delightfully loot-ridden action in Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, and take a trip back in time to a period where Dragon Ball Z games were a little simpler, and for the better, in Dragon Ball Z: Sparkling Zer…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, it's been 18 years since first meeting swole photographer Frank West, but he's never looked better than he does in Dead Rising Deluxe Remastered. Matty finally takes some time to sink his teeth into Diablo 4 and discovers just how well the game has evolved, before giving a final, final verdict on just how incredible As…

This week on Checkpoint Chat the deck is stacked once again with Astro Bot, Quidditch Champions, Star Wars Outlaws, and Concord all getting extensive love, with the silly season of game releases in full swing already.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: …

Oh the dreaded feelings of shame ....Well, Today's episode is all about shame and how Murderbot in Artificial Condition, in my opinion demonstrates shame and the journey to build shame resilience as explained by Dr. Brene Brown. Hope you enjoy today's episode and thank you so much for being patient with me in finally getting this episode out. Next …

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we travel to a galaxy far, far away to pickpocket everyone in sight in Star Wars Outlaws, we ponder the viability of Concord in today's saturated games as a service market, and calculate the perfect moves in one of this year's standout hit, Tactical Breach Wizards.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.co…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Matty is back from the Shadow of the Erdtree and has countless tales to tell about his second honeymoon in From Software's latest epic, Elden Ring. While Sandy has been burnt in the sun of Costa del Sol and blinding by the lights at the Golden Saucer as he continues to struggle with Final Fantasy VII RebirthFollow Chec…

This episode may have no value but that's just the value of nihilism. (Gotta work on my jokes) Today's episode talks about a piece of obscure minor 2015 Steam history with the indie game Gasp by Dark Day Interactive and how the philosophy of nihilism might apply. Hope you enjoy! Next up -->The Murder Bot Diaries: Artificial Condition by Martha Well…

We're both back from holiday which means there's a lot to catch up on. We've got some Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Stellar Blade, and a full round-up of all the biggest announcements from Summer Game Fest locked and loaded for the most comprehensive June recap you'll ever need. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/Checkpo…

HELLO! Gosh so sorry for my absence but thank you for your patience. Today's episode covers the worldbuilding within the scifi masterpiece The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin and some of the history surrounding when the book was published. Hope you enjoy the episode and don't forget to try some worldbuilding for yourself! Up next -->Indi…

Wait a minute, it's a new episode already? This week on Checkpoint Chat we dive into the surprisingly great action of Stellar Blade, check out Ubisoft's answer to Call of Duty in XDefiant, and take stock of all the games coming out in 2024 before Summer Game Fest takes hold.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Fa…

WELLL....this episode is late on June 1st but let me tell you this episode gave me a big rabbit hole of research that I didn't expect and still has me questioning a lot but thank you for you patience. However, today's episode will be covering just the basics on Lovecraftian horror and how it is shown through the indie video game Dredge. Hope you en…

We are going back to 1992 for a retrospective look at the The Buffy Vampire Slayer film (not the TV series) I am talking about the things I felt make this film unique and the some of the things that make this film leaving me wanting more. Hope you enjoy the episode. Next up --> Dredge (2023,Indie Video Game) Time Stamps Episode Outline - 3:41 1992/…

It's a stacked week on Checkpoint Chat, with discussions on games starting with H and ending in 2 (Hades II & Hellblade II, FYI), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (the full review at last), Little Kitty Big City (GAME OF THE YEAR), Ghost of Tsushima (on PC), and more!Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https:…

Hello and thank you for your patience on this episode! Today we are talking about precarity, how insecurity is a method of social control and most of all in a precarious world how do we find value and community? Using Citizen Sleeper as a guide we will think through these concepts and I do hope that you enjoy! Next up --> 1992 Buffy the Vampire Sla…

Indie game Citizen Sleeper episode is coming out next week! I promise, in the meantime I put in a more causal type episode that I am calling a check point that covers my favorite book I've read in the past four months and one that didn't quite resonate with me. Let me know your thoughts and thank you for your understanding! Next up --> Citizen Slee…

It's preview central this week on Checkpoint Chat! Join us for early impressions of No Rest for the Wicked, Hades II, and, just for good measure, an almost-review of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com…

Sorry about all the noise and the delay! But today's episode is talking about the 2002 light novel Kamikaze Girls by Novala Takemoto and translated by Akemi Wegmuller. This discussion talks about attachment theory and how it relates to the friendship between the main characters, Momoko and Ichigo. Hope you enjoy! Next up --> Citizen Sleeper (indie …

Today we are talking about my favorite character within the Indie Game Sea of Stars from Sabotage Studios release in 2023. Join me in this appreciation for Garl the Warrior Cook with the biggest heart any adventurer needs. We talk about his character development and how sometimes the side characters can be the true protagonists. Next up ---> Kamika…

Checkpoint Chat is back after a whirlwind month, but we've brought with us a lot of games including the gigantic Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, the ridiculously addictive Balatro, and the simple yet elegant Princess Peach: Showtime!Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatI…

