Tsunagari Chess School
- November 3, 2024
- Mintkuru
Get on SteamWelcome 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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique fourth-wall breaking mechanic that adds an intriguing twist to the gameplay.
- For a debut effort from an indie developer, the game showcases impressive character designs and a fresh story that keeps players engaged.
- Many players found the game enjoyable and recommend playing it blind for the best experience, highlighting its fun and surprising elements.
- The combat system is widely criticized for being clunky and frustrating, with many players feeling it detracts from the overall experience.
- The story is often described as messy and rushed, with too many plot lines that don't fit well together, leading to a lack of character development.
- Several reviews mention that the game feels overpriced for the amount of content it offers, with many suggesting it should be available at a lower price point.
- story23 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling it is overly convoluted and rushed, lacking sufficient character backstory to foster attachment. While some appreciate the unique themes and intriguing twists, others criticize it for borrowing heavily from existing works and failing to cohesively integrate its multiple plotlines. Overall, the narrative is seen as a blend of potential and frustration, with a need for deeper engagement and pacing improvements.
“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. I'm looking forward to uncovering all the secrets and romance with my babe Misaki.”
“The story didn't go where I expected it to, and the change-up was fresh enough for me to want to clear it multiple times in one stream.”
“You try too hard to cram too many plot lines into the game; it feels really bad, especially because they don't fit each other.”
“Where it really falls flat is the story - there isn't enough backstory for any of the characters, so you can't get attached to them in the game, and it feels rushed.”
“The story is so blank and simple, and some characters don't even get to tell their story, much like Irelle.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily focused on visual novel elements, with minimal chess mechanics serving more as a thematic backdrop than a core feature. Players engage in reading dialogues and making choices, while the fighting mechanics are straightforward and manageable. Overall, the experience is enhanced by decent art and music, though some inconsistencies in character design and gameplay mechanics have been noted.
“The gameplay is, for the most part, like any other visual novel: just read dialogues and press a button. The dialogues are decent; they don't feel too artificial.”
“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.”
“The fighting mechanic is very simple, and as long as you pay attention, it shouldn't cause you any problems.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users finding the artwork to be amateurish and reminiscent of free-to-play visual novels, while others appreciate the decent character designs and good backgrounds. Overall, the visuals are described as pleasant but not exceptional, lacking the polish seen in more acclaimed titles like Doki Doki Literature Club.
“The art style is decent-good, the backgrounds are good, and some character designs look better than others. Overall, they are decent, and the music is chill and good.”
“The artwork (character design, backgrounds) is good and pleasant to look at, but nothing exceptional.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as chill and good, complementing the overall experience effectively. While the base game of Doki Doki Literature Club (DDLC) is noted to have superior writing and artwork, the music in this game is still considered appropriate and enhances the atmosphere. Overall, it contributes positively to the gameplay, which primarily involves reading dialogues and interacting with the story.
“The music is chill and good, enhancing the overall experience of the game.”
“The music is appropriate, complementing the characters and the initial setup with the chess school.”
“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, but it doesn't stand out or enhance the experience.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as decent, with dialogues feeling natural and engaging, though not particularly groundbreaking. While the character designs vary in quality, they are mostly pleasant, contributing to an overall enjoyable visual experience.
“The dialogues are decent; they don't feel too artificial.”
“The artwork (character design, backgrounds) is good and pleasant to look at.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
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 scenarios.”
“I appreciate the attention to detail in the game's optimization, making it accessible on a variety of hardware.”
“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.”
