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Chants of Sennaar

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Chants of Sennaar
Item: Chants of Sennaar
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Puzzle and Logic, RPG, Top-Down Perspective, Single Player

AvailableSep 5, 2023

PlatformPC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

DeveloperRundisc

Overview

In this game of adventure and enigmas where ancient languages are both the lock and the key, travel the endless steps of a prodigious labyrinth, multiply unexpected encounters and unveil the mysteries of a fantastic world inspired by the myth of Babel.

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Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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TL;DR

Critics praise Chants of Sennaar for its unique exploration of language and communication, celebrating diverse cultures and the Tower of Babel inspiration. Some express concerns about narrative clarity and engagement, but overall, the game is lauded for its fascinating world-building, characters, and themes of uniting through language.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The overall sentiment towards the story of Chants of Sennaar is largely positive, with many critics praising its unique concept and exploration of language and communication. Digital Trends commends the game for its portrayal of the nuance and complexity of communication, highlighting how it celebrates and explores different cultures. Eurogamer Germany and God is a Geek both appreciate the game's inspiration from the story of the Tower of Babel, as it adds depth to the narrative and provides a compelling backdrop for players to overcome language barriers. Everyeye.it and Hardcore Gamer also mention the intriguing premise of a linguist exploring a complex tower filled with mysterious symbols and languages, adding to the sense of mystery and discovery. However, there are some critics who express concerns about the story's execution. IGN France mentions that while the tower of Babel-like story is intriguing, it lacks clarity, potentially hindering the player's understanding of the narrative. Gameblog.fr describes the story as not particularly engaging, despite its strong historical context. These criticisms suggest that while the concept and setting of the story are intriguing, the execution may fall short in terms of engaging the player and providing a clear narrative structure. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the story of Chants of Sennaar is a unique and intriguing exploration of language and communication. Critics such as Noisy Pixel and Worth Playing appreciate how the game explores themes of communication, understanding, and finding common ground. The Sixth Axis and Checkpoint Gaming highlight the game's focus on learning languages and breaking down communication barriers, emphasizing the importance of language in uniting people. TheXboxHub praises the game for its fascinating world-building, amazing characters, and level design, suggesting that the story is effectively delivered through visual storytelling. While there are some criticisms regarding clarity and engagement, the overall sentiment is positive, with the majority of critics finding the story of Chants of Sennaar to be a unique and thought-provoking experience.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

Critics unanimously praise the gameplay of Chants of Sennaar for its innovative language mechanics, engaging puzzles, and diverse exploration elements. While some mention minor flaws like unnecessary stealth sections and potential brute-forcing in puzzles, the overall consensus is highly positive. The game's unique features, including language deciphering and varied puzzles, make it a standout experience according to reviewers like Digital Trends and Eurogamer Germany. In summary, Chants of Sennaar offers enjoyable, challenging gameplay that enhances the overall gaming experience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

60%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple videogame reviewers regarding the gameplay of Chants of Sennaar, it is evident that the majority of critics found the gameplay to be very good. The game was praised for its unique and engaging mechanics, which revolve around deciphering languages, solving puzzles, and exploring different locations. Critics such as Digital Trends, IGN France, and Pure Nintendo highlighted the game's innovative language mechanic, where players must decipher different dialects using visual cues. This mechanic was described as inventive, clever, and charming, adding a fresh and enjoyable element to the gameplay. The inclusion of stealth and point-and-click elements, as mentioned by WellPlayed and Pure Nintendo, further contributed to the game's overall engagement and variety. While the overall sentiment towards the gameplay of Chants of Sennaar was positive, there were a few criticisms mentioned by some reviewers. TheXboxHub mentioned that some players may find the stealth sections unnecessary, which could potentially disrupt the flow of the gameplay for certain individuals. Additionally, Worth Playing noted that while the puzzles were not overly difficult, some solutions may require brute forcing, which could be seen as a drawback for players seeking more intricate and challenging puzzles. However, these criticisms were relatively minor compared to the overall positive reception of the gameplay. Taking into account the opinions of the critics, it is clear that the gameplay of Chants of Sennaar was well-received. The game's unique language-deciphering mechanics, varied puzzles, and engaging exploration elements were praised by multiple reviewers. The positive feedback from critics such as Eurogamer Germany, GameSpew, and The Games Machine further supports the consensus that the gameplay of Chants of Sennaar is a standout feature of the game. Overall, the gameplay was described as enjoyable, challenging, and well-implemented, making it a strong aspect of the overall gaming experience.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

