- Developed by Australia-New Zealand indie team Featherweight Games, scheduled for release in Fall 2026
- A cooperative roguelike distinguished by physics-based chain combat and an injury system, up to 4-player co-op
- 509 Steam Demo Reviews: 98% Overwhelmingly Positive… Wishlist Surpasses 125,000
A gladiator fighting alongside a friend while bound by chains. The chains serve as weapons and tools to ensnare enemies, and an unpredictable battle unfolds where fallen enemies pull the player back in.
Chained Beasts, a 1-4 player co-op gladiator roguelike currently under development by Australia and New Zealand-based indie studio Featherweight Games, has confirmed a Steam release in the fall of 2026 and released a new trailer.
The released demo received an “overwhelmingly positive” rating on Steam, and the wishlist surpassed 125,000. In particular, creators IronPineapple and VaatiVidya expressed high expectations, describing it as “one of the best demos of all time” based on their co-op gameplay.
The brutal beauty of physics-based gladiatorial arenas… lifelike top-down 3D combat
Chained Beasts is a top-down 3D action roguelike game that combines cooperative multiplayer with physics-based combat. The arena, reminiscent of the ancient Roman Colosseum, serves as a core element of combat beyond just a background.
Every element within the arena—including stone pillars, traps, spike walls, snake pits, and various objects—physically interacts, and combat utilizing these elements is the highlight of the game. Every action, such as throwing jars at enemies, pushing them into traps, or tossing weapons, becomes a spectacular spectacle. Cheers from the crowd lead to greater rewards, while conversely, the louder the jeers, the harsher the combat becomes.
Injuries change the gameplay… A roguelike fighting with pain
The biggest differentiating factor of Chained Beast is the ‘injury system’. Physical and mental injuries accumulated in combat are not one-time disadvantages but have a continuous impact, acting as a variable that changes the playstyle itself.
Players must survive against increasingly powerful enemies and bosses, and the injuries accumulated in the process demand new strategies. As reputation grows, players face more formidable gladiators, leading to battles of a difficulty level that is difficult to handle alone.
The key element here is the ‘chain’. While the chain is a powerful weapon for tripping enemies and manipulating their positions, it acts as a variable that hinders teamwork if coordination is off. This structure, where cooperation and chaos coexist, creates the game’s tension.
Rising Expectations Amid Positive Demo Reviews… New Possibilities for Cooperative Roguelikes
The Steam demo achieved an ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ rating with 98% positive reviews from over 500 reviews. It is making a strong impression on both players and creators and is quickly gaining attention among fans of cooperative action games.
In addition, Chained Beast was exhibited at ANZ IndieFest, a game event centered on Australian and New Zealand developers, and received recognition for its artistic merit.
Co-director Dylan Bevis stated, “Brutal combat and injuries, the chaos of uncontrollable chains, and bizarre yet tense cooperative moments are all designed for a single goal,” adding, “Our goal is to create unforgettable gladiator battles with friends.” He further emphasized that community feedback was a great source of strength during the development process.
‘Chained Beasts’ combines a unique setting of chained cooperation with physics-based combat and a roguelike structure where injuries accumulate. By going beyond simple cooperation to put the ‘experience of entanglement and collision together’ at the forefront, attention is focused on what new standards this game will set in the particularly competitive cooperative action genre.
Information regarding ‘Chained Beasts’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Featherweight Games (Australia and New Zealand) |
| Genre | 1–4 Player Co-op Gladiator Roguelike / Top-down Hack and Slash / Physics-based Action |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Scheduled for release | Autumn 2026 |
| Play Mode | Solo / Local/Online Co-op Up to 4 players |
| Steam Demo Review | Overwhelmingly positive 98% (509 items) |
| Wishlist | 125,000 cases+ |
| Reactions from major creators | IronPineapple “It’s fucking fun” / VaatiVidya “One of the best demos of all time” |
| Public history | ANZ IndieFest / Games Press |
| core system | Physics-based chain combat / Permanent injury system / Spectator engagement / Environment-based combat |
| Main Keywords | Gladiator, Co-op, Chain, Colosseum, Roguelike, Physics, Rome, Injury System |
| Official Channel | Discord · X · YouTube |
| Steam Page | Go to Wishlist |
