The Chant

The Chant receives praise for its intriguing premise and atmospheric storytelling, with several critics highlighting its unique blend of psychological horror and cult themes. Gameblog.fr commends the game’s "unique theme of a spiritual retreat turned sinister sect," while GameSpew notes its focus on atmosphere over traditional scares, emphasizing survival and moral dilemmas. The narrative’s exploration of trauma, spirituality, and cosmic horror is seen as engaging by some, with IGN France appreciating the "rich lore supported by collectibles" and multiple endings tied to player choices. Additionally, critics like TheXboxHub and Hobby Consolas acknowledge its inventive elements, such as surrealism, multiple endings, and influences from 70s horror films like The Wicker Man. The game’s ability to weave themes of grief and redemption through Jess’s journey is also noted as a strength, with God is a Geek praising its "interesting narrative centered around Jess's guilt" and layered storytelling. However, the majority of critics point to significant flaws in the story’s execution. Issues like uneven pacing, incoherent plotlines, and underdeveloped characters dominate the feedback. Xbox Achievements describes the narrative as "choppy, oddly paced, and not particularly interesting," while PC Invasion criticizes it for "plot holes and a weak finale that feels contrived." GamingBolt and KeenGamer highlight the protagonist’s unexplored motivations and rushed character arcs, with the latter noting the story “fails to do justice to its heavy topics.” The cult’s logic and supernatural elements are frequently questioned, as seen in Softpedia’s critique of the "unexplained lore" and Screen Rant’s mention of "underdeveloped characters." Many also point to a lack of emotional depth, with Checkpoint Gaming stating the narrative feels "one-dimensional" due to minimalistic lore delivery. Even the game’s attempts at innovation, like branching choices, are seen as insufficient to compensate for these shortcomings. Despite mixed reactions, the overall consensus among critics is that The Chant has potential but falls short of delivering a cohesive or memorable experience. While some praise its atmospheric tension and thematic ambition—such as GameSkinny’s acknowledgment of its "decent premise" and SpazioGames’ comparison to Until Dawn—the majority feel it is hindered by narrative weaknesses. The game’s reliance on genre tropes, rushed pacing, and underdeveloped ideas creates a polarizing reception. For instance, Push Square calls it a "forgettable experience," while Finger Guns acknowledges its "predictable yet engaging" storyline. Ultimately, The Chant is seen as an ambitious but flawed attempt to blend psychological horror with cult lore, leaving critics divided between those who appreciate its creativity and those who find it unpolished and unsatisfying.

The gameplay of The Chant is praised for its unique mechanics and creative systems, which offer a distinct approach to survival horror and action elements. Critics highlight the three-meter health system (Mind, Body, Spirit) as a standout feature, adding depth to resource management and player strategy. For instance, Xbox Achievements and COGconnected note the spiritual abilities and plant-based crafting as innovative touches that differentiate the game from others in the genre. The prism mechanics, mentioned by Xbox Achievements and SpazioGames, provide variety in combat, while TheXboxHub acknowledges the learning curve of its systems, which become engaging over time. Additionally, IGN France commends the blend of survival, action, and puzzle-solving, emphasizing the game’s creative design and thematic consistency. These elements suggest a strong foundation for experimentation and player immersion. However, the gameplay faces significant criticism for its repetitive and unpolished combat mechanics. Multiple reviewers, including Xbox Achievements, Checkpoint Gaming, and GameSkinny, describe combat as clunky, simplistic, and lacking depth, with awkward controls and limited strategic options. The reliance on basic melee attacks and the absence of stealth mechanics (as noted by GameSkinny and KeenGamer) further diminish engagement. Enemies are criticized for poor design and predictability (XGN, Wccftech), while repetitive fetch quests and linear structures (PlayStation Universe, Stevivor) reduce exploration appeal. Technical issues like frame rate dips (KeenGamer) and inconsistent enemy hitboxes (KeenGamer) also detract from the experience, creating a sense of underdevelopment despite the game’s ambitious systems. Overall, critics agree that The Chant has promising mechanics but struggles to deliver a cohesive or satisfying gameplay loop. While Xbox Achievements and COGconnected acknowledge the creativity in its spiritual and crafting systems, most reviewers feel these ideas are not fully realized. The combat, despite some variety from prism abilities (SpazioGames, JeuxActu), remains a major weakness, with many calling it "unpolished" (Stevivor) or "simplistic" (GameOver.gr, Screen Rant). The game’s linear structure and repetitive design (PlayStation Universe, Wccftech) further limit its appeal. While some praise its originality and atmospheric tension (Eurogamer Italy, Impulsegamer), the consensus is that The Chant falls short of its potential, offering an intriguing but frustrating experience that prioritizes concept over execution.

