Chess Ultra
| Chess Ultra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Ripstone |
| Publisher(s) | Ripstone |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4[3] |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 4,Windows,Xbox One,Switch |
| Release | June 21, 2017[1] November 2, 2017 (Switch)[2] |
| Genre(s) | Computer chess |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
Chess Ultrais a chess video game developed and published by Ripstone for thePlayStation 4,Windows,andXbox Onein June 2017. ASwitchport was released a few months later. It is the second chess game by Ripstone afterPure Chess(2012).Chess Ultrais the first in-house developed game by Ripstone.[4]
Gameplay
[edit]The game features four different graphical locations (fireplace room, living room, museum, dark cave) and four chess piece sets.[3]In the tutorial mode, there are basic lessons for beginners, 80checkmatechallenges for advanced players, and for the most experienced players there is a mode where the player has to recreate historic games by playing the closing moves. The multiplayer supports either local or online play.[5]The online multiplayer supportscross-platformplay (except the PS4 version).[6]In the portable mode in the Switch version, local multiplayer can be played by placing the console flat on the table to simulate achessboard.The computerAIhas ten difficulty settings. The game calculates the player'sElo ratingwhen playing against the AI or other players online.[5]The PlayStation 4 version has aPlayStation VRmode.[7]
Reception
[edit]| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Life | 8/10 (Switch)[5] |
| Nintendo World Report | 8.5/10 (Switch)[8] |
| Digitally Downloaded | 4.5/5 (PS4, Switch)[7][6] |
| PlanetSwitch.de | 4/5 (Switch)[3] |
| Windows Central | 4/5 (Xbox One)[9] |
Chess Ultrareceived generally positive reviews from critics.Windows Centralliked the tutorials and cross-platform multiplayer but disliked thematchmakingsystem.[9]Digitally Downloadedthought the game is an improvement fromPure Chessin every way.[7]They also liked the table mode in the Switch version.[6]Nintendo Lifesaid the game is "[...] a polished and well constructed title