Chained Together is an indie co-op platformer on PC where players climb upward from the depths of hell, either solo or linked to up to three others by a physical chain. The experience centers on precise movement through obstacle-filled environments, with the chain adding layers of coordination and consequence to every jump and step.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around third-person platforming that demands accurate timing on jumps, climbs, and traversals across moving or unstable surfaces. Realistic chain physics governs the connections between players, allowing the links to wrap around platforms and objects while transmitting pulls and momentum. One misstep by any participant can yank the entire group downward, turning individual errors into shared setbacks that require quick recovery or restarts depending on the chosen settings.
Players control their characters directly, with options for opened chains that emphasize a lead position or closed chains that grant more individual freedom at the cost of tighter synchronization. The chain itself provides no mechanical advantages beyond its visual and physical presence, keeping focus on skill and teamwork. Solo play removes the links entirely for a pure test of platforming ability, while multiplayer sessions scale the challenge with group size as more bodies increase the potential for tangles and collective falls.
Game Modes
Three primary difficulty options shape each run. Beginner mode includes checkpoints and a pause-menu teleport to the highest reached point after a fall, making it suitable for learning the layouts without permanent progress loss. Normal mode removes those safety nets, sending the group back to the start on any fall and tracking completion times for leaderboards. Lava mode adds rising flames from below that force faster upward movement and heighten the pressure on every decision.
A separate 2v2 Race Mode pits two teams against each other in a timed 30-minute climb to determine which pair advances farthest through the shared map. Leaderboards compare times across player counts in the standard modes, rewarding efficient coordination and route knowledge.
Worlds and Progression
The ascent unfolds across one continuous map that transitions through distinct sections, each introducing new environmental hazards and platforming demands. Early areas feature basic cliff and ledge navigation, while later portions incorporate vehicles, enclosed spaces, urban structures, and more intricate vertical puzzles. Progress builds through repeated attempts that refine group movement patterns and individual positioning relative to the chain.
Additional mechanics such as golden wings collected at higher elevations allow limited gliding after falls, offering recovery options without altering the fundamental climbing focus. The map supports both short practice sessions and extended pushes toward the summit, with autosave features available in select modes for resuming from prior sessions.
Is It Worth Playing?
Chained Together delivers a focused co-op platforming experience built around its signature chain mechanic and escalating difficulty. Steam reviews reflect strong player approval, maintaining a Very Positive rating across more than 60,000 submissions. The game receives ongoing updates that introduce new competitive formats and content, indicating continued developer support after its initial release.
It suits groups of friends who enjoy challenging cooperative platformers that reward communication and punish lapses in focus. Solo players can still engage with the core climbing loop, though the multiplayer emphasis defines much of its appeal. Those seeking short, high-tension sessions or longer coordinated campaigns will find consistent value in its straightforward yet demanding design. The low price point further lowers the barrier for trying it with a regular play group.
