CHIP ‘N CLAWZ vs. THE BRAINIOIDS – Strategy, Co-op, and Comedy in One Colorful Package

• DEVELOPER: Snapshot Games Inc.
• PUBLISHER: Arc Games
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Strategy / Multiplayer
• RELEASE DATE: August 26, 2025 
• STARTING PRICE: 12,12€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

CHIP ‘N CLAWZ vs. THE BRAINIOIDS immediately grabs attention as a playful and clever twist on action-strategy games. Right from the start, the world and the partnership between Chip, a young inventor, and Clawz, his robotic cat, make you feel like you’ve stepped into a lively comic book. Created by Julian Gollop, the mind behind X-COM, the game surprises with a smooth mix of fast-paced third-person action and smart real-time strategy. It quickly becomes clear this isn’t just another strategy game — it’s a fun, approachable adventure full of humor, clever gameplay, and inventive mechanics that keep you coming back for more.

Base Building, Unit Management, and Third-Person Action

The story is told through claymation-style cutscenes and comic book panels, complete with dialogue bubbles that give the characters personality. It’s lighthearted but still engaging, and I found myself laughing at the duo’s antics while genuinely caring about recovering the Brainium crystals and stopping the alien threat. The campaign takes you through colorful environments full of bridges, watchtowers, and alien Grav Spheres, leading up to a showdown at the Brainioid Mothership. Also, side missions and collectibles, like rare comic books and blueprints, add extra depth to the gameplay.

CHIP ‘N CLAWZ vs. THE BRAINIOIDS blends base building with unit management while letting you directly control Chip or Clawz in third-person. At the start of each mission, you get a small amount of Brainium to build your first facility on a Replikon droid. These facilities let you create different units, from melee fighters and ranged shooters to air and worker drones.

As the game goes on, you capture strategic points and expand your control while managing resources, creating a satisfying loop of planning, acting, and reacting. Chip and Clawz work well together: Chip shines in melee combat and can boost unit speed, while Clawz handles long-range attacks and repairs units using Brainium. Their teamwork makes coordinating attacks feel rewarding, especially in co-op, where each player controls one character.

Play Together with Friends, Online or Split-Screen

This title also includes mini-games and puzzle-like mission objectives that mix things up between base building and combat. Some missions make you think carefully about unit placement and timing, while others rely on smart use of Chip’s gadgets and Clawz’s abilities. Battles can get a bit chaotic at times, with units attacking or mining the nearest target instead of the best one, but the rally system and careful planning usually bring things back under control.

The environments are bright, colorful, and full of character, perfectly matching the game’s humorous, lighthearted tone. In general, the game runs smoothly, and the Friend’s Pass lets friends join online co-op or PvP even if they don’t own the game, adding a lot of replay value. Additionally, the game just recently got a skirmish mode that introduces new multiplayer maps with AI opponents.

Multiplayer options are solid, including split-screen co-op and 1v1 or 2v2 online battles. Missions get more challenging as the story goes on: early levels focus on base building and resource gathering, while later stages mix tactical challenges, mini-games, and strategic combat. I would dare to say this game is much more enjoyable when you have some one to play with. Although solo play is viable, multiplayer is the best option for this game.

Creative Action with Strategy That Rewards Experimentation

In the end, CHIP ‘N CLAWZ vs. THE BRAINIOIDS is a fun and surprisingly deep action-strategy game. Its mix of third-person combat, real-time strategy, and co-op gameplay makes every mission feel engaging, while both the campaign and multiplayer modes offer plenty of replay value. Whether commanding an army of bots, charging in as Chip, or sniping from afar with Clawz, the game consistently delivers something new. It’s a must-play for anyone who enjoys creative action games with a twist.

Review copy provided by the publisher