Chained Beasts stands out as a co-op gladiator roguelike action game where players fight in chaotic arenas while physically linked to their teammates. Designed for one to four participants, it blends intense combat with cooperative strategy and humorous mishaps, all set in a colosseum environment. You take on the role of gladiators striving for freedom through brutal battles, using weapons, the surroundings, and your chains to overcome foes. This setup creates a unique mix of tension and comedy, especially when coordination falters and chains become obstacles.
Gameplay
In Chained Beasts, the core loop revolves around entering the arena chained to up to three other players, facing waves of enemies in procedurally generated fights. Combat emphasizes slashing, hacking, and environmental interactions, such as throwing urns at opponents or charging them into spike walls and snake pits. Weapon throwing adds a ranged option, but it requires careful management to avoid leaving yourself defenseless. The chaining mechanic forces teamwork; poor synchronization can lead to tangles around pillars, while precise moves allow tripping enemies or gaining positional advantages.
Progression involves surviving daily battles that inflict wounds, like limps or hallucinations, which players mitigate through potions or surgery, though these carry risks of new afflictions. Experience gained forges stronger characters, unlocking skills, equipment, and new playable figures with distinct abilities. Boss encounters ramp up the challenge, pitting you against heavily armed arena heroes. The crowd's favor can provide bonuses, and money earned buys gear to shift battle outcomes.
Game Modes
Chained Beasts focuses on cooperative play, supporting both online and local co-op for one to four players. Solo runs are possible, but the experience shines in groups where the chaining system introduces dynamic interactions. Each session is a roguelike run, with permadeath elements tempered by persistent unlocks that carry over. No distinct competitive modes exist; instead, the emphasis lies on team-based survival against arena threats, with varying chain configurations adding replayability.
Progression and Challenges
Beyond basic combat, the game layers in mental and physical hardships that evolve your gladiator. Wounds accumulate, forcing adaptations like fighting with impaired vision or erratic behavior from hallucinations. Strategic choices in healing can backfire, creating a risk-reward dynamic. Unlocking new characters and skills encourages experimentation across runs, while boss fights demand coordinated tactics to counter their advantages.
Is It Worth Playing?
For those who enjoy cooperative roguelikes with a twist of physical comedy and brutal action, Chained Beasts offers a fresh take on teamwork. The demo has attracted 25k players with a 99 percent positive rating, highlighting strong community approval for its chaotic fun and innovative chaining. If you prefer games that reward coordination and quick thinking in multiplayer settings, it's a solid choice, especially with ongoing development keeping the experience engaging. Solo players might find it less compelling without friends, but the core mechanics hold up well for varied group sizes.
