REVIEW / WizardChess (PC) – A Feature on That VideoGame Blog

We have a soft spot for a good tactical adventure. Maybe it’s the nostalgia that comes with turn-based strategy games or the refreshing twist they can offer when done right. While the fundamental rules of these games are usually consistent, they often introduce enough unique mechanics to carve out their niche. Today, we’re not so much playing chess, but rather a game that borrows its spirit. It’s called WizardChess, and while it offers some truly enjoyable moments, it leaves some question marks lingering—starting with its name.

While WizardChess doesn’t strictly adhere to traditional chess, there are echoes of it as you move and attack with units on the board. But that’s about where the similarities end. It’s undeniably a strategy game, yet it diverges significantly from chess with its unique flow and rules, transforming into something entirely its own. Don’t get me wrong—this isn’t a setback. Yet, entering with preconceived notions might only leave you confused, if not outright frustrated.

When you dive into WizardChess, you’re thrown into a labyrinthine dungeon where your mission, over several rounds, is to tackle encounters and ultimately defeat the tutorial boss. Despite its length, the tutorial is necessary for grasping the intricate rules. With several unlockable units, understanding their roles and how they reshape your strategy is key to mastering the game. My gripe? The tutorial doesn’t save. Pausing means sacrificing your progress and starting anew—a daunting thought after investing considerable time. Consequently, I decided to try another mode, Arcade, which introduced a noticeably different vibe.

In the tutorial, the pace is slow and thoughtful. Managing your units, which are played from collected cards, requires strategy, as you can only move one unit per round. This makes arranging your pieces effectively challenging, especially with enemy units on the move. Certain units bring additional quirks to the table, draining movement points to activate special abilities, thus adding a layer of strategic juggling. Once I got familiar with these mechanics, it became a truly enjoyable, albeit restarted, experience.

Arcade mode, however, throws you into a frenetic world, a stark contrast to the tutorial’s deliberate tempo. You begin with a set team, placed right on the battlefield, and race against the clock to defeat foes before the boss arrives. Between rounds, you can shop for new cards or enhance existing ones, though currency is sparse, which impedes rapid progress. This forced rush does away with the leisurely strategy typical of turn-based games. To survive, you must balance the speed of play to earn enough currency for the boss battle, making each in-shop decision crucial.

The Shop in WizardChess is a neat feature, offering more tactical depth than simply acquiring more units. You can choose to bolster the attack and defense stats of your current team instead of expanding it. Early on, though, I’d suggest focusing on gathering more units until you feel secure with your forces.

Units in WizardChess aren’t just upgradable in the usual sense; they can also be enhanced with elemental powers that dictate their behavior. Imbue a unit with fire to ramp up aggression, or choose water to bolster defenses. This intriguing mechanic allows you to strategically influence how your party operates when not directly under your control.

I have to confess—I haven’t beaten the first boss in Arcade Mode yet. My encounters invariably ended in disaster, leaving me to wonder if it was just my lack of skill. It’s clear that when my units fell, my hero character, primarily a support, was left helpless. Considering that Arcade Mode feels like WizardChess’s centerpiece, it’s easy to find frustration setting in.

It’s quite evident that WizardChess could benefit from a campaign mode. The tutorial hints at a larger story with introduced characters, but with no campaign structure in place, narrative development is stalled. That’s disappointing because the writing shows potential for a compelling story. The game is addictive in short spells, emphasizing how far you can go in a single run rather than a campaign’s progression. While this offers fun in bursts, I’m doubtful of its appeal over extended play sessions.

WizardChess’s controls are an unusual case. The point-and-click mechanics are straightforward, yet the specific movement rules—horizontal, vertical, or diagonal—can feel cumbersome. Terrain obstacles add more complexity, which can be frustrating, especially with the time constraints. Speed and limited mobility sometimes clash with the game’s format, slowing the pace awkwardly.

Ultimately, WizardChess presents quite the conundrum. Perhaps a few more playthroughs would help me fully appreciate its intricacies. My struggles might stem from not completing the tutorial, so I admit some of my misgivings may be premature. What’s apparent, though, is the promising amalgamation of clever ideas that haven’t quite harmonized. If transformed into a turn-based dungeon crawler, the chess components would likely fit harmoniously. Alternatively, a pure real-time, clock-beating strategy game could simplify and enhance its charm. Trying to blend both styles, although intriguing, currently complicates rather than enriches the experience—at least in my experience.

I really appreciate what WizardChess aspires to be. There’s a unique vision here, and the developers deserve credit for their inventive approach. Whether it entirely works is another story. It might be the sort of game that just clicks for some, offering a trove of enjoyment if it does. For me, however, there’s a mechanical nuance that feels off, likely sending me on the hunt for my next strategic fix elsewhere.

The Look and Feel: 7/10
Challenge: 7/10
Gameplay: 5/10
Story: 5/10
Replayability: 7/10
Overall: 6.2/10

Wizardchess offers a fun premise with plenty to appreciate. Yet, it seems to grapple with an identity crisis. The game presents numerous intriguing ideas, but they often seem at odds. While it may captivate a loyal niche audience, I’m uncertain about its broader appeal amongst strategy fans.