An Early Look at Chants of Sennaar
Explore, decode, learn, and connect in Chants of Sennaar, the upcoming adventure and puzzle game from Rundisc. Chants of Sennaar is an enthralling adventure inspired by the myth of Babel. In an enigmatic city, where humans have forgotten their past, the citizens of the tower are unable to communicate. You can be a part of this legend, and help to unlock the secrets of the past. As a cloaked, lone traveler, it is your duty to use your wisdom and wit to restore balance and communication to the people who inhabit the vast, mythical tower. Read on to discover more about Chants of Sennaar, a unique game not to be missed!
Introducing Chants of Sennaar
Featured in the official selection at the prestigious New York based Tribeca film festival, Chants of Sennaar has got gamers, historians and puzzle enthusiasts talking. Before we discuss the game in more detail, let’s confirm when it will be out! The Chants of Sennaar release date is September 5th 2023. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and PC via Steam.
Not long to wait until the release, but in the meantime, let’s dig deeper, and find out all that we can about Chants of Sennaar. Developed by French indie game studio Rundisc, and published by Focus Entertainment, Chants of Sennaar is all about language and puzzle solving. Toulouse based Rundisc are known for their 3D arcade top-down brawler, Varion. Released in 2018, Varion is rather different from the upcoming Chants of Sennaar. Varion is set in a futuristic universe and features multiplayer, fast-paced battles in procedurally generated areas. In Chants of Sennaar your greatest weapon is your mind, and your linguistic ability. Although some of the settings are slightly reminiscent of the Prince of Persia games, there will be no swords, spike pits, or fisticuffs.
Created by Julien Moya and Thomas Panuel, Chants of Sennaar is steeped in mystery, history and legend. If you are a linguist, or just have a love for language and solving puzzles, then this game is certainly for you. Created by Julien Moya and Thomas Panuel, Chants of Sennaar is steeped in mystery, history and legend.
Biblical inspiration
The inspiration behind the game is none other than The Tower of Babel. First told in the Bible, the story of Babel takes place after the great flood has razed the earth, and humans have become skilled builders. On the banks of the Euphrates River in ancient Mesopotamia, the people were united in language and purpose, and decided to construct a ziggurat tower that would reach all the way to heaven. The purpose of building the tower was to make a name for themselves in history, and keep their people in one place.
According to the Biblical story, God did not approve of the vain construction project, so he confused their language. Thus, the people were no longer able to communicate with each other, and the tower failed. Finally, people were scattered throughout the world. The story warns how human arrogance and pride can lead to division, reminding us of the necessity of cooperation, in all aspects of our existence.
Inspired by the myth of Babel, Chants of Sennaar has a strong narrative. The mission of the player, in the role of the traveler, is to decipher the ancient languages that divide the people who inhabit the tower. The ancient, forgotten languages are both lock and key, as you embark on an enthralling journey through a poetic, captivating world.
Artistic inspiration
Take a look at the Chants of Sennaar announcement trailer featured above, and you will doubtless be struck by the unique artistic aesthetics of the game. The developers were first influenced by the graphic styles of 70s and 80s European comics. This was combined with brutalist, Moorish and Indian architecture, creating a colorful, plural universe in Chants of Sennaar.
Gameplay and environment
Lacking in swords, violence or displays of brute strength, the traveler is a conduit for peace and reconciliation. As the traveler ascends the tower, they will encounter five different peoples, each with their own language, history and culture. As we stated before, these groups have been unable to communicate with each other for centuries. The goal of the game is to understand just what it is that has caused the division, and to restore unity to the inhabitants of the tower.
The player’s role, as the traveler, is that of a translator, diplomat, and a scientist, tasked with initiating the reconciliation between the people. In Chants of Sennaar, the languages themselves are puzzles, locks and keys in the gameplay. By solving the various puzzles, the player will be able to understand these new languages, and move closer to the goal of restoring unity.
Predominantly an adventure game, in addition to solving many puzzles, the player will be able to explore the environment, an intricate and fascinating world. By observing the environment, players will be able to solve various puzzles, unveiling the mysteries of the tower. There will be no dueling, or brawls with the baddies, for the traveler must use stealth and cunning to outwit bosses and travel to forbidden areas. By progressing higher up the mystical tower, the traveler will uncover the truths and mysteries, in order to reunite the people once again.
The takeaway
While the real world is brimming with conflict and strife, Chants of Sennaar invites you to embark on a journey of tolerance and inclusiveness. Forget language barriers, for language in Chants of Sennaar is both the challenge and the solution. We hope that you have enjoyed this brief foray into the Chants of Sennaar. In case you missed it, the game is slated for release on September 5th 2023, and will be available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and PC via Steam. Thinking of updating your gaming PC? Be sure to check out Acer’s gaming PC selection today. Last, but not least, be sure to check out Game Pass to discover your next favorite game, and much, much more!
Edmund is an English copywriter based in New Taipei City, Taiwan. He is a widely published writer and translator with two decades of experience in the field of bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between Chinese and English.
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