Space dogfighting game with fun control mechanics makes for a tight dozen hours.
Chorus is an action-adventure game that incorporates a unique momentum mechanic, adding an exhilarating dimension to its gameplay that gives a unique hook. Players can use a variety of abilities to boost, drift, and turn their ship in mid-air, creating a sense of speed and agility that is unmatched by other space combat games. The controls are tight and responsive, and the graphics are stunning, with beautiful nebulae and star systems to explore.
In Chorus, players take on the role of Nara, a skilled pilot with extraordinary abilities, and her sentient starfighter companion, Forsaken. As they embark on a captivating journey through the vast expanse of space, they must uncover the mysteries of their own past and challenge the oppressive forces that seek to control the galaxy.
At the core of Chorus’ momentum mechanics is the concept of “flight-surfing.” Nara and Forsaken possess the ability to dynamically alter their momentum while aiming in a different direction. Remember in The Force Awakens when the x-wing does a bunch of hotshot maneuvers, turning on a dime, and crushing the tie fighters? That’s Chorus in a nutshell.
As players navigate through the game, they can build and maintain momentum by stringing together a series of skillful maneuvers. These maneuvers include performing acrobatic rolls, executing precise turns, and utilizing boost capabilities to propel themselves forward at breakneck speeds. By chaining these movements together, players can achieve and sustain a powerful momentum that not only enhances their speed but also unlocks additional combat and traversal abilities.
Maintaining momentum is not only crucial for fast-paced traversal but also plays a significant role in combat encounters. Chorus’ momentum mechanics seamlessly integrate with its combat system, allowing players to unleash devastating attacks and execute evasive maneuvers with precision. As players build momentum, they can perform impressive aerial maneuvers, dodge enemy fire, and engage enemies in high-speed dogfights, all while maintaining complete control over their movements. You’ll need to use all those skills in order to drop shields and take down those ultra-heavy capital ships.
Furthermore, Chorus introduces an upgrade system that allows players to enhance and customize Nara and Forsaken’s abilities as they progress through the game. These upgrades can further augment the momentum mechanics, enabling players to perform even more daring aerial maneuvers, unlock new traversal options, and unlock devastating combat techniques. The weapons themselves lend well to different play styles, so creating unique pairings of weapons and skills will lead you to find the perfect combo for your playstyle.
However, the game is not without its flaws. The voice acting is mediocre at best, and the side missions can be quite monotonous. Additionally, the enemy variety is lacking, with most encounters consisting of the same few types of ships. Once you learn those enemy’s patterns—it’s game over for them. This doesn’t happen until the end of the game, just before the experience outstays its welcome.
Pros:
- Momentum flight mechanics are plain FUN
- Tight and responsive controls
- Stunning graphics
- Variety of weapons and abilities to choose from
- Customizable ship
- Doesn’t overstay it’s welcome- perfect length!
Cons:
- Mediocre voice acting
- Monotonous side missions
- Lack of enemy variety
- Overall, Chorus is a solid space combat game with some great features. However, it is held back by a few flaws. If you are a fan of space combat games, then you should definitely check it out.
Chorus is a space combat game developed by Fishlabs and published by Deep Silver. It was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, Luna, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on December 3, 2021. I enjoyed it on Xbox series X- using the performance mode to enjoy the additional framerate boost.
