Chicken Feet

Chicken Feet is a first-person survival horror and stealth game developed by Dylan Bassett Games, released in 2022. Players assume the role of an intern at GOOBER Laboratories, a genetic research facility attacked by a rampaging giant chicken that has escaped and killed the staff. Guided by the radio voice of Sergeant Corey, players must navigate the lab’s depths to capture the creature, gradually uncovering darker secrets involving unethical experiments, monstrous artificial humans, and the chicken’s tragic origin as a mutated former colleague.

Chicken Feet: Review

Introduction

In the crowded landscape of indie horror games, few premises are as disarmingly absurd yet profoundly unsettling as Chicken Feet. Released in October 2022, this first-person survival-stealth title from solo developer Dylan Bassett (under Bassett Interactive) tasks players with hunting a genetically mutated giant chicken through the decaying halls of GOOBER Laboratories. What begins as a B-movie conceit—a feathered fiend in a sci-fi lab—unfolds into a masterclass in tension, environmental storytelling, and psychological dread. Despite its budget origins, Chicken Feet has garnered a “Very Positive” Steam rating (91% of 387 reviews at launch, later sustained at 91% from 467 reviews) and a cult following. This review argues that Chicken Feet transcends its niche premise through meticulous atmosphere, innovative stealth mechanics, and a narrative that weaponizes its absurdity to deliver a searing critique of corporate greed and scientific hubris.

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Development History & Context

Chicken Feet emerged from the singular vision of Dylan Bassett, a developer who leveraged Unreal Engine 5 to craft a visually polished experience on an indie budget. The game’s premise—a giant chicken terrorizing a lab—was born from a blend of dark humor and a desire to subvert horror tropes. As Bassett noted, the core concept strips away conventional combat, forcing players into a vulnerable, reactive state: “You have no way of defending yourself. Your only choices are to run, hide, or die.”

Technologically, the game showcases Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities, particularly its lighting and environmental design, though community discussions highlighted optimization issues, such as unoptimized shadows causing performance dips. The 2022 release placed Chicken Feet amid a boom in indie horror games, capitalizing on the success of narrative-driven titles like P.T. and Hello Neighbor. Its timing was opportune, as players increasingly embraced shorter, atmospheric experiences over sprawling epics. The developer’s commitment to “no loading screens between levels” further distinguished it from contemporaries, emphasizing immersion and tension.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Chicken Feet’s narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, radio transmissions, and scattered voice logs, weaving a tale of betrayal and monstrosity. Players assume the role of a disposable intern at GOOBER Laboratories, sent to recapture a giant chicken that has escaped its containment and slaughtered the staff. Guided by a disembodied radio voice claiming to be “Sergeant Corey,” the player descends into the facility, luring the beast to a capture point. This setup, however, masks a far darker conspiracy.

The plot’s first twist reveals Corey as Eric, the Faux Affably Evil CEO who orchestrated the chaos. Eric’s saccharine radio instructions (“Good work, intern! Almost there!”) contrast with his sociopathic plans to eliminate the player after their usefulness ends. The narrative deepens with the introduction of Sebastian, an Artificial Human created in the lab. Sebastian’s tragic arc—his realization that he is human, not a monster, and subsequent suicide—crystallizes the game’s central theme: Humans Are the Real Monsters. Eric, after all, mutated his former friend Cooper into the giant chicken, transforming him into a Feathered Fiend through unethical experimentation.

The dialogue is sparse but potent. Sebastian’s recorded monologues dissect his existential horror: “I am not what they made me… but I am human, like him.” This mirrors Eric’s descent into madness, as he justifies atrocities with pseudo-scientific jargon. The story’s climax delivers a gut-punch: after the player (aided by Sebastian) neutralizes Eric, Sebastian performs a Mercy Kill on a comatose Cooper, lamenting, “He deserved better… and peace.” The game’s Dream Sequence—a surreal barnyard maze where the player converses with Cooper—further blurs reality, symbolizing the trauma inflicted by human cruelty. Ultimately, Chicken Feet uses its poultry antagonist as a mirror to expose the grotesque consequences of unchecked ambition.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Chicken Feet’s brilliance lies in its stripped-down, high-tension gameplay loop. With no weapons or combat, players must rely on stealth, evasion, and environmental awareness. The core mechanics revolve around three pillars:

