Dark Chess

About

Dark Chess is a single player and multiplayer strategy game. It was developed by Tall Troll Games and was released on February 28, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

Dark Chess is a game of chess with fog of war. Fast paced PvP battler based on classic rules. Whether you are a die-hard chess-lover or an amateur board game admirer, Dark Chess will appeal to anyone who likes the thrill of battle.

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82%

Audience ScoreBased on 122 reviews

graphics24 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game features a unique twist on classic chess with the fog of war mechanic, making it engaging and challenging.
The graphics and art style are praised for their beauty, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
There is a variety of gameplay modes, including classic chess and Dark Chess, along with numerous unlockable items for customization.

The game can be frustratingly difficult, especially for novice players, with some levels requiring a solid chess foundation to progress.
There are numerous bugs and issues with the AI, leading to inconsistent gameplay experiences.
The developer's response to criticism has been perceived as defensive, which may deter players from providing constructive feedback.

graphics
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
8%
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many praising the beautiful art style and dark fantasy themes that enhance the gameplay experience. While some users noted a mobile game art style that they weren't fond of, the overall consensus highlights outstanding visuals and creative design, making it a visually appealing choice for players.
- “The art style of the game was also beautiful, with dark fantasy themes that really set the tone for the gameplay.”
- “Graphics are outstanding.”
- “I consider this game a beautiful creation, with astonishing graphics and well designed.”
- “It has a very mobile game art style, which I'm not a fan of.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The gameplay is engaging and features innovative mechanics like the fog of war, which adds depth and tension to the chess framework. Players appreciate the game's ability to ease newcomers into chess concepts while maintaining a captivating experience, though some report that the early access state results in a less polished overall experience. Overall, it is seen as a strong choice for those seeking a unique twist on traditional chess.
- “Really enjoying the fog of war mechanic; it can lead to sudden death for both sides if they aren't properly guarding their king.”
- “I found myself playing for four straight hours after the release, completely engrossed in the gameplay.”
- “The game does a great job of easing you in, and the fog of war mechanic actually made me feel more comfortable playing.”
- “Nevertheless, although the game is still in early access, the gameplay experience for players is very poor.”
- “The game is simple at first glance, but it’s not. I don’t know how to play chess, but it helped me learn the basics of chess, although I didn’t fully learn the mechanics of the game.”
- “The art style of the game was also beautiful, with dark fantasy themes that really set the tone for the gameplay.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's story is described as simple yet engaging, featuring a mix of interesting and annoying elements, with a focus on unique duels against historical leaders. While the art style and storytelling are praised, some players find the characters and voice acting unnecessary, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, the campaign mode offers a comfortable experience, though it can be challenging due to overpowering AI.
- “Really digged the art style and the storytelling is just on point!”
- “The game itself plays very smooth, a comfy soundtrack, great piece's design and a nice storyline for the main campaign.”
- “Besides the story which has several challenges and unique duels against historical leaders, you can play the classic chess as well - which you can choose the AI difficulty to suit your favorite way of play.”
- “A good effort but ultimately pretty irritating to play, mainly due to it being built around a literal novelty, but also the 'characters' (along with what is termed 'voice acting') and associated totally unnecessary storyline.”
- “The story of the campaign mode is simple, with some interesting and some annoying text bits; fine overall.”
- “The characters and the associated storyline feel unnecessary and detract from the overall experience.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
25%
8%
The music in the game is generally praised for its immersive quality and suitability for the chess experience, enhancing the overall atmosphere with good sound effects and a comfy soundtrack. However, some players noted that the repetitive nature of the music can become annoying after extended play, suggesting a desire for more variety or relaxing sounds. Overall, the sound design contributes positively to the game's appeal, though it may benefit from additional musical diversity.
- “The music and sound effects were also on point and added to the overall immersive experience.”
- “The game itself plays very smooth, a comfy soundtrack, great piece's design and a nice story line for the main campaign.”
- “The musical accompaniment for chess is very suitable, the color scheme is also on the level.”
- “Also, some more relaxing sounds would be nice; constant battle music becomes annoying after some time.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is criticized for issues where making quick moves can cause opponents to freeze, necessitating a restart of both the game and the level. This recurring problem significantly disrupts gameplay and frustrates players.
- “If you make a move too quickly, the opponent just freezes, forcing you to restart both the game and the level.”
- “The game frequently crashes, making it impossible to progress without losing your progress.”
- “I often experience lag spikes that disrupt gameplay, leading to frustrating moments and unexpected losses.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The game offers strong replayability through various difficulty levels in the campaign, achievement hunting, and the option to engage in classical or dark chess games to improve your elo rating. Players appreciate the multiple avenues for replaying content, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The replay value is impressive, with the option to play the campaign on different difficulty levels, chase achievements, and engage in classical or dark chess games to improve your ELO rating.”
- “The game offers great replayability, allowing players to explore various difficulty levels in the campaign, pursue achievements, and enjoy both classical and dark chess modes to enhance their ELO rating.”
- “There's a significant replay value, as you can tackle the campaign on various difficulty settings, aim for achievements, and play classical or dark chess games to elevate your ELO rating.”
- “Replay value is there, playing the campaign on other difficulty levels, chasing achievements, and just playing classical or dark chess games to bump up your ELO rating.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its user-friendly interface, which incorporates witty and amusing language, enhancing the overall experience for players.
- “The interface is user-friendly and filled with humorous language that keeps the experience light-hearted.”
- “The humor in the game adds a delightful touch, making even the simplest tasks enjoyable.”
- “I love how the game incorporates witty dialogue and funny interactions that always make me smile.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's ability to create a comfortable emotional environment, particularly through its gradual introduction and the fog of war mechanic, which enhances their sense of security while playing.