Critics unanimously praise Chants of Sennaar for its stunning graphics and vibrant art style, drawing comparisons to renowned artists and European comic books. While a few critics had reservations about innovation, the majority lauded the game's colorful design, unique atmosphere, and attention to detail in representing diverse cultures. Overall, the visuals are described as gorgeous, immersive, and visually distinct, making them a standout feature of the game.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

96%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of Chants of Sennaar, with many highlighting its striking and visually appealing art style. Digital Trends commends the game for its "gorgeous visuals" and mentions the use of bright colors and diverse inhabitants. Eurogamer Germany also appreciates the beautiful illustrations that create a lively environment. Everyeye.it describes the graphics as simple yet visually striking, reminiscent of renowned artists like De Chirico and Monument Valley. Hardcore Gamer further adds that the game's visuals invoke the likes of comic artists such as Moebius, with each in-game culture having its own unique personality and language. Noisy Pixel considers the art direction to be a high point of the game, with stunning visuals inspired by European artists. While the majority of the critics had positive opinions, there were a few who had some reservations about the graphics and visual design of Chants of Sennaar. Slant Magazine describes the game's world as occasionally pretty but not particularly surprising or magnetic. Although this criticism suggests a lack of innovation in the visual design, it is important to note that this opinion is in the minority. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of Chants of Sennaar are highly impressive. TheSixthAxis praises the game's colorful and pleasing design, with each level having its own distinct color palette and the inhabitants having their own unique fashion. Worth Playing appreciates the European comic book aesthetic with muted pastel colors and visible black lines, as well as the well-executed animations and body language. GameSpew describes the art style as unique, resembling a comic book cel with vibrant colors and bold shadowing. Gameblog.fr also praises the cel-shaded art style, noting its resemblance to European comic books and its unique atmosphere. The visuals are visually distinct and enchanting, according to WellPlayed, with bright colors and thick lines depicting different cultures and ideologies. Pure Nintendo finds the game stunning to look at, with bold colors, unusual camera angles, and a consistent art style that gives each community a clear identity. Siliconera describes the visual design as gorgeous and immersive, with historical and foreign aesthetics, particularly highlighting the beauty of the sigils. TheXboxHub considers the visual design a standout aspect of the game, with amazing visuals, brilliant environments, and breathtaking moments of beauty and elegance resembling a collectible comic book. In conclusion, the overwhelming majority of critics had positive opinions about the graphics and visual design of Chants of Sennaar. The game's striking art style, vibrant colors, unique atmosphere, and attention to detail in representing different cultures were highly praised. While a few critics mentioned a lack of surprise or innovation in the visual design, the overall consensus is that the graphics and visual design of Chants of Sennaar are visually stunning and a standout aspect of the game.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Music and Sound Design

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TL;DR

Critics widely praise Chants of Sennaar's sound design and music, with multiple reviewers highlighting the diverse and immersive audio experience. The distinct soundtracks for each civilization, enchanting music, and effective use of ambient noises impress, though some note infrequent music and mismatched tones. Overall, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the game's ability to create an engaging and atmospheric audio journey.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

