Developed by the Bulgaria-based development studio Snapshot Games, led by Julian Gollop, Founder & CEO, best known as the creator of X-COM, Chip n Clawz vs The Brainioids is looking to seamlessly blend both 3rd person action and the essence of RTS gameplay. In an exclusive shared with our team, Chip n Clawz vs The Brainioids released a deep dive gameplay trailer, and for action-strategy players, it looks like a damn good time. The deep dive trailer highlights the importance of blending action and strategy, focusing on keeping the players engaged.
Watch the Deep Dive Gameplay Trailer
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The Gameplay Deep Dive trailer brings viewers through the combat systems, characters, and offers up a bit of the game’s humor, too. From explaining how to use special weapon synergy to using modifications and strategy while placing buildings, this trailer breaks down exactly what to expect. But more importantly, it also gave us a Chip ‘n Clawz vs The Brainioids release date, which is tomorrow, August 26, 2025.
In our time with the developers, which you can read more about in our exclusive interview, Julian Gollop discussed the team’s approach as a departure from the realism and seriousness of their past strategy titles. Often, RTS games and the larger Strategy genre tend to push players into the deep end of systems, and with a different top-down view that most from outside the genre aren’t used to, it can make it difficult for players to explore what strategy has to offer.
With Chip ‘n Clawz vs The Brainiods, Snapshot Games has focused on making the genre accessible to new audiences. Whether that’s the endearing art style, recognizable third-person perspective, or couch co-op, Gollop shared that the team was always trying to make a gateway to the genre for new players and ultimately create a fun experience for every kind of player. And that approach is extremely evident with the game’s family-friendly focus.
Another key aspect of this action-strategy title is Snapshot Games’ approach to making single-player and co-op equally rewarding experiences. But key to that experience is the game’s fast-paced gameplay that is easy to pick up and play, and still similarly satisfying to master. Chip ‘n Clawz vs The Brainiods offers a modernized take on classic strategy mechanics like resource management, army management, and building locations that can change the course of a battle.
What to expect from Chip n Clawz vs The Brainioids
Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids is an action-strategy game that combines the enthralling gameplay of a real-time strategy (RTS) game with a third-person action adventure. In the game, players will work together to put a stop to the Brainioid invasion. With inspirations from Mars Attacks and old sci-fi comics, this game is aiming to pull together familiar action controls, strategy depth, and mechanics, and sci-fi satire into one package.
Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids offers a vibrant comic book-inspired aesthetic that will take players on a journey as heroes Chip, Clawz, or both characters. With both single and cooperative gameplay, players gather resources and collectibles, build bases, strengthen hero abilities, command minions, and fight alongside them in battle.
In the game, you’ll lead the charge against the Brainioids as you build your arsenal of bases, weapons, and hero abilities while assembling and commanding an army of minions and fighting beside them in large-scale battles. But this adventure isn’t without some story focus. The game features a series of story campaigns with a variety of challenges and bosses. Oh, and it has team-based multiplayer matches to defeat the Brainioids and save the world, too.
Chip is an inventor, and Clawz is his best friend (and invention). Where Chip is brash and assertive, ready to jump into the thick of things, Clawz keeps him grounded. And as Gollop explained in our conversation, their banter and friendship are core to how the game develops its humor and its heart.
A look at Chip n Clawz vs The Brainioids’ multi-player modes
Chip n Clawz vs The Brainioids also includes cross-platform play, allowing you to work together or fight against friends online regardless of what platform they are playing on.
- 2-player couch co-op: This allows you to coordinate your tactics with a friend to defeat the Brainioid forces, with each player taking on their own tasks and communicating to win.
- Classic online 1v1, 2v2, PVP: This mode allows you to buddy up with a friend, or clash in splitscreen 1v1 to see who’s the best of the best.
The release date is right around the corner
Announced in February of 2025, Chip n Clawz had a public demo during March’s Steam Next Fest, but players don’t have to wait long to jump into this title. Chip ‘n Clawz vs The Brainioids releases on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 26, 2025.
