Chapeau is a lively multiplayer party game from Salt Castle Studio, which was released on March 30, 2020 for PC and Nintendo Switch. It centers on an idea that is as simple as it is crazy: You control a flying hat – and your goal is to put your fashionable style on as many people as possible.
Hats with personality
Forget the cylinder from Monopoly – in Chapeau A wardrobe full of absurd headgear awaits you. Whether it's a bowler hat, a cowboy hat, or a unicorn cap, you can unlock each hat and customize its appearance. Different classes bring with them different play styles. Some hats are faster, others harder to hit—each has its own characteristics and feels different.
In Chapeau Your hat is more than just a cosmetic accessory – it determines your playstyle and brings personality to the match. Each hat has unique characteristics that affect speed, jumping ability, or special abilities. From the classic top hat to colorful bowler hats to quirky creations like a donut hat or pirate hat: the selection is vast and is constantly being expanded with unlockable variants. Some hats are nimble and agile, others robust and difficult to knock off course. This means that every type of player will find the right headgear – whether you're a cunning tactician or a fierce daredevil.
Control with highs and lows
The control inside Chapeau It may seem unfamiliar at first, but you'll quickly get the hang of it. On the ground, your hat moves rather sluggishly – the real fun unfolds in the air. By jumping from head to head, you collect points and stay in motion. Precise landings are crucial to dominating the match. Power-ups like jetpacks or shields add extra dynamism to the game: They enable daring maneuvers, targeted attacks on opponents, and tactical advantages when things heat up in the arena.
challenges and adjustments
In Challenge Mode, you compete against AI opponents to unlock new hats and cards. You can collect a variety of hats with different designs and colors to customize your playstyle.
The challenge mode in Chapeau offers exciting content for solo players beyond the classic multiplayer mode. In a series of specially designed levels, you compete against AI opponents and must achieve certain goals – such as coloring a minimum number of NPCs, using power-ups effectively, or staying in the arena for a particularly long time. Each completed challenge rewards you with new hats, cards, or cosmetic extras. This mode is perfect for getting to grips with the gameplay, trying out new strategies, or simply having fun without the pressure of competition. It's also ideal as preparation for heated multiplayer battles.
Headhunter
Up to four players jump through colorful maps in local multiplayer or single-player mode, trying to mark as many NPCs as possible with their hat color. You achieve this by deliberately landing on their heads. Your opponents do the same – and take away any heads you've already colored. In game modes like "Color Craze," "The Floor is Lava," or "Where is Wilhelm," the goal changes, but the hectic, chaotic fun remains.
Colorful game environments full of life
The arenas in Chapeau are vibrant, stylized settings that perfectly match the playful premise. Whether bustling streets, quirky interiors, or quirky outdoor areas – each environment is packed with NPCs, platforms, and small details that add dynamic flair to the action. The maps not only differ visually, but also bring with them gameplay-specific features, such as obstacles, elevation changes, or limited movement spaces. This keeps every round fresh, and you'll constantly have to adapt your tactics to the environment. The charming presentation and lovingly designed levels contribute significantly to the game's special atmosphere.
Game modes and gameplay
The game offers three main modes:
- The floor is Lava: Avoid the ground turning into lava by landing on NPC heads.
- Where is Wilhelm: Find and land on a specific NPC that randomly appears in the level.
- Color Craze: Color as many NPCs as possible in your team color by landing on them.
The Floor is Lava – The floor is taboo
In game mode The floor is Lava Every slip becomes dangerous, because the ground itself is deadly. Your goal: Stay in the air as long as possible by jumping from head to head and skillfully moving across the arena. NPCs serve as living platforms, but your fellow players are also after them – and anyone who is too slow or misses the target lands in the "lava" and loses valuable points. This mode requires utmost precision, good timing, and a keen eye for movement. An exciting blend of skill and hectic platform hopping.
Color Craze – Hat colors in the race
In game mode Color Craze The goal is to mark as many NPCs as possible in your own hat color by landing on their heads. But the competition isn't sleeping: Your fellow players are trying the same thing – and can recapture your colored figures. This creates a hectic, tactical scramble for every head. You have to decide quickly whether to color new NPCs or recapture those already marked. Whoever controls the most colored people at the end wins the round. This mode thrives on speed, clever route selection, and perfect timing – and is ideal for heated duels and joyful chaos.
