Check vs Mate

About this game

Chess – the unrivalled champion of strategy games has been attracting players of all ages for countless centuries. Check vs. Mate takes up the mission of adapting the time honoured classic for the 21st century, seeking to breathe new life into the boardgame without abandoning the essential concepts that have made it so timeless.

Queen from B4 to E7, checkmate. While normally the game would be finished here with little fanfare, Check vs. Mate takes the moment of victory a step further. The queen suddenly comes to life and gracefully glides across the game board towards the King, a victorious smirk adorning her face. As she approaches the King’s square her hands begin to faintly glow, then suddenly plumes of fire spring forth from her outstretched hands and engulf the King, leaving nothing more than a pile of ashes on the square formerly occupied by one of the competing rulers of the checkered kingdom. Now that’s checkmate!

Battle vs Chess is based on the simple yet ingenious concept of creating a fusion between professional chess software and upbeat, combat oriented game mechanics, complete with richly animated game pieces.  At the outset of a match things seem quite basic: a 3D game board pits two opponents against each other in a seemingly ordinary game of chess.  The game board itself is set in one of six available environments, each with its own unique landscape and presentation features.  Traditionally recognized game pieces have been given a facelift as hulking stone golems and beastly chimaeras take the place of the typical rook and knight pieces respectively.

While each game piece is animated with a number of different idle motions as it patiently awaits the coming move, the excitement doesn’t begin until its path has been chosen.  Once a command has been given, the camera swoops in to a closer viewpoint as the figurine springs to life, moving across the board towards its destination with a style unique to the specific piece.  If the target position is empty the figurine will stake its claim and the game continues. If however that square should be occupied by a unit of the opposing forces team then the combatants will engage in a gripping animated clash, resulting in the annihilating defeat of the defending force’s piece.

Adding yet another layer to the game is the “Action Mode”, which if activated entirely changes the nature of the game itself!  Instead of triggering a pre-scripted combat animation, the act of invading an opposing unit’s position will result in gripping battle.  As the camera moves to a new 3rd person angle behind the player’s unit they suddenly find themselves standing toe to toe with their adversary, and the classic “advancing piece takes the square” rule is thrown out the window!  The ensuing combat is directly controlled by the player, functioning much like a traditional arcade “beat ‘em up” fighting game.  Various weapons, fighting techniques, even combos all play into the action, and to the victor go the spoils.  Should the attacking unit win the battle it will triumphantly assume a controlling position in the square as the defeated foe fades from the game board, however if the challenger fails in the attempt to vanquish the enemy than it is forced to limp back to the starting position of its move, broken and defeated.

The groundbreaking introduction of vivid 3D conflict animations and optional action integration elements provide a very special breath of fresh air to the classic game of chess. Employing ChessBase’s world renowned Fritz 11! chess algorithm software, widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated chess engines in the world, even the most experienced chess experts will be presented with a daunting challenge. 

All these features paired with an atmospheric soundtrack, special game modes, and a plethora of unlockable bonuses guarantee players long lasting fun with the timeless game of kings!

FEATURES

• Multiple richly crafted army sets combined with six different gameboard environments  introduce an unheard of visual complexity
• Utilizing the famous Fritz11! chess software algorithm, equipped with 10 distinct levels of difficulty, participants of all skill levels are provided with an appropriate degree of challenge
• The state of the art 3D graphics engine powers the breath taking visuals through the incorporation of HDR and particle effects 
• Cinematic quality animated sequences pull players into the action of the game
• The innovative fusion of professional chess software and action oriented fighting simulations result in a strategic action experience unlike anything before