Review of WizardChess (PC) – That VideoGame Blog

There’s something irresistibly charming about a good tactical game, especially when it triggers a sense of nostalgia. The thrill of turn-based strategy games lies in their timeless appeal; they might follow standard rules, but each introduces fresh mechanics to make it stand out. Today, we’re diving into a game reminiscent of chess—but let me clarify, it’s not just your average game on a checkered board. I’ve been delving into WizardChess, and while it’s been a thrill ride with its unique challenges, there are aspects that leave me scratching my head—starting with its name.

WizardChess only mirrors chess in a very loose manner. You maneuver your units in a way that broadly mimics chess pieces, but that’s where the similarity ends. What sets WizardChess apart is its unique blend of strategy and distinctive rules that turn it into something entirely its own. This departure from traditional chess might be refreshing or perplexing, depending on your expectations. Approach it with an open mind, or you might find yourself a bit baffled—or even frustrated.

Once you dive into WizardChess, you’re transported into a dungeon, taking on various challenges and ultimately facing the tutorial boss over several rounds. The tutorial is fairly extensive, necessary for grasping the myriad rules and mechanics. There’s a wealth of unlockable units to manipulate, each affecting your strategy in pivotal ways. However, the tutorial presents a frustration—it doesn’t save. I found myself deep into the learning process only to have to abandon my progress when I exited. This led me to explore different modes, jumping into Arcade, a decision I questioned later.

The tutorial feels very much like a classic turn-based game. You deploy units from cards you collect, allowing time to deliberate on your strategy. Movement is restricted to one unit per round, complicating deployment while enemies are on the move. Certain units come with special abilities—these can be activated at the cost of movement, adding a layer of complexity to your strategy. Once I got accustomed, I enjoyed the pace, apart from the need to restart.

Arcade mode, however, flips the experience on its head. Here, you begin with pre-placed units, racing against time to defeat waves of opponents before facing a boss. Between rounds, there’s a shop to upgrade or enhance cards—but currency is limited, creating an awkward pressure to progress quickly. The usual strategic elements get diluted as speed takes precedence, making shop decisions crucial, yet constrained.

The Shop, an intriguing feature itself, offers more than just unit purchases. You can bolster existing units’ stats, but initially, expanding your roster seems like the smarter choice. Unit upgrading isn’t merely about stats—you can infuse them with elements. For instance, fire boosts their aggression, water their defense. This system allows for nuanced control over your units’ behavior when they’re not directly commanded.

Despite my best efforts, I’ve yet to conquer an Arcade boss—the experience is consistently overwhelming and points to a potential gap in skill. Your hero, serving in a purely supportive capacity, offers no offensive relief. Consequently, when your few units fall, you’re left vulnerable. Given Arcade Mode feels central to WizardChess, the recurring frustrations are notable.

It’s clear to me that WizardChess would benefit from a campaign mode. The tutorial introduces characters you’d expect to build a story around, which is lacking due to the lack of a saveable campaign. With promising writing teased in the tutorial, it’s disappointing not to see it woven into a deeper narrative. WizardChess lends itself to quick sessions, focusing on how far you can get in each attempt, rather than developing an ongoing story, which may limit its long-term appeal.

In terms of controls, WizardChess is straightforward, relying on point-and-click mechanics reminiscent of chess. Each unit, like a chess piece, has specific movement options, but real-time strategy elements can feel cumbersome. Obstacles on the terrain further impede movement, conflicting with the game’s timed nature, which can slow down the gameplay in a way that feels at odds with its core design.

Overall, I’m grappling with WizardChess. I suspect a deeper familiarity might unravel its full potential, and maybe some initial missteps skewed my experience. There are, without doubt, some bright ideas here that aren’t quite gelling. Perhaps if it leaned fully into either a tactic-heavy dungeon crawler or an all-out real-time challenge, it would shine better. Combining both genres seems to invite complexity, creating hurdles rather than harmony.

There’s a vision in WizardChess that deserves commendation for its ambition. Whether it fulfills that vision successfully is another matter. If the balance it strives for resonates with you, expect an engaging, challenging experience. But as for me, something about it feels askew, prompting me to seek my strategy thrill elsewhere.

Review Summary:
– Look and Feel: 7/10
– Challenge: 7/10
– Gameplay: 5/10
– Story: 5/10
– Replayability: 7/10

Overall, 6.2/10

WizardChess is brimming with potential, boasting a fun concept and plenty of intriguing elements. However, without a clear direction, it might struggle to appeal broadly. Still, there’s something here for those willing to embrace its eccentricities. Whether it captures a dedicated player base remains to be seen, but casual strategy fans may find themselves searching for something else after a spell.