Chris InglisChorus is a third-person, single-player space-combat shooter that released on December 3, 2021, by developer Fishlabs and publisher Deep Silver. Available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, you play as Nara, once the Circle’s deadliest warrior and now its most wanted fugitive, as she fights a personal war against the dark cult that created her and its leader, the Great Prophet.
The plot follows Nara, haunted by the memory of destroying an entire planet under the Prophet’s command. After fleeing and suppressing her powerful psychic abilities, she attempts to live as a Scavenger. Her journey of redemption begins when the Circle attacks her newfound home, forcing her to retrieve her old, sentient starfighter, Forsaken (‘Forsa’). The relationship between Nara and the talking ship, who sounds a little like K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider, is a highlight, adding a layer of compelling dialogue and friction to the narrative. The voice acting throughout is strong and convincing, keeping the emotional core of the dark space opera grounded.
The game is set in beautifully rendered, semi-open-world space systems, offering a compelling blend of primary story missions, side quests, and random encounters. From the outset, Chorus impresses with its technical polish. The controls, even on mouse and keyboard, are fluid and highly responsive, drawing favourable comparisons to other excellent space shooters like EverSpace 2, and the game also supports HOTAS in a post launch update. This intuitive control scheme is a bedrock for the game’s biggest success: its fast-paced, high-octane combat. Backed by an awesome soundtrack from the talented Pedro Camacho (known for Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and World of Warcraft: Shadowlands), every dogfight is a frenetic, satisfying spectacle.
Controlling Nara and Forsa is a lesson in agile, aggressive space combat. Movement includes a unique drift mechanic and variable speeds, which are crucial for cutting in behind enemies, especially those with frontal shielding. The fast-paced action rewards a dynamic playstyle; those who fly too straight will be quickly vanquished. Nara’s true power emerges as she regains her Rites such as Senses, Hunt and Storm, which are mind-bending abilities that help Nara navigate obstacles or gain an advantage against her foes and are often discovered in ancient temples.
The combat experience constantly evolves as you acquire the three main weapon types: the Gatling Gun, Laser Cannons (effective against shields), and Missile Launchers. An RPG-lite mastery system adds a welcome layer of customisation; for example, repeatedly using the Gatling Gun increases its mastery level, leading to bonuses like reduced heat generation. While the ship lacks cosmetic options (Forsa is essentially a secondary character), you can constantly swap out earned or purchased component upgrades like armour, shields, and thrusters at hangars scattered across the galaxy.
Overall, Chorus is a space combat shooter that hits all the right notes for fans of the genre. The fluid, fast and action-packed combat is so satisfying, and the visuals are stunning. As much as I enjoyed the main story, the side quests and random encounters helped me explore more of each of the amazingly detailed systems and unlock component upgrades for the ship. If you’re looking for a title that evolves the classic dogfighting formula, Chorus is an easy recommendation.
Chorus is available on Steam, Epic Game Store, GOG, Xbox and PlayStation.
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