12%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Chants of Sennaar are mostly positive. Multiple critics, such as Digital Trends, Noisy Pixel, SpazioGames, TheSixthAxis, Worth Playing, Checkpoint Gaming, GameSpew, WellPlayed, COGconnected, Eurogamer, Nintendo Life, SECTOR.sk, and TheXboxHub, praised the game's sound design and music. They highlighted the diverse and immersive nature of the audio, with distinct soundtracks representing each civilization and enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game. The use of ambient noises, instrumental tracks, and gibberish languages was also commended for its effectiveness in conveying the idea of initial unfamiliarity and cultural diversity. The critics mentioned that the music in Chants of Sennaar was enchanting, beautiful, calming, charming, and excellent, with tracks that complemented the gameplay and added to the overall experience. The sound design was also praised for its ability to evoke various emotions and enhance the immersive experience. While the majority of critics had positive opinions, there were a few who mentioned some negatives regarding the sound design and music of Chants of Sennaar. Gameblog.fr noted that the music, although beautiful, was too infrequent, and the overall sound design was not mentioned. This suggests that there may be a lack of consistency or balance in the frequency of music throughout the game. Additionally, GameSpew mentioned a mention of a darker tone for certain sections, which could imply that the soundtrack may not always match the tone or atmosphere of the gameplay in those specific moments. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Chants of Sennaar has a strong Sound Design and Music. The positive feedback from multiple critics, such as Digital Trends, Everyeye.it, Noisy Pixel, SpazioGames, TheSixthAxis, Worth Playing, Checkpoint Gaming, GameSpew, WellPlayed, COGconnected, Eurogamer, Nintendo Life, SECTOR.sk, and TheXboxHub, highlights the game's ability to create an immersive and diverse audio experience. The beautiful, enchanting, and calming music, along with the distinct soundtracks representing different civilizations, were praised for enhancing the atmosphere and adding to the overall enjoyment of the game. The use of ambient noises, instrumental tracks, and gibberish languages was also commended for its creative and effective portrayal of cultural diversity and the initial sense of unfamiliarity. While there were a few mentions of infrequent music and potential mismatched tones in certain sections, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, indicating that the Sound Design and Music of Chants of Sennaar are strong aspects of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

technical performance

Description unavailable

Replay Value

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TL;DR

Critics generally praise the replay value of Chants of Sennaar for its satisfying puzzle-solving experience, language mastery, and unique gameplay mechanics around language. While one critic mentions limited replay value, others emphasize the game's exploration and story elements, making it clear that the game is enjoyable and worth revisiting.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

33%

Mixed (50-79)

67%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Replay Value of Chants of Sennaar are generally positive. Eurogamer Germany praises the puzzle-solving experience, stating that it is satisfying and rarely frustrating, which makes the game enjoyable for puzzle enthusiasts. God is a Geek highlights the replay value of the game, as players can master different languages and solve language puzzles. Hardcore Gamer also emphasizes the unique gameplay mechanic built around language, which adds to the replay value. They mention that players may want to explore every nook and cranny and uncover more of the story. Eurogamer further supports the positive sentiment by mentioning that the game offers replay value through exploration, chatting with more people, investigating machines, and solving more puzzles to progress through the tower. Siliconera expresses a desire to play the game again to further explore the language and its connections. On the other hand, Noisy Pixel presents a slightly negative opinion, stating that the game doesn't have a lot of replay value. However, they also mention that it is the sort of experience that would be worthy of a fresh playthrough every few years. While this critic acknowledges the limited replay value, they still find value in revisiting the game after some time. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Chants of Sennaar offers replay value. The positive aspects highlighted by multiple critics include the satisfying puzzle-solving experience, the opportunity to master different languages and solve language puzzles, the unique gameplay mechanic built around language, and the exploration of the game world. The slightly negative opinion from Noisy Pixel is countered by the positive sentiments expressed by the other critics, making it clear that the game has enough replay value to be enjoyable and worth revisiting.

