Chained Beasts is officially coming to PlayStation 5. Developer and publisher Featherweight Games confirmed that the 1–4 player co-op gladiator roguelike will launch simultaneously across consoles and PC on October 15, 2026, opening its arena gates at 10:00 AM PDT / 5:00 PM UTC.
The game brings brutal arena combat, physics-based chain mechanics, and roguelite progression to the PS5 alongside Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Chained Beasts PS5 Release Details
Featherweight Games developed the game over a two-year period before announcing the full console rollout. The game releases as a full launch across all confirmed systems on the same day.
| Detail | Official Specification |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 15, 2026 |
| Launch Time | 10:00 AM PDT / 5:00 PM UTC |
| Developer / Publisher | Featherweight Games |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X |
| Game Pass Availability | Day one on Xbox and Windows PC |
| ESRB Rating | M (Mature) |
| Perspective | Top-Down / Isometric (Bird view) |
Core Gameplay and DualSense Controller Support
Chained Beasts places players in gladiatorial arenas where up to four teammates are physically tethered together by chains. Success depends on moving in unison, as poor coordination causes teammates to get wrapped around arena pillars. When synchronized properly, teams can clothesline enemies, trip oncoming foes, and manipulate the environment.
Combat features both melee hacking and interactive arena hazards:
- Environmental Hazards: Players can charge gladiators into spike walls, knock them into snake pits, or smash urns across the floor.
- Weapon Mechanics: You can throw weapons at distance targets to eliminate threats, but doing so leaves you unarmed unless you retrieve another weapon or engage hand-to-hand.
- Visuals and Setting: Battles feature stylized top-down action with persistent blood splatters that remain on the arena sand.
Official store listings confirm DualSense controller support and DualShock controller support alongside full gamepad integration. Local shared and split-screen co-op requires at least one gamepad controller.
Injury Mechanics and Progression
Survival in Chained Beasts involves managing severe bodily harm accumulated throughout consecutive runs. Surviving battles leaves gladiators with persistent physical and mental afflictions:
- Physical Trauma: Characters can suffer from a permanent limp or the loss of a left eye.
- Mental Conditions: Combat trauma can trigger battle hallucinations that only the affected player sees on screen.
- Treatments: Players can ingest potions to dull pain, though potions carry negative side effects. Alternatively, surgical procedures can treat ailments between arena matches.
- Character Unlocks: Completing runs allows players to earn arena fame, win over the crowd for audience support, save currency for new weapons, and unlock distinct characters with unique combat abilities.
Arena Chapters and Bosses
The full release guides players through three distinct regional chapters on their road to freedom:
- Carthage: The introductory desert arena trials where combat mechanics and team tethering are first tested.
- Germania: The frozen northern wastes featuring environmental challenges and specialized regional enemies.
- Rome: The climactic chapter set inside the Roman Colosseum. This area features the final encounter against the boss Praefectus and his elite Praetorian Guard.
Multiplayer and Co-Op Modes on PS5
Chained Beasts supports flexible multiplayer formats, accommodating both solo players and groups of four:
- Single-Player: The entire campaign and roguelike runs can be played solo.
- Local Couch Co-Op: Shared/split-screen play is supported for local groups.
- Online Co-Op: Up to four players can team up via online multiplayer.
- Cross-Platform Play: Official store features list cross-platform multiplayer support for the title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the release date for Chained Beasts on PS5?
Chained Beasts releases on PlayStation 5 on October 15, 2026, unlocking worldwide at 10:00 AM PDT / 5:00 PM UTC.
Does Chained Beasts on PS5 support local multiplayer?
Yes. The game includes support for shared/split-screen local co-op as well as online co-op for 1 to 4 players.
Is Chained Beasts included on PlayStation Plus at launch?
Featherweight Games has announced day-one subscription availability for Xbox Game Pass (Xbox and Windows PC). No announcement has been made regarding PlayStation Plus inclusion for the PS5 launch.
Does the game support the PS5 DualSense controller?
Yes. Official developer specifications confirm full gamepad support, explicitly listing DualSense controller compatibility.
