Checkmate Showdown
- November 15, 2023
- BadRez Games
Get on Steam"Checkmate Showdown" is an online multiplayer game that combines chess and fighting mechanics in intense battles. Each chess piece has a unique fighting style, and the outcome of the chess match affects the fight. Tag-assists and Ultimates add strategy and action to the game, making it a must-play for fans of both chess and fighting games.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game combines chess and fighting mechanics in a unique and fun way, making it enjoyable for both chess and fighting game fans.
- Character designs and animations are well-executed, adding to the overall appeal of the game.
- The game is easy to pick up and play, making it accessible for casual gamers while still offering depth for those who want to explore strategies.
- The online player base is very low, making it difficult to find matches, which limits the multiplayer experience.
- The fighting mechanics feel shallow and overly simplistic, lacking depth and variety in moves and strategies.
- Technical issues such as crashes, lag, and poor AI performance detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- gameplay48 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay combines fighting mechanics with chess strategy, creating a unique but polarizing experience. While some players appreciate the snappy movement and clever theme, many criticize the fighting mechanics as shallow and lacking depth, often overshadowing the chess elements. Overall, the game is seen as innovative with potential for improvement, particularly in balancing the fighting and strategic aspects.
“Fighting and movement feels really good and snappy, and the whole theme and mechanics of the game are super clever.”
“This indie gem is a masterful blending of two distinct styles; a classic arcade fighting game with all the combos, mechanics, and systems you already love from your fighters, melded with a fresh take on chess.”
“The gameplay is so new and fresh, a combination of tactics and fighting I've not seen before.”
“Don't expect much out of it; the fighting mechanics are barebones, and if you have any basic fighting game experience, you'll always win regardless of your chess tactics.”
“The fighting game aspect of this is actually pretty shallow, and unfortunately, no amount of proper chess strategy seems to matter when absolutely braindead piece placement can be completely made up for by just being mildly better than your opponent in the fighting game portion.”
“There's an instant block mechanic right now that I think is supposed to mitigate that, but given the way that pressure works in this game, it does not feel reliable, and I've accidentally back-dashed and died multiple times trying to use it.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their clean and simple art style, with many users appreciating the character design and overall aesthetic. While the visuals contribute to a fun and engaging experience, some players feel that the graphics do not compensate for the game's shortcomings in the fighting mechanics. Overall, the art style is considered a strong point, enhancing the game's appeal despite its flaws.
“The graphics are pretty clean.”
“Such a great game, phenomenal idea, really well executed, great art style, and fun!”
“Soundtrack and art style are really good.”
- character development8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its impressive design and art style, showcasing a unique and appealing aesthetic. However, despite the strong visual elements, the game struggles to deliver on its core gameplay mechanics, particularly in the fighting genre. Overall, while the character design is a highlight, it does not compensate for the game's shortcomings in gameplay.
“I absolutely, without a doubt, love the character design!”
“The game itself is pretty fantastic with a cool smooth stop motion animation and character design.”
“I really like the character designs for the pieces.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's soundtrack and art style receive positive feedback for their quality, but players feel the overall experience is lacking due to limited music options and the absence of features like an arcade mode or difficulty settings.
“The soundtrack and art style are really good.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game reminiscent of the absurdity found in films like "Kung Pow! Enter the Fist," appreciating its silly and lighthearted nature. There is a desire for more comedic elements, such as characters with quirky abilities, which could enhance the game's humor further. Overall, the humor is seen as enjoyable, albeit in a deliberately goofy and nonsensical way.
“This game is fun along the lines of 'Kung Pow: Enter the Fist' movie being funny, as in it's dumb but still a good movie.”
“I kind of wish the pawns could also attack because having a Samurai Shodown style nicotine-type character in this game would be very funny, but that's just me daydreaming.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that the game's optimization encourages strategic thinking regarding piece positioning in the chess section, which directly impacts performance in the fighting section. This interconnected design enhances overall gameplay efficiency and player engagement.
“This also makes players think about the positioning of their pieces in the chess section to allow better performance in the fighting section.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players note that while online matchmaking lag can be an issue, particularly in fighting games, the experience remains enjoyable and smooth when ping is between 40-60. This suggests that despite some technical challenges, the game offers sufficient replayability for those willing to engage in online matches.
