Chained Together

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 37,174 reviews

humor1.3k positive mentions

optimization44 negative mentions

The humor in 'Chained Together' is a standout feature, generating laughter through chaotic gameplay and memorable moments with friends.
The cooperative gameplay requires precise coordination and communication, making it a unique and engaging puzzle platformer.
The game's charming and colorful graphics, along with its immersive sound design, create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

The game suffers from poor optimization, with significant performance issues and frequent bugs that detract from the overall experience.
Many players find the gameplay tedious and repetitive, particularly in solo mode, leading to boredom and frustration over time.
The character development and story are often criticized for being basic and predictable, lacking depth and engagement.

humor
1,264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Chained Together" is a standout feature, with players consistently highlighting the game's ability to generate laughter through chaotic gameplay and the inevitable mishaps that occur when friends are working together. Many reviews emphasize that the game is best enjoyed in a group, where the combination of frustration and hilarity leads to memorable moments and shared laughter, often resulting in tears from laughing too hard. Overall, it’s described as a hilarious experience that can test friendships while providing endless entertainment.
- “The gameplay is all about teamwork and strategy, with plenty of twists to keep everyone laughing and engaged.”
- “It’s chaotic, but that’s where the fun is—working through the challenges and laughing at the inevitable missteps.”
- “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”
- “Not funny”
gameplay
842 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
68%
4%
The gameplay of "Chained Together" is characterized by its innovative co-op mechanics, where players are physically tethered, requiring precise coordination and communication to navigate challenging puzzles and obstacles. While the game offers a fun and engaging experience, particularly with friends, it can also lead to frustration due to its demanding mechanics and occasional bugs. Overall, it successfully blends humor and teamwork, making it a memorable multiplayer experience, though some players may find the gameplay repetitive over time.
- “The gameplay is all about teamwork and strategy, with plenty of twists to keep everyone laughing and engaged.”
- “Chained together is a unique and engaging puzzle platformer that cleverly combines cooperative mechanics with challenging level design.”
- “The cooperative gameplay requires seamless communication and coordination, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy working together to overcome challenges.”
- “However, the game can feel a bit frustrating if communication between players is lacking, which can deter some gamers who prefer more independent gameplay.”
- “The longer I played, the more I realized how every mechanic, every challenge, and every flaw in the game seemed designed to make me feel like a failure.”
- “I spent hours trying to get both characters through the obstacle course, timing my jumps and movements to perfection, only to watch one of them get stuck on an invisible corner or fall off a platform because of the game’s unpredictable mechanics.”
graphics
462 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
55%
6%
The graphics of "Chained Together" are described as charming and colorful, featuring a clean art style that enhances the game's immersive quality. While many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and unique environments, some criticize the graphics for being inconsistent or lacking polish, with reports of performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's aesthetic is generally well-received, contributing positively to the gameplay experience despite some technical shortcomings.
- “The art style is clean, colorful, and appealing, with each level presenting a unique environment that adds to the game’s immersive quality.”
- “The game’s visuals are vibrant and charming, with colorful environments and whimsical character designs that keep the experience visually fresh and inviting.”
- “The graphics are stunning, creating a visually captivating world that draws you in from the very beginning.”
- “The graphics are so bad you'd think a 5-year-old made it, and the soundtrack is mainly your friends screaming for help as we all fall to the bottom for the 30th time.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
story
292 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
70%
6%
The story in "Chained Together" revolves around a quest to escape hell, featuring a blend of humor and emotional depth, though it is often described as simple and predictable. While some players appreciate the integration of narrative with gameplay mechanics, others find the story lacking in depth and character development. Overall, the game is noted for its engaging cooperative experience, with the narrative serving as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus.
- “Chain together offers a captivating gameplay experience, blending strategic mechanics with heartfelt storytelling.”
- “The story is rich with mystery and intrigue, with characters that grow on you as you progress.”
- “The game excels in telling its story through gameplay, with each puzzle and obstacle serving as a metaphor for the characters' journey.”
- “The story is basic: get out of hell with a silly demon that pops up.”
- “The plot was painfully predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development.”
- “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.”
emotional
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Chained Together" is described as a profound rollercoaster, eliciting a wide range of feelings from laughter to tears. Players report experiencing emotional exhaustion and satisfaction through its challenging gameplay and heartfelt narrative, often highlighting the game's ability to foster connections and shared experiences with friends. Overall, it is seen as an emotionally resonant journey that leaves a lasting impact, despite its punishing mechanics.
- “This game was an emotional journey!”
- “The emotional satisfaction of finally escaping hell after a tense, hard-fought journey is deeply rewarding.”
- “The story in 'Chained Together' is rich and emotional, with characters whose fates are deeply intertwined.”
optimization
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
51%
27%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates and high CPU/GPU usage even on high-end systems. Many users express frustration over the game's inability to run smoothly, often requiring powerful hardware to achieve playable performance, and some have even resorted to refunds due to these issues. While the game is considered fun, its poor optimization detracts from the overall experience, leading to a consensus that substantial improvements are necessary.
- “Good graphics, good lore, good optimization, good controls and physics!”
- “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.”
- “It's a really fun game and very well optimized!”
- “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.”
- “For a game that looks like a mashup of free assets, it somehow has the nerve to ask for a 3060 to run. It's very badly optimized, and the gameplay is just a worse copy of 'Only Up'.”
