Blog

Calcium Chaos: Derailed is a wild twin-stick roguelite experience that’s equal parts chaotic and engaging. Set aboard a train bound for skeleton-filled landscapes, the game throws players into a world where your weapons include everything from a champagne bottle to chicken feathers. This fast-paced, creative game keeps the action fresh with quirky mechanics, endless weapon combinations, and vibrant visuals. If you’re after a roguelite with a personality as big as its arsenal, Calcium Chaos could be your next obsession. Keep reading my Calcium Chaos: Derailed review to decide if this bone-filled train adventure is your next game!

Story – Skeletons on the Loose!

The narrative in Calcium Chaos: Derailed is simple yet I would have liked more sustenance. It begins with Robin accidentally crashing their train into Amir’s house, setting the stage for a wacky adventure. The duo takes on the task of defeating a necromancer who’s unleashed an army of pesky skeletons across the world. The game doesn’t overburden players with heavy exposition, instead letting its humour and quirky characters shine.

Though the story isn’t the main focus, it’s filled with enough personality to make the adventure engaging for young audiences and adults who don’t mind a less story-driven game. Each crewmember you meet adds to your journey, bringing their unique quirks and mechanics to the train. While the skeleton-filled world isn’t dripping with lore, the amusing interactions between characters make the experience memorable. It’s a tale that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which perfectly matches the game’s over-the-top tone.

I’m more of a story-rich game player, so I found myself somewhat disappointed with the lack of detail in the story and how the introduction just glosses over this whole debacle that’s occurred in the world. However, I can see that narrative wasn’t the main concern for the devs, and I can appreciate that this wasn’t supposed to be a game with much depth. I won’t be knocking more than half a point off for narrative design in my Calcium Chaos: Derailed review, but I do feel like the introduction needed to build the world a little more.

Gameplay – A Frenzy of Skeleton-Bashing

At its core, Calcium Chaos delivers a twin-stick shooter experience that’s as frantic as it is entertaining. Armed with two random weapons at the start of each map, players are encouraged to experiment with combinations in workshops to create unique and often laugh-out-loud results. Combat is fast-paced and smooth, rewarding players who master movement, evasion, and strategic positioning. Dashing through enemy projectiles while raining chaos on skeleton hordes feels exhilarating, and the quirky arsenal ensures that no two encounters play out the same way.

The game’s roguelite mechanics elevate the experience, offering a satisfying sense of progression with each run. While skeletons may be your primary foes, Calcium Chaos has plenty of variety in its stages and different challenges. Players will explore four vibrant worlds, each packed with its own enemies, hazards, and surprises. The difficulty strikes a fine balance — it’s challenging enough to test your skills without being frustrating.

Something I liked that I want to point out in my Calcium Chaos: Derailed is the train. It acts as your mobile base in the game, and you can upgrade it with new features, decorations, and items to give you an edge in your battles. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment to come back to my train at the end of a run and upgrade it.

Audio and Visuals – A Chaotic Symphony

The audio-visual design of Calcium Chaos wonderfully complements its offbeat gameplay, creating an experience that feels as whimsical as it is chaotic. The bold visuals and energetic soundtrack pull you into its quirky world, enhancing the fun of battling skeletons with absurd weapons.

Audio – A Fun but Repetitive Beat

The upbeat, whimsical soundtrack sets the perfect tone for the game’s playful and chaotic nature. The music captures the essence of the adventure, keeping energy levels high as you fend off hordes of skeletons. Each sound effect is thoughtfully crafted, from the satisfying pop of bubbles to the hilarious metallic clinks of a champagne bottle smashing into enemies. The audio design ensures every weapon feels distinct, adding a layer of enjoyment to experimentation.

However, the frequent shift between exploration and combat music can be slightly grating over time. Battles occur so often that the abrupt changes stand out, breaking immersion during otherwise fluid gameplay. While this doesn’t ruin the experience, a more seamless transition could have improved the overall flow.

Visuals – Vibrant and Well-Designed

The visual style is a highlight, with colourful and cartoonish designs that perfectly suit the game’s tone. The skeleton enemies themselves are wonderfully designed, with goofy animations and unique appearances that keep battles entertaining. The train furthers personality to the visuals, evolving as you decorate and upgrade it throughout the game.

The attention to detail extends beyond the characters and environments. Weapons are visually distinct, making it easy to tell what you’re wielding even amidst the chaos. Explosions and weapon effects are flashy without overwhelming the screen, maintaining clarity during the most intense moments. It’s clear that the developers poured a lot of love into creating a world that feels alive.

Verdict – A Skeleton-Smashing Delight

Calcium Chaos: Derailed is a brilliantly chaotic and charming roguelite. It delivers endless fun with its inventive mechanics and quirky design! The game’s creative weapon combinations, fast-paced gameplay, and vibrant art style create an experience that feels fresh from start to finish. There’s always something delightfully unexpected around the corner. While minor issues occasionally surface, they don’t overshadow the overall enjoyment the game offers.

This Calcium Chaos: Derailed review wouldn’t be complete without highlighting the multiplayer experience, which takes the mayhem to new heights. The game truly shines when shared with friends, as the chaotic synergy of weapons and strategies makes for laugh-out-loud moments. Solo players won’t feel left out, thanks to its accessible design, but multiplayer undeniably adds to the fun. Calcium Chaos: Derailed earns a solid 8.5/10 — a must-play for roguelite enthusiasts and fans of whimsical adventures alike.

If you’re looking for cosy games, may I suggest a quick look at my list of cosy games you can play on Netflix UK? Or check out my Monarchy Review for a fun, kingdom-building game with minimal combat.

Join the discussion over in our Facebook community or tweet us on Twitter about your favourite games to play!