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
Windows
Reviews
- The game combines chess and fighting mechanics in a unique and fun way, appealing to fans of both genres.
- Character designs and animations are well-executed, adding to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The gameplay is easy to pick up, making it accessible for casual players while still offering depth for those who want to strategize.
- The online player base is very low, making it difficult to find matches, which limits the multiplayer experience.
- The fighting mechanics feel shallow and simplistic, lacking the depth and complexity found in traditional fighting games.
- Technical issues such as crashes, lag, and poor AI performance detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay24 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a unique blend of fighting mechanics and chess strategy, offering a fresh and innovative experience, though opinions are mixed on its execution. While some players appreciate the snappy movement and clever mechanics, others criticize the fighting system as shallow and overly reliant on basic fighting game skills, overshadowing the chess elements. Overall, the game is enjoyable for casual play, but many hope for updates to enhance the depth and balance of the gameplay.
“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 brain-dead piece placement can be completely made up for by just being mildly better than your opponent in the fighting game portion.”
“But as far as fighting mechanics go, there is nothing particularly innovative here.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their clean and appealing 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 fighting mechanics. Overall, the art style is considered a strong point, enhancing the game's concept despite mixed feelings about gameplay.
“The art style is simple, but nice, and the game actually feels very fun and is wildly easy to pick up thanks to its low barrier of entry.”
“The graphics are pretty clean.”
“Such a great game, phenomenal idea, really well executed, great art style, and fun!”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the character design and art style are praised for their creativity and appeal, the overall character development is overshadowed by the game's shortcomings in gameplay mechanics, particularly in its execution as a fighting game.
“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.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While the game's soundtrack and art style receive praise for their quality, players feel that 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.”
“The game feels barren - no arcade mode, tutorial, more than 1 music track, no difficulty setting, etc.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“There are only a few tracks, and they quickly become monotonous.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is likened to the absurdity of "Kung Pow: Enter the Fist," with a blend of silly and entertaining elements that resonate with players. Some users express a desire for even more comedic potential, such as incorporating quirky character interactions. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its lighthearted and goofy nature.
“I kind of wish the pawns could also attack because having a samsho-style nicotine character in this game would be very funny, but that's just me daydreaming.”
“This game is fun in the same way as the movie 'Kung Pow: Enter the Fist'—it's silly, but still a good time.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that the game's optimization encourages strategic thinking regarding piece positioning in the chess section, which in turn enhances performance in the fighting section.
“This also makes players think about the positioning of their pieces in the chess section to allow better performance in the fighting section.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players note that while online matchmaking can experience lag, particularly with ping levels between 40-60, the overall experience remains enjoyable and smooth enough to encourage replayability. However, there is a desire for developers to address these connectivity issues to enhance the online experience further.
