Zen Chess: Mate in One
- April 10, 2018
- Minimol Games
Get on Steam"Zen Chess: Mate in One" is a chess-based puzzle game where players must find the winning move in a series of single-move scenarios. With over 800 puzzles to solve, the game provides a challenging and entertaining way to improve chess strategy. The game features a clean and minimalistic design, allowing players to focus solely on the task at hand.
Reviews
- A relaxing and enjoyable experience for chess enthusiasts, with 300 puzzles that help improve pattern recognition and tactical skills.
- The minimalist design and soothing soundtrack create a calming atmosphere, making it a great way to unwind while practicing chess.
- Excellent value for the price, providing a substantial amount of content for beginners looking to sharpen their chess skills.
- The game allows illegal moves and only accepts one predetermined solution for puzzles, which can be frustrating for players who find multiple valid solutions.
- Lacks essential features such as volume control, piece highlighting, and a windowed mode, leading to a less polished user experience.
- Difficulty progression is inconsistent, with some puzzles being too easy and others feeling out of place, which may not provide a satisfying challenge for all players.
- music28 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as soothing and relaxing, enhancing the meditative experience, but it suffers from being overly loud with no adjustable volume settings, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the calming ambiance it creates, many find the single looping track becomes repetitive and annoying over time. Overall, the music complements the minimalist design but requires better volume control options to improve the experience.
“This game is run smooth, looks good visually, and has chill music for your quick 2 hours of 3000 puzzles.”
“Enjoy the minimalist design, serene visuals, and soothing music that create a calming and contemplative ambiance.”
“The soothing soundtrack further enriches the meditative experience.”
“The graphics are very basic, the one song that plays throughout the game is of low quality and you can't adjust any settings really.”
“Firstly, the music is really jarring; a volume control would be a great addition (there is just a mute button).”
“For whatever reason, the peaceful sounds and atmospheric, low-key background music plays louder than a jackhammer, with no built-in slider to adjust volume (at least not that I could find).”
- graphics11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a minimalistic and calming aesthetic, enhancing the game's serene atmosphere. While some users appreciate the beautiful visuals and the ability to change background colors, others find the graphics basic and lacking in detail. Overall, the visuals contribute to a relaxing experience, though they may not impress those seeking more complexity.
“Enjoy the minimalist design, serene visuals, and soothing music that create a calming and contemplative ambiance.”
“Delight in the clean and minimalistic visuals that enhance the serene atmosphere.”
“Beautiful visuals and a simplistic, easy-to-use interface.”
“The graphics are very basic, the one song that plays throughout the game is of low quality and you can't adjust any settings really.”
“First of all, music and graphics are nothing special.”
“Decent graphics.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of easy and challenging puzzles, providing a balance that can engage players for a short session. While some mechanics are straightforward, others may require more thought, making it suitable for both casual players and those looking for a bit of a challenge. Overall, it offers a solid experience for its low price.
“If these issues don't sound too horrible to you, consider picking up the game as it is a nice hour or so of gameplay for 99 cents.”
“While some puzzles are quite easy (as you'd expect from a one-move mechanic), others kept me stumped for several minutes, and I even had to step away from the game a few times.”
“Nonetheless, it's a great game to teach your girlfriend some basic mechanics.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a meditative quality, featuring clean and minimalistic visuals that contribute to a serene experience. However, the background sounds and music can be excessively loud, lacking an adjustable volume option, which detracts from the overall tranquility.
“The peaceful sounds and atmospheric, low-key background music create an immersive experience.”
“Delight in the clean and minimalistic visuals that enhance the serene atmosphere.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Zen Chess: Mate in One is praised for its high replayability due to its diverse range of puzzles and escalating difficulty levels, ensuring players can return to the game for new challenges over time.
“With a wide selection of puzzles and increasing difficulty, Zen Chess: Mate in One offers endless replayability.”
“Yeah, give it a month or so and there's replay value.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game stems from the quirky mechanic of pieces moving illegally, which players find amusing despite its unconventional nature.
“The game's quirky sense of humor keeps me laughing, especially when pieces move in the most unexpected ways.”
“I love how the game incorporates absurd scenarios that make every match feel like a comedy show.”
“The witty dialogue and hilarious animations add a delightful layer of fun to the gameplay.”
