Chess Ultra

Chess will always be chess, but with its glorious presentation and wealth of options, Chess Ultra is a Queen in a genre filled with Pawns.

Starting at $4.36Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

"Chess Ultra" is a realistic and immersive chess game that features stunning visuals and multiple game modes, such as online multiplayer, local matches, and a variety of challenging AI opponents. Players can customize their experience with various chess sets and environments, and take advantage of the game's tutorials and tutorials to improve their skills. The game also includes augmented reality and virtual reality modes for an even more immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,239 reviews

graphics180 positive mentions

stability10 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and beautiful environments enhance the chess experience.
Offers a variety of AI difficulty levels and tutorials, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players.
No microtransactions for gameplay; all cosmetic DLC is optional.

Camera controls are frustrating and do not allow for a fixed viewpoint, making it difficult to see the board clearly.
Limited online player base and matchmaking issues, often resulting in long wait times for games.
Lacks essential features like game analysis, PGN import/export, and a 2D board option.

graphics
287 mentions
63 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and immersive environments, often described as hyper-realistic and beautifully designed, particularly in 4K HDR. However, some users noted issues with blurriness, graphical bugs, and camera controls that detract from the overall experience. While the aesthetics are a significant draw, many reviewers suggest that the gameplay mechanics and features could use improvement to match the high graphical quality.
- “The graphics are stunning and the music is so relaxing.”
- “Chess Ultra is arguably the best chess game available on Steam, with extremely nice 4K visuals and a reasonable AI opponent to give just the right amount of challenge to casual chess players.”
- “Absolutely breathtaking visuals and a very relaxing soundtrack to accompany the mood of each level.”
- “Graphics are muddled and blurry.”
- “Looks like absolute shit, all these reviews selling the game on its visuals can't actually see the detail since the game is too fucking blurry.”
- “The graphics are totally appalling!”
music
161 mentions
60 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and relaxing qualities, primarily featuring classical pieces that enhance the overall atmosphere. While many players appreciate the beautiful soundtrack and its contribution to the gaming experience, some express a desire for more variety, as the tracks can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of soothing music and stunning visuals creates an immersive environment for players.
- “The music, graphics, and gameplay are all excellent.”
- “The music is very calming and a nice addition.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, and the soundtracks are amazing.”
- “Bad music, bad sound effects.”
- “The music is relaxing, but becomes repetitive after a while given the lack of variety and unchanging order—I turned my volume down after about 20 minutes.”
- “All in all, very distracting stuff if you ask me, and unfortunately the game only provides 2 sound controls: music or sounds.”
gameplay
45 mentions
29 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Chess Ultra" is generally well-received, praised for its adherence to traditional chess mechanics and visually stunning graphics. While it offers a smooth and relaxing experience with various tutorials for beginners, some users report issues with online play and camera controls, suggesting that improvements are needed for a more engaging multiplayer experience. Overall, it is considered a solid chess game, though some players feel it lacks depth and innovation.
- “The gameplay itself remains faithful to the traditional rules of chess, offering both single-player and multiplayer modes.”
- “In conclusion, 'Chess Ultra' is a visually stunning and immersive chess game that combines classic gameplay with modern aesthetics.”
- “Beautiful animations and intuitive gameplay.”
- “Online gameplay is trash; people are always AFK at the start of a match to get you to quit so they gain free elo.”
- “The graphics are amazing, but the gameplay is awful.”
- “Gameplay suffers on nearly every front.”
atmosphere
28 mentions
64 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in this chess game is widely praised for its elegance, immersive graphics, and relaxing music, creating a unique and enjoyable environment for players. Users appreciate the variety of customizable settings, from classical to modern themes, which enhance the overall experience. However, some criticisms arise regarding camera controls and limited player visibility, which can detract from the otherwise captivating ambiance.
- “The atmosphere, the superb graphics, etc...it's the best there is, along with pure chess, this is a little better.”
- “Multiplayer in Chess Ultra is very enjoyable from our experience - there's nothing quite like settling down in Woodburn Manor (one of the game's environments) and enjoying the atmosphere with an alcoholic beverage and some good old-fashioned banter.”
- “It also doesn't hurt that this game is very nice to look at with wonderful atmospheric details like the wind blowing through windows or the fire crackling in the background along with a pretty chill and relaxing loop of music playing.”
- “The atmosphere is relaxing in all of the environments... even when you play against death himself.”
