Chained Beasts: a glorious mess of chains, combat and physics
Gladiatorial combat is already entertaining. Tie the competitors together, give them a physics system full of possibilities, and it becomes something much more distinctive.
Brilliant physics, fun solo play and an especially entertaining co-op experience.
There are games that take a familiar genre and add more weapons, more upgrades or bigger arenas. Chained Beasts takes a different approach: it makes the space between players matter. The result is a gladiatorial roguelike that is genuinely fun to play and, from our experience, even more enjoyable in co-op.
Developed by Australian studio Featherweight Games, the game throws its gladiators into a series of brutal arena fights. Combat is built around swinging weapons, dealing with enemies and exploiting whatever the environment offers. The catch is that your fighters are connected by chains. That one idea affects how you approach everything, turning movement and positioning into part of the combat rather than something you barely notice.
The physics steal the show
For us, the standout feature is the physics system. It is brilliant. The chains are far more than a visual gimmick or an arbitrary restriction; they are an active part of the experience, opening up inventive ways to tackle a fight.
The developer’s intended possibilities include tripping opponents with chains, using nearby hazards against enemies, throwing weapons and turning arena obstacles into improvised advantages. There is a genuine physicality to the concept that makes an ordinary clash feel less predictable. Rather than simply pressing an attack button until everything stops moving, you’re encouraged to think about where everyone is standing, how they’re connected and what might happen next.
That’s why the physics matter so much to the overall enjoyment. They make the arenas feel like places you can interact with rather than static backdrops. Even the act of getting around can become part of the challenge when everyone is attached to somebody else.
Co-op is where it really comes alive
Chained Beasts works as a solo experience, and we found it enjoyable on that basis. But playing together is where it really comes into its own.
Co-op makes the chains feel meaningful in a different way. You are no longer considering just your own movement, but how your actions affect the people attached to you. Teamwork becomes essential, although the game’s inherent unpredictability gives that teamwork plenty of room to go spectacularly wrong.
That combination is a big part of the appeal. A successful coordinated manoeuvre can feel wonderfully satisfying, while the game’s physical interactions create the kind of unexpected moments that make playing with friends so entertaining. Its strongest quality isn’t simply that it supports multiplayer. It’s that the main mechanic gives multiplayer a personality of its own.
More than one good idea
Underneath the chaotic combat sits a more substantial roguelike structure. Featherweight Games has built progression around different arenas, bosses, skills, injuries and upgrades. The full release includes three acts, unlockable beasts and multiple difficulty levels, giving groups reasons to come back and attempt another run.
The setting helps sell the premise too. Rather than relying on a generic fantasy battlefield, the game leans into its bloodthirsty gladiatorial atmosphere. Winning over the crowd is part of the flavour, and the clashes feel designed to produce stories worth retelling, particularly when several players are all trying to survive the same encounter.
Where the score lands
A score of 79/100 reflects a strong recommendation rather than a claim that everything is perfect. The major appeal is clear: a fun combat loop, an especially entertaining co-op experience and a physics system that gives the game a distinctive identity.
The central design also means that players looking for tightly controlled, purely individual action should know what they’re signing up for. Being chained to others is deliberately part of the challenge; it isn’t a conventional arena fighter with an optional multiplayer mode. We don’t want to invent technical complaints or balancing criticisms we haven’t personally established, so our verdict rests on the experience we can speak to.
Final verdict · 79/100
Chained Beasts is great fun, with a physics system that deserves particular praise. The mechanics create inventive, physical encounters that help the game stand apart. It’s enjoyable alone, but co-op is the real highlight, turning every battle into a shared struggle full of unpredictable possibilities. A strong 79/100 from Coloured Static Press.
Review transparency: This review reflects first-hand impressions supplied to Coloured Static Press. The precise test platform, playtime, game version and method of obtaining access have not been independently confirmed and are therefore not stated. Gameplay descriptions and release information have also been checked against the developer’s published materials. Official imagery is credited where used.
Explore further: Chained Beasts on Steam · Developer’s official game page · Discover more independent games in The Switchboard