The Chant’s graphics and visual design receive mixed but often appreciative praise, particularly for its atmospheric and artistic choices. Many critics highlight its unique aesthetic, such as the psychedelic Gloom dimension (XGN, GameSkinny) and vibrant, colorful environments (SECTOR.sk, KeenGamer), which contrast with traditional horror tropes. The game’s surreal creature designs—like horned humanoids and cosmic horrors—are frequently lauded for their creativity (GamePro Germany, IGN France). Additionally, the artistic direction and lighting effects contribute to an eerie, immersive atmosphere, with some noting the effective use of color shifts and starry backdrops (PlaySense, Everyeye.it). Critics like IGN France and PSX Brasil acknowledge the game’s attention to environmental details, such as the retreats, mines, and lighthouses, which enhance its thematic depth. The Unreal Engine 4 foundation also allows for movie-style visuals (Cubed3) and distinctive art styles that align with its cosmic horror themes. However, several critics point to significant technical shortcomings and a lack of polish. The game’s outdated graphics are a recurring issue, with complaints about stiff character models, poorly rendered facial animations, and low-effort textures (Wccftech, GamingBolt, Softpedia). Xbox Tavern and GameMAG criticize awkward character movements, jittery transitions, and clunky lip syncing, while PSX Brasil and GamingTrend note repetitive environments and underwhelming technical execution. The low-poly art style (The Games Machine) and uneven texture quality (JeuxActu) further detract from the experience, with some arguing that the visuals fail to meet next-gen expectations despite its PS5/Xbox Series X exclusivity. Even the Lovecraftian aesthetic (SomosXbox) is described as struggling to overcome these technical limitations, with poorly constructed environments and unoriginal enemy designs (Checkpoint Gaming, PLAY! Zine) undermining its potential. Overall, critics agree that The Chant prioritizes atmosphere and artistic vision over technical polish, resulting in a polarizing but intriguing visual experience. While IGN France and GamePro Germany praise its creative environments and unique art direction, others like Wccftech and GamingBolt find the graphics underwhelming for a next-gen title. The game’s ability to evoke dread through surreal visuals (PlayStation LifeStyle) and psychic horror elements (Gameblog.fr) is widely acknowledged, even if its technical execution falls short. Ultimately, the consensus leans toward mixed but nuanced appreciation, with many recognizing its artistic merits despite flaws in animation, texture quality, and character design. As KeenGamer notes, the game’s bold use of color and atmosphere offsets some graphical shortcomings, making it a memorable, if imperfect, entry in the horror genre.