- “There are free chess games with a computer that is smarter and thinks faster out there, but Chess Ultra has a certain atmosphere to it when you run it in a window and think about your next move while doing other things.”
- “When playing the AI, you don't see anyone sitting opposite apart from in one area, which is a shame because seeing your opponent (grim reaper) adds a lot to the atmosphere of the game when you see his hands move the pieces. I hope they add more virtual player characters soon.”
stability
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
77 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in online play. However, some players have experienced reliable performance and minimal issues during solo gameplay, suggesting that stability may vary depending on the mode and individual experiences. Overall, while the game is not entirely bug-free, it can run smoothly for some users.
- “Runs great!”
- “I ran the game in 1080p and it worked fine, no glitches.”
- “It's not bug-free, but you can just start a new game in the very rare occasion it happens (happened to me once).”
- “This is the most buggy, glitch-ridden piece of software I own.”
- “Great chess game for solo play, but buggy online play.”
- “Seems buggy.”
story
9 mentions
22 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a lack of a compelling story, with one user noting that the narrative becomes tedious after a long playtime but eventually improves. Overall, while the gameplay is enjoyable, there is a desire for more engaging storytelling and interactive elements.
- “Very clever chess ultra, however I know your plot and I will never let it come into fruition.”
- “Short story - a lot of fun and if you have a Vive you will enjoy playing in VR.”
- “☑ no story”
- “The story also gets kind of boring at hour 65, but hang in there it picks up again at hour 120.”
- “But everything else... meh... we need more education, interactive gameplay versus AI, maybe some kind of storytelling (probably etude based or kind of).”
optimization
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback; while some users report good visuals and no performance issues, others experience significant problems, such as the game failing to launch on high-end machines and poor AI performance affecting gameplay. Additionally, there are concerns about the game's compatibility with specific hardware, like the Valve Index headset, and the inconsistency in the AI's elo rating system. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be lacking in certain areas, impacting the overall user experience.
- “The game looks good, and I didn't run into performance issues.”
- “I purchased this game on special; it has some basic tutorials suitable for a new player to learn the basics of chess, and your performance rating is assessed based on how well you play against the various AI settings.”
- “Performance: 10.”
- “It will not launch, even on a performance gaming machine.”
- “Performance of AI players spoils the game.”
- “It is not optimized to play with the Valve Index headset.”
grinding
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
71 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and occasionally overwhelming, with some noting that it can detract from the overall experience, especially when trying to engage with friends or compete against AI. The slow animations and limited options further contribute to the sense of monotony during gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's a bit grindy.”
- “Overall, the game is tedious to play.”
- “The camera, UI, and lack of options is an incredible disappointment, and the slow animations are tedious.”
- “I do complain, however, about the tediousness of trying to play with friends.”
monetization
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game features in-game purchases, primarily for cosmetic items, which some players find acceptable while others criticize them as glitchy and unnecessary cash grabs, particularly in a chess title. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some willing to spend money and others disapproving of the approach.
- “In-game purchases include some cosmetics.”
- “I'm not a fan of in-game purchases, but for a game like this, I'd be more than happy to spend a decent amount of money.”
- “The game contains in-game purchases.”
- “All of them are glitchy and obvious cash grabs.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its absurd design choices and the developers' apparent intent to create a comically frustrating experience. Players find it particularly amusing when playing with friends, as the game's quirks and the concept of giving opponents unfair advantages lead to humorous situations. Overall, the humor is a mix of intentional comedy and the ridiculousness of the gameplay mechanics.
- “If you want to laugh, you can give this game a chance because the prices are so funny.”
- “Very funny when playing with friends!”
- “It's really a funny concept that because I am so good at chess, you had to give other players hacks in order to beat me, lol.”
replayability
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Users consistently highlight the game's high replayability, indicating that it offers engaging content and varied experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “The replayability of this game is outstanding, with multiple paths and choices that keep each playthrough fresh and exciting.”
- “I love how every time I play, I discover new secrets and strategies, making the replayability factor incredibly high.”
- “With various character builds and endings, the replayability ensures that I can enjoy this game over and over again.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics significantly reduces replayability.”