Game: Chip ‘n Clawz Vs. The Brainioids
Genre: Action, Strategy
System: Steam (Windows) (also on Xbox and PlayStation)
Developer|Publisher: Snapshot Games Inc | Arc Games
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Verified
Price: US $29.99 | UK £24.99 | EU € 28,99
Release Date: August 26th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Press Engine.
Chip ‘n Clawz Vs. The Brainioids – Action Meets Strategy With a Smile
Some games are designed to be grim and serious, while others proudly lean into fun, colourful, and downright silly territory. Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids falls firmly into the latter camp, a vibrant, goofy mashup of hack-and-slash action and real-time strategy. It’s lighthearted, accessible, and offers plenty of room for both solo and co-op play. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking for a family-friendly adventure, this one feels like a weekend couch co-op gem.
A Saturday Morning Story
The story behind Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids is playfully cheesy. Evil Brainioids are invading Earth, trying to hoard its valuable brain crystals for their own sinister experiments. Standing in their way are our heroes, Chip and Clawz, who set out to stop the invasion and save the day.
It’s the kind of setup that could have easily been pulled from a kids’ cartoon, complete with colourful characters, comical villains, and over-the-top antics. The Brainioids themselves are especially funny, with giant brains awkwardly perched atop robotic bodies. The lighthearted tone means this is a game that anyone can enjoy, from kids to adults alike.
Bright, Colourful Worlds
Visually, the game leans into a style that feels somewhere between Fortnite and a classic 3D platformer. The characters are bright and full of energy. The world design spans big outdoor areas and plenty of room to battle it out against waves of quirky enemies. There are a few blips in the graphics, such as the lack of splash animation when you hit water, which feels odd. The soundtrack complements the visuals nicely, keeping everything upbeat and fun.
Action and Strategy Collide
What sets Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids apart is how it mixes genres. On one hand, you’re running around in third-person, slashing or shooting enemies. On the other hand, you’re commanding your legion of robots to gather resources and do battle.
Each mission introduces simple objectives such as capturing wave points and building a set number of robots. You can tick these objectives off to earn better ranks at the end of the mission, though not all are essential for success. Crystals fuel your ability to summon new robots or build defences, and as the campaign goes on, more units and structures unlock. From melee-focused robots to ranged attackers, all of which have their own strengths and weaknesses. The game does a terrific job of introducing each unit individually, giving you plenty of space to get accustomed to them.
Building Your Bots
The game keeps things streamlined. Robots are easy to build, hold a bumper down on a controller, and the structure silhouette will clearly display on the land where you can and can’t build. Units will then get to work attacking, defending or mining. Using the D pad, you can control individual units and send them to specific areas on the battlefield. Units are pretty smart, with certain attack units like artillery automatically keeping a safe distance from structures they are attacking. Mining robots will mine the closest crystal, but when this expires, they will hunt the next closest one by themselves. For more depth, you can zoom out the action and view the command menu, which lets you micromanage units with more precision. Nothing quite beats the thrill at the end of a mission of rallying all your troops and doing a full assault on the last enemy base.
Actively Involved
Combat from you as the player is fine, but it lacks depth. You melee or shoot enough to make a decent dent in enemy forces, but you don’t feel you can rely on it without your troops to back you up. Of course, that’s probably designed this way; otherwise, what’s the point of the RTS mechanics? There is an incentive to explore each map, seeking out extra crystals and cards which unlock collectables or blueprints for new loadouts at the start of the mission. The latter adds a nice bit of creative customisation to match your play style. It does feel great to actively move with your units and see the action first-hand rather than high in the heavens.
Easy to Learn, Fun to Master
The game feels well-balanced for a wide audience. Some players will opt to stick to the straightforward hack-and-slash action with mild commands, while older or more strategic players can experiment with the RTS mechanics. It’s a great design choice that makes Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids an ideal parent-and-child co-op game.
And if you want a challenge, you can always bump up the difficulty or try to complete missions with special objectives, like finishing within a time limit. With three main chapters, side missions, and a star rating system to encourage replays, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
Multiplayer Fun
On top of the campaign, the game supports both split-screen and online play. Whether you’re teaming up in co-op or jumping into 1v1 or 2v2 versus matches, there’s a nice amount of variety here. It’s clear the developers wanted to make something for everyone, casual players, families, and competitive friends alike. A very generous addition is the inclusion of a friend pass, meaning only one player needs to own the game to play together online (think It Takes Two). A very kind gesture from the developers is rarely seen in gaming.
A Game for Everyone
The only real downside is that some strategy enthusiasts might find the game a bit too lighthearted compared to heavier RTS titles. But that’s also its biggest strength, it’s approachable and fun, offering depth without being intimidating. Even die-hard strategy fans might crack a smile when their goofy robot army barrels into a horde of Brainioids.
Conclusion: No Brainer
Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids is a delightful blend of action and strategy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. With its playful story, colourful world, and flexible gameplay, it’s a great pick for families, co-op sessions, or anyone just looking for a good upbeat time. It may not present itself as overly deep and thought-provoking, but sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
Final Verdict: I like it a lot 
Do you like our content?
Subscribe to our daily news and never miss a review!