1. Stealth and Evasion: The giant chicken, Cooper, is faster than the player but lacks intelligence. Darkness is the player’s greatest ally; hiding in shadows or crouching reduces visibility. Sliding through tight vents and cutting corners across obstacles (e.g., tables, lockers) exploits pathfinding AI.
2. Exploration and Discovery: The facility’s varied sections—from sterile labs to a barnyard-themed maze—encourage thoroughness. Voice logs scattered throughout reveal Eric’s descent into madness and Sebastian’s humanity. Timed Missions, such as activating power grids before Cooper arrives, ratchet up urgency.
3. Immersion and Minimalism: The UI is nearly nonexistent, replaced by environmental cues (e.g., flickering lights, Cooper’s distant squawks). This design choice heightens vulnerability, with player health inferred from audio cues and visual feedback.

Flaws are minor but notable. Community discussions highlight the lack of controller remapping for crouch and occasional AI quirks, where Cooper might get stuck in geometry. Yet these issues are forgivable given the game’s short playtime (average 1h 40m) and relentless pacing. The “no loading screens” design ensures tension never breaks, while achievements like “Eggcellent!” (beating the game without dying) or “Golden Chicken” (under 20 minutes) reward mastery.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

GOOBER Laboratories is a character in its own right, designed to symbolize corruption from top to bottom. The facility transitions from pristine, neon-lit corridors in Level 1 to decaying, blood-splattered depths by Level 3. The shift in art direction—from sterile whites to industrial grays and organic decay—mirrors Eric’s moral decline. Unreal Engine 5 enables detailed textures: flickering emergency lights, Cooper’s grotesque feathers, and Sebastian’s monstrous physique all contribute to the horror.

Sound design is equally critical. Cooper’s squawks are guttural and unpredictable, escalating from distant caws to deafening roars when he’s near. Eric’s voice, initially reassuring, becomes increasingly strained and unhinged as his plan unravels. The score is sparse, relying on ambient noise—dripping pipes, electrical humming—to amplify dread. Voice recordings, particularly Sebastian’s whispered confessions, add psychological depth. Together, art and sound forge an oppressive atmosphere where silence is as terrifying as chaos. The barnyard maze level exemplifies this, with distorted animal sounds and disorienting visuals turning pastoral imagery into a nightmare.

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Reception & Legacy

Chicken Feet launched to immediate acclaim on Steam, with 91% of 387 reviews at launch being “Very Positive.” Players lauded its tension, story, and atmosphere, calling it “a hidden gem” and “masterful in its simplicity.” Critics (though absent from formal outlets) noted its influences: P.T. for its environmental storytelling and Outlast for its helplessness. The game’s legacy stems from three key factors:

1. Niche Appeal and Word-of-Mouth: Its absurd premise attracted curious players, but its execution earned loyalty. Steam discussions buzzed with theories about Cooper’s identity and Sebastian’s fate, while completionist communities praised its tight design.
2. Influence on Indie Horror: Chicken Feet proved that high-concept, low-budget games could thrive. Its focus on overpowered antagonists and resourceless stealth inspired titles like Bloody Feet (2024), its direct sequel.
3. Cultural Footprint: Despite its brevity, it entered the horror lexicon. References to “Cooper” and “GOOBER” permeate fan art and Let’s Play videos, with Markiplier’s coverage amplifying its reach. The game’s 12 Steam achievements, including the rare “A Second Chance” (discovering an alternate ending), fueled replayability.

Critically, it remains an indie darling, often cited in discussions of “games that defy expectations.” Its commercial success ($7.99 on Steam) and sustained player engagement (2+ players in-game at time of writing) underscore its staying power.

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Conclusion

Chicken Feet is a triumph of focused design, transforming a laughable premise into a harrowing experience. Its genius lies in contrast: the absurdity of a giant chicken juxtaposed with the grim reality of corporate and scientific malfeasance. Dylan Bassett’s command of tension—from Eric’s manipulative radio calls to Sebastian’s tragic arc—creates a narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. While minor technical quirks and its short runtime may deter some, these are negligible flaws in a game that prioritizes atmosphere and storytelling over spectacle.

In the pantheon of horror games, Chicken Feet earns its place as a cult classic. It is a testament to the power of indie development, proving that innovation thrives in constraint. For players seeking a pulse-pounding, emotionally resonant journey, Chicken Feet is not just worth playing—it’s essential. It turns poultry into poetry, and laboratories into labyrinths of the soul. Verdict: A masterpiece of indie horror that deserves a place in every gamer’s library.