Chickenauts - Build absurd chicken companions, wreck invaders, and bring your family home. (Game Review)
I charged into the mothership, pistol ready, with a wild mutant chicken squawking beside me. The rooms erupted in chaos around us. I laughed, swore under my breath, and before long, I was back at it, running the same frantic mission again.
You save chickens, then watch them turn into absolute mayhem.
You’re a farmer turned raider, breaking into an alien mothership to rescue and mutate your flock. Every run brings new companions, fresh mutations, and wild new ways to tear through the invaders. At its heart, it’s about family… your chickens are your crew, and you’ll do whatever it takes to get them back!
Chickenauts blends top-down roguelike action with a focus on building your companion. You’ll spend most of your time clearing tight rooms, choosing mutations, and watching your chicken sidekick evolve into something ridiculous and deadly. The twist? Most upgrades boost your chicken more than you, flipping the usual power dynamic on its head.
Watch the trailer here:
Quick rooms. Quick choices. Pure chaos.
Each run is made up of quick, intense rooms. You clear a room, grab whatever loot you find, pick a mutation, and push forward. Rooms take less than a minute to clear, keeping the pace tight and the runs fresh.
The gameplay relies on your shooting skills, how well you and your chicken companion work together, and stacking mutations. Your aim and movement really count. Your chicken’s abilities change how you tackle fights. Mutations can stack up and sometimes completely break a run in the best way. Progression carries over through eggs, weapons, and new companions, so every death still feels like a step forward.
The difficulty ramps up sharply. Early runs feel doable, but later floors throw combos that punish careless mistakes. Mastering the game means knowing which mutations to pick and how to position your chicken so it takes the hits for you.
It’s bold, colorful, and just the right amount of weird.
Chunky sprites and bold silhouettes. The environments mix things up but can feel a bit repetitive sometimes. Characters really stand out against the ship’s metallic backdrops.
Guns bark. Chickens cluck and burst into frantic squawks. The sound cues help you spot threats off-screen and really feel each hit.
Visuals and sound are designed to be clear and easy to follow. Even when bullets fly everywhere, you can tell what’s yours and what’s not. The style matches the fast pace and silly chaos of the game.
Solo runs, plenty of chances to brag to your friends.
Chickenauts is a single-player game. The social side comes alive through clips and screenshots, where players share their craziest chicken builds and funniest wipeouts. The replay loop is simple but effective: randomized rooms, stacking mutations, and a light meta progression keep things feeling fresh. The companion system invites you to experiment… try out a mutation combo, watch it blow up in your favor, then hunt for the next wild setup!
Chickenauts is a wild, hilarious roguelike that loves when you mix things up and try new strategies.
It delivers short, intense runs packed with the fun of crafting absurdly powerful companions. The focus on your chicken sidekick adds charm and some smart gameplay twists. Sure, there are drawbacks… weapon choices can feel thin, some rooms get repetitive, and sometimes you’re just watching your chicken do all the work. But when everything clicks, it’s an absolute blast!
Available on the following platforms, click each link to download or wishlist:
• PC (Steam) - Released Mar 3, 2026 at $5.99
Follow the chaos and watch the chickens evolve.
Why wishlist
Wishlist if you like short, replayable runs and the thrill of discovering broken combos. New companions and mutations can change the game overnight.
How to stay informed
Follow SneakyBox and Untold Tales on storefront pages and social channels for patch notes and content updates. Community clips are the best place to spot new strategies.
Key Takeaways
- The heart of Chickenauts is building wild, mutated chicken companions that change how you play.
- The gameplay is all about quick room clears, mutation choices, and upgrading your team.
- Most upgrades boost your chicken sidekick, flipping the usual power balance and adding fresh tactics.
- Combat is fast-paced and satisfying once you get the hang of enemy patterns.
- Replay value is high thanks to varied mutations and randomized rooms that keep each run feeling new.
- Some downsides include a limited weapon selection and occasional repetitive level design.
- Perfect for fans of bullet-hell roguelikes who enjoy goofy, emergent gameplay.
- Overall, it’s a fun, chaotic roguelike that shines in short, intense bursts when you lean into the madness.
Game Information
Developer: SneakyBox, Kautki Cave
Publisher: Untold Tales, SneakyBox
Platforms: PC (Reviewed)
Release Date: Mar 3, 2026
Reviewed by: Mandy Valentine
Reviewed on: 03/09/2026
Score: 6.0 / 10
Chickenauts delivers fast, chaotic runs packed with charm and clever companion mechanics. It shines brightest in short bursts when you embrace the wild mutations and goofy chaos. While the limited weapon variety and some repetitive rooms hold it back from greatness, the game’s personality and replayability make it a solid pick for fans of roguelikes who enjoy a bit of humor and experimentation.
When a run clicks, Chickenauts turns into a hilarious, frantic dance of mutant chickens and mayhem that’s hard to put down.