ChainStaff PS5 Review: Brutal 80's Heavy Metal Action Platformer Worth Playing?

ChainStaff, developed by Mommy's Best Games (led by veteran Nathan Fouts, formerly of Insomniac Games) and published by Null Games, is a high-octane 2D action-platformer that channels the chaotic energy of 1980's sci-fi action flicks and heavy metal album art. Set in a world overrun by invasive "Star Spores," the game casts you as a soldier whose head has been hijacked by a parasitic alien, forcing you to wield a bizarre, transforming bony weapon called the ChainStaff to fight back against hordes of mutating monsters and reclaim Earth. It's a love letter to classics like Contra, blended with modern grappling-hook acrobatics and gory, over-the-top combat.

The plot kicks off with an alien invasion that warps Earth's wildlife into grotesque, bone-shaking horrors. Your protagonist, Sergeant Varlette (or a similarly tough-as-nails soldier type), becomes unwillingly bonded with the head-attached parasite, which grants control over the ChainStaff, a versatile, whip-like spear that evolves throughout the campaign. This symbiotic (and deeply unsettling) relationship drives the narrative. You're not just saving the planet. You're desperately trying to get the damn thing off your head while carving through waves of inflatable lizards, upside-down scorpions, leather-winged beasts, and towering bosses. Plot points unfold through intense level progression and boss encounters, revealing more about the Star Spores' corruption and the protagonist's defiant struggle. The story stays light on deep lore but heavy on attitude, delivering punchy cutscenes and environmental storytelling that keep the momentum going without slowing down the action.

The Gameplay ...

Gameplay in ChainStaff revolves around mastering the titular ChainStaff as your all-in-one tool. You can hurl it like a charged spear to pierce multiple enemies, slam it into the ground as a temporary shield to block incoming attacks, or use it as a grappling hook to swing across chasms, latch onto environmental points, and chain fluid aerial combos. It transforms on the fly, functioning as a spear, whip, or hook depending on context while you simultaneously blast away with an alien rifle and unlock blazing weapon upgrades. 

Levels in the game are fast-paced side-scrolling stages packed with platforming challenges, enemy swarms, secret areas, and power-ups. Objectives focus on reaching the end of each stage while surviving relentless assaults, collecting upgrades to enhance mobility and damage, and taking down massive bosses that demand precise timing with your staff's multi-purpose moveset. The mechanics feel floaty yet responsive, rewarding aggressive playstyles where you stay mobile, chain grapples into attacks, and exploit enemy weaknesses. It's brutal, arcade-style action that emphasizes flow and destruction over precision puzzle-solving.

The Presentation ...

Visually, ChainStaff pops with vibrant, psychedelic 80's-inspired sci-fi aesthetic including exaggerated creature designs, bold colors, and grotesque yet cartoonish gore that fits the "heavy metal fantasy art" vibe perfectly. Levels burst with detail, from warped organic environments to bone-rattling set pieces. The presentation nails that defiant, larger-than-life tone, making every swing and explosion feel satisfyingly weighty. The soundtrack is impressive, delivering a rocking heavy metal score (composed by Deon van Heerden of Broforce fame) full of shredding guitars, pounding drums, and synth-driven energy that perfectly amps up the chaos during horde fights and boss battles. It captures pure 80's action-movie adrenaline without ever feeling repetitive.

The Verdict ...

ChainStaff delivers high fun factor through its addictive, momentum-driven combat and versatile ChainStaff mechanics that make you feel like an unstoppable alien-slaying machine. The provided content is solid for its indie price point with multiple stages, upgrade paths, secrets, and challenging bosses offer a complete campaign with enough variety to keep things fresh. Replay value shines in chasing high scores, mastering combos, unlocking all upgrades, and hunting for hidden areas, especially on higher difficulties or with the demo's promise of tight, replayable runs. It's not the longest experience, but the pure joy of chaining grapples, spears, and shots makes it highly replayable for action fans.

I recommend ChainStaff to fans of retro-inspired run-and-gun platformers (i.e., Contra or Metal Slug with modern twists), lovers of gory 2D action, or anyone craving a short, intense burst of heavy metal sci-fi mayhem on PS5. If you enjoy fluid movement systems, over-the-top enemy designs, and a killer soundtrack, this one's a blast, perfect for quick sessions or dedicated completionist runs.