Chrysalis
Released Dec 2024
Defend your Chrysalis from growing hordes of monsters in this hybrid game that combines elements of tower defense, survival, and roguelike RPGs. Explore procedurally generated levels, possess and control animals, and grow deadly gardens. How far can you get before the next wave of monsters?
85% positive · 120 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development
Where to buy
Steam $9.99
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Evaluation
Chrysalis launched on December 9, 2024 as a full 1.0 release from solo developer Alex at Metamorph Games. Since launch, the game has received a consistent stream of updates: a hotfix (Patch 1.4.5) on December 26, 2024; Patch 1.4.6 on January 6, 2025; a controller support beta on January 28, 2025; Patch 1.5 on March 7, 2025 (adding full controller support, Steam Deck verification, and quality-of-life improvements); Patch 1.6 on October 27, 2025 (a substantial content update adding a new eco — Amberleaf Gardens — two new species, a new event, a metaprogression boon system, three new difficulty levels, and other significant additions); and a maintenance follow-up patch (1.6.1) on December 22, 2025.
The last developer communication was on December 22, 2025. With Patch 1.6 arriving approximately 10 months after the previous major content drop (Patch 1.5 in March 2025), the established cadence between major releases runs roughly 6–10 months. As of October 1, 2026, approximately 9 months have passed since the last developer communication (December 22, 2025) and approximately 11 months since Patch 1.6 (October 27, 2025). This places the game right at the outer edge of — or just slightly beyond — the historical update window, but the developer has made no statement indicating development is complete, and no completion signal of any kind has been issued. The only DLC is the soundtrack, which shipped on launch day.
Given the sustained update history and the absence of any developer statement signaling the end of development, this remains a game in ongoing post-launch development, though the current silence since December 22, 2025 is approaching the point where it would begin to raise concern.
Evidence
Patch 1.6 released with substantial new content: new eco (Amberleaf Gardens), two new species (Hog, Pumpkin), a new event (Harvest Moon), a metaprogression boon system, three new difficulty levels, and numerous other additions.
Patch 1.5 released with controller support, Steam Deck verification, new boons, and quality-of-life improvements.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Metamorph Games
Achievements
12
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player
About this game
In Chrysalis, you play the role of a Wisp tasked with defending your land from the forces of dark magic, disease, and death. The Wisp is invisible, but it can possess and control any friendly plant or animal it finds. You must recruit the animals and natural forces around you to defend your Chrysalis, giving it time to unleash its cleansing power and destroy the monstrous enemies seeking to destroy it.
Each level plays in a series of "phases", alternating between Preparation (Roguelike/Exploration oriented) and Defense (Tower Defense oriented). You start by exploring a level, defeating monsters, finding new creatures, collecting resources, and finding new Growths you can use to defend your Chrysalis. Then, the monsters invade, altering the level and sending waves of enemies to attack the Chrysalis.
Key Features:
- Tower Defense Roguelike Hybrid: Navigate dynamic, changing environments while strategically building up your defenses. Items you find while exploring have synergistic effects on both your creatures and your plant-based defenses.
- Symbiosis: take control of any friendly plant or animal in the game.
- Metamorphosis: level up your creatures and plants, transform them into more powerful versions, and apply elemental Spirits for further customization.
- Mutation: a complex mutation system combines different species to create new creatures with unique sets of abilities and metamorphoses. You'll still be finding new creatures with new abilities after dozens of playthroughs!
- Customization and Randomization: at the beginning of each playthrough, you choose a Chrysalis that caters to a specific style of play, with unlockable abilities that increase your power as you progress. By defeating waves of monsters, you will earn random Boons which grant additional passive or active abilities, offering further ways to enhance your controlled creatures.
- Procedurally Generated Levels: No two levels are the same - there are endless possibilities each run!
- Permadeath - with a twist: If a creature you posses with Symbiosis dies, the Wisp survives and can possess a new creature. But if your Chrysalis is destroyed, the game is over - it's time to use the knowledge you gained to start a new playthrough!
- Save Anytime: you can save the game at any time and the entire state of the current level is stored, so you can pick up right where you left off!
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Oct 1, 2026
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