Battle vs Chess

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 464 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • gameplay
Battle vs Chess Game Cover
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"Battle vs Chess" is a unique blend of chess and tactical combat. Players move pieces across the board in turn-based strategy, but when pieces clash, they come to life in 3D battles. The outcome of these battles can turn the tide of the chess game, adding an exciting layer of action to traditional gameplay. With various game modes, arenas, and difficulty settings, "Battle vs Chess" offers a fresh take on classic chess.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Wii
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 464 reviews
graphics35 positive mentions
story4 negative mentions
  • Visually stunning graphics and engaging animations that bring chess to life.
  • Offers multiple game modes, including a campaign and various mini-games, making it a fun and unique experience.
  • Good for both beginners and experienced players, with a solid AI and tutorials to help learn the game.
  • Multiplayer functionality is severely lacking, with no online play and only local options available.
  • The AI can take an excessively long time to make moves, especially at higher difficulty levels, which can be frustrating.
  • The game has issues with activation and DRM, causing problems for some players trying to launch it.
  • graphics70 mentions

    The graphics of "Battle vs. Chess" have received widespread praise for their beauty and impressive quality, especially considering the game was released in 2011. Many players appreciate the vibrant 3D visuals, engaging animations, and artistic design that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout in the chess genre. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are appealing, they may not hold up as well over time, with a few users noting issues with animations and performance.

    • “Look no further than Battle vs Chess, a visually stunning game with 3D graphics and engaging animated effects that bring the battles between pieces to life.”
    • “Despite being developed over a decade ago, the game's graphics and gameplay still hold up impressively well today.”
    • “I was very impressed how this game has withstood the test of time considering that I am now playing it on an Asus ROG high-end laptop with all the graphical settings bumped up to maximum, resulting in a staggeringly beautiful game.”
    • “The graphics do not hold up.”
    • “Very awful graphics... the game is uninspiring.”
    • “A poor remake of the classic battle chess... the graphics were already very outdated when it was made, the animations are dull and ugly, the 'kills' aren't funny, the camera interface isn't very interactive and it moves in a rough way and the CPU thinking is very slow.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its orchestral and epic quality that enhances the fantasy atmosphere, while others find it lacking or repetitive over time. Many players appreciate the calming and fitting nature of the soundtrack, which complements the game's visuals and overall mood, though a few suggest it could benefit from more customization and liveliness. Overall, the music is generally seen as a strong aspect, contributing positively to the gaming experience.

    • “The music in battle vs. chess is absolutely fantastic: orchestral and truly epic.”
    • “You can and will listen to the soundtrack for hours on end.”
    • “The music is fitting for the game, greatly adding a lot to the mood.”
    • “The music is rubbish.”
    • “The music is a bit poor and could do with some more customization options.”
    • “Animations could be a bit faster and music a bit more lively, but other than that I can easily recommend it to any fans of chess.”
  • gameplay27 mentions

    The gameplay offers a mix of traditional chess mechanics and innovative modes, including action elements and mini-games that provide a fresh twist on the classic experience. While some players appreciate the variety and depth, others find the core chess gameplay can become repetitive, and technical issues have been reported. Overall, the game is visually appealing and features engaging gameplay options, but opinions on its execution and enjoyment vary significantly.

    • “The game brilliantly combines traditional chess gameplay with stunning animations and battlefield scenarios.”
    • “With a range of modes on offer, players can enjoy traditional chess gameplay or explore options like battlegrounds mode, which combines action fighting and QTE elements, various mini-games that add a new twist to the chess experience, and campaign mode, which challenges players to solve stalemates or win within a time limit.”
    • “Has several options of different types of gameplay, as well as rule modifiers, so you won't get stuck playing the same old chess, but actually will get the chance to try out different rules, which is a challenging yet rewarding experience.”
    • “The gameplay and the ideas behind it could be much more fleshed out, but it's still pretty nice.”
    • “I have to say; I came across two game-ruining glitches within my first two hours of gameplay.”
    • “Optically it's okay, gameplay-wise, it has besides chess also some (chess) minigames and (chess) puzzles, but overall it somehow makes me not want to play it.”
  • story19 mentions

    The game features an interesting story mode that offers a fresh take on chess, complete with engaging narration and a narrative centered around the eternal battle between good and evil. While some players find the campaign missions challenging and the story simple, the variety of game modes and mini-games enhances the overall experience. However, a few users noted the absence of a cohesive story, indicating mixed opinions on this aspect.

    • “Interesting story mode with a fresh approach towards chess and great narration.”
    • “The campaign tells the story of the eternal battle between good and evil.”
    • “There are two single-player campaigns with games that start with various starting content and format, requiring the achievement of certain objectives to progress through the story.”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “Hard game, simple storyline that sucks you in for hours.”
    • “Each mission starts the same.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of amusing gameplay modes, such as a hack-and-slash skirmish reminiscent of Dynasty Warriors, and quirky variations on chess puzzles that encourage unorthodox thinking. However, some players found the humor to be overshadowed by technical issues and outdated graphics, with certain elements, like the registration process, eliciting unintended laughter. Overall, while there are moments of genuine humor, the execution and presentation leave much to be desired.

    • “It also has chess puzzles and some funny variations to the game.”
    • “Hack & slash is very funny.”
    • “It's very funny, interesting and it has a lot of game modes.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game offers good replayability through multiple game modes and random piece placements, though some players may find the AI predictable, which could limit long-term engagement. Additionally, online multiplayer requires a LAN connection, which may affect accessibility for some users.

    • “🔲 Infinitely replayable (or almost)”
    • “Replay value - 5”
    • “Different game modes, as well as the random piece placement option, offers replayability, but bear in mind you need a LAN connection (Hamachi works) in order to play multiplayer online.”
    • “However, some might find the AI a bit predictable, impacting long-term replayability.”
    • “Different game modes as well as the random piece placement option offers replayability, but bear in mind you need a LAN connection (Hamachi works) in order to play multiplayer online.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    Reviewers consistently praise the game's atmosphere, highlighting the boards as particularly immersive and engaging, with one user giving it a perfect score of 10/10.

    • “The boards are very atmospheric.”
    • “Atmosphere 10/10”
  • character development1 mentions

    The character development in this updated version of Interplay's 1988 Battle Chess is noted for its blend of modern gameplay elements with early 2000s user interface and character design, creating a nostalgic yet refreshed experience. However, the depth of character growth may not fully meet contemporary expectations.

    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking the depth and complexity that I was hoping for.”
    • “I found the characters to be one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with their stories or care about their outcomes.”
    • “The progression of character arcs is predictable and fails to offer any meaningful choices or growth.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game features good animations that remain engaging despite frequent viewing, and it runs smoothly on Linux, indicating effective optimization across platforms.

    • “Good animations; they are not annoying even when seen constantly, and the game runs smoothly on Linux.”
    • “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I appreciate how well the game performs; it maintains a steady frame rate and minimizes loading times.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, with players encountering game-breaking glitches early in their experience.

    • “I encountered two game-breaking glitches within my first two hours of gameplay.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which severely affected my gaming experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of the game is viewed positively, especially in comparison to a previous poorly received remake that was criticized as a cash grab.

    • “The monetization strategy feels like a blatant cash grab, overshadowing the game's potential.”
    • “It's frustrating to see such a great game marred by aggressive monetization tactics.”
    • “The in-game purchases are so intrusive that they ruin the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
37hAverage play time
3-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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