TL;DR

replay value

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

84%

Mixed (50-79)

14%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Chants of Sennaar has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics, who praised its unique gameplay mechanics, captivating story, and immersive world. Digital Trends commends the game for successfully combining language and logic puzzles, offering a rewarding and engaging experience. Eurogamer Germany highlights that puzzle enthusiasts should not overlook this highly enjoyable game. Everyeye.it appreciates the meticulous craftsmanship and perfect graphical representation of the biblical storyline, as well as the satisfaction derived from the research, translation, and puzzle-solving gameplay. God is a Geek describes the game as incredibly clever, making players feel like geniuses, despite some minor flaws. Hardcore Gamer considers Chants of Sennaar one of the most creative games of the year, expertly capturing the power of language. While the overall consensus is positive, some critics did mention a few negatives. IGN France mentions the lack of clarity in the story, which may hinder the overall enjoyment for some players. Slant Magazine suggests that the game may feel more academic and less engaging for non-linguistic anthropology fans. SpazioGames points out that while the game has a captivating story, intricate puzzles, visually appealing graphics, and excellent sound design, there are some issues with puzzle solutions and the stealth sections are not convincing. Nintendo Life mentions the game's rigid logic and lack of quality of life features, which may frustrate certain players. Overall, Chants of Sennaar is highly praised for its unique gameplay, captivating story, and immersive world. Critics such as Checkpoint Gaming, Pure Nintendo, and Siliconera highly recommend the game, emphasizing its inventive gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and engaging puzzles. The positive consensus among the majority of critics showcases the game's success in delivering a rewarding and enjoyable experience. While there are some minor criticisms regarding clarity in the story, academic nature, and certain gameplay elements, these issues do not overshadow the overall positive reception of Chants of Sennaar.

TL;DR

Critics rave about Chants of Sennaar for its innovative gameplay, compelling story, and immersive world. Praise for its unique puzzles and biblical narrative. Some critics note story clarity issues and gameplay flaws, but overall, the game impresses with its creativity and engaging experience.

MONSTER

Reviews

60 reviews found

100

Eurogamer Germany

Sep 11, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Chants of Sennaar is a highly enjoyable game that should not be overlooked by puzzle enthusiasts.

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Pure Nintendo

Nintendo Switch

Sep 7, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Chants of Sennaar is a genuinely absorbing and captivating game that has been finely crafted in every aspect.

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Noisy Pixel

Sep 5, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Chants of Sennaar offers a unique linguistic gameplay experience with a simple but universal message about communication and understanding. The aesthetics and engaging gameplay make it easy to get lost in the game.

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Digital Trends

Sep 5, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Chants of Sennaar is an ingenious linguistic puzzle game that successfully combines language and logic puzzles. With its engaging story, smart gameplay design, striking visuals, and immersive sound design, it offers a unique and rewarding experience.

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Hardcore Gamer

Sep 5, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Chants of Sennaar is a clever and unique game that expertly captures the power of language. It is one of this year's most creative games and is worth a look.

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TheXboxHub

Xbox One

Sep 6, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Chants of Sennaar offers a new and enjoyable experience with its unique gameplay mechanics and rich visual storytelling. The game's addictive glyph mechanics and fascinating story make it a worthwhile adventure, despite the inclusion of some unnecessary stealth sections. If players are looking for a new and immersive journey, Chants of Sennaar is highly recommended.

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Siliconera

Nintendo Switch

Sep 13, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer highly recommends Chants of Sennaar, praising its gameplay, story, and immersive world. Some stealth sections were less enjoyable, but overall it is a delightful and satisfying experience.

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SECTOR.sk

Nintendo Switch

Sep 20, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Chants of Sennaar is a recommended game for those looking for a high-quality and unconventional gaming experience. However, it is important to acknowledge the game's shortcomings and not overlook them.

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COGconnected

Nintendo Switch

Sep 6, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is both unique and brilliant, with innovative puzzles and beautiful aesthetics. The only downside is the rigid stealth sections.

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Everyeye.it

Oct 1, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Chants of Sennaar is an interesting and meticulously crafted puzzle game with a perfect graphical and artistic representation of the biblical storyline. The gameplay involving research, translation, and puzzle-solving provides great satisfaction, although there is some backtracking and repetitive structure in the long run.

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