Check vs Mate

Check vs Mate is a chess game with a strong focus on animated battles between pieces, offering a visually engaging twist on classic chess. Players appreciate the game's various modes, including a campaign with puzzles and challenges, which can help improve chess skills. The graphics and animations, especially the depiction of battles and environments, are frequently praised, providing entertainment beyond traditional chess.

However, the game has notable drawbacks. Earlier versions suffered from extremely invasive DRM, requiring personal information and limiting installations, though this has since been removed. Multiplayer functionality is largely broken or absent, frustrating players hoping for online matches. The AI can be slow or inconsistent at higher difficulty levels, and the lack of unique battle animations or multiple chess sets limits replayability. Overall, it is recommended mainly for casual players or those seeking a novel chess experience with animated flair, ideally purchased on sale.

Highlights

Players particularly praise the animated chess pieces and battle sequences, which add a fun and dynamic layer to traditional chess. The graphics and environments are seen as visually appealing and well-designed, running smoothly on modest systems. The variety of game modes, including puzzles and campaign challenges, receive positive notes for keeping gameplay fresh. The AI is considered sufficiently challenging for casual or intermediate players, and the game offers a unique alternative to standard chess titles. Many find it a great way to introduce kids to chess through its entertaining visuals.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game's lack of multiplayer functionality, with many players reporting that online matches do not work. The AI at higher difficulty levels can be painfully slow, making some games frustrating. The animations are repetitive and lack unique interactions between different pieces, reducing the novelty over time. Earlier versions had invasive DRM requiring personal data and activation hassles, though this has been removed. The absence of multiple chess sets and limited control customization detracts from the experience. Some players find the campaign story and game modes confusing or poorly executed.