Where is Wilhelm – Search game under hats
The mode Where is Wilhelm puts your eagle eye to the test: A target named Wilhelm is hiding among numerous identical NPCs – and only the first to spot him and land on his head scores the points. But Wilhelm is well camouflaged, moving among the others and occasionally changing his appearance. While you try to spot him, your fellow players are also busy searching – and anyone who is too slow or inaccurate will land on the wrong head. This mode combines quick reactions with observation skills and ensures exciting duels full of aha moments.
Diverse playstyles for flying hats
Chapeau offers a surprising number of options for adapting your play style to your preferences. Aggressive players hunt down enemy hats and steal their colored NPCs. More defensive players focus on catching as many unmarked heads as possible in a short amount of time and cleverly using power-ups. Skilled aerial acrobats use jump chains and environmental objects to move across the field at lightning speed. Tacticians secure targeted positions and strategically unleash their special abilities. Depending on the hat class you choose, you focus on speed, control, or endurance – making each round play out differently.
Power-ups and special abilities
In Chapeau Power-ups add that extra something to every round. They appear randomly on the map and can turn the tide of battle in seconds. From jetpacks for quick jumps and shields for protection from enemies to items that unbalance enemy hats – every power-up adds tactical depth and unexpected twists. Those who use them skillfully can not only secure points but also wrest decisive advantages from their opponents. Especially in hectic multiplayer, they are often the key to victory – or to the ultimate defeat at the last moment.
Graphics and style
Chapeau relies on a minimalist, colorful graphic style that perfectly matches the game's playful tone. The environments are simple yet functional—ideal for quickly finding your way around the hectic gameplay. NPCs and hats are clearly recognizable, and the animations are fluid and exaggerated. The stylized presentation supports the chaotic multiplayer charm and ensures that everything remains clear despite many simultaneous actions on the screen. Even though the graphical depth is limited, the charming look contributes to the light, cheerful feel of the game.
sounds and music
The soundtrack of Chapeau accompanies the gameplay with cheerful, light-hearted melodies that underline the crazy style of the game. The music remains discreet in the Background and leaves room for the real chaos – the popping of hats, the flying objects, and the sound of hits on the NPCs' heads. Sound effects are deliberately cartoonish, reinforcing the fun, not-so-serious feel of the game. Even in local multiplayer, the acoustic feedback quickly creates a lively, captivating atmosphere that's perfect for short, fast-paced rounds.
Multiplayer – Together through the hat madness
Chapeau reveals its full appeal in local multiplayer with up to four players. On console or PC, the hats engage in fast-paced battles for heads, points, and rankings. Whether in free duels or team-based rounds, multiplayer ensures constant dynamism, plenty of laughs, and sometimes even heated rematches. The simple controls allow for quick entry, while the various game modes, power-ups, and hats guarantee long-term variety. The multiplayer fun can also be experienced online via Steam Remote Play, where only the host needs to own the game—ideal for spontaneous matches with friends.
Rewards and coins – fashion meets motivation
In Chapeau During your matches, you collect coins, which serve as in-game currency. With these coins, you unlock new hats, color variations, and cards that emphasize your personal style. Whether it's a striking party hat or a classy top hat, the selection grows with your progress. The rewards are purely cosmetic, but provide a motivating sense of development and individuality. Those who master challenges or play particularly well earn more coins and can unlock new content faster. This creates a constant incentive to keep playing, trying new things out, and hopping into the next round with the craziest hat on their head.
Development history and inspiration
Chapeau was created as a master's thesis project at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. The five founders of Salt Castle Studio Tom Langer, Stefan Schwab, Mathias Lillich, Lukas Wagner, and Gregor Kirchhofer developed the game with the goal of creating a commercially viable product. The idea of using a hat as a game piece arose from a creative exercise in which various objects served as starting points for game concepts. The hat proved particularly promising.
Funding and support
The financing of Chapeau was carried out, among other things, by the impulse XS program, a grant that was approved after a second application. Instead of relying on crowdfunding, the developers chose this route because the effort and prospects of success of crowdfunding were considered less favorable. They also received support from Startup Salzburg network and the FHStartup Center, especially through mentoring from Martin Fillip, COO of mi'pu'mi games.
Conclusion
Chapeau is a wonderfully crazy party game with a unique concept and plenty of charm. The combination of platforming, team play, and competition unfolds its full potential, especially in local multiplayer. Thanks to varied modes, funny hats, and entertaining action, the game is perfect for social evenings. Anyone who appreciates original concepts that are off the beaten track and enjoys immersing themselves in creative chaos with friends should definitely give this flying hat a try.
Visit the official Salt Castle Studio website
Originally posted on 2020-01-28 12:34:00.