The sound design and music of The Chant received largely positive feedback for their atmospheric contributions and thematic cohesion. Critics like Eurogamer Italy praised the soundtrack’s minimalistic yet hypnotic quality, noting how it enhances the game’s oppressive atmosphere and benefits from PS5’s spatial audio, even if it doesn’t fully leverage next-gen capabilities. GamePro Germany highlighted the 1970s aesthetic of the score, drawing comparisons to The Wicker Man and emphasizing its eerie, cult-like ambiance. Similarly, PlaySense commended the synth soundtrack as a standout element, while SpazioGames and IGN France acknowledged its role in reinforcing horror themes and immersion. Many reviewers, including Hobby Consolas and GamersRD, appreciated how the music evokes 1970s horror vibes, complementing the game’s psychological tension without overshadowing its narrative. However, several critics pointed out shortcomings in the sound design’s execution. Gameblog.fr criticized the audio as “approximatif” (approximate), with intrusive sounds that detract from the experience despite the game’s atmospheric ambitions. PLAY! Zine and Softpedia were particularly harsh, calling the soundtrack “jarring,” “forgettable,” and “completely bland,” arguing it failed to match the intended horror tone or evoke emotional depth. TierraGamer noted technical issues like abrupt sound cuts caused by errors, while Hobby Consolas found the music unobtrusive but lacking in creating significant tension. Additionally, GameSkinny and Xbox Achievements mentioned that while some elements—like ambient effects or synth tracks—were praised, broader aspects of sound design and musical innovation were underdeveloped or overlooked. Overall, the consensus leans toward a mixed reception, with critics agreeing that the sound design effectively supports The Chant’s atmospheric horror but diverging on its originality and technical polish. While GamePro Germany, PlaySense, and SomosXbox celebrated the 1970s-inspired scores and immersive audio elements, others like PLAY! Zine and Softpedia found the music underwhelming or inconsistent. The divide reflects differing expectations: some viewed the sound design as a subtle but effective complement to the game’s mood, while others felt it fell short of delivering a memorable or impactful auditory experience. Despite these criticisms, the majority acknowledged its role in enhancing tension and immersion, suggesting that while not groundbreaking, the audio elements align with the game’s thematic goals.

The voice acting in The Chant receives significant praise for its emotional depth and immersion, particularly highlighting standout performances from key actors. Critics like New Game Network and PlayStation Universe commend Siobhan Williams for her compelling portrayal of Jess, noting her ability to convey the character’s energy and nuance. GamersRD and God is a Geek emphasize the cinematic quality of the voice work, which enhances storytelling and player engagement. Additionally, Hobby Consolas and PlaySense praise the vocal performances for adding psychological tension and depth, especially in horror elements, while The Games Machine and Cubed3 highlight how strong delivery elevates the narrative despite a flawed script. The consistency of these positive remarks underscores that the voice acting is a standout feature for many reviewers. However, several critics point to inconsistencies and shortcomings in the voice work. GameOver.gr notes that while Jess’s performance is convincing, other characters suffer from mediocre lip-syncing and limited emotional nuance. GamingTrend and PC Invasion criticize specific actors, such as Tyler’s underwhelming delivery, while Softpedia and Everyeye.it highlight discrepancies between dialogue tone and character portrayal, undermining immersion. Stevivor points to a disconnect between voice acting and visual representation, and PSX Brasil outright labels the voice work as a weak point. PlaySense and COGconnected also note that some performances feel unconvincing or lack the script’s required emotional weight, creating moments that pull players out of the experience. Overall, the critical reception is mixed but leans toward acknowledging the voice acting as a significant strength despite its flaws. While many reviewers, including New Game Network, Cubed3, and The Games Machine, celebrate the performances for their contribution to immersion and emotional engagement, others like Softpedia and PSX Brasil find them inconsistent or underwhelming. The consensus suggests that while key actors deliver strong work—particularly Siobhan Williams—the supporting cast and technical aspects (like lip-syncing) often fall short. This duality reflects a game where voice acting is both a highlight and a point of contention, with its impact varying depending on the player’s sensitivity to performance quality and narrative execution.