In today's episode we are going to talk about a not so known superhero from the 1940's, and that is Lady Luck. We will talk a bit about mythology and the history of Brenda Banks and Lady Luck's impact! So hope you enjoy and don't forget to the things you love! Next up ---> Indie Game: Sea of Stars Timestamps: Episode Outline - 4:09 Lady Luck in Myt…

Hello and welcome to the first episode of March! Spring is almost here and what better way to start this month with a breakdown of the 3 Act Story Structure with in the 2018 indie game Donut County, the power of friendship and Raccoons conspiring to destroy a whole town with a hole! Correction 2018 was 6 years ago not 5* Time Stamps Episode Outline…

Hello and Welcome to today's discussion on is The Silence of the Lambs a romance? We will be talking about the background of the film and the ways in which Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter may have a bit of a toxic romance...maybe.... I'll let you be the judge of that. --All in the spirit of the month of Valentines Day.-- And I didn't mention t…

We're back for a big blowout of recent game releases, taking a look at the incredible Helldivers 2, Tekken 8, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Ultros, and even a little sneaky Bloodborne.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/check…

Wow! It has been a wild couple of weeks for me but I hope you are doing well, and you don't mind a light discussion on Freud's concept of The Uncanny and its relation to Lies of P for today's episode. Also I edited most of this episode in an airport so, Enjoy! Timestamps 4:12 - Episode Outline 5:39 - Background info on Lies of P 10:48 - Soulslike s…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we check out the other big Sony roguelite in God of War Valhalla, take a look at the origins of Alan Wake 2 and Control through the lens of the underrated Quantum Break, and we have a big announcement for the future of the show. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https:…

Into the mind of a serial killer with Jennifer Lopez and Vince Vaughn! Todays episode is just going over the thoughts I have about the film the good and the opportunities the film has and just an overall appreciation for the cinematography. Plus a creative writing prompt about nightmares! Next Up --> Indie Game: Lies of P Disclaimer: 0:00 Intro: 00…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we journey to lush space jungles in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, avoid deadly Clickers in The Last of Us Part II Remastered's new No Return roguelite mode, and ponder the possibility of Elden Ring's DLC being out within the next month.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: h…

This week on Checkpoint Chat's first episode in 2024, Matty and Sandy gush over Alan Wake 2 having finished it over the break, before diving into the year's first standout surprise, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: ht…

Welcome to the 1st episode of Season 2 of the Growlery. Today's discussion is on the media artifact of Unpacking an indie Game developed by Witch Beam and how it is a game of practicing mindfulness and cathartic nostalgia. And there's a new creative writing prompt so enjoy! Time Stamps Episode Outline - 4:15 About Unpacking - 5:13 Cozy Gaming - 11:…

Hello! Welcome to the end of Season 1 and to the first season wrap-up episode. I am going back through all my episodes and talking about the lessons I've learned and reflecting on what I want to improve on in the next season. Also there is a Bonus Creative Writing Assignment. Can't wait to see you again for Season 2! Timestamps: 3:48 -Episode Outli…

Welcome to the Growlery's first Holiday/ Winter Aesthetic Special. Today's episode covers the 1823 poem A Visit From St. Nicholas, the ongoing debate of who wrote the poem and a publisher that censored Santa! Hope you are well and enjoy the episode! Correction--I am wrong Moore and Livingston most likely never met, though I think they would have be…

It's been a fantastic year for video games, but which ones have made the top five lists for both Matthew and Sandy? Which ones have been snubbed, and which do you think were overhyped? We've checked out some of your GOTY lists too to find out!Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com…

Award season is back! This week on Checkpoint Chat, we look into our crystal balls to offer (hopefully) accurate predictions on this year's The Game Awards. Who will come out on top between Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Resident Evil 4, Spider-Man 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and many, many more?Follow Che…

This Book is Gay is a young adult nonfiction book by Juno Dawson. In the Untied States it has been ranked as the 9th most banned book of the 2022 - 2023 school year. This episode explores why and some of my favorite parts. Next Up --> Censored: A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clemet Clarke Moore LGBTQIA+ Support and Charities https://www.thetrevorproj…

This week on Checkpoint Chat is chockfull of games as we uncover disappointment in Modern Warfare III, thick atmosphere in Alan Wake 2, more distractions in Tears of the Kingdom, and undiluted joy in Super Mario Bros. Wonder! Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatI…

Today's episode is a all about the history of why the day after Thanksgiving (in America) is called Black Friday and a look at how the Horror Comedy from 2021 Black Friday turns this Capitalist Holiday into an absurd horrific experience. Stay Safe this holiday season! Next Up -- Banned Book: This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson Trailer to Black Friday: …

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we've finally wrapped up Spider-Man 2 so enjoy a deep, spoiler-riddled dive into one of this years biggest games. Elsewhere, Grand Theft Auto 6 is about to be announced, and Modern Warfare III cut corners where?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C…