REVIEW / WizardChess (PC) – Featured on That VideoGame Blog

Ah, the joy of diving into a strategic game where every decision impacts the outcome. I’ve always been drawn to turn-based strategy games—they evoke a certain nostalgia while also offering fresh challenges with new mechanics. Today, I ventured into the realm of WizardChess. Let’s talk about how this game matches up to its intriguing name and tactical promises.

Although it’s named WizardChess, don’t let that lead you to believe it’s just another chess game. While it shares a few similarities, like moving units and plotting attacks, that’s about where the comparison ends. WizardChess is a unique strategy game far removed from the rigid rules of chess. It’s got its own pace and set of mechanics, making it an interesting new experience. However, jumping in with a pre-conceived idea of chess might lead to confusion, or worst case, a bit of frustration.

Once you start, WizardChess thrusts you into a series of dungeon encounters culminating in a showdown with a tutorial boss. The tutorial itself is pretty lengthy—necessary to grasp the intricate rules—but, strangely enough, it doesn’t save your progress. This lack of a save function caught me off guard and led me to try out the Arcade mode prematurely. It was a bit of a leap into unknown waters, I have to admit.

Navigating through the tutorial feels decidedly turn-based. You deploy units by selecting cards and have all the time you need to plan your moves. However, moving just one unit per turn throws a wrinkle into your strategy, especially as opponent units advance. Units equipped with special abilities can be activated, but these come at a movement cost, demanding a careful balancing act. Finding my rhythm was satisfying, albeit tedious when I had to restart upon exiting.

The Arcade mode, on the other hand, shifts the gameplay completely. Instead of a turn-by-turn pace, you start with a predefined set of units, battling the clock to defeat as many opponents as possible before a boss appears. Between rounds, a shop allows more strategic decisions—buying new units or improving current ones. But currency is limited, nudging you to make tactical choices under pressure. The rapid pace inevitably compromises deep strategy, intensifying the challenge as each decision carries heightened weight.

The shop in WizardChess is intriguing. You can audit your roster, choosing to upgrade existing units instead of expanding your party. In the early game, adding more units seems crucial to moving ahead, so developing your existing army is something you can come back to.

One fascinating aspect is the elemental enhancements for units. Each element alters how a unit behaves—fiery aggression, watery defense, or earthy patience. This strategic depth adds layers to how you approach battles, especially for units not directly under your control each turn.

I wish I could boast about defeating the first Arcade Mode boss, but alas, each encounter ended in defeat. Whether this was due to insufficient preparation or strategy missteps, I found myself feeling particularly vulnerable and too quickly overwhelmed. Arcade Mode feels central to the game, and facing it without adequate preparation is challenging.

What WizardChess really needs is a dedicated campaign mode. The tutorial touches on character introductions, hinting at richer storytelling lurking beneath. A more narrative-driven mode could enhance the game’s appeal, yet the current design centers more on brief, challenging sessions rather than extended campaigns.

The controls themselves are straightforward—point and click simplicity. Yet, mimicking chess-like movement in a real-time strategy setting can feel awkward. Maps sometimes block movements, slowing the game and clashing with its expected quick pace.

In sum, WizardChess presents an intriguing mix of ideas that strive to blend chess-like strategy with time-sensitive gameplay. While many aspects captivate, not all gel together, resulting in a somewhat disjointed experience. It’s a collection of brilliant ideas that need more cohesion, especially if aiming for long-term retention among strategy enthusiasts.

I’m impressed by WizardChess’s ambition; it’s clear the developers set out to innovate. Whether all the pieces fit together is another matter. For some, this game will be an addictive playground. Yet for me, there’s an elusive ingredient that keeps me seeking my strategic fix elsewhere.

If you’re curious, give it a try. You might just uncover the magic balance that clicks with you!