Chained Backrooms is a survival horror game infused with roguelike mechanics set in a haunting co-op experience. Set within the mysterious and ever-shifting Backrooms, the game requires up to four players to work together—physically tethered by chains—to survive, search for anomalies, and retain their grip on sanity amid the creeping dread.

Chained Backrooms features graphics with a surreal twist and a suspenseful, atmospheric soundtrack. Its story places players in a disturbing, procedurally generated version of the Backrooms, where the main objective is to survive and work as one. It focuses on collaboration due to the chain mechanic, making teamwork essential in survival.

Teamwork gets a literal twist

Chained Backrooms is built around a core mechanic: a physical chain links all players together. No one can simply act independently—every step, pause, or turn impacts the entire group. With procedurally generated levels, each session introduces new layouts, unpredictable dangers, and fresh obstacles that require players to think and move as one unit to make progress. Work as a team, or die trying.

To add to the tension, the game uses a proximity-based voice chat, where communication fades with distance. This means that players must stay close and strategize carefully to not make so much noise. On top of that, there’s a daily task system that adds pressure to stay productive. Do note, however, that permadeath plays a major role—once a teammate falls, they’re gone for good.

The game, however, is not without its flaws. Player reviews have pointed out that the game feels incomplete, with a lot of reused assets and a lack of polish. Its procedural generation is seen as limited to a few pre-made levels. Additionally, there are multiple reported instances of the game killing the player for no reason, even after meeting the daily quota.

A unique but demanding co-op

Overall, Chained Backrooms stands out for its original blend of co-op tension, survival horror, and procedurally generated unpredictability. While the core design encourages collaboration, the unrelenting pressure of task completion and the risk of permanent death can make each session both thrilling and exhausting. It's a niche game, best suited for players who enjoy high-stakes, team-based survival.