Battle vs Chess

About

Battle vs Chess is a single player and multiplayer casual turn-based strategy game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Targem Games and was released on August 16, 2012. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"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.

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65%

Audience ScoreBased on 492 reviews

graphics35 positive mentions

story5 negative mentions

The game features beautiful graphics and animations that enhance the chess experience.
It offers various game modes, including a campaign and mini-games, making it engaging for both beginners and experienced players.
The tutorial and hints provided help new players learn the basics of chess effectively.

The multiplayer mode is essentially non-existent, as it requires direct IP connections and lacks online matchmaking.
The AI can take an excessively long time to make moves, especially at higher difficulty levels, which can lead to frustration.
The game is considered overpriced for the content it offers, with many players feeling it does not justify its cost.

graphics
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The graphics of "Battle vs. Chess" have received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its beautiful 3D visuals, engaging animations, and appealing art style, especially considering its 2011 release. While some critiques mention outdated elements and simple animations, the overall consensus highlights the game's impressive graphical presentation that enhances the chess experience. Many users appreciate the vibrant battle scenes and the variety of game modes that complement the visual appeal.
- “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.”
music
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
57%
11%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its orchestral and epic quality that enhances the atmosphere, while others find it repetitive or lacking in customization options. Many appreciate the calming and fitting nature of the soundtrack, particularly in relation to the game's fantasy and chess elements, though some users express frustration with the volume control and the need for more lively compositions. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's mood, but opinions on its execution vary significantly.
- “The music in battle vs. chess is absolutely fantastic: orchestral and truly epic.”
- “The music is fitting for the game, greatly adding a lot to the mood.”
- “You'll see lava flowing, rocks crumbling beneath the board, skies filled with birds and all of that is being supported by smooth and easy-going instrumental music which really compliments the whole setting in itself.”
- “I had to click 75 goddamn times on the lower audio button to mute the music.”
- “The music is rubbish.”
- “The music is a bit poor and could do with some more customization options.”
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
The gameplay offers a mix of traditional chess mechanics and innovative modes, including action elements and mini-games, which provide a fresh take on the classic game. While the graphics and animations are praised for their quality, some players find the experience can become repetitive or challenging, with a few noting glitches that detract from enjoyment. Overall, the game presents a variety of gameplay options, but opinions on its depth and engagement 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.”
- “They can offer considerable change to traditional gameplay, if you seek for some new 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.”
story
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
62%
24%
The game's story aspect is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the interesting narrative and fresh approach to chess through a campaign mode filled with various missions and objectives, others feel that the story is minimal or even non-existent. The campaign is noted for its engaging themes of good versus evil, but some users find the missions challenging and lacking guidance. Overall, the game offers a blend of storytelling and gameplay modes, appealing to a wide range of players.
- “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.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of amusing gameplay elements, such as funny skirmish modes and quirky chess variations, which some players found entertaining. However, there are also criticisms regarding the game's outdated graphics and dull animations, which detracted from the overall comedic experience. Additionally, players noted humorous moments related to the game's registration process, highlighting a blend of intentional and unintentional humor throughout.
- “It's very funny, interesting and it has a lot of game modes.”
- “It also has chess puzzles and some funny variations to the game.”
- “Hack & slash is very funny.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
Overall, the game offers good replayability with multiple game modes and random piece placement, 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”
- “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.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features good animations that remain enjoyable despite frequent viewing, and it runs smoothly on Linux, indicating effective optimization.
- “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 loads quickly.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic amount of effort to progress, likening it to needing a second life to manage the demands.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it still feels like I'm nowhere.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have reported significant stability issues, with some encountering game-breaking glitches shortly after starting, which can severely impact the overall experience.
- “I have to say, I came across two game-ruining glitches within my first two hours of gameplay.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress.”
- “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which severely affected my enjoyment.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is viewed positively, especially in comparison to a previous poorly received battle chess 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 so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra.”
- “The in-game purchases are excessive and disrupt the overall balance, turning what could be a fun experience into a money-making scheme.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users highly praise the atmosphere of the game, noting that the boards contribute significantly to its immersive quality, with some ratings reaching a perfect 10/10.
- “The boards are incredibly atmospheric.”
- “Atmosphere: 10/10”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development in this updated version of Interplay's 1988 Battle Chess is noted for its retro-inspired UI and character design, reflecting a blend of 2010s gameplay with early 2000s aesthetics. However, the depth and evolution of characters may not meet modern expectations, as it primarily focuses on nostalgia rather than innovative growth.