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.

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"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

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 922 reviews

graphics139 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and beautiful environments enhance the chess experience.
Great tutorials and challenges help beginners learn the game effectively.
The game offers a variety of difficulty levels for AI, making it suitable for players of all skill levels.

Camera controls are frustrating and can reset unexpectedly, making it hard to maintain a good view of the board.
Online multiplayer is lacking, with a small player base and issues with players not making moves.
Limited functionality, such as no option to export game notation or analyze moves, detracts from the overall experience.

graphics
205 mentions
68 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and aesthetic appeal, often described as breathtaking and immersive, particularly in VR. However, some users note that while the graphics are impressive, they can be distracting and may overshadow gameplay functionality, leading to a mixed reception regarding overall game quality. Overall, the visuals are a significant draw for casual players, but those seeking a more robust chess experience may find the game lacking in depth.
- “The graphics are stunning and the music is so relaxing.”
- “Absolutely breathtaking visuals and a very relaxing soundtrack to accompany the mood of each level.”
- “The game has breathtaking graphics, a fantastic score, several maps and piece types, and incredibly challenging AI that allows you to slowly learn how to improve your game.”
- “The graphics are polished, but that's all it has going for it.”
- “The graphics are totally appalling!”
- “Graphics are very blurry in VR even when set to maximum.”
music
130 mentions
60 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and beautiful classical soundtrack, which enhances the overall atmosphere and experience of playing chess. However, many users note that the music can become repetitive over time, and there are limited options for customization or variety in the soundtrack. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's aesthetic, players express a desire for more diverse tracks and the ability to integrate personal music choices.
- “The sound and music are not mere background noise—they're a cinematic score for your strategic conquests.”
- “The music is a selection of classical pieces but they really add something to the game.”
- “Absolutely breathtaking visuals and very relaxing soundtrack to accompany the mood of each level.”
- “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.”
- “The gameplay, music, and presentation come off as outdated, sluggish, and gaudy.”
- “All in all very distracting stuff if you ask me and unfortunately the game only provides 2 sound controls: music or sounds.”
gameplay
31 mentions
35 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily centered around chess mechanics, offering a smooth and relaxing experience with beautiful graphics and animations. It caters to various skill levels through tutorials and challenges, making it accessible for beginners and intermediate players alike. However, some users noted issues with audio and certain gameplay mechanics, suggesting a need for improvements in interactivity and options.
- “Nice, relaxing gameplay with incredibly smooth animations.”
- “Really cool visuals and very good beginner/intermediate gameplay, with a decent amount of tutorials and challenges.”
- “Beautiful animations and intuitive gameplay.”
- “Really bad gameplay, no 2D shapes, not properly visible board. Each game you play has a slot (6 max) which you need to delete at a later stage when all slots are filled in.”
- “The gameplay, music, and presentation come off as outdated, sluggish, and gaudy.”
- “Gameplay suffers on nearly every front.”
atmosphere
24 mentions
63 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its elegance and immersive qualities, featuring beautiful graphics, customizable environments, and relaxing music that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the variety of settings, from classical to medieval themes, which contribute to a calming ambiance while playing chess. However, some criticisms arise regarding camera controls and limited content, which can detract from the otherwise enjoyable atmosphere.
- “The atmosphere, the superb graphics, etc...it's the best there is, along with pure chess, this is a little better.”
- “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.”
- “Chess Ultra is one of those games where there isn't a huge amount of content, but it does what it does well, and it is so lovingly crafted that the potent atmospheres it creates to play chess in is enough to keep you coming back.”
- “The atmosphere is relaxing in all of the environments... even when you play against death himself.”
- “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
10 mentions
20 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some users report a reliable multiplayer experience after extensive play, others encounter frequent bugs and glitches that detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, many still find the game enjoyable and recommend it, noting that major problems are rare and can often be resolved by restarting.
- “Runs great!”
- “It's not bug-free, but you can just start a new game in the very rare occasion it happens (happened to me once).”
- “Game is buggy.”
- “Great chess game for solo play, but buggy online play.”
- “Seems buggy.”
optimization
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is notably poor, as it fails to launch on high-performance gaming machines and is not well-suited for VR setups like the Valve Index. Additionally, the AI performance negatively impacts gameplay, and the engine's rating system is criticized for its inconsistency. However, some users report that the game looks good and does not present significant performance issues during regular play.
- “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.”
- “The game looks good, and I didn't run into performance issues.”
- “Com will probably be more fun and optimized than this.”
- “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.”
story
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game lacks a substantial story, with players expressing a desire for more interactive storytelling elements. While the gameplay is enjoyable, particularly in VR, the absence of a compelling narrative is noted as a significant drawback.
- “The short story is a lot of fun, and if you have a Vive, you will enjoy playing in VR.”
- “We need more education and interactive gameplay versus AI, maybe some kind of storytelling, probably etude-based or something similar.”
- “But everything else... meh... we need more education, interactive gameplay versus AI, maybe some kind of storytelling (probably etude-based or something).”
- “No story.”
monetization
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game features in-game purchases primarily for cosmetics, which some players are willing to invest in, while others criticize them as glitchy and blatant cash grabs.
- “In-game purchases are limited to cosmetics, which is a refreshing change from pay-to-win mechanics.”
- “The monetization model focuses on optional cosmetic items, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers in-game purchases for cosmetics only, making it fair for all players.”
- “All of them are glitchy and obvious cash grabs.”
- “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.”
- “In-game purchases: some cosmetics.”
grinding
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when attempting to play with friends or compete against AI, which can lead to frustration. Additionally, some users note that extra lives are often necessary to effectively manage the grinding process.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
- “I love how the grinding system encourages exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
- “I do complain, however, about the tediousness of trying to play with friends.”
- “It became kind of tedious to try and beat the AI in the game.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % 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; every playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and diverse character choices, the replayability keeps me coming back for more.”
- “I love how each run can be completely different, making the replayability a key feature of the game.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highly appreciated, particularly when played with friends, enhancing the overall enjoyment and comedic experience.
- “Very funny when playing with friends!”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch and keeps everyone laughing.”
- “I love the witty dialogue and hilarious situations that arise during gameplay.”