ChainStaff is the kind of game that makes you die three dozen times and thank it for the privilege.

The latest from indie studio Mommy's Best Games, is exactly that kind of game. It reminded me of those old school platformers where timing was everything and dying a lot was simply how you learned. Then it takes that vibe and pushes it into overdrive with mutant madness, pure chaos, loud music, fast jumps, and wild spear swings.

I am recommending it, but with one honest warning I will get to.

Quick Read

Game Facts at a Glance

A Spear, a Grapple, and a Whole Lot of Chaos

The star of ChainStaff is its transforming staff, a single weapon that shifts between a spear, a shield, a platforming tool, and a grappling hook.

On paper that sounds like a lot to juggle. In practice, once the grapple and spear combo clicks, it feels wild in the best possible way. Chaining a grab into a swing into a jump is genuinely satisfying, and the controls are tight and responsive when they behave.

I will admit I went in assuming the weapon upgrades would be filler, the kind of thing you unlock and forget about. I was wrong. They actually change your rhythm in meaningful ways, reshaping how you move and fight rather than just increasing a damage number.

Loud, Ugly, and Glorious

If you like your action games loud, ChainStaff delivers. The soundtrack is about as perfect as it gets for this kind of experience, heavy and frantic, the kind of music that makes you play faster than you probably should.

The bosses are a real highlight, rough and gnarly in a way that feels pulled straight out of an old arcade fever dream. The whole game carries a grimy, mutated energy that fits the mayhem perfectly.

What Does Not Quite Land

It is not flawless. The camera occasionally loses control mid swing and makes you lose track of where you are, which really stings in a game this fast.

There are also moments where simply too much is happening on screen, so much chaos that you can lose yourself in it. And the story barely registers. You just keep fighting and mutating, which honestly fits the tone, but do not come here looking for narrative.

The bigger issue is length. If you are good at 2D platformers, you will likely finish ChainStaff in about four hours and immediately want more. Just as you are truly locked in and playing your best, it ends. That is a compliment and a complaint wrapped into one.

Who It Is For

ChainStaff knows exactly who it is speaking to. You will love it if you are:

• A fan of Broforce or Dead Cells who wants something faster and wilder.
• Someone who enjoys twitch reaction platformers like Super Meat Boy, Shovel Knight, or Celeste.
• A retro player who grew up on Contra, Mega Man, or Castlevania and wants a quick hit of skill based challenge.

Pros and Cons

The Good

• The grapple and spear combo feels wild once it clicks.
• A heavy, frantic soundtrack that nails the tone.
• Bosses that look like old arcade fever dreams.
• Upgrades that genuinely change your rhythm.
• Tight, satisfying controls when you land a chain.

The Bad

• The camera can lose control mid swing.
• Too much happening on screen at times.
• Too short for experienced players.
• A story that barely matters.

The Verdict

• ChainStaff is a loud, brutal, gloriously chaotic platformer that takes the old school timing is everything philosophy and pushes it to its limits.
• Its biggest flaw is that it ends right when you have finally mastered it, which is the kind of problem you only get from a game that is genuinely fun.
• If you love twitchy, skill based action and a short runtime does not scare you off, this is an easy recommendation.

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