A shooter and an RTS in one mission
Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids puts you in third-person control of Chip, a young inventor, and Clawz, his robo-cat, while you also play the strategy layer underneath. You build structures, weapons, vehicles and abilities, assemble an army of robots, then switch to the Command View to order that army around in real time. You can also just run into the fight yourself and shoot alongside your units. Missions are built to be picked up quickly, with mechanics that are easy to learn but leave room to get better. The Brainioids have invaded Earth and hauled off the Brainium crystals in their Grav Spheres, so the job is to take each sphere over, right up to the Mothership, and stop an evil alien corporation in the process. Boss fights against the highest-ranking Brainioids check whether your base building and minion management actually hold up under pressure.
Playing it with friends
The story campaign runs in single-player or co-op, and side missions add extra challenges alongside it. On the couch, two players can split the screen and coordinate tactics against the Brainioid forces together. For competitive play there is online 1v1 and 2v2, plus split-screen 1v1 if you want to settle it locally. Cross-platform support means you can jump into PvP matches or invite someone into your campaign from PC or consoles. Remote Play Together is also available for sharing a session.
Comic-book dressing and things to find
The whole game is set in a bright, throwback comic-book-style universe with a cast of characters who each have their own story. Exploring the maps turns up collectibles and secrets: rare comic books fill in the mysteries of the invasion, and blueprints unlock new weapons, minion upgrades and hero abilities. Expect a humorous tone throughout, with brains in jars and a mission that is as much about finishing the comic book collection as it is about saving Earth.