Developer: Minimol Games
Publisher: Minimol Games, Hawthorn Games
Platform: PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Tested on: Switch
Chessarama – Review
Chess is already a game that challenges your tactical insight and ability to think ahead, but Chessarama takes it to a whole new level. Minimol Games developed eight different types of puzzles, each utilizing chess mechanics and the way pieces move across the board, in a new way. Every type of puzzle comes with its own set of challenges, but all of them are packed neatly together into a game that lets you compete for high scores against other people online. While this title has already been on Steam for a while, it was recently ported to consoles, and thus we decided to give our brains some much-needed exercise. Checkmate, casual gamers: we’re taking chess to the next level.
Story
As you might have guessed from the above description, Chessarama does not have any plot to it. Each of the eight ‘worlds’ does have a theme, be it farming, football, or samurai, but even then, they’re not strung together with a narrative or anything. However, is that really why anybody plays a casual puzzle game of this sort?
Graphics
We appreciate the aesthetic Chessarama has going on here. The graphics are cartoony and a little silly, but in a cute way. Every set is based on miniature dioramas, giving them a lot of charm. The boards you play on overflow with small details and scenery, so it’s not just a boring puzzle board you’re looking at. The way every world is themed also adds a lot of charm to the mix, since they all stand out in their own way and keep the game from getting boring. We especially liked the set of medieval fantasy-themed puzzles. The interface is also very simple and not distracting, needing very little explanation before you can dive straight into the fun.
Sound
We never felt so happy while being frustrated by a puzzler, because the soundtrack of this game is surprisingly upbeat too. Again, we enjoyed that every world had its own music and sound effects, fitting the theme. The game doesn’t have any voice acting, though obviously that wasn’t really needed. Casual and simple, that seems to be the common thread for this game all throughout.
Gameplay
The puzzles are where Chessarama truly shines, being a straightforward puzzle game designed for casual players that never gets too complicated. You have eight worlds to explore, each with over twenty levels, meaning there are over a hundred puzzles to sink your teeth into. While every type is slightly different and has unique rules, they are all based on chess, with the level map being a grid and you having to move pieces across it according to the rules laid out in normal chess. For example, the first puzzle is a farming game, where you make a horse jump around in the typical L-shape to till land. Gradually, more pieces and rules are added, and by the time you’re a dozen levels in, the puzzles can become quite challenging. The variety was great, and we enjoyed being able to freely switch between worlds if we wanted a change of pace. However, you cannot skip levels in the world itself, which is an option we would have loved.
On top of this, there are also actual challenges. If you fulfill a challenge, you get extra EXP when completing the level. A challenge can be completing the puzzle by landing in a certain square of the map or solving it in fewer than three moves. While the challenges are completely optional, they are a fun addition to the game for those who get the hang of the puzzles quickly and want to make things harder on themselves, or just for the completionists among us. Earning EXP will unlock the other worlds to play in, as well as other bonus content. It also bumps you higher up the leaderboard, which is nice since every gamer loves bragging rights.
And if you do really love bragging, Chessarama has you covered through an active community to engage with. Daily and weekly special challenges allow you to boost your rank further if you like to be competitive, or you can play traditional chess against other players using all the tricks you’ve learned in the puzzles. Because don’t make any mistakes, the game gives you tips that can be utilized in normal chess matches. It’s a great blend of fun and education for those who always wanted to get more into the game of chess.
Conclusion
Chessarama is unexpectedly a lot of fun and not as boring as you might think when you hear ‘puzzle game based on chess’. The bold graphics, cheery tunes, and casual yet engaging nature of the chess mechanics make it interesting for both competitive players and those who just want to waste an hour or two while keeping their brain fresh. It’s exactly the sort of title you go back to every few days for an hour of puzzle charm!
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