The Chant is a firm entry into the new weird genre - clearly drawing inspiration from the likes of Stranger Things, The Thing, Beyond the Black Rainbow, Annihilation, and Mandy. It’s an enjoyable, underexplored direction in gaming, integrating elements reminiscent of these classics while carving out its own narrative path. The game evokes a sense of exploration and nostalgia, particularly for players familiar with genre hallmarks, while presenting a story full of intriguing concepts.

Jess is invited by her friend Kim to the isolated Glory Island for a spiritual retreat, intended to rekindle friendships and address unresolved trauma stemming from an accidental death. Joined by Maya, Sonny, and Hannah, they are led by Tyler - a laid-back, new-age type with an ominous edge. Everything about Tyler screams B-Movie villain. His family owns the island, and he has set up makeshift tents among remnants of eerie rituals and cryptic notes, seemingly indifferent to the disturbing past of the location. This contrast between Tyler’s casual demeanor and the island’s sinister history is captivating - what does he know that we don’t?

The game cleverly uses colours and symbolism related to a very 70’s inspired concept known as "Prismatic Science", whereby using chakras, geometry, mathematics, and physics, an innovative approach is devised to treat the human mind. Interweaving these esoteric concepts, it creates a captivating ambiance that connects the mystical with the scientific. It's very Lovecraft and I'm totally here for it.

Similar to the captivating world-building and immersive environments of Control by Remedy Entertainment and BioShock by 2K, The Chant meticulously constructs its lore.

Much like Control and BioShock, The Chant constructs its lore with meticulous attention, building an immersive, intriguing world. Unlike many horror games that rely on darkness and limited vision to instill dread, The Chant flips the formula - bright, vivid areas become unnerving. Colours indicate the type of encounter ahead, often prompting players to run toward darkness for respite.

Gameplay bears similarities to Alan Wake, offering a familiar comfort. Progression feels classic: defeating bosses unlocks new powers, upgrades, keys, and pathways, it’s old-school, but reliably satisfying. Scattered around the island are materials for crafting defensive items. Rather than conventional weapons, Jess uses twine and sage for protective smudge sticks and salt to ward off enemies.

A notable mechanic is balancing three meters: Body (physical health), Mind (mental health), and Spirit (mana). Meditation can shift these meters, depleting one to boost another, requiring careful resource management to survive the island’s challenges.

There’s an absence of any real stealth which to me feels like a missed opportunity, as it could have enriched exploration and encounter strategies. Incorporating stealth elements would have seamlessly aligned with the game's ambience, offering players alternative methods to navigate the eerie island and engage with its corrupted inhabitants. This is no Assassin's Creed but the bushes would have made for great stealth takedowns for example - Jess is adept at magic though so I suppose it's a trade off.

One critique lies in the rapid acceleration of the plot, catapulting from 0 to 100 without so much as a pause for breath. While this pace can intensify the sense of urgency, some players might yearn for a more gradual buildup of tension and suspense, allowing for a deeper unfolding terror.

An aspect I can only say is a nitpick is with Jess's seemingly instantaneous mastery of magic, oh sorry, of prismatic science, cue hand waving and oohs and aahs, without any training or much of a learning curve. This inexplicable proficiency might detract from the sense of character progression and immersion for some players, potentially warranting a more nuanced approach to skill development within the narrative and gameplay mechanics. Though it’s obviously easy to overlook and rather just, again, enjoy the game as a game.

By blending inspirations from iconic sources, merging analogue horror with spiritual science, and crafting a richly detailed world, The Chant delivers a daft yet thoroughly enjoyable experience. While familiar mechanics and missed opportunities create some imperfections, it’s a captivating journey into the new weird.