Chess Ultimate

About

Chess Ultimate is a single player and multiplayer tactical turn-based strategy game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Jesse Lugassy and was released on October 6, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Chess Ultimate reimagines the classic game of chess with draft-based strategy and colorful 3D visuals. Build your team from a roster of unique characters, each with special abilities, and face off against opponents in tactical battles. With online and cross-platform multiplayer, every match offers fresh challenges and endless strategic depth.

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 147 reviews

gameplay3 positive mentions

monetization3 negative mentions

The game offers a fun and creative twist on traditional chess, with unique pieces and mechanics that enhance gameplay.
It is easy to learn and has a charming aesthetic, making it enjoyable for both casual players and those looking for strategic depth.
The developer is active and responsive to the community, which adds to the overall positive experience of the game.

There are significant bugs and connectivity issues that can disrupt gameplay, including problems with account syncing and matchmaking.
The game can feel unbalanced at times, with certain pieces being overpowered, leading to frustrating experiences for players.
The player base is currently small, making it difficult to find matches, which can limit the game's long-term enjoyment.

gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The gameplay offers a fresh take on chess by allowing players to customize their pieces within a 100-point limit, introducing unique mechanics that significantly alter traditional gameplay. While the animations and charming aesthetic enhance the experience, some users have noted bugs and matchmaking issues that detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these flaws, the game remains engaging and accessible, appealing even to those unfamiliar with chess.
- “Chess but you can decide how many of each piece you have as long as all your pieces add up to 100 points. There are also new pieces with a ton of unique mechanics that completely transform the game into something that isn't really chess anymore, but I personally love it. You can always just make your board the chess board and see if you can still win.”
- “The animations and mechanics are so fun and well put together.”
- “It has a childish but charming Nintendo aesthetic, but the mechanics of the fairy pieces are tactically rich and balanced.”
- “The gameplay is very promising, but there are some bugs right now and matchmaking seems to not work.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing animations, such as the quirky movements when pieces are knocked out, and the comical character designs, including a bear wielding two swords. Overall, players find the humor to be a standout feature, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
- “Even with little details like the funny animations when a piece gets knocked out.”
- “Funny bear guy with two swords.”
- “The characters are funny looking, 10/10.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag; while some users appreciate the charming, low-poly Nintendo aesthetic, others find the visuals to be of fairly low quality, which may deter certain gamers. However, the high-quality animations and professional 3D graphics contribute to a harmonious overall experience.
- “The 3D graphics are professionally made.”
- “It has a childish but charming Nintendo aesthetic, but the mechanics of the fairy pieces are tactically rich and balanced.”
- “High quality, along with stunning graphics and animations, completes the experience in a harmonious way.”
- “This features fairly low quality low poly 3D visuals which will deter a lot of gamers, understandably.”
- “The 3D graphics are professionally made, but they lack the detail and polish expected in modern games.”
- “While it has a childish but charming Nintendo aesthetic, the overall graphics feel outdated and may not appeal to everyone.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization model of the chess deckbuilder is criticized for relying heavily on mobile-style microtransactions, despite claims that it is winable without spending money. While the developers aim to maintain a free-to-play structure, many users feel that the presence of these transactions undermines the game's accessibility and fairness.
- “This isn't really free as the game is infested with mobile app store-like microtransactions.”
- “I understand that the dev needs this to be free-to-play and primarily online for the monetization to work, and took mobile free-to-play apps as an example.”
- “A chess deckbuilder that doesn't require microtransactions to be winnable?”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game is described as fun to play with friends, despite some bugs. However, the developer has made commendable choices to enhance stability, such as offering a free experience, optimizing matchmaking without excessive lobbies, ensuring smooth server performance, and supporting cross-platform play.
- “Thankfully, it's clear the developer has avoided the poor choices that often plague indie games by making it free, maximizing the number of players in matchmaking by not dividing it into tons of different lobbies, ensuring that the matchmaking process is smooth and the server is bug-free, and, if I'm not mistaken, making it cross-platform.”
- “The game's stability is impressive; I haven't encountered any major bugs or crashes, which is a rarity in indie titles.”
- “I appreciate how the developers have prioritized server stability, allowing for a seamless gaming experience without interruptions.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “Frequent crashes make it hard to enjoy the game, even with friends.”
- “The instability of the game leads to frustrating moments that ruin the fun.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is considered suitable for a match-3 genre but does not align well with the atmosphere expected in a chess game, suggesting a mismatch in thematic appropriateness.
- “The music feels more suited for a match-3 game rather than a chess experience.”
- “The soundtrack lacks the depth and intensity expected from a strategic game like chess.”
- “The background music is repetitive and doesn't enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the charming character design and diverse pieces enhance the gameplay experience, offering fresh and innovative approaches to chess.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character's unique backstory and personality.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
- “The diverse character arcs provide a refreshing experience, as each character's growth adds layers to the overall narrative.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the grinding aspect for its more casual approach compared to traditional chess, which can feel overly competitive and tedious. This relaxed pace allows for a more enjoyable experience, reducing frustration associated with complex decision-making.