ChainStaff

 Switch
ChainStaff Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Our 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    Our 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 tip the balance of the battle in humanity's favor: the ChainStaff.

    As you traverse the surreal landscape, you'll encounter your fellow soldiers, stranded in harsh environments. Do you rescue your comrades, or listen to the alien voice in your head and harvest them for upgrades?

    If you can persevere and defeat the Star Spores, perhaps you can save everyone...including yourself.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Apr 7, 2026
    90
    ChainStaff is one of the coolest freaking platformers I’ve played in a long time. It’s just cool to dart around these vibrant levels with a neat grapple gun. It’s rewarding to toss your staff from across the screen to one shot a big enemy. It absolutely rules to throw down your staff to block projectiles and then climb up your staff to get to higher ground and lay waste to your foes. This is just a cool video game with novel gameplay mechanics and a consistently heavy metal style. If you came in here wanting another stellar Mommy’s Best Games distillation of classic 2D tropes, you’ll be satisfied. If you’ve never heard of Mommy’s Best Games before, sign up here for an incredible action platformer that will feel like a long-lost retro classic.
  2. Impulsegamer
    Apr 28, 2026
    82
    ChainStaff is a fast-paced action platformer built around a single, highly flexible weapon that blends combat and movement into one system. You explore alien-infested environments while making choices that affect your abilities, progression, and how the story unfolds. It’s a game focused on experimentation, replayability, and learning how to master its unique traversal and combat flow.
  3. Noisy Pixel
    Apr 8, 2026
    75
    ChainStaff is a stylish retro-inspired run and gun platformer that stands out with its bold 1960s sci-fi art direction and inventive alien chain weapon, blending classic influences like Contra and Bionic Commando with modern design ideas. While its versatile chain mechanic and branching progression add depth and replay value, uneven pacing, inconsistent combat flow, and technical hiccups on Switch hold it back from fully realizing its potential.
  4. Hey Poor Player
    Apr 23, 2026
    70
    I went into the review hoping for the best. And while ChainStaff is undeniably creative and visually appealing, I really wish that Mommy’s Best Games spent more time fine-tuning the gameplay, mechanics, and level design. If you’re a fan of retro-styled adventures and aren’t put off by complex gameplay, you might find this is the alien parasite you’re looking for. Less patient gamers, however, will probably want to skip this one.
  5. Nindie Spotlight
    Apr 9, 2026
    64
    While it has some cool ideas and style to spare, a combination of stiff and sometimes awkward controls, as well as level design that tends to exacerbate those problems, keeps it from reaching its potential.

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