PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews

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.

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?

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.

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.

A bit uneven, but when it’s in motion, swinging, flipping, doing its weird alien thing, it’s hard not to like ChainStaff.

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.