REVIEW: WizardChess (PC) – That VideoGame Blog

We all love a bit of strategic fun, don’t we? There’s a certain charm in turn-based strategy games that echoes the past while keeping things fresh. While the basic principles of these games typically remain unchanged, they always throw in enough unique mechanics to keep things distinct. Imagine we’re gearing up for a game of chess today—well, not exactly, but I’ll get to the reasons shortly. I’ve been diving into WizardChess, and although there are many aspects of it that I’m quite enjoying, there are still some puzzling bits—starting with its name.

WizardChess bears only a loose resemblance to chess. Sure, the characters on the board move and attack in a chess-like manner, but that’s where the similarities end. This game carves out its own niche in the strategy genre, boasting a flow and ruleset so distinct from traditional chess that it becomes an entirely different entity. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if you approach it expecting a chess-like experience, you might find yourself more baffled than anything.

In WizardChess, you’re thrown into a dungeon brimming with encounters, battling through rounds to eventually face off against the tutorial boss. Be warned—the tutorial is quite lengthy, though it’s vital if you want to truly grasp the game’s mechanics. You’ll find a plethora of unlockable units, each impacting your strategy in different ways, which complicates and enriches the gameplay. One peeve, though: the tutorial lacks a saving feature. I had to exit midway, which meant abandoning my progress, leaving me reluctant to start anew and prompting me to dive straight into another game mode. Admittedly, this might not have been the wisest choice, as Arcade Mode presented a completely different dynamic.

In the tutorial, everything feels comfortably turned-based. You’re afforded unlimited time to manage your units and plan around the board, moving one piece per round. The challenge intensifies, as each piece must be strategically positioned, especially with enemy units constantly on the move. Some pieces come with special abilities at the expense of their movement, demanding a delicate balance of strategy. Once I got the hang of it, the gameplay became quite enjoyable, notwithstanding the tedious restarts.

Now, Arcade Mode threw me for a loop. You start with a fixed army on the board, racing against the clock to vanquish as many foes as possible before the boss arrives. Between rounds, you can shop and upgrade, though there’s a catch: limited currency keeps your advancements slower than you’d like. So, you’re pressured to play quickly, sacrificing strategic depth for speed to survive that impending boss encounter. This doesn’t sit well since it muddles the strategic intricacies, making in-game shop decisions crucial yet rushed.

The shop offers intriguing choices—not only can you purchase new units, but you can boost an existing unit’s attack and defense. Here’s a tip: focus on expanding your army early on rather than enhancing existing units until you’re on steadier footing.

Moreover, units can be upgraded with elemental attributes, influencing their behaviors: fire makes them aggressive, water defensive, and earth patient, among others. This adds layers to the gameplay, allowing greater control over your squad, especially when you’re not directly in command.

I wish I could brag about toppling Arcade Mode’s bosses, but truth be told, I faced brutal defeat after defeat. My hero, serving a supportive role, couldn’t attack, leaving me helpless once my units were taken out. Since Arcade Mode seems like the main gaming mode here, the experience can get frustrating swiftly.

WizardChess would certainly benefit from a campaign mode. The tutorial teases intriguing characters and narratives but leaves little room for story development due to its one-off run format. It’s a shame, given the decent writing quality. The game seems designed for short play sessions—fun in brief bursts, but I question its appeal for marathon gaming sessions.

In terms of controls, the game is straightforward: simply point and click. But unlike chess, where each piece has specific directional moves, real-time strategy dynamics make maneuvering a bit of a hassle. Terrain can even obstruct movement. The time-bound nature clashes with the slow movement, which can disrupt the game’s flow.

In conclusion, WizardChess leaves me with mixed feelings. Perhaps I need more time with it to get fully acclimated, which might explain my tutorial impatience or shortcomings elsewhere. There’s a collection of promising ideas here that haven’t quite meshed flawlessly. As a turn-based dungeon crawler, the chess-like concept might integrate better. Conversely, dropping the chess aspect for a pure real-time strategy approach could appeal differently yet effectively. The attempted blend of playstyles is ambitious but not without friction—at least for me.

I appreciate WizardChess’s ambition. I see a unique vision here and commend the developers for venturing into uncharted territory. Whether it all harmoniously comes together is open for debate. It might resonate perfectly with some players, offering plenty of enjoyment. But for me, there’s a mechanical element that’s not fully clicking, leaving me likely to seek my strategic thrills elsewhere.

Overall, WizardChess strives to be engaging, with an admirable 6.2/10 score for its look, challenge, and replayability. Yet, the gameplay and story aspects might leave you wanting more coherent integration. It has the potential to cultivate a dedicated fanbase, though mainstream strategy enthusiasts might not find lasting allure beyond its unique quirks.