Chained Beasts

Facts at a glance

UK release: 15 October 2026 (digital launch) Platforms: PC (Windows via Steam), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch (all platforms listed by the developer). Developer: Featherweight Games (Sydney) Publisher: Featherweight Games UK price: Not confirmed by the publisher PEGI: Not confirmed Genre: Hack-and-slash / beat ’em up with roguelite structure Online mode: Yes — online multiplayer and co-op for up to 4 Engine: Unity (developer credits and technical posts)

Story and setting

Chained Beasts does not present a traditional narrative campaign: the framing is gladiatorial and arena-focused. Players take the role of animal-masked combatants summoned to perform in the Colosseum-style arenas, where the crowd’s appetite for spectacle is the driving conceit. The developer’s materials and trailers emphasise spectacle, escalation and arena hazards rather than a linear plot; any deeper lore or single-player story beats beyond arena progression have not been detailed by Featherweight and remain unconfirmed.

How it plays

The defining mechanic is the chain: every player is tethered to teammates (or, in single‑player, to an AI or physics object that mimics the tether), and that connection is both a tool and a liability. Combat is top-down/isometric, physics-heavy and built around close-quarters melee: you can trip, swing and use the chain to pin or propel enemies, but the rope also creates momentum that affects movement and positioning. The game supports 1–4 players in local or online co-op; Featherweight’s Steam pages and community posts confirm online co-op for up to four players and say the chain remains functional in single-player via a substitute weight object to preserve gameplay feel.

Chained Beasts is roguelite in structure: arena runs feature escalating enemy encounters, boss fights and randomised modifiers. A recurring theme in developer commentary and the demo is “physical and mental injuries” that change how characters play—temporary or persistent afflictions picked up during runs that alter stats, input handling or behaviour and force adaptation. The demo and trailers demonstrate interplay between environmental hazards and the chain, including using columns and traps as anchors or improvised weapons.

Platforms, editions and UK availability

Featherweight has listed the game for PC (Steam) and all current consoles; the studio’s official Steam announcements and community posts specifically call out Xbox Series X|S and Windows on Xbox Game Pass day one, and the developer has also promoted PS5 and Nintendo Switch on its channels. The confirmed global digital launch date is 15 October 2026; that is the date the developer expects it to appear on Steam and on Xbox storefronts (Game Pass availability is stated to be simultaneous). The UK retail price, physical editions and any special bundles have not been announced — if you want a physical or boxed edition, wait for an explicit retailer listing. PEGI classification has not been published at the time of writing.

Trailers, demo and what we still don’t know

Featherweight released an announcement trailer and later a demo/open beta on Steam; the demo reached a strong community rating and the studio has posted multiple Steam announcements about demo performance and the fall 2026 release window. The developer also published an open beta/demo launch trailer showing gameplay of the chain mechanics, hazards and 1–4 player co-op.

Unconfirmed or not yet stated by the publisher: exact UK RRP in pounds, any age-rating (PEGI) details and specific release timings in BST; whether there will be any console-exclusive features (beyond platform parity), cross‑play details between platforms, or a physical retail release. Also unconfirmed are long-term post-launch plans such as live-service elements, seasonal content or paid expansions.

Should you pre-order or wait?

If you want to try before you buy, the Steam demo/open beta has been available and the developer has encouraged wishlist and demo play; that’s the clearest way to judge whether the braided physics-and-co-op formula works for you. The presence of day-one Game Pass for Xbox and PC makes waiting a safe option for Xbox owners who subscribe, since you can play on launch without buying. If you prefer a guaranteed boxed edition or want price clarity, wait for a formal retailer listing and PEGI certification.