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Check and Slash

Check and Slash Game Cover
59%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, optimization
Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, replayability
93% User Score Based on 14 reviews

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Check and Slash Game Cover

About

Check and Slash is a single player hack and slash game with a mystery theme. It was developed by Gate of Madness Studio and was released on May 27, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Check and Slash is an action-packed roguelite where chess meets fast-paced combat. You play as the Black King, wielding a sword to fight your way through waves of White enemies in a single epic level, all while seeking to free your army from the enemy’s grasp. Welcome to the world of Check and Slash! In this chess-inspired battlefield, you’ll slash through White enemy pieces, using your strategic …

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Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
Check and Slash screenshot
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93%Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews
graphics3 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Unique and inventive combination of real-time hack-and-slash with chess-inspired strategic mechanics.
  • Well-balanced difficulty with skill-driven combat that rewards positioning, timing, and pattern recognition.
  • Strong replayability due to procedural generation, varied upgrade options, and rewarding death/rebirth mechanics.
  • Later stages can become visually confusing and overwhelming, requiring strong dynamic visual acuity.
  • Some find gameplay repetitive or grindy with limited variety in enemy types and room themes.
  • Certain upgrade mechanics include mixed positive and negative effects that may detract from player enjoyment.

  • gameplay

    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gameplay in Check and Slash combines real-time hack-and-slash action with chess-inspired movement mechanics, offering strategic upgrade choices and satisfying boss battles that emphasize skill mastery. While the content variety is limited compared to larger roguelites, the game’s elegant blend of mechanics and a generous death/rebirth system keeps the experience engaging and rewarding. Overall, it provides a distinctive and solid challenge, though some find the combat only moderately compelling.

    • “Check and Slash, developed and published by Gate of Madness, is an inventive indie action roguelite that fuses real-time hack-and-slash combat with mechanics inspired by the movement logic of chess.”
    • “Some enhancements increase raw damage output, while others introduce new abilities or defensive mechanics, allowing for varied builds across different runs.”
    • “Boss encounters punctuate progression, serving as climactic skill checks that demand mastery of mechanics introduced earlier.”
    • “An interesting mix of chess rules and roguelike genre with ok fight mechanics.”
    • “The strategic choice between upgrades adds a layer of planning to an otherwise reactive gameplay style.”
    • “While the overall content pool—such as enemy types and room themes—is more focused than in larger-scale roguelites, the interplay between mechanics and player skill sustains engagement.”

  • graphics

    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics feature a clean, minimalist pixel-art style that complements the gameplay effectively. Though simple and modest in scope, the visuals are thoughtfully designed to align with the game's mechanics and overall aesthetic.

    • “Visually, Check and Slash embraces a clean pixel-art aesthetic.”
    • “While the art style is minimalist, it serves gameplay priorities well.”
    • “The presentation, while modest in scope, demonstrates thoughtful alignment between aesthetics and mechanics.”

  • optimization

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization rewards players for learning enemy behavior and movement efficiency, allowing skillful refinement of builds over repeated runs. Its short, intense sessions make it well-suited for those who enjoy gradually improving performance through strategic play.

    • “Death resets progress within a run, but knowledge gained—about enemy behavior, movement efficiency, and build optimization—remains with the player.”
    • “Short, intense sessions make the game well-suited for repeated play, especially for those who enjoy refining strategies and chasing improved performance.”

  • music

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music and sound design effectively enhance the game's fast pace, with satisfying attack and enemy defeat effects, while the background music keeps energy high without being distracting.

    • “The soundtrack and audio design complement the brisk pace.”
    • “Sound effects for attacks and enemy defeats provide satisfying feedback, while background music maintains energy without becoming intrusive.”

  • replayability

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Replayability is a key strength of the game, though it diminishes after completion as the mazes become repetitive and less engaging, reducing the incentive to replay. Despite minor issues and fewer bugs compared to Starfield, the game lacks lasting replay value typical of other rogue-likes.

    • “Replayability forms one of the game’s strongest pillars.”
    • “Unlike other rogue-likes, this game has zero replayability once you complete it, as the mazes become tedious and mundane rather than interesting and challenging.”

  • grinding

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features noticeable grinding and repetitive mazes that become tedious after completion, reducing replayability compared to other roguelikes. While boss fights are decent and bugs minimal, the overall experience can feel monotonous.

    • “It's a bit grindy and repetitive but the boss fights are decent.”
    • “Unlike other rogue-likes, this game has zero replayability once you complete it, as the mazes become tedious and mundane rather than interesting and challenging.”

  • story

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is straightforward and uncomplicated, offering a simple narrative without complex plot developments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Check and Slash is a hack and slash game with mystery theme.

Check and Slash is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Web Browser, Xbox One and others.

Check and Slash was released on May 27, 2024.

Check and Slash was developed by Gate of Madness Studio.

Check and Slash has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked Check and Slash for its graphics but disliked it for its gameplay.

Check and Slash is a single player game.

Similar games include Angles of Death, Split Square, Demon Lord: Just a Block, Space Cycle, Skybreakers and others.