Simply Chess

About

Simply Chess is a single player and multiplayer casual strategy game. It was developed by BlueLine Games and was released on September 11, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Simply Chess is a digital adaptation of the classic board game, now available on Steam. It offers local and online play, with the option to face off against the computer using the world-class Stockfish AI. The game also includes asynchronous play, customizable graphics, and full controller support. Additionally, it features Elo ratings for online games, Steam Trading Cards, and various achievements.

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73%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,220 reviews

music46 positive mentions

monetization93 negative mentions

Simply Chess is a free and straightforward chess game that allows players to enjoy chess without unnecessary distractions.
The game features 100 levels of AI difficulty, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players looking to improve their skills.
The classical music background adds a relaxing atmosphere to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.

The online multiplayer functionality is often broken, with many players unable to connect or complete matches due to various bugs.
There is no option to undo moves, which can be frustrating for players trying to learn or experiment with different strategies.
The graphics and user interface feel outdated and clunky, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

music
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
53%
10%
The music in the game is predominantly classical, with many players appreciating its soothing and relaxing qualities that enhance the chess experience. However, some users criticize the limited selection and repetitive nature of the tracks, suggesting a need for more variety and original compositions. Overall, while the music is often highlighted as a strong point, it also faces criticism for quality issues and occasional glitches.
- “The music is beautiful and the AI plays very well.”
- “Perfect game to relax with classical music and think hard.”
- “The music sets a pleasing atmosphere without invading gameplay.”
- “Classical music simulator and the game hasn't had an update in 500 years; it's simply unplayable.”
- “The music is very bad quality.”
- “I am 100% sure that I heard the main music in another game; they could have used some original music for the game.”
monetization
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The monetization strategy of the game primarily revolves around ads, which are often criticized for being intrusive and frequent, appearing before matches or between games. While some players find the ads manageable and appreciate the option to pay for a premium version to remove them, many express frustration over the necessity of ads in a Steam game, especially when compared to other free chess alternatives that offer a better experience without ads. Overall, the game's monetization approach has received mixed reviews, with a significant number of players feeling that the ads detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Despite their admitted inexperience in handling free-to-play games, the developer managed to make the game's monetization scheme mostly unobtrusive for free players but still enticing for those willing to spend money.”
- “I don't know about anyone else, but I have seen no advertisements (possibly a Linux thing?).”
- “Lmfao, no ads; it's simply chess.”
- “Ridiculous forcing ads on people so they get a premium version, for chess, it's chess...”
- “Not only does it constantly play ads unless you pay premium, but the game doesn't even implement the rules of chess properly, which leads to outcomes differing from actual chess.”
- “On top of all these problems, it keeps annoying players with advertisements.”
graphics
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
61%
11%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the clean and simplistic aesthetic, while others criticize the visuals as outdated and lacking detail. Many users note that the 3D mode adds a unique touch, but the overall graphical quality is often described as mediocre, especially for a premium title. Customization options are limited, and while some find the graphics tolerable for a free game, others feel they detract from the overall experience.
- “Every detail, down to the pieces and board aesthetics, was precisely designed to establish a unique style that resonates with both tradition and innovation, hinting at deeper, classic themes.”
- “The graphics are impeccable and truly make me feel as if I am looking at a real chessboard.”
- “The game has stunning and otherworldly graphics with touching soundtracks with a splash of tragedy.”
- “Awful graphics and controls, it's so obnoxious, I can't handle it.”
- “The graphics on 2D fullscreen are blurry.”
- “The actual chess board is blurry when I play fullscreen on 1920x1080, and the 3D version is covered in jaggies and looks like something from the early 90s in terms of graphics.”
stability
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
2%
91%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, bugs, and connectivity issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players noted that the game runs well once started, the initial setup and matchmaking processes are plagued by glitches that significantly detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" and "unpolished," leading to frustration among players.
- “Really simple, runs great on my laptop.”
- “Game works great, played with a friend and there were no glitches. I especially like the price, free.”
- “Works great, runs great.”
- “This is a buggy mess and the multiplayer doesn't work at all.”
- “The game itself is buggy.”
- “This game crashes a lot at very wrong times and if it didn't crash, the connection between the players playing together freezes randomly.”
gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
70%
9%
The gameplay of Simply Chess is a mixed bag, with some praising its immersive visuals and smooth mechanics, while others criticize its lack of innovation and repetitive nature. While it retains the classic chess rules, many players find the mechanics unbalanced and the overall experience lacking in depth and excitement. The game is recommended for casual play, but its basic engine and limited features may not satisfy more serious chess enthusiasts.