The technical performance of The Chant on PS5 receives mixed but generally favorable reviews, with several critics highlighting its stability and smoothness. Eurogamer Italy notes fast loading times and consistent 30fps, while IGN France praises its "technically solid" performance on both PS5 and PC, citing minor fixable issues. PlaySense and Push Square commend the game’s 60fps frame rate on PS5 without major technical hiccups, and PSX Brasil acknowledges its smoothness despite some design flaws. On PC, Everyeye.it reports no bugs or frame drops, while GameMAG mentions texture loading delays but notes that these are less severe on PS5. For XBOX Series X, Cubed3 highlights tight design and smooth performance, though COGconnected points to inconsistent character models and technical limitations. Overall, the game’s core mechanics function well across platforms, with many critics emphasizing its stability despite minor flaws. However, technical shortcomings are evident across all platforms, particularly on PS5 and XBOX Series X. On PS5, KeenGamer criticizes frame rate drops and texture loading issues in crowded areas, while Gameblog.fr and GamingTrend highlight jerky animations and stiff character movements that disrupt immersion. God is a Geek and TierraGamer point to frustrating auto-save mechanics and technical polish problems, such as sudden music stops and model anomalies. On PC, SECTOR.sk lambasts poor optimization and rigid controls requiring an English keyboard layout, while GameMAG notes scripted scene glitches that can trap players. For XBOX Series X, GameSkinny and Xbox Tavern cite janky animations, stilted enemy design, and repetitive combat mechanics, with Xbox Achievements criticizing resource management as overly stingy. These issues, while not crippling, collectively suggest underdeveloped systems and uneven optimization efforts. The overall consensus among critics is that The Chant delivers a technically stable experience on PS5 and PC, but its performance is marred by inconsistent polish and design choices. While IGN France and SpazioGames praise the game’s smoothness and stability, many reviewers, including GamingTrend and KeenGamer, argue that technical limitations—such as outdated visuals, animation issues, and optimization gaps—prevent it from fully leveraging next-gen hardware. On XBOX Series X, the game faces similar challenges, with GameSkinny and Xbox Tavern noting that its flaws detract from immersion despite functional mechanics. Despite these critiques, most critics acknowledge that The Chant’s core gameplay remains enjoyable, with technical issues often described as minor or fixable. The divide between platforms reflects the game’s mid-budget status, where PS5 and PC benefit from smoother performance but still suffer from systemic polish problems, while XBOX Series X struggles with more pronounced animation and design inconsistencies.

The Chant’s replay value is somewhat bolstered by its narrative-driven mechanics and multiple endings, which some critics highlight as incentives for revisiting the game. GameSpew and IGN France emphasize that player choices—whether through dialogue, character development, or stat accumulation—lead to three distinct endings, encouraging at least a few playthroughs to explore all outcomes. Similarly, Gameblog.fr and Hobby Consolas note that the branching story structure provides some replayability, even if it’s not deeply integrated into gameplay. KeenGamer and SomosXbox also point to the game’s unique style and cult potential, suggesting that fans of its aesthetic or themes might revisit it for appreciation rather than substantial content. These positives, however, are tempered by the game’s brevity and lack of meaningful variation beyond the ending. Critics overwhelmingly highlight significant drawbacks to The Chant’s replayability, with many citing its short runtime (typically 5–8 hours) as a major limitation. Checkpoint Gaming, GameOver.gr, and MeuPlayStation all criticize the linear structure, repetitive mechanics, and minimal post-game content, arguing that the game is designed for a single playthrough rather than long-term engagement. IGN Italia and Push Square further note that the lack of engaging characters, monotonous environments, and unpolished systems diminish the desire to revisit. Even critics who acknowledge multiple endings—such as JeuxActu and PlayStation LifeStyle—point out that these are often insufficient to offset the game’s flaws, with some endings feeling unimpressive or disconnected from the core experience. The absence of features like New Game + modes or additional challenges further reduces incentives for repeated play. The overall consensus among critics is that The Chant offers limited replay value despite its narrative choices and unique elements. While a handful of reviewers (e.g., GameSpew, IGN France) see potential in its endings to justify multiple runs, the majority argue that the game’s short length, repetitive gameplay, and lack of depth make it a one-time experience. Critics like Softpedia, SpazioGames, and Xbox Achievements emphasize that replaying the game doesn’t significantly alter the experience, as variations in choices or difficulty don’t substantially change the narrative or mechanics. Even positive aspects—such as its atmosphere or boss fights—are often overshadowed by the game’s shortcomings. Ultimately, The Chant is viewed as a brief, niche title with minimal long-term appeal, appealing more to fans of its style than to players seeking extensive replayability.