[Part 2] Three Outstanding Games I'm Currently Playing — Don't Miss Out!

Star Wars Jedi Survivor | Chants of Sennaar | Brotato: This is part two of my 'Currently Playing' newsletter.

Oct 06, 2024

Hi Gamers,

Last week, I wrote about Brotato and explained why I am so excited about this fantastic game. It’s just brilliant, and it only costs $5!

In case you missed it, here is the link:

Brotato - A Rogue-Lite Action Title

This week, I am covering the other two games I’m currently hooked on:

Chants of Sennaar — A mystical puzzle indie title
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor —A sci-fi action adventure

Please keep in mind that these are not formal reviews. Instead, I'm sharing my thoughts on three great games that I highly recommend. Additionally, since these titles aren’t brand new, you can often find them on sale.

Let’s continue with the second outstanding game I am currently playing. It’s a fantastic indie puzzle title:

2. Chants of Sennaar

📅 Released: September 5, 2023

🎮 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

🏷️ Price: $19.99 (included in Game Pass)

🗨️ Metacritic User Score: 8.6

🔗 Steam Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive

📱 Steam Deck: Verified ✅

✌️ I play it on … my Xbox and Asus Rog Ally

I completely overlooked this fantastic game when it first launched in late 2023. Thankfully, someone on the Get Played podcast mentioned it a while back—by the way, it's a great gaming podcast if you haven't checked it out.

After just half an hour of playing, I immediately realized that Chants of Sennaar is a true indie gem!

Starting at the bottom of a tower, you must make your way up. This is the first section (YELLOW). You need to learn what they are trying to tell you.

The game is about deciphering languages. Sounds boring? Trust me, it isn’t! As you explore a mysterious tower, you'll encounter different cultures, each speaking its own language.

Imagine stumbling upon a conversation between two characters, and the words are just symbols—your job is to piece together what they mean by observing context and matching patterns.

You explore, decipher symbols, and contextualize words.

The thrill comes from slowly unraveling these languages, turning confusion into understanding, and unlocking new areas as you bridge communication gaps between the tower's divided groups.

Tower of Babel (Background): The game draws directly from the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, where, according to the Old Testament, humanity once spoke a single language and tried to build a tower tall enough to reach heaven. In response, God confused their language, causing them to scatter and preventing the completion of the tower.

Chants of Sennaar uses this myth in a very clever way. There are five sections in the tower, and the people in each section have their own language that you do not understand… yet.

The language is both a divider and a bridge between people. It’s a fascinating concept to create a game centered around the challenge of restoring communication in a fragmented world.

Your notebook is a key element in the game. After putting the symbols in the right spots, the meaning of each symbol is finally revealed.

Who Chants of Sennaar is for:

Puzzle Lovers: If you enjoy decoding, solving intricate puzzles, and using logic to piece together clues, this game is perfect for you.
Fans of Narrative-Driven Games: It is ideal for those who enjoy a narrative experience.
Players Who Appreciate Symbolism: If you like games with deeper themes like communication, culture, and unity, Chants of Sennaar offers a rewarding experience as you uncover the significance of each symbol and interaction.
Art and Atmosphere Enthusiasts: The stunning hand-drawn art and atmospheric design will appeal to players who love visually immersive worlds.
Patient, Detail-Oriented Gamers: If you’re the kind of player who enjoys slow-burn experiences where attention to detail is key.

The art direction of this game is outstanding. Every scene is framed incredibly artistically.

Who it’s not for:

Action-Oriented Gamers: If you prefer fast-paced combat or action-heavy gameplay, Chants of Sennaar may feel too slow or passive.
Players Who Dislike Puzzles: Those who find language puzzles or complex problem-solving frustrating may struggle to enjoy the core mechanics of this game.
Impatient Gamers: The game’s gradual pace and focus on observation and deduction may not suit players looking for instant gratification or fast progression.

3. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

You play as Cal Kestis, a Jedi survivor evading the Empire while uncovering ancient secrets and deepening his connection to the Force.

📅 Released: April 28, 2023

🎮 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

🏷️ Price: $69.99 (often on sale/included in Game Pass)

🗨️ Metacritic Score: 85

🔗 Steam Reviews: Mixed (mainly because of past technical issues)

📱 Steam Deck: Now playable after many patches

✌️ I play it on … my Xbox Series X

I know everyone is talking about Star Wars Outlaws right now, but I highly recommend checking out Star Wars Jedi: Survivor from last year.

It’s a fantastic game I’m enjoying right now. The combat, world exploration, and story are all top-notch. With all the recent patches, it’s running so much better, making it the perfect time to jump in.

First of all, there is one thing that probably matters the most in this game:

IT’S GOT LIGHTSABERS!!!

I do love lightsaber fights, and they are just perfect in Jedi Survivor.

When first released, this game didn’t catch my attention. Most users complained about horrible frame rates and other technical issues.

Recently, a friend recommended it to me when he discovered it was on sale in the PlayStation Store. Immediately, I tried it on my Xbox Series X and fell in love with it.

It’s not just for Star Wars fans but anyone who loves action-adventure games. The combat is fun and challenging, with different lightsaber styles and Force powers to try.

Exploring the game’s beautiful worlds is exciting, and the puzzles and platforming add a lot of variety. I like Star Wars, but I am not the biggest fan. However, this game is fantastic in every aspect: Excellent combat, intriguing exploration, and interesting storytelling make it so much fun to play.

Koboh is such a great planet to explore.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has had several patches since launch, resolving most technical issues. Now, it runs much smoother. It also goes on sale frequently, so it’s a good idea to check for discounts. Do you have a Game Pass subscription? It’s included!

I am playing it on Padawan difficulty settings, which is perfect for me: Not too challenging, but it's also not as easy as in story mode.

Conclusion: I don’t play AAA titles that often, but this game is so much fun. Please check it out if you haven’t already done so.

Thanks for reading and keep playing until my next newsletter,

Michael