Urja

About

Urja is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Breaking Fourth and was released on January 9, 2015. It received neutral reviews from players.

The king is deceitful, the queen is wicked, and the bishop unholy. In every land it’s the same. Corrupted knights and power hungry pawns. It’s time for change. You've waited long enough. Be brave. Be daring. Be the last one standing.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

46%

Audience ScoreBased on 102 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features a unique concept that combines chess mechanics with first-person shooter gameplay, offering a fresh take on both genres.
The graphics are visually appealing, with sleek minimalism and well-designed maps that enhance the overall experience.
The gameplay can be rewarding, as players strategize to take down higher-ranked pieces and absorb their powers, creating a sense of progression.

The game suffers from a lack of clear instructions and tutorials, leaving players confused about objectives and controls.
AI difficulty is unbalanced, with enemies often ganging up on players and making the game frustratingly hard, even in lower difficulty settings.
There is no multiplayer mode, and the game feels incomplete, resembling a proof of concept rather than a polished final product.

gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
75%
11%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing its lack of clarity and unfinished mechanics, leading to a confusing experience. While some appreciate the original concepts and find the gameplay easy to learn, others feel it becomes repetitive and lacks depth, with poorly explained mechanics that hinder enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a unique atmosphere but struggles to provide a satisfying and engaging gameplay experience.
- “Simple concepts and simple gameplay but hard to master.”
- “Urja is a hard game with some interesting mechanics.”
- “Without too many or hard game mechanics, this is just a pleasure to play, and I feel that it’s so good I literally made 4 of my friends purchase it!”
- “You can only shoot once, there are weird and mysterious rules for gameplay that aren't immediately apparent, and what's the point in playing an arena shooter where you just botmatch anyway?”
- “Just feels like the game was not finished and we ended up with a collection of demo levels with placeholder AI, no plot, and wonked out combat mechanics.”
- “The gameplay consists of wandering around various pieces of concept art, some of which span out on an apparently infinite plane, and waiting for pieces to isolate themselves so you can stunlock them to death before another one joins the party, then you can take its place.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique and aesthetically pleasing visuals, characterized by sleek designs and vibrant colors. However, others find the low-poly assets and simplistic textures less appealing, suggesting that while the graphics are original, they may not cater to everyone's tastes. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and interesting, but the gameplay experience may not match the graphical quality for some players.
- “It's like being on acid,... in a very aesthetic and sophisticated way.”
- “It has beautiful graphics.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, simple, and sharply colored.”
- “Ok, so let's take that and then replace the graphics with textureless low-poly assets with some shaders, and then replace the characters with chess pieces, and replace the cool guns and stuff with dinky weird abilities that are kind of buggy and don't work properly.”
- “It is definitely original; I really like the aesthetic, but it is not for everyone, and it's not for me.”
- “The visuals are unique and interesting, which is good, but for me, the gameplay felt a bit boring.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, with many reviewers noting that there is no clear narrative or explanation for the gameplay. Players feel that a lack of a story mode or multiplayer options diminishes the overall experience, leaving them to create their own interpretations of the game's premise. Overall, the consensus is that the game fails to provide a compelling story, making it feel incomplete and unworthy of its price.
- “In spite of the fact that the game doesn't have an outright story, it is adroitly sound.”
- “Everyone has a unique ability and your mission is to be the last one alive.”
- “There is no real story or solid explanation for the what or the why without digging a bit.”
- “Once you turn on the game, you are in the game; there is no story and no multiplayer.”
- “And like others have stated, there is no story, so here's my version: your king has gone wicked mad, a virus has infected him, and he sees you, a lonely pawn, frontline fodder, as his greatest enemy.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game has been criticized for its buggy mechanics and poorly functioning abilities, which detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the low-quality graphics and simplistic design choices contribute to a sense of instability in gameplay.
- “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
- “The stability issues are so severe that I often find myself unable to progress.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game features sound effects but lacks background music, which some players feel is a missed opportunity for a more immersive experience. While the absence of distracting music is noted positively, many users express a desire for calming tunes to enhance the atmosphere.
- “Chill music”
- “There is no frustrating music or anything that could distract you.”
- “The music is too repetitive and lacks variety.”
- “The soundtrack feels bland and uninspired.”
- “There is no memorable theme or catchy tune to enhance the experience.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a calm and contemplative environment, allowing players to strategize without feeling rushed. The thoughtfully designed maps contribute to this serene gameplay experience.
- “The atmosphere and maps provide a calm gameplay experience, allowing you to think through your strategy without feeling rushed.”
- “The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel significant and engaging.”
- “The sound design and visual elements create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The atmosphere and maps give you a calm gameplay where you can think through your strategy without feeling rushed.”