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…

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…

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…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we've finally finished Ghostrunner 2, and Spider-Man 2 continues to keep us entertained. What's up with all that Bungie drama though?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatYouTube: https…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, the splendor of Super Mario Bros. Wonder still has us enthralled, while the precise action of Ghostrunner II has our blood pumping. Neither of them has durians so are they even that good?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: …

The 2006 book Sold, by Patricia McCormick, is a powerful and emotional story based off of 3 years of research she conducted—looking in to the lives of Nepalese girls and tragic realities of human trafficking. Today's episode talks about what this book is about, why its been banned, the style its written in and why stories like the main character La…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, two of the biggest games of the year have stolen our attention as we share impressions of both Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. We also hope you enjoy some in-person blinds action. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChat Inst…

Today’s episode covers a brief history of tracing the origins and development of the legend of La Llorona from Mexican folklore and La Pucullén from Chilean folklore. This is the start of my research into these folkloric figures, and hope you enjoy! Next up —> Banned Book: Sold by Patricia McCormmick Aztec Empire https://youtu.be/rgdaG6aTJto?si=Qht…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Sandy and Matty delve into another 2023 indie darling as the pair gush over Cocoon. Elsewhere, Matty has finished and enjoyed Assassin's Creed Mirage, while Sandy is just starting out and having some difficulty with it. Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.faceb…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, Sandy and Matty revisit their thoughts on Forza Motorsport and Assassin's Creed Mirage respectively, while also checking-in again on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Mortal Kombat 1. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatI…

On this bonus episode of Checkpoint Chat, Matty explores the origins of Basim and the shift back to basics in Assassin's Creed Mirage, while Alessandro hits the tarmac in one of the most exhilarating racing games in some time with Forza Motorsport. Follow Checkpoint Chat on... Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.fa…

Is Mike Munoz the ne ew Holden Caulfield? The book Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison is 7th in the most banned book of 2022 according to the American Library Association. This episode will include my response to its banning and an exploration on if Mike Munoz is this generations new Holden Caulfield from J.D Salinger Catcher in the Rye. Next Episode --> …

This week on Checkpoint Chat, the avalanche of games is just getting started as we wrap up thoughts on Starfield, Mortal Kombat 1, El Paso, Elsewhere, and Monster Hunter Now before the party on October.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.ins…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, khaos ensues as the kombatants of Mortal Kombat 1 reconvene for another outlandish tale, Cyberpunk 2077 and its 2.0 update make a strong first impression, and Microsoft is planning what for their next console?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Che…

Today’s episode is Part 2 of an amazing conversation with Writer, Producer, Performer and soon-to-be Director, Sarah de Leon also known as Sweet Serendipity and Robin O’Hart. We are talking about her creative journey, mental health, the impact of the Toy Story Franchise, and the 2023 Barbie movie. I’m so grateful to have her for this episode, and h…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we continue our adventures in the great unknown with loads more talk about Starfield, while Matthew has taken a wrong turn into the world of gatcha and Final Fantasy in Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointCh…

Today’s episode is Part 1 of an amazing conversation with Writer, Producer, Performer and soon-to-be Director, Sarah de Leon also known as Sweet Serendipity and Robin O’Hart. We are talking about her creative journey, mental health, the impact of the Toy Story Franchise, the Barbie movie, and a Buddy the Elf Universe Conspiracy?? I’m so grateful to…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, we venture into the vast unknown with initial impressions of Bethesda's latest IP, Starfield. Then, Matthew has finally finished Final Fantasy XVI, so we dive deep into the game's many highs and few lows in a spoiler-filled review.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https:…

This week on Checkpoint Chat we're taking stock on the massive games still set to release in 2023, including Starfield, Alan Wake 2, Spider-Man 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Forza Motorsport, Mortal Kombat 1, and many more. Which ones are going to live up to the hype and which are going to disappoint?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twit…

Today's episode takes a look at the banned and challenged book Out of Darkness by Ashely Hope Pérez. A little bit of discussion on what the book is about, why its been banned, the historical fiction genre and history of the New London School explosion in East Texas. Next up --> ...to be announced... Ashely Hope Pérez website: https://ashleyperez.co…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, releases are still stagnant so how's about even more progress in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom? Also, Modern Warfare 3 wants you to remember No Russian, Zelda's blood moon has a secret purpose, and how many Smurfs can you name?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook…

This week on Checkpoint Chat, the trials and tribulations of Link and Clive continue with check-ins on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Final Fantasy XVI. Also, there's a PS5 Slim coming soon and people are making their own turtles?Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.c…