Review of WizardChess (PC) – That VideoGame Blog

There’s a certain charm to turn-based strategy games that keeps us coming back for more. It’s like a trip down memory lane with each new game bringing its own unique flair. While the fundamentals often remain constant, it’s the clever integration of new mechanics that keeps things interesting. Today, we find ourselves delving into the world of WizardChess—a game that sparks curiosity yet leaves us with some reservations, starting with its rather peculiar name.

WizardChess draws a loose parallel to the classic game of chess, but the similarities stop at the movement and attack patterns of the units. Beyond that, it transforms into a distinct entity, a strategy game with its own unique flow and set of rules that veers far from traditional chess. It’s refreshing in its individuality, but it does mean that going in with preconceived notions could lead to confusion or even frustration.

In this game, you navigate characters through dungeons, tackling encounters, and eventually a tutorial boss over several rounds. The tutorial is lengthy, but necessary to truly grasp the complexity of the rules. Numerous unlockable units await, each affecting your strategic decisions in crucial ways. However, a notable drawback is that the tutorial lacks a save feature, meaning quitting mid-way forces you to start over. This frustration led me to explore Arcade Mode, where the atmosphere of the game shifted dramatically.

The tutorial offers a leisurely-paced introduction, allowing time to strategize with your units, played from collected cards, one move at a time. Positioning within the battlefield is critical, yet tricky, given the enemy’s simultaneous mobility. Some units have special abilities activated at the expense of movement, adding a tactical dimension to the proceedings. Although restarting the tutorial was annoying, I found the hands-on experience enjoyable once I got the hang of it.

Switching to Arcade Mode changes the dynamic entirely. Here, you’re immediately thrust into action, tasked with defeating as many foes as possible before a formidable boss enters the fray. Between battles, you can spend earned currency in the shop on new cards or unit upgrades. However, funds are limited, prompting a faster pace at the expense of deep strategic thinking. Success relies heavily on rapid decisions, which can lead to chaos if you’re not careful.

The shop concept is intriguing, allowing purchases of new units or enhancements of existing ones. Early on, I’d advise focusing on expanding your roster before tweaking stats. Additionally, units can be imbued with elemental abilities that shift their behavior—fire for aggression, water for defense, and so forth—letting you subtly guide party actions even when they’re out of your direct control.

I didn’t, unfortunately, manage to defeat Arcade Mode’s bosses. Each attempt left me feeling woefully underpowered, and with the hero taking a support role (unable to attack), I was ultimately left vulnerable once my units fell. For a central part of the game, this quickly became a source of frustration.

It becomes apparent that WizardChess would benefit from a proper campaign mode. While the tutorial hints at character development, it lacks narrative progression due to its unsaved nature. This is unfortunate, as the writing itself is quite compelling. Instead, the game focuses on short, addictive sessions, though I question its ability to remain engaging over extended periods.

Control mechanics lean towards traditional chess, each unit moving in specified directions. Yet, in real-time, this complicates positioning on varied terrain, especially with time constraints pressuring every decision. These mechanics slow down a game that seems designed for brisk, decisive play.

My thoughts on WizardChess? It’s a bit of an oddity. I might need more time to acclimate to its quirks, and perhaps my impatience with the tutorial colors my opinion. Nonetheless, it feels like the game’s disparate elements haven’t quite clicked together. I believe a pure turn-based dungeon crawler or a full-throttle real-time strategy might suit its ambitions better than this blend of both.

Ultimately, WizardChess represents an intriguing concept. The developers clearly aimed to craft something new, and for that, I commend them. Whether this experiment succeeds is debate-worthy, but if it aligns with your tastes, it could provide hours of engaging play. Personally, the misalignment of mechanics means I’ll keep searching for my go-to strategy game elsewhere. The game holds a certain charm and could certainly appeal to a niche audience, but I’m skeptical about its broader appeal to mainstream strategy fans.