The Chant

About The Chant

The Chant is an adventure game steeped in action horror, developed by Brass Token and released on November 3, 2022. Set on a remote island, it follows a protagonist figuring out the dark history of a spiritual retreat turned cult nightmare. Players navigate eerie environments filled with cultists and supernatural threats while uncovering twisted truths about the universe. Available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5, the game leans into psychological tension and surreal visuals. Its pitch? A mix of exploration, survival, and cryptic storytelling that leans into cult paranoia and cosmic horror.

Gameplay

The Chant blends stealth, combat, and puzzle-solving in a non-linear island environment. Players scavenge for resources to craft weapons, avoid or fight cult members, and backtrack through shifting levels to unlock new paths. Each session involves balancing exploration with escape, maps are unreliable, and enemies often swarm in waves. Controls prioritize responsiveness, but the camera can feel awkward in tight spaces. The game’s core loop revolves around uncovering lore through fragmented documents and cryptic symbols, with environmental hazards like hallucinogenic fumes adding risk. Progress hinges on trial-and-error navigation, making momentum uneven but rewarding for those who piece together its surreal logic.

What Players Think

The Chant holds a 65.6/100 IGDB score (22 ratings), reflecting polarized opinions. Average playtime is 12 hours, with 24% completion of 42 achievements. Community moods are split: 39% Anxious, 26% Curious, 19% Frustrated, 12% Determined. Reviewers note its “atmospheric dread” but criticize pacing and unclear objectives. One player wrote, “The world feels alive but the map doesn’t help,” while another praised “the haunting visuals and lore.” The rarest achievement, “From Gloom, to Glory!” (1.7% unlocked), hints at a hidden late-game challenge. Critics from PC Gamer and Destructoid called it “ambitious but flawed,” pointing to inconsistent enemy AI and repetitive combat.

PlayPile's Take

The Chant is a divisive pick for fans of atmospheric horror. Its strengths, creepy design, lore depth, compete with its weaknesses: clunky navigation and uneven pacing. With no listed price, it’s hard to assess value, but 42 achievements and a 24% completion rate suggest it rewards persistence. Best for players who enjoy methodical exploration and don’t mind backtracking. Skip if you prefer tight level design or fast-paced action. The rarest achievement remains a niche lure, but the game’s unsettling vibe will linger for those who stick with it.

Storyline

While exploring a remote island’s twisted past, you must fight and escape the psychedelic terrors awakened by a spiritual retreat gone wrong.