SummaryOur planet is under attack from the Star Spores, and they've warped life on Earth into ferocious uber-bugs. Even worse, a nasty alien has made its new home directly attached to your head. But it's not all bad news - your new best friend has provided both the strength to fight back against the mutated horde, and control over a weapon that can t... Read More
Rated Mfor Mature
Developer:Mommy's Best Games
ChainStaff
Released On:
Apr 8, 2026
Metascore
Generally Favorable
75
User score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
75
67% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Apr 8, 2026
81
I had a blast with ChainStaff in all of its disgustingly gruesome action-packed glory; it's indie 2D action at its most ridiculous and I love it.
Apr 7, 2026
80
ChainStaff is a game of excess. And that excess is packed into a tight package of constantly surprising and bizarre creatures that often defy explanation. Enough creativity is stretched over the surface of the game to forge its own direction. Using a parasitic alien’s veined weapon as a tool to Tarzan past grotesque worlds and entities is nothing you can say about almost any other game. It may get chaotic and illegible at times but when it’s so gnarly, who cares?
May 20, 2026
75
ChainStaff isn't complicated or overly difficult like its inspirations, although it can tire the player at times. However, combining a simple genre with a versatile tool, intergalactic insects, and heavy rock music was a good mix. Anyone looking for genuine fun will find it here without hesitation.
Apr 20, 2026
75
ChainStaff is an imperfect but incredibly inspired game. An action platformer that takes the best of a bygone era and reimagines it with a visual imagination that’s rare in today’s landscape. It has obvious flaws, including a fluctuating pace, a few too many frustrations, and a less than perfect readability. But it also has something that many more polished games lack: a strong, recognizable, and continually surprising vision. It’s a game that dares, exaggerates, and fails, but never ceases to be interesting. And in a market full of well-crafted but soulless works, that’s quite a feat.
Apr 26, 2026
70
ChainStaff delivers a frantic 2D platformer experience reminiscent of Contra and Metal Slug, infused with sarcastic, grotesque humor and 80s heavy metal aesthetics. Despite its imperfections and menu navigation issues, ChainStaff is a recommended, affordable title for retro action fans seeking a bizarre, unique experience, though it loses some steam after the initial novelty.
Apr 10, 2026
70
A bit uneven, but when it’s in motion, swinging, flipping, doing its weird alien thing, it’s hard not to like ChainStaff.
User score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
67% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
33% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Apr 11, 2026
8
Very interesting game inspired by the art and vibe of heavy metal albums from the 70s/80s. It's a mix of Contra-type action games with a simpler version of Metroid, and brings very interesting ideas, in particular, the spear that gives the game its name, ChainStaff. A very versatile mechanic, which in addition to fighting enemies, can be used to reach parts of the stages, raise structures such as a pillar and bury it in the ground to block projectiles. Very nice, even though it could have been used more creatively in the level design.However, despite good ideas and insights, not everything is excellently executed, especially the backtracking a la Metroid, which becomes tiring due to the large number of enemies that have to be killed all the time. Sometimes I just wish they would leave me alone. I also think that the 80s heavy metal track, with a somewhat Iron Maiden feel, ends up irritating due to its continued intensity and sometimes even seems to clash with what is happening on screen.Anyway, despite the flaws, i still recommend it to anyone who likes the genre though.
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox One
- PlayStation 4
Initial Release Date:Apr 8, 2026
Publisher:
