ChainStaff: The Ultimate Weapon

The Guerilla Collective showcase took place in Los Angeles about two weeks ago. Between travel time and covering the other major summer gaming event, Summer Game Fest, I am still getting to some of the exciting indie games I saw there. I only have a handful left that I am planning to cover in this series, but there are plenty more great games to keep on your radar. If you’re interested in some great indie games, I recommend watching the livestream that aired the Thursday before the in-person showcase on Friday. To read more articles like this, check out other posts on the editorial tab with the same green circle in the primary image.

ChainStaff comes from Mommy’s Best Games, a developer with one of the most recognizable art styles in the industry. Their latest game is a 2D action platformer where aliens have invaded the earth, and it’s up to the player to deal with them. This game initially caught my eye during the Guerilla Collective livestream with its humorous introduction of the ultimate weapon. The aliens all seem to be having a wonderful day, but unbeknownst to them, the giant spear is flying in their direction, growing steadily closer. I recommend watching the video for the full experience.

Players take on the role of a soldier with the head of an alien bug. Fortunately, this is not just bad news. This alien head grants the hero access to increased strength and the ultimate weapon: the ChainStaff. Throw it as a spear, swing from it like a grappling hook, stick it in the ground as a shield, and even climb it like a ladder. There are myriad ways to use this weapon, and the creative options in combat will make each player’s experience unique. My hands-on demo at the showcase was short, only pitting me against a handful of different enemies. But I could immediately see the amount of creativity this offered the player. The alien-bug-headed super soldier also sports a reliable gun, but what’s the fun in that?

Enemies each have distinct details to learn. One of the flying enemies is vulnerable to shots while flying, but its wings become a protective shield when it lands. Instead of dying after the first few shots, the scorpion-like creature flips around and charges you with its knife-like tail before finally succumbing to more damage. The gun might take a few shots to eliminate enemies, but the ChainStaff, in true ultimate weapon fashion, breaks through any defense or ability.

ChainStaff’s controls took some getting used to, and I think the wonky controls are part of its ’80s charm, but I’m looking forward to the next chance I get to explore more of this game. No release date has been announced for ChainStaff, so add it to your Steam wishlist to be the first to know about any updates. Otherwise, I’ll do my best to keep you updated on future news.