Chains
- July 1, 2009
- 2dengine
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Chains" is a single-player puzzle game known for its good gameplay, graphics, and splendid music. The game challenges players to link adjacent bubbles of the same color into chains, with physics-driven stages that increase in difficulty. Offering 20 levels, 3 difficulty modes, and unlimited replayability, the game boasts a unique art direction and soundtrack from the Belgian electro band Silence, as well as colorblind support and up to 15 player profiles.
Reviews
- Unique and creative core concept that offers a fresh take on matching games.
- Initially satisfying chain reactions that provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Great soundtrack that complements the gameplay and enhances the overall experience.
- Frustratingly difficult levels that often rely on luck rather than skill, leading to a lack of strategic gameplay.
- Outdated visuals and lackluster presentation that detract from the overall experience.
- Limited content with only 20 levels and no additional features like achievements or leaderboards, resulting in low replay value.
- music43 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its relaxing and complementary nature, particularly highlighting the fantastic soundtrack by Silence. While some find the music enjoyable and fitting for the gameplay, others describe it as generic or repetitive, suggesting that it may be better to play their own music instead. Overall, the soundtrack is often considered one of the game's standout features, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms.
“The only reason I can recommend this game at its regular price, and in fact I do, is that you get the fantastic soundtrack by Silence bundled with it (look inside the installation folder).”
“The music is really good and fits the game perfectly.”
“Great music and bright visuals send your mind soaring through difficult but interesting and fun puzzles!”
“I recommend turning the music off and playing some chill music of your own instead.”
“Music is pretty much generic.”
“The soundtrack is well done, but is repeated constantly if you have been on a level for some time.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around a unique physics-based puzzle mechanic involving chaining colorful orbs, offering a mix of fun and challenge across its short duration of 2-4 hours. While the game introduces different mechanics in each level, some players find the repetition and lack of coherent progression between stages detracts from the overall experience. Despite its simplicity and limited replay value, the engaging puzzles and enjoyable music contribute to a satisfactory experience for puzzle enthusiasts.
“Nice little physics puzzle game with a very unique mechanic.”
“It has a fun core mechanic (linking chains of circles to make them disappear) that they mix up and use in innovative ways with each level.”
“Fun addictive game, great music and fast-paced gameplay.”
“Although the game tries for each level to be unique, some mechanics and missions are repeated, which feels a bit weird since the game is rather short as it is.”
“As a result, the gameplay is left feeling haphazard, as the rules the game teaches the player initially aren't necessarily the rules for the next level.”
“The puzzles don't build off of each other at all, leaving no coherent tie between the stages; the game feels more like a tour of the applications of a game mechanic, rather than a cohesive experience.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 37 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized for being outdated and lackluster, with many reviewers noting that the pixelated visuals and simplistic design feel uninspired, even for its 2008 release. While some appreciate the quirky art style and bright visuals, the overall presentation is marred by graphical bugs and a lack of polish, detracting from the gameplay experience. Despite a few positive remarks about the music complementing the visuals, the consensus leans towards disappointment in the game's graphical execution.
“The art style is great and doesn't hurt my eyes.”
“Great music and bright visuals send your mind soaring through difficult but interesting and fun puzzles!”
“Pros: cool art style...that is all.”
“Chains is a game with a promising concept but ultimately fails to deliver due to its frustrating difficulty, reliance on luck, and outdated visuals.”
“The pixelated graphics and simplistic design feel outdated and uninspired.”
“While the game was released in 2008, even by the standards of that time, the visuals are lackluster.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game has limited content and offers minimal replay value, with only 2-3 hours of gameplay. While the puzzles can be challenging and engaging, the overall experience does not encourage repeated playthroughs.
“The lack of content and replay value further compounds the disappointment.”
“It's only about 2-3 hours of gameplay with no real replay value; however, many of the puzzles will have you wracking your brain to solve, so it'll be a few hours of cleaning cobwebs out of your skull.”
- story2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's story attempts to provide unique experiences across levels, but the repetition of certain mechanics and missions detracts from its overall impact, making it feel more like a series of mission sequences rather than a cohesive narrative. This repetition is particularly noticeable given the game's short length.
“The story is incredibly engaging, drawing you in with its rich narrative and well-developed characters.”
“Each twist and turn in the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it hard to put the game down.”
“The emotional depth of the story adds a layer of complexity that enhances the overall gaming experience.”
“The story feels more like a mission impossible sequence than a coherent narrative.”
“The plot is disjointed and fails to engage the player.”
“Character development is lacking, making it hard to care about the outcome.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, with one player expressing frustration by describing the game as a "buggy mess." Overall, the game's performance appears to be a major concern among players.
“Chains: (slamming his controller down) this game is a buggy mess!”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined my gaming experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, offering a variety of level styles while effectively tracking player performance for improved gameplay.
“Solid little puzzle game, with a couple of different styles of levels, that keeps track of your performance so you can try to beat your previous bests.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a strong emotional connection to the game's atmosphere, highlighting the serene and uplifting feelings evoked by nature's beauty, such as a gentle breeze and warm sunlight. This immersive experience enhances the overall emotional impact of the game.
“Imagine that breeze lightly touching your cheek as you enjoy the gentle warmth of the sun shining from a cloudless sky.”
“The story's depth made me feel a connection to the characters that I haven't experienced in any other game.”
“Every choice I made felt heavy with consequence, pulling at my heartstrings and making me reflect on my own life.”
