There’s nothing quite like a solid tactical game to satisfy that strategic itch. The allure of turn-based strategy games lies in their nostalgic feel—familiar, yet refreshingly new when executed correctly. While the basic rules usually stay constant across these games, there’s often a twist in mechanics making each experience distinct. Today, we dive into a tactical game with a conceptual angle reminiscent of chess. Maybe not your typical chess, but you’ll see what I mean. I’ve been engrossed in WizardChess lately, and it’s got its fair share of highlights and head-scratchers, starting with the name itself.
At first glance, WizardChess might seem like a variant of chess, but that’s just the surface. The movement and attack patterns of your pieces draw a parallel to chess pieces, yet the game itself is a unique beast. The strategy element is strong, but the game’s flow and specific rules differentiate it significantly from chess, creating a standalone adventure. This distinction isn’t negative—just don’t dive into it with chess expectations, or you might find yourself more puzzled than pleased.
In WizardChess’ intriguing world, you’re plunged into dungeon settings filled with battles and faced with defeating a tutorial boss through multiple rounds. This tutorial is quite lengthy, which is essential for grasping the intricate rules. Numerous unlockable units are available, each presenting new strategic possibilities. A noteworthy downside, however, is the inability to save the tutorial progress. I had to quit mid-way and unfortunately had to abandon my current run. Being well into the tutorial, I wasn’t eager to start over, so I shifted to a different mode, Arcade. Honestly, it might have been wiser to stick with it, as the game’s dynamics changed drastically once I switched modes.
The tutorial offers a classic turn-based feel. You strategically deploy your units from collected cards with plentiful time to plan your moves. Although managing unit movement sounds simple, positioning them effectively becomes a challenge when enemy units are also on the move. Some units boast special abilities that require strategic trade-offs, adding to the tactical tapestry. Combat unfolds automatically when units are adjacent to enemies, based on their stats. Once familiarized, the game operated at a leisurely and enjoyable rhythm, despite any setbacks from restarts.
Switching to Arcade mode, the atmosphere changes entirely. You’re presented with a preset number of units, already on the board, and you must race against the clock to defeat as many opponents as possible before facing a boss. Between rounds, you can purchase new cards or enhance existing ones at the game shop, though the limited currency makes substantial progression challenging. This fast-paced, currency-driven play somewhat dilutes the strategic elements, pushing you to complete rounds swiftly to gather enough resources for the looming boss. This gameplay style diverts from the thoughtful planning of traditional turn-based tactics.
The game’s shop concept is intriguing, offering not just new units but also the option to enhance current ones instead of acquiring more manpower. Initially, I recommend focusing on increasing your unit count before progressing to other perks. Each unit can be elementally imbued, influencing their behavior—fire for aggression, water for defense, and so forth—granting further control over unplayed units’ actions.
Despite my efforts, I haven’t conquered the first boss in Arcade Mode. I’ve been consistently overwhelmed, possibly due to my unpreparedness. Your hero character offers support but can’t attack, leaving you vulnerable when all units are lost. Given that Arcade Mode seems central to the game, these quick descents into frustration are disheartening.
WizardChess appears to lack a campaign mode—an element that could benefit the game’s narrative. The tutorial introduces characters we encounter in the game, which could pave the way for story development. Unfortunately, as a run-based game without a saveable campaign, there’s little room for narrative growth—a shame due to the promising writing. This game rewards short play sessions, focusing on progress per run rather than long-term development. Its replay value caters to brief engagements, which may not satiate those seeking extended gameplay.
Navigating WizardChess is simple—it’s point-and-click, straightforward enough. Like chess, each unit has specific movement rules, which can become cumbersome in real-time play. Terrain obstacles add another layer of difficulty, complicating timed movements and potentially hampering the game’s fast-paced nature.
Overall, WizardChess leaves me conflicted. Perhaps I need more time to adapt, and my early exit from the tutorial may have been premature. Despite some brilliant concepts, the game’s mechanics seem to struggle with cohesion. If this were a purely turn-based dungeon crawler or an entirely real-time strategy game, the play styles wouldn’t conflict as much. Attempting to blend these elements creates an intriguing yet convoluted experience.
There’s a fascinating vision in WizardChess, and I commend the developers for their ambition in crafting something different. Whether this amalgamation works seamlessly is up for debate. It might resonate with some, promising an enjoyable ride, but for me, the mechanical dissonance urges me to seek my strategy thrill elsewhere.
WizardChess is a commendable attempt, with a firm score of 6.2 out of 10. Despite the initial impression and intriguing ideas, the game’s identity crisis and narrative deficiencies may deter the average strategy enthusiast. Yet, this unique concoction could very well cultivate a dedicated fanbase.