- “Simply Chess brings the classical intensity that chess is known for to a new level, adding a layer of visual immersion that enhances the gameplay.”
- “Simply Chess remains a stunning achievement, a game that was truly ahead of its time, blending traditional chess with modern gameplay and creating an experience that’s as thrilling today as it was the day it was released.”
- “Smooth gameplay, easy to connect with friends, nice graphics, and different types of boards and pieces.”
- “As a chess person, I don't like the mechanics of this game.”
- “The gameplay itself is a basic chess engine, which, to the devs’ credit, does not fatally crash, on average, four times out of five.”
- “The graphics, the sound, the gameplay, all of these options are severely lacking from this chess game.”
story
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The reviews reflect a wide range of opinions on the game's story, with some praising it as compelling, emotional, and visually stunning, while others criticize it for lacking depth or relevance, particularly in relation to moral choices and DLC content. Several users noted the absence of a story in certain games, such as chess, while others highlighted the emotional impact and character development in more narrative-driven titles. Overall, the story aspect appears to be a significant factor in the game's reception, with strong narratives earning high praise and lackluster ones receiving negative feedback.
- “This game has some serious storytelling. 10/10.”
- “A compelling story and next-gen graphics make this a dead ringer for Game of the Year award.”
- “The storyline had me bursting out in tears; it was so powerful.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “The moral choices you make within that area mean absolutely nothing to the main story, which ultimately makes me feel as though I just wasted my time.”
- “In the end, the DLC was irrelevant to the story and could've been done without it.”
humor
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of clever references and situational comedy, with players finding amusement in unexpected moments, such as the absurdity of chess mechanics and humorous achievements. While some players appreciate the lightheartedness and funny music, others note a shift in tone that can lead to frustration, suggesting that the humor may not always align with gameplay difficulty. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor, though opinions vary on its consistency and effectiveness.
- “This is the greatest game I have ever played in my entire life, visually stunning, the story is grounded, funny, and towards the end it gets really emotional.”
- “Pawn takes pawn sometimes simply by passing near :)) this is funny!”
- “When you play black you can't flip the board and you have to view the pieces from the top, which is hilarious (imagine playing real chess like that).”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Users highlight that chess, particularly in its "simply chess" variant, offers nearly infinite replayability due to its strategic depth and escalating AI challenges. However, while some games feature locked paths that encourage new playthroughs, the overall story may not significantly enhance replayability. The consensus is that the variety in paths and playstyles contributes greatly to the replay value.
- “Infinitely replayable (or almost).”
- “Despite slight balance problems (nerf white), chess offers endless replayability, and 'Simply Chess' has escalating AI which provides a challenge for new players.”
- “'Simply Chess' has so much replayability in terms of paths and playstyles.”
- “Locked paths encourage new game plus playthroughs in order to see so much more, but the story doesn't offer much towards replayability.”
- “Despite slight balance problems (nerf white), chess offers endless replayability, and 'Simply Chess' has escalating AI which offers a challenge for new players.”
- “Arguably, it is more playable in 2D than with the 3D board.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its classy music and distinct city hubs, Detroit and Hengsha, which offer refreshing contrasts in size and ambiance. Players appreciate the immersive environment that complements the gameplay, contributing to a rich narrative experience filled with engaging characters and action sequences. Overall, the developers have successfully crafted an atmosphere that makes players feel in control of their situations.
- “Great atmosphere, story, characters, and action sequences are a blast.”
- “Although there aren't several tracks, they do add a classy atmosphere by default.”
- “The music sets a pleasing atmosphere without invading gameplay.”
- “The two city hubs, Detroit and Hengsha, are drastically different in both size and atmosphere, which is refreshing.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its stunning graphics and touching soundtrack, which contribute to an emotional experience that combines humor with tragedy. Players describe it as an emotional rollercoaster, featuring significant plot twists that enhance the overall impact of the story.
- “The game has stunning and otherworldly graphics with touching soundtracks with a splash of tragedy.”
- “This is the greatest game I have ever played in my entire life, visually stunning, story is grounded, funny and towards the end it gets really emotional.”
- “A high-octane experience with an emotional rollercoaster and huge plot twists.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, particularly noting that achievements related to AI levels require significant effort and time investment. While some appreciate the game's unique qualities, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a cumbersome experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The AI-25 achievement is very grindy.”
- “AI level achievements are grindy.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to run smoothly with minimal to no optimization issues, indicating a well-optimized experience for players.
- “At this point, the game runs smoothly with little to no issues.”