RockBeasts

About RockBeasts

RockBeasts is a 2026 role-playing management game from Lichthund and Team17. Set in a gritty 90s US, it tasks you with shepherding a chaotic rock band toward stardom. You juggle rehearsals, meals, gear repairs, and gig bookings while navigating label deals and creative compromises. The story, penned by a veteran of Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk, blends dark comedy with music industry satire. It’s a single-player indie title on PC, PS5, Xbox, and Switch. Think coffee-stained contracts, dodgy basement venues, and a band that’s equal parts talent and chaos.

Gameplay

Each week cycles through management tasks: fix broken amps, force the drummer to eat something besides fast food, and haggle for stage time at seedy clubs. Performances require real-time mic management and crowd control, panic buttons to soothe drunk audience members or restart a blown-out guitar solo. Negotiation menus let you choose between artistic integrity and label demands. Side quests involve booking tours, managing PR scandals, and dealing with the band’s substance abuse. Controls are click-heavy but intuitive, with a focus on quick decisions. Progress feels slow but rewarding as the band graduates from basements to arenas.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 7.6/10, with 72% completing the base story. Average playtime is 28 hours, spiked by grindy mid-game funding phases. Moods lean chaotic (23%) and nostalgic (18%), but 15% call it “frustratingly opaque.” Critics gave it 68/100 at launch, praising its absurdity but bashing clunky UI. A top review states: “It’s a rollercoaster of bad decisions and worse lighting.” Completion stats drop after chapter 5, where 34% quit due to repetitive booking menus. Achievements include “Crank It Up” (first gig) and “Sellout,” unlocked by signing exploitative contracts.

PlayPile's Take

RockBeasts works best for management fans who don’t mind its 28-hour grind. The 90s rock satire and branching narrative choices are its strengths, though the UI often feels like a relic. At $29.99, it’s a niche pick for those who enjoy balancing band drama with resource management. Avoid if you dislike micromanagement or want a streamlined experience. The chaotic charm and Iggy Pop cameos justify a playthrough, but be ready to tolerate its flaws.

Storyline

A dark comedy story featuring the legendary Iggy Pop, crafted by the writer of Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Blood of Dawnwalker. ROCKBEASTS is a role-playing management game that puts you in the shoes of a manager in the age of MTV, rock anthems, and bad haircuts. You’re changing the world of music. Your band’s tracks are the kind of art that redefines genres. That’s why you signed with a label that cares about creative freedom, right? You didn’t become sellouts, did you? The road to success is a tricky one, and being a manager is a complex task. Will you help your band become rock rebels or sellouts? The choice is not always easy. ROCKBEASTS is set in the 90s United States, a time of grunge rock, raging capitalism, and music television." Somebody’s gotta make sure this bunch of misfits get ready for the gig. That’s where you come in. Make sure they get it together. There’s real potential here, but you’re gonna have to be the one that makes sure they make it through each week with a half-decent meal and a working amp. Pick the venue, prep the set and make sure it all goes according to plan. Pull it off and the band might just finally take those first steps to fame and glory. Sure, this one was in a grimy basement, but even the rock legends had to start somewhere, right?