music
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
9%
The music in the game is generally described as upbeat and fitting, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While many players appreciate the catchy and immersive soundtrack, some criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety, which can detract from the enjoyment over time. Overall, the sound design effectively complements the visuals, creating a rich auditory experience, though there are mixed feelings about specific tracks and their impact on gameplay.
- “The soundtrack is upbeat and fitting, enhancing the tension without becoming overwhelming.”
- “The music, composed by Eddie Marianukroh, adds to the atmosphere, making the game both visually and aurally engaging.”
- “The soundtrack is delightful and complements the game's atmosphere perfectly, while the sound effects add a layer of immersion to the gameplay.”
- “The music, which was supposed to be lighthearted and fun, now felt like a mockery of everything that was wrong with the game.”
- “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 repetitive background music grated on my nerves after the first five minutes, and the sound effects were so generic that I could have sworn I heard them in a dozen other games before.”
stability
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. While some find the chaotic nature of these glitches amusing, many others express frustration, particularly with controller support and synchronization problems. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" and "laggy," leading to a mixed reception regarding its stability.
- “The game runs smoothly with minimal glitches, making for a stable experience overall.”
- “I appreciate how the developers consistently update the game to fix any issues, ensuring a stable environment for players.”
- “I've had a great experience with stability; the game rarely crashes and performs well even during intense moments.”
- “While this game is certainly the most polished of the turds that are the 'only up' genre, it is still a turd and the polish does not take away the bugs and glitches that plague it.”
- “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.”
replayability
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
60%
12%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers enjoyable co-op experiences and opportunities for speedrunning, many players find its long-term replay value limited once levels are mastered. The potential addition of a level editor and various difficulty settings could enhance replayability, but currently, it may not sustain interest beyond initial playthroughs. Overall, it's considered a good value for its price, providing fun moments with friends despite its constraints.
- “Replayability is where 'chained together' truly shines.”
- “I can even add that it gives a good replayability value, as you get better and faster, opening the opportunity for speedruns and a lot of intentionally made skips spread around the track.”
- “Thanks to its unique mechanics and challenges, 'chained together' offers a high level of replayability.”
- “Despite its limited replayability, the game is a must-try for fans of co-op adventures.”
- “Not really worth it; it's great at first but it's super short, and for a non-speedrunner, it has no replay value.”
- “While the game excels in delivering a cohesive experience with its mechanics and narrative, its replayability may be limited for some players due to its linear progression and fixed puzzle solutions.”
grinding
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
47%
48%
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized for being tedious and repetitive, often requiring excessive time investment that can feel overwhelming. While some players find satisfaction in overcoming challenges after long grinding sessions, many express frustration with the lack of variety and the monotony of gameplay, particularly in solo mode. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable with friends, but it often leads to boredom and a sense of drudgery as players progress.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I kept grinding through level after level, each one more miserable than the last, like I was trying to prove something—perhaps to myself, perhaps to the game.”
- “I had a miserable co-op experience in 'normal' mode, and playing with checkpoints in the 'beginner' mode is clearly defeating the purpose of this game, and it just becomes a tedious and boring platformer.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
28%
7%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a dark, foreboding art style and immersive sound design that effectively enhances the "escape from hell" theme. Players appreciate the detailed environments and evolving soundtrack, which together create a captivating experience filled with tension, beauty, and moments of humor. Overall, the combination of charming visuals and engaging audio elements fosters a unique atmosphere that is both enjoyable and strategically stimulating.
- “The game's atmosphere is fantastic, with detailed environments that make hell feel ominous and alive, yet strangely beautiful in its own way.”
- “The sound design also plays a huge role in the overall experience, with an atmospheric soundtrack that evolves as you progress, heightening the tension and satisfaction of completing each puzzle.”
- “Coupled with a delightful soundtrack that adapts to the gameplay's tempo, the audiovisual elements create an immersive and enjoyable atmosphere.”
- “The blend of engaging gameplay, charming graphics, and chaotic audio creates an atmosphere primed for both laughter and frustration.”
- “The use of lighting and color helps to create a visually stimulating experience, with different levels offering a range of aesthetic styles and atmospheres.”
- “The gunfire, ambient noises, and the tension-filled music score create an atmosphere that keeps players on the edge of their seats.”
character development
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
Character development in the game is noted as a weaker aspect, with some reviewers expressing a desire for a stronger narrative and deeper character arcs. While the character designs are playful and visually appealing, contributing to the game's charm, the lack of a robust story may disappoint players seeking rich character development. Overall, the game prioritizes fun and whimsical aesthetics over complex character growth.
- “The character designs are playful and expressive, fitting well with the game’s overall tone and contributing to its appeal.”
- “Me and 3 other friends got it and it's so fun and silly with all the character designs and animations.”
- “Character development could be stronger, but the central mystery keeps you engaged.”
- “The environments were dull and uninspired, and the character design was laughably basic.”
- “The character designs are simple but effective, making it easy to differentiate between the players and their abilities.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it as a "cash grab" that relies on hype and low-quality assets. While some players acknowledge the game's unique mechanics, the overwhelming sentiment is that the monetization strategy detracts significantly from the overall experience.
- “Absolute cash grab off of only ups hype.”
- “This game is absolutely horrendous AI-generated cash grab garbage.”
- “Bad game, Unity free asset cash grab.”