Really Bad Chess

Really Bad Chess is a strategy game that offers a fresh twist on traditional chess by giving players completely random pieces. The game has good mechanics, humorous elements, and amusing visuals that will make you laugh. However, it can be distracting due to ads and may have some bugs. Overall, it's a fun and unique take on a classic game, but the player experience is somewhat marred by technical issues.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

60%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,220 reviews

gameplay15 positive mentions

monetization305 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and refreshing twist on traditional chess, making it fun and engaging.
It encourages players to think creatively and adapt their strategies due to the randomization of pieces.
The ranking system provides a challenging experience that adjusts as players improve.

The AI takes an excessively long time to make moves, which can make gameplay frustrating.
There are frequent bugs, including the game freezing after a checkmate, requiring players to surrender to continue.
The presence of intrusive ads, especially unskippable ones, detracts from the overall experience.

monetization
319 mentions
3 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism for its aggressive and intrusive ad placements, including unskippable video ads that appear after nearly every game, often requiring multiple interactions to dismiss. Many users express frustration over the lack of clarity regarding paid features, as purchasing the ad-free version only removes certain types of ads, leaving others intact. Overall, the excessive ads and microtransactions have led to a diminished gameplay experience, with some players labeling it a cash grab.
- “Amazing game so far, no issues with the game and no ads, which is fantastic since nowadays most games contain ads. Great way to train the brain.”
- “It got no ads, no lags, you don't need to pay in order to play, no worries at all.”
- “It is very enjoyable for every skill level, whether you don't know how to play chess or you're an expert. It's very fun and there's no forced ads. I love it as a not skilled player and it's a great game, 10/10.”
- “The game is great, but the advertisements kill the entire thing for me.”
- “A wonderful concept for a game that has unfortunately given in to the issue that the rest of poor apps have, which is an abundance of disgustingly long unskippable ads that barrage you into closing the app.”
- “I paid for the premium version of the game, I am still getting ads.”
stability
76 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent freezes during gameplay, particularly after winning or when the AI is supposed to make a move. Many players have experienced game-breaking glitches that require restarting the app, and recent updates have exacerbated these issues, rendering the game nearly unplayable for some. While the gameplay concept is appreciated, the persistent bugs significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “The updated version is so buggy that it is essentially useless.”
- “This game is amazing but it has a major bug; every time I play ranked or free play, whenever I checkmate the CPU, the game just freezes and I have no other option but to surrender.”
- “Ruined by crashes - used to love playing this game but the most recent update broke the game and now it constantly freezes and crashes.”
gameplay
45 mentions
33 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players enjoying the unique mechanics and engaging concepts, but expressing frustration over slow AI turns, glitches, and excessive ads that disrupt the experience. While some appreciate the fun and brain-teasing aspects, others find the gameplay tedious and the learning curve steep due to rapid rank advancement. Overall, the game shows potential but requires improvements in speed, stability, and ad management to enhance player enjoyment.
- “I love the concept and I enjoy the gameplay, though I wish it implemented the three-move rule for stalemates.”
- “Such delicacy in the pieces, the art resembles that of an ancient Greek artist, the gameplay and the difficulty brings out the best from me, truly the best game to ever set foot on the stage that is this app store.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic and the only critique I would surrender would be that the graphics are a bit lacking.”
- “Latest update has absolutely screwed the game up - purchased undos no longer register and the gameplay now freezes at the point where you win the game without awarding you the win.”
- “The gameplay is boring at the beginning and is only fun for about three matches before it becomes nearly impossible.”
- “I don't understand why it takes so long for the opponent to move, I'd like the gameplay to be much quicker.”
graphics
22 mentions
45 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users appreciating the clean and simple aesthetic that enhances gameplay, while others criticize the lack of polish and the basic black-and-white visuals that can be hard on the eyes. Many suggest that a graphic refresh or improved color schemes would significantly enhance the overall experience, despite some finding the cartoonish style enjoyable. Overall, while the graphics are functional, there is a consensus that they could benefit from further development to elevate the game's appeal.
- “The visuals and cleanliness are really refreshing.”
- “I like the graphic style: neat, simple, and not distracting.”
- “It's a really good game; it has some of the best cartoonish graphics I have seen in a chess game.”
- “Really needs a graphic refresh which the ad-free version may have with night mode but can't test it.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic and the only critique I would surrender would be that the graphics are a bit lacking.”
- “Definitely not a polished game when it comes to the graphics, animations, and sounds.”
humor
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it both funny and inventive, particularly in its unique take on chess. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to provide a lighthearted experience, making it enjoyable for players of all skill levels while also offering a stress-relieving escape. Overall, the combination of humor and engaging gameplay contributes to its appeal, making it a standout choice for those seeking a fun and amusing gaming experience.
- “It's simply hilarious and fun!”
- “It is a funny game while also being an inventive spin on the classic game of chess.”
- “Omg it always relieves me like it's hilarious where you can place the pieces anywhere and choose how many you can place.... for those who are stressed out.... play this game.... I really recommend it.”
music
13 mentions
15 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, primarily due to intrusive ads that disrupt users' personal music playback, even when devices are set to silent. Players express frustration over the inability to mute or skip these ads, which often take over audio controls and interfere with the overall gaming experience. Additionally, the game lacks its own background music, leaving users dissatisfied with the audio experience.
- “I really enjoyed the premise, and the play, but not the music.”
- “Really good app, unfortunately could not mute the music.”
- “However, the fact that those ads blast music even when my phone is in silent mode is not acceptable, as is the fact that it's a pain to exit.”
- “Decent game but too many bad ads that turn your music off or have pop ups.”
- “I don't mind watching the ads, but when I can't mute the music, sorry.”
replayability
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly engaging due to its varied settings and the challenges posed by its AI, others criticize the AI's shortcomings as a barrier to sustained replay value. Overall, the game offers significant replayability for those who enjoy its unique challenges and diverse gameplay options.
- “Its nature gives it high replayability value, creating new challenges that don't require building a smarter AI to stay engaging and competitive.”
- “I play it all the time, and there is so much replayability with multiple settings.”
- “It offers great replayability.”
- “What stops the game from being replayable is the atrocious AI.”
- “Gives that replayability.”
optimization
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The optimization of the app has received mixed feedback, with users appreciating the unique chess practice it offers but criticizing the AI performance and the lack of optimization for taller screens. Overall, these issues detract from the user experience and raise concerns about the app's value.
- “Great way to practice chess in new and bizarre games, even getting harder based on your performance against the AI.”
- “Why in the world would I even consider paying for this product when they can't even fix their AI performance.”
- “The app is unoptimized for taller screens.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is frustrating, with players finding it tedious and slow, ultimately feeling like a money-making scheme rather than an engaging experience.
- “The only thing worse than a bad move is a tediously slow one.”
- “What starts off as a good idea ends in an application that's clearly farming money.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for a quick undo feature to alleviate frustration from accidental touches on the gameboard, indicating that such moments can disrupt the emotional flow of gameplay.