ChainStaff

ChainStaff

Released Apr 2026

ChainStaff is a brutal action-platformer with a transforming spear and grappling hook, blazing weapon upgrades, and a rocking soundtrack. Aliens have attached to your head! Swing, shoot, and spear your way through mutating hordes and bone-shaking boss fights, and get this thing off your head!

91% positive · 101 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Low confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Low confidence
Active Development

Where to buy

Steam $14.99
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Evaluation

The game launched in early April 2026, and the Steam listing shows April 7, 2026 as its release date. An artbook and soundtrack were released alongside it on April 8, 2026. Since launch the developer has shipped two major content updates: a free Hard Mode update on June 1, 2026 with new enemy attacks, level sections, boss attacks and New Game+ options, and the paid Time Trials DLC on September 14, 2026, which adds 50 challenge levels with leaderboards. The developer's most recent post is the Time Trials launch announcement from September 14, 2026, and no upcoming content has been named. An April 11, 2026 post said the developer hoped to release free updates and extra content, which the June and September releases appear to fulfill. Because the developer released two major updates between June 1 and September 14, 2026, and the latest arrived on September 14, 2026, the game still appears to be receiving content. This read rests on a short track record of two updates, so it is less certain than it would be with a longer history.
Evidence
Time Trials DLC released with 50 hand-made challenge levels, all unlocked from the start, with leaderboards and medal ratings
news post · Sep 14, 2026 source content shipped
high
Time Trials DLC listed as released
dlc listing · Sep 14, 2026 source content shipped
high

Content

3 of 3 released · no outstanding content
Released
Sep 2026
Released
Apr 2026

Media

Details

Publisher
Mommy's Best Games
Achievements
17
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

Note: No Gen AI was used.

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.

Hurl it as a spear and slice aliens in half. Throw it to the ground as a shield to stop incoming attacks. Grapple and swing on just about anything. The transforming ChainStaff does all this and more, and all with one button, it’s all up to you.

Pounded to mush, stabbed through the heart, sheared in two. Prepare to meet your doom in a myriad of disgusting ways. All deaths are avoidable, but some dangers may require special strategies.

The game features around 6 to 8 hours of gameplay on the first playthrough.

The creatures of Earth have been mutated by aliens: you’ll come across dozens of unusual creatures, and once you get past those, you’ll have to fight against screen-filling monstrosities.

Stranded soldiers dot the landscape of ChainStaff. You have to choose whether to rescue them or devour their organs; each option has unique benefits and will lead to different endings.

Mist trails around rocky crags.

Wind blows over icy, moon-lit hills.

Water streams down mossy cliffs.

Fully hand-drawn art immerses you in a living world inspired by album covers of the 70s and 80s.

Scorching riffs and peals of thunder. Pumping beats drive you ever forward.

Rock out to the classic metal soundtrack by the award-winning composer Deon van Heerden of Broforce and Warhammer 40k: Shootas Blood & Teef soundtrack fame. There’s some lighter interludes with 70s synth, catchy melodies, and even some cowbell. Now it’s back to the heavy tracks, where it’s time to bang your head while smashing skulls.

Last evaluated Oct 10, 2026
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