Chained Beasts arrives on PC on October 15, 2026, launching simultaneously across Steam and PC Game Pass. Developed and published by Featherweight Games, this gladiator roguelike lets one to four players fight chained together in deadly arenas across Carthage, Germania, and Rome.
Whether you plan to play solo or team up with friends locally and online, here is the complete breakdown of PC hardware specifications, platform storefronts, controller support, and game modes confirmed by the developers.
Chained Beasts PC Release Date and Storefronts
According to official developer announcements from Featherweight Games, Chained Beasts officially launches on PC at 10:00 AM PDT / 5:00 PM UTC on October 15, 2026. PC players have two primary ways to access the game on day one:
- Steam (Windows & macOS): Available for purchase with full Steam Cloud, Remote Play Together, Family Sharing, and Steam Achievements support.
- PC Game Pass (Windows PC): Available to active Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass subscribers on day one at launch without requiring a separate purchase.
- Xbox Play Anywhere: Listed with cross-platform support and shared progression across compatible Xbox console and Windows PC environments.
A free Carthage demo has been available on Steam (covering the prison camp tutorial and Act I arena battles), though the development team announced that the demo will be taken offline when the full game launches on October 15.
PC System Requirements (Windows & macOS)
Featherweight Games officially published the minimum hardware specifications on the Steam store page. The game runs on standard modern PCs and Apple Silicon Mac hardware.
| Specification | Windows (Minimum) | macOS (Minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | macOS 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-5257U or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Apple M1 or Intel Core i7-6920HQ |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 460 | Apple M1 integrated GPU or AMD Radeon Pro 450 |
| Controller Note | At least 1 gamepad required for same-screen co-op | At least 1 gamepad required for same-screen co-op |
Recommended specifications have not been individually itemized beyond requiring a 64-bit processor and operating system.
Controls and Controller Support on PC
While keyboard and mouse input is fully supported—using WASD for movement, Shift to block, Space to dodge, E to pick up or interact, and mouse buttons to strike or aim throws—Featherweight Games officially recommends playing with a controller.
Official Steam store listings confirm the following input features:
- Full controller support across user interfaces and gameplay.
- Native support for Xbox Wireless Controllers, PlayStation DualShock 4, and PlayStation DualSense controllers.
- Couch co-op requirement: if multiple players share a single PC screen, at least one gamepad is required to assign unique player slots.
Streamers and playtest videos note that weapon throwing involves holding right-click (or the controller trigger) to aim before releasing, while certain character debuffs acquired between rounds (such as broken fingers or limps) physically skew throw angles or movement speed.
Multiplayer and Co-Op Features on PC
Chained Beasts is built around dynamic tethering physics where gladiators are linked by heavy iron chains. On PC, the game provides flexible matchmaking and lobby setups:
- Solo Play: You can run the entire campaign alone without AI tether companions.
- Online Co-Op: Host or join online rooms for up to 4 players.
- Local Split/Shared Screen: Up to 4 players on one machine.
- Cross-Platform Multiplayer: Official store listings confirm cross-platform multiplayer support.
- Remote Play Together: Steam players can invite friends to join their local co-op session over the internet using a single copy of the game.
What Content Is Included at Launch?
The full release expands significantly beyond the Carthage playtest and demo chapters:
- Three Full Chapters: Your gladiator run progresses through the desert arenas of Carthage, into the frozen wilds of Germania, and concludes inside the Colosseum of Rome.
- Brutal Boss Encounters: Battles feature heavy boss gladiators, ranging from Carthage's mounted rhino warlord to Rome's Praefectus accompanied by the Praetorian Guard.
- Playable Beast Classes: Characters include distinct animal-themed archetypes such as the Armored Rhino (damage reduction and extended shield life), the Wolf (increased throw damage with enemy parts, agile dodging), the Lion/Lioness, and the Eagle.
- Risk-Reward Afflictions: Healing between arena days requires drinking potions that inflict lasting physical or mental handicaps, such as tunnel vision, altered throwing trajectories, or limping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Chained Beasts on PC Game Pass?
Yes. Featherweight Games confirmed that Chained Beasts launches day one into Game Pass for Xbox and Windows PC on October 15, 2026.
Does Chained Beasts run on Mac?
Yes. Official Steam data lists minimum macOS requirements as macOS 11 with an Apple M1 or Intel Core i7-6920HQ processor, 8 GB RAM, and an M1 GPU or Radeon Pro 450.
Can PC players play with console players?
Yes. The official Steam and Xbox store listings confirm Cross-Platform Multiplayer support across PC and console editions.
Is the Chained Beasts demo still playable on PC?
The free demo is available on Steam leading up to launch, but the developer announced it will be removed once the full game releases on October 15, 2026.
