Beyond the Board Takes Strategic Steps Forward

Warped Chess Adventures? Yep, That’s a Thing Now

Okay, so here’s the deal. Ever thought you knew Chess like the back of your hand? Like, it’s a board, pieces, and a brain workout. Classic. Now picture that – but it’s twisted into something unrecognizable – in a good way. That’s what’s happening in a game I stumbled upon, called Beyond the Board. It’s got this whole new vibe, almost like Chess lost its mind and found itself somewhere… unexpected? Totally worth a look, trust me on this.

So, who’s behind this brain-bender? The folks at Fragile Shapes Studio — nice name, makes me think of delicate bubbles for some reason. They’ve whipped up this minimalist puzzle game, kinda artsy, sorta adventure-y. It’s heading to Steam soon but there’s a demo out right now. You might wanna check it out if you’re up for something fresh and kinda quirky, like, “Is this even Chess anymore?” vibe.

Imagine being a lonely Rook, roaming through a bizarre world that gives you a serious déjà vu of Monument Valley mixed with Limbo. It’s this surreal, chequered universe (nope, not an acid trip). You’re searching for your squad, dealing with tiles that seem to have a mind of their own. Is it me, or does it sound like a chessboard decided to go all Picasso on us? Anyway, it’s a maze—or perhaps an existential crisis in puzzle form. Who knows.

Ah, they threw this out during the OTK Games Expo, which I totally missed, by the way. But I caught some clips later. This game’s breaking all the rules of chess. Like, pieces doing their own thing, puzzles that mess with your head. And it’s not like you need to be a genius, just show up with curiosity and maybe a bit of patience. Think of it as a journey rather than a battle of wits. Or maybe it’s both? I digress.

Here’s this wild part – you’re a Rook, chilling on a board until BAM, a bolt of lightning zaps you into some parallel universe or whatever. Now, you’re chasing this pesky King, navigating through all sorts of crazy landscapes. And, oh boy, puzzles everywhere. Pathways hidden like Easter eggs, enemy pieces popping up out of nowhere, and boss fights that make you question every decision in life. Seriously!

Now, don’t expect characters babbling away. It’s about the visuals and the mood. A cinematic whirlwind sort of deal without a script. You piece it together by feeling the vibes, seeing the sights, hearing the soundtrack. Like a symphony with no words.

Anyway — feel that pull? That itch to explore the unknown? Grab the demo on Steam. I mean, even if you’re not into chess, this might just blow your mind. Or at least get you thinking differently. Might just be the weird, whimsical journey you didn’t even know you needed. Check it out — or don’t. But you probably should.