Chained Together
- June 19, 2024
- Anegar Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Chained Together" is a challenging platformer where you're chained to your companions in a race to escape hell. Traverse diverse worlds with unique obstacles in local multiplayer for up to 4 players, with realistic chain physics adding an extra layer of difficulty. The game offers three difficulty modes, including a beginner option with teleportation assistance. Your teamwork and coordination will be tested as you climb through the treacherous depths of hell.
Reviews
- humor414 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Chained Together" is a standout feature, with players consistently highlighting its ability to generate laughter through chaotic and frustrating gameplay, especially when played with friends. Many reviews describe the experience as a mix of hilarity and rage, where the game's mechanics lead to unexpected and comical mishaps, creating memorable moments that often leave players in stitches. Overall, the game is praised for its comedic value, making it a must-play for those looking to enjoy a fun and lighthearted co-op experience.
“The gameplay is inventive, focusing on the physical connection between characters, leading to both hilarious and intense moments.”
“In conclusion, 'Chained Together' is a hilarious, satirical take on cooperative games, expertly designed to transform even the most rock-solid friendship into a comedy of errors.”
“Playing with friends had me laughing until my stomach hurt, and clearing the courses as a solo player has been, personally, very rewarding.”
“Not funny.”
“The humor fell flat and felt forced.”
“I expected more laughs, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
- gameplay274 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Chained Together" is characterized by its innovative chain mechanic that requires players to cooperate closely, fostering both hilarious and intense moments. The puzzles are creatively designed, demanding strategic thinking and coordination, which keeps the experience engaging and fresh, although some players noted frustrations with bugs and mechanics. Overall, the game excels in promoting teamwork and offers a unique twist on cooperative gameplay, making it a standout in the puzzle-platformer genre.
“The gameplay is inventive, focusing on the physical connection between characters, leading to both hilarious and intense moments.”
“The concept of being physically linked adds an exciting twist to traditional puzzle-solving mechanics, as players must communicate and coordinate their movements to navigate obstacles and overcome the various challenges it throws at them.”
“Chained together offers a fresh and innovative approach to cooperative gameplay, delivering an experience that's both challenging and deeply rewarding.”
“The gameplay is a symphony of frustration, where every movement feels like wrestling with a drunken octopus.”
“The game's physical connection mechanic is like a slapstick comedy routine brought to life.”
“This game looks and runs poorly, and the gameplay is extremely frustrating; make one small misstep and you lose hours of progress, or worse, start from the beginning again.”
- graphics161 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the charming art style and vibrant visuals that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players find the graphics stunning and immersive, others criticize them for being lackluster or poorly optimized, leading to performance issues. Overall, the visuals are generally considered appealing, though they may not meet the expectations set by higher-end titles.
“The graphics are stunning, creating a visually captivating world that draws you in from the very beginning.”
“Beautifully designed levels: the game features stunning visuals and well-thought-out level designs that keep you on your toes.”
“The art style is charming and colorful, with each area offering a unique aesthetic that keeps the experience fresh and exciting.”
“Its just a co-op only up clone made by inexperienced devs. The graphics are lackluster and due to the lack of optimization, you will likely have to run it at lower settings and resolution.”
“While it’s understandable that not every game can have AAA-level visuals, 'Chained Together's' graphics are not just simple; they're downright ugly.”
“The art style is inconsistent and amateurish, making it difficult to discern important elements from the background clutter.”
- story95 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mix of humor and depth, focusing on themes of escape and personal journeys, particularly through the lens of an illegal immigrant's quest for a better life. While some players find the narrative engaging and well-integrated with gameplay, others criticize it for being simplistic or underdeveloped. Overall, the storytelling is appreciated for its emotional moments and character interactions, though it may not satisfy those seeking a rich, intricate plot.
“The story unfolds gradually, revealing the secrets of an ancient civilization.”
“Engaging story: the narrative is compelling and keeps you invested in the characters' journey.”
“Playing this game is truly an immersive experience, with a compelling storyline, challenging gameplay, and memorable moments that keep you engaged from start to finish.”
“The game does not feature a strong story or overarching plot, which may be a drawback for players who prefer games with rich narratives and character development.”
“The plot was painfully predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development.”
“Also, the story, while humorous in parts, feels a bit underdeveloped and might leave you wishing for more depth.”
- optimization69 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 28 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its poor optimization, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates and high CPU/GPU usage even on high-end systems. While the gameplay is considered fun, the lack of optimization severely hampers the experience, leading to frequent crashes and the need for lower settings to achieve playable performance. Overall, players express frustration over the game's technical shortcomings, hoping for future updates to address these issues.
“Good graphics, good lore, good optimization, good controls and physics!”
“It's a really fun game and very well optimized!”
“Additionally, the remarkable CPU optimization has completely eliminated any lag or stuttering, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the game without any technical hindrances.”
“Sadly, the game suffers from poor optimization.”
“This game is so poorly optimized that even with all my settings set to the bare minimum, I only get roughly 15 fps.”
“Horribly optimized game; wow, with the latest expansion, it doesn't put my GPU and CPU over 60°C, but this game, however, puts both above 75°C.”
- emotional62 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players describe the emotional aspect of the game as a profound and often overwhelming experience, characterized by moments of laughter, frustration, and deep connection. Many report crying—both from joy and pain—highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its narrative, character relationships, and challenging gameplay. Overall, it is seen as an emotional rollercoaster that fosters camaraderie and leaves a lasting impact on players.
“The emotional satisfaction of finally escaping hell after a tense, hard-fought journey is deeply rewarding.”
“This game was an emotional journey!”
“The relationship between the two protagonists is at the heart of the story, and the dialogue is well-written, adding emotional depth to their journey.”
- music53 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and immersive qualities that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players found the soundtrack to be engaging and well-composed, others criticized it for being repetitive and forgettable, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the music complements the game's visuals effectively, but a greater variety and dynamism in the tracks could improve the auditory experience.
“The music, composed by Eddie Marianukroh, adds to the atmosphere, making the game both visually and aurally engaging.”
“The soundtrack complements the game well, with tunes that are catchy without being intrusive.”
“The music ebbs and flows with the gameplay, heightening tension during challenging puzzles and providing a soothing backdrop during moments of respite.”
“The sound effects and background music are equally maddening, with repetitive tunes and annoying sound bites that loop endlessly, adding to the overall sense of irritation.”
“The soundtrack, a monotonous drone that could lull an insomniac to sleep, mirrors the thrill of watching paint dry.”
“The repetitive and uninspired music quickly becomes grating, and sound effects are either missing or mismatched.”
- stability52 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the experience. Many users experienced lag, visual glitches, and inconsistent mechanics, leading to frustration during gameplay. While some found humor in the bugs, the overall consensus is that the game is plagued by technical problems that hinder enjoyment.
“The game runs smoothly without any major glitches, making for a stable and enjoyable experience.”
“I appreciate how the developers have prioritized stability, ensuring that gameplay is consistent and reliable.”
“Even during intense moments, the game maintains a solid frame rate, which enhances the overall stability.”
“This game is laggy, buggy, and all in all the worst rage-baiting game I have played in a long time.”
“Moreover, bugs and glitches are rampant, further breaking any immersion and making some puzzles nearly impossible to complete.”
“Constant freezes, couldn't really get past the lobbies, 1-10 fps constantly and no support from devs in Discord to help resolve.”
- replayability46 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers enjoyable co-op experiences and various difficulty levels that can enhance replay value, many players find it limited once the levels are mastered. Some users appreciate the potential for speedrunning and the introduction of a player level editor, which could add more content, but others note that the game may feel repetitive after initial playthroughs. Overall, it provides good value for its price, especially for those who enjoy multiplayer gameplay.
“Great replay value: with various difficulty levels and hidden secrets, there's plenty of content to keep you coming back for more.”
“The replayability factor is high, thanks to the diverse range of puzzles and the different approaches one can take to solve them.”
“Thanks to its unique mechanics and challenges, 'chained together' offers a high level of replayability.”
“Not really worth it; it's great at first, but it's super short, and for a non-speedrunner, it has no replay value.”
“However, the game’s replayability may be limited by its difficulty and the potential for repetitive gameplay.”
“While the game offers a good amount of content with hidden collectibles and time-based challenges, the replayability is somewhat limited once all levels are completed.”
- grinding21 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant and often tedious aspect, requiring extensive time investment, with many players feeling it detracts from the overall experience. While some find satisfaction in overcoming the challenges after long hours of grinding, others describe it as repetitive and boring, particularly in solo play. Overall, the grinding can lead to mixed feelings, with some enjoying the journey while others find it a chore.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Overall, this game is not terrible but the precision and coordination required in multiplayer is near impossible, and the gameplay in solo is way too tedious and repetitive. I felt nothing but boredom after reaching the halfway point; the best part was easily the puzzles, but even those were fairly short.”
“Many traps are tedious and repetitive, offering little challenge or variety.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its detailed environments and immersive sound design, creating a blend of ominous beauty and whimsical charm. The hand-drawn art style, coupled with a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to gameplay, enhances the overall experience, making it both visually and aurally engaging. Players appreciate the atmospheric depth that complements the engaging gameplay, resulting in a uniquely enjoyable experience.
“The game's atmosphere is fantastic, with detailed environments that make hell feel ominous and alive, yet strangely beautiful in its own way.”
“The game’s dark, foreboding art style and atmospheric sound design create an immersive experience.”
“The environments are detailed and atmospheric, while the music is carefully composed to enhance the emotional experience of the game.”
“The blend of engaging gameplay, charming graphics, and chaotic audio creates an atmosphere primed for both laughter and frustration.”
“The atmosphere/gameplay feels very similar to Ark.”
“The use of lighting and color helps to create a visually stimulating experience, with different levels offering a range of aesthetic styles and atmospheres.”
- character development5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted as lacking depth, with some players feeling that the absence of a strong narrative detracts from the experience. However, the character designs are praised for their simplicity and expressiveness, effectively complementing the game's whimsical art style and engaging players through their unique abilities. Overall, while the central mystery keeps players invested, those seeking rich character arcs may find the development insufficient.
“The visuals feature a charming, stylized aesthetic with colorful environments and whimsical character designs.”
“Character development could be stronger, but the central mystery keeps you engaged.”
“The character designs are simple but effective, making it easy to differentiate between the players and their abilities.”
“The character designs are playful and expressive, fitting well with the game’s overall tone and contributing to its appeal.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers labeling it as poorly executed and reliant on hype rather than quality. However, some players acknowledge the variety in stage mechanics, suggesting that not all aspects of the game are purely exploitative.
“Absolute cash grab off of only hype.”
“This game is absolutely horrendous, AI-generated cash grab garbage.”
“Bad game, Unity free asset cash grab.”
