Chess of Blades
- January 5, 2018
- Argent Games
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Get on itch.io Store"Chess of Blades" is a visual novel filled with intrigue and romance, where players step into the shoes of Rivian Varrison, a reluctant attendee of a grand royal celebration. As a mysterious crime unfolds, Rivian must navigate through a web of shady characters to uncover the truth, with 3 possible male love interests and 9 different endings. The game features full English voice acting, a rich original soundtrack, and immersive 2D art with over 30 CGs, providing an engaging and choose-your-own-adventure experience on multiple platforms.
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Reviews
- The game features beautiful art, excellent voice acting, and a charming protagonist, making it an enjoyable experience.
- Each of the four routes offers a unique storyline with meaningful choices, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- The writing is witty and entertaining, with well-developed characters that add depth to the romantic and mystery elements.
- The story can feel predictable and lacks depth in certain areas, with some plot points left unresolved or underexplored.
- There are instances of problematic themes, including fat phobia, misogyny, ableism, and xenophobia, which detract from the overall experience.
- The game may feel short for its price, with some players wishing for more content and character routes.
- story83 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the depth and variety of character routes that offer unique narratives and plot twists. However, some critiques highlight issues such as unaddressed themes of racism and sexism, as well as a perceived lack of depth in certain storylines. Overall, while the execution may not be flawless, the engaging character dynamics and beautiful presentation contribute to a compelling experience for fans of visual novels.
“The story is amazing and I love how much it changes depending on which one of the characters you go after!”
“I absolutely loved everything about this game, the story, art, music, and the voice acting!”
“The plot in this game is really captivating.”
“The ones that existed were often silly (whether to eat vegetables or cake at dinner), while there were other places in the story where the main character made a decision without my input, which could have allowed for some character flavor, at the very least.”
“Glad to see that Chess of Blades definitely has its fans, but for myself, I felt that there weren't very many choices within the storyline, and the ones there are may have an internal impact, altering future choices, but the effects on character behavior and dialogue are superficial and fleeting.”
“Evidence appears out of nowhere when it's convenient, and characters jump to conclusions based not on what they actually know but what the plot requires.”
- music21 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and suitability, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the story. Players appreciate the beautiful classical soundtrack, with many noting its impressive placement in various scenes and the option to listen to the full soundtrack post-game. However, some users mentioned issues with sound balance, particularly between voice acting and music levels.
“I absolutely loved everything about this game, the story, art, music, and the voice acting!”
“The music in the game was wonderful, and I'm really glad that there's a page in the game to listen to the full soundtrack as you complete the game.”
“The soundtrack is also amazing!”
“The self-voicing option isn't in the main menu at all, and the sound was too loud compared to the voice acting and music.”
“Add a sound option for self-voicing, as it was too loud compared to the music and characters.”
“The story, the characters, CGI, music, even the dubs (except Sabre's. His voice isn't bad, but it's sometimes too loud and sometimes too low that I can barely hear his 'whisper').”
- graphics9 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- -11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beauty and artistic style, with many users appreciating the artwork and character designs. However, some critiques mention a lack of refinement, limited variations in character expressions, and reused images, which detracts from the overall experience, especially given the game's price point. Despite these issues, the visuals are considered a strong aspect of the game, complementing its engaging story and voice acting.
“The voice acting is amazing, the story is very good as well and the art style is very pretty.”
“I was very glad to discover Chess of Blades is anything but low quality; the artwork is very good, voice acting convincing and interesting, music pleasant and - extremely surprisingly - the plot is interesting and well written!”
“The artwork is really good as well.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed and look flat, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The environments are bland and uninspired, making exploration feel tedious.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching and romantic narratives, particularly in the wholesome routes of characters like Arden and the knight. Players appreciate the engaging music and plot, though some express curiosity about the development of certain characters, such as Linnaeus. Overall, the game is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling and charming character interactions.
“The music, the main character, and the plot were good; Arden's route was super wholesome, Franz’s was exciting, but Linnaeus's one... I felt like what happened to the stoic nerd?”
“I absolutely love this game, especially the knight character; he is just so cute, and their story is touching and romantic.”
“It's more on the wholesome, one-shot side.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players enjoying the protagonist Rivian's witty lines and the amusing hidden route, particularly during the final fight. While some found the voice acting in R-rated scenes to be unintentionally funny, the overall experience is filled with chuckle-worthy moments that keep players entertained.
“I just loved the hidden route, especially during the last fight; it was just hilarious.”
“There were many funny moments; I was chuckling practically every time while reading.”
“The protagonist, Rivian, is congenial and has some really funny lines. He is invited to a grand party and has to outsmart his assassins.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Gameplay is criticized for being short in duration relative to its price, with particularly brief endings that leave players wanting more. There is a desire for more polished mechanics and depth, akin to those found in larger studio productions.
“Makes me wish AAA studios could produce something with this plot and love while still incorporating all their fancy battle mechanics.”
“The problem is the price is a little bit expensive for the duration of gameplay, and the endings of each (especially the bad ones) are kind of short.”
“Makes me wish AAA studios could produce something with this plot and love while still having all their fancy battle mechanics.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its slow pacing, which complements the beautifully crafted art and well-placed soundtrack. The voice acting, particularly for characters Rivian and Franz, is exceptional, adding depth and emotion that significantly enriches the overall experience.
“The pacing is slow, but it suits the game's atmosphere perfectly. The soundtrack is well-placed in each scene, and the art is beautiful, from the sprites to the CGs. The action scenes looked a bit stiff, but that's just a minor detail. I'm really surprised by the quality of the voice acting; it was incredible. Rivian and Franz's voice actors brought their characters to life in a way that I can't imagine anyone else voicing them. All the voices fit the characters' emotions and personalities, and it's worth paying a little more for the amazing work done here. I hope to enjoy more games with such good voice acting in the future.”
“The atmosphere in this game is truly immersive. Every element, from the visuals to the sound design, contributes to a captivating experience that draws you in and keeps you engaged.”
“The combination of the haunting soundtrack and the beautifully crafted environments creates an atmosphere that is both enchanting and eerie, making every moment feel significant.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to get immersed in the game world.”
“Despite the beautiful art, the overall atmosphere lacks depth and fails to evoke any real emotions.”
“The soundtrack is forgettable and does little to enhance the atmosphere, leaving the game feeling flat.”
