Tsunagari Chess School

About

Welcome to Tsunagari Chess School where Yumiko and your classmates will help you master chess strategies through mini battles and social interactions. Beyond classes, chat with friends, go on dates, and explore the school using your flip phone to unlock secrets. Engage in non-grimy roleplaying with this unique chess-centered experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 63 reviews

story6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features beautiful character art and engaging designs that enhance the overall experience.
It offers some interesting twists and a unique blend of visual novel and RPG elements, making it a refreshing experience.
Despite its flaws, the game shows potential and is enjoyable for those who appreciate indie titles and are fans of Doki Doki Literature Club.

The story feels rushed and lacks depth, making it difficult for players to connect with the characters.
The combat system is frustrating and poorly executed, detracting from the overall gameplay experience.
Many players feel the game is overpriced for the amount of content it offers, especially when compared to free alternatives like Doki Doki Literature Club.

story
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
77%
9%
The story of the game is criticized for its rushed pacing and lack of character development, leaving players feeling disconnected and confused. Many reviewers noted that the narrative jumps quickly from one event to another, often presenting backstories in a haphazard manner, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the potential of the plot and its intriguing elements, the consensus is that it requires more depth and careful storytelling to fully engage players.
- “I love the characters, the gameplay elements from visual novel to exploring to RPG fights, and the story keeps you hooked!”
- “The art and storyline are beautifully put together to create such a wonderful game.”
- “This game is absolutely a fresh new experience; the design and story feel thoughtfully crafted, looking forward to uncover all the secrets and romance my babe Misaki.”
- “The story moves at break-neck pace.”
- “The plot feels rushed with no real reason for anything.”
- “Where it really falls flat is the story - there isn't enough backstory for any of the characters so that you can get attached to them in the game and it feels rushed.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The gameplay is primarily a visual novel experience with minimal RPG elements and simplistic combat mechanics, which some players appreciate for its uniqueness, while others feel it detracts from the overall experience. The chess theme serves more as a backdrop than a core gameplay feature, and while the game attempts to innovate, it may benefit from incorporating more interactive choices or mechanics found in other visual novels. Overall, the gameplay is straightforward, focusing on dialogue and exploration rather than complex mechanics.
- “I love the characters, the gameplay elements from visual novel to exploring to RPG fights, and the story keeps you hooked!”
- “The fighting mechanic is very simple, and as long as you pay attention, it shouldn't cause you any problems.”
- “Overall, you the player enter a new school that teaches chess (basic stuff really, no real chess gameplay here).”
- “That said, don’t let the word 'chess' in the title mislead you; it's not a central focus of the gameplay, but more of a thematic element.”
- “There won't be a lot of chess mechanics; there's even a mistake where if you castle on the long side, the other player castles the same way even though the rook is in the way.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some users criticizing it for feeling derivative and reminiscent of the "Doki Doki Literature Club" soundtrack, while others appreciate its chill vibe and suitability for the game's atmosphere. Overall, while the music is considered decent and fitting, it does not reach the heights of its inspirations, leading to a perception of it being average at best.
- “I played for some time now, the atmosphere and characters are great, I am loving the music and the beautiful art!”
- “The premise is interesting to say the least, but the execution is a bit above average. For the price that it is currently, it is definitely worthwhile as it has nice music and art as well.”
- “Instead what we get is just a shameless clone with music that feels like it almost plagiarizes the OST of DDLC in some tracks.”
- “The thing is that DDLC, at least the base game, was free, and just the base game (excluding DDLC+) is still far superior to this game in writing, artwork, and music.”
- “The music is appropriate, the characters are drawn well enough, and I really liked the initial setup with the chess school.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the decent art style and good backgrounds, while others find the overall artwork to be amateurish and reminiscent of free-to-play visual novels. While certain character designs stand out positively, the visuals are generally considered to lack the polish and quality found in more established titles.
- “The art style is decent-good, the backgrounds are good, and some character designs look better than others. Overall, they are decent, the music is chill and good.”
- “The artwork (character design, backgrounds) is good and pleasant to look at, but nothing exceptional.”
- “The visuals appear to be edited AI, but I could be wrong.”
- “I'm conflicted on this one; on the surface, I appreciate the short playtime and the art style, but on the other hand, the dialogue and the story are something I didn't enjoy very much after the first hour.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is generally perceived as decent, with dialogues feeling natural and engaging, though not particularly groundbreaking. The character designs vary in quality, with some standing out as very good, while the overall artwork and backgrounds are pleasant but not exceptional.
- “The dialogues are decent; they don't feel too artificial.”
- “The artwork (character design, backgrounds) is good and pleasant to look at.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the captivating music, beautiful art, and well-developed characters that enhance the overall experience.
- “I have been playing for some time now, and the atmosphere and characters are great. I am loving the music and the beautiful art!”
- “The immersive atmosphere really draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
- “The combination of stunning visuals and an enchanting soundtrack creates a captivating atmosphere that keeps you hooked.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The game's technical performance is generally solid, though players express a desire for a 'skip' or 'fast forward' option for previously seen dialogue to enhance the overall experience.
- “The game runs smoothly, but I wish there was a 'skip' or 'fast forward' button for dialogue that I've already seen.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even in high-action scenes.”
- “I appreciate how well the game manages resources, ensuring a stable frame rate throughout.”
- “The game runs fine, but I wish there was a 'skip' or 'fast forward' button for dialogue that you've already seen.”
- “The optimization is lacking; the frame rate drops significantly during intense scenes.”
- “Loading times are excessively long, which disrupts the overall flow of the game.”