Review: WizardChess (PC) – That VideoGame Blog

We’re huge fans of a good tactical challenge. There’s something about turn-based strategy games that feels comforting and yet innovative when done right. Although the fundamental principles of these games rarely vary drastically, each one introduces unique mechanics that help it stand out. Today, we’re diving into what feels like a game of chess—but not quite. Allow me to unravel that mystery as we go along. While I’ve been playing a lot of WizardChess, enjoying many aspects of it, there are definitely a few head-scratchers. Let’s start with that intriguing name.

WizardChess uses the term “chess” loosely. Sure, you move and attack with units on a board, reminiscent of chess pieces, but that’s where the similarities end. This game is a different beast altogether. While it’s certainly a strategy game, its mechanics deviate so much from traditional chess that it evolves into something unique. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, if you’re expecting classic chess tactics, you might find yourself bewildered, if not slightly frustrated.

In WizardChess, you’re thrust into a dungeon setting and tasked with surviving encounters and ultimately facing a tutorial boss over several rounds. The tutorial may feel long, but it’s crucial for grasping the game’s mechanics. You’ll unlock various units, and understanding their roles in your strategy is vital for success. A major downside, though, is that the tutorial lacks a save feature. Quitting the game means abandoning your current progress. This led me to pivot straight into a different mode, Arcade, which was a bit of a gamble, considering how different it felt compared to the tutorial.

The tutorial vibe in WizardChess is distinctly turn-based. Each round allows you to deploy units from a selection of cards you’ve collected, giving you ample time to deliberate. Moving one unit per round sounds simple, but coordinating your pieces while the enemy shifts can be quite challenging. Some units possess special abilities at the expense of movement, adding another layer to the strategy. Attacking is straightforward—position a unit adjacently and the stats determine the outcome. Once I grasped the mechanics, despite needing to restart, it was quite enjoyable at my own pace.

Switching to Arcade mode felt like stepping into a new game. You start with a pre-set roster of units on the board and race against the clock to eliminate as many opponents as possible before facing a boss. Between rounds, you can purchase new cards or upgrade existing ones at the shop. Unfortunately, the currency is sparse, limiting your progress rate more than I’d like. This forces hurried play, undermining the strategic depth by compelling rushed decisions. Consequently, the rapid gameplay blurs much of the game’s strategic charm.

WizardChess’s shop is intriguing, offering the choice between new units or boosting existing ones. I recommend focusing on expanding your roster early on, as unit diversity seems to be the key to advancement.

Units can also be enhanced with certain elemental attributes, modifying their behavior. Want a unit to play aggressively? Infuse it with fire. Want it to play defensively? Go for water. This adds a fun dynamic to the game, as it allows you to influence units not under direct control.

Sadly, I never managed to overcome the first Arcade Mode boss. Every encounter ended in a brutal defeat, and I constantly felt unprepared. Though having a hero unit sounds promising, they’re relegated to a support role and can’t attack. Once my units fell, I was simply a sitting target. With Arcade Mode as WizardChess’s central feature, my enthusiasm soon waned.

One glaring omission is a campaign mode. The tutorial introduces us to intriguing characters and plot elements, which is tantalizing but, without a saveable campaign, leaves much to be desired. It’s unfortunate because the writing shows promise. The game seems tailored for short, addictive sessions, challenging how far you can push in one attempt rather than a prolonged narrative journey. While it’s engaging in small doses, I question its longevity for more extensive play sessions.

WizardChess handles comfortably; it’s mostly point-and-click, so navigation is straightforward. Each unit moves differently—horizontally, vertically, diagonally, etc., similar to chess. However, this movement can feel cumbersome, especially given the game’s real-time elements. Limited movement and obstructive terrain can bog down the pace, conflicting with the game’s urgent rhythm.

In the end, WizardChess is a bit of an enigma. I may need more time with it to fully appreciate all its nuances. On one hand, its blend of chess and real-time strategy could appeal to some, but it might also create more issues than it resolves. Dropping the chess component for pure real-time strategy or leaning fully into a turn-based dungeon crawler could enhance its identity and simplicity.

I appreciate WizardChess for its ambition and vision. There’s potential for something special here if it finds its stride. For some, it may be a perfect fit, but personally, the gameplay disconnect might prompt me to explore other strategy games.

The concept behind WizardChess is compelling, and there’s plenty to like at first glance. However, the lack of cohesive narrative elements leaves it feeling a bit unsure of its identity. Despite the array of innovative ideas, they sometimes feel disjointed. WizardChess could carve out a niche following among dedicated fans, but whether it captivates the broader strategy audience remains uncertain.