In late October, developer Oskar Aleksander Melbye released RPG Chess on PC via Steam in Early Access. He decided to reimagine chess, presenting the game as a turn-based strategy that utilizes RPG mechanics for piece combat. The pieces feature various stats, elements, and abilities.
When it comes time for a “duel” between pieces, an RPG battle begins. Pieces gain experience for moving across the board: “Advance a pawn down a file, or position a bishop to threaten the King. Every move can level up a piece and make it stronger, unlocking new abilities.”
The developer prepared over 100 unique abilities with cinematic animations, as well as several game modes. There are AI battles, multiplayer, and a roguelite campaign where players are invited to climb the King’s Tower: “16 handcrafted floors, each guarded by a unique King with their own signature power.”
The Steam page for RPG Chess is available at the following link. Initial reviews for the game are “Positive”—it currently holds a 100% rating. The developer expects the game to remain in Early Access for 6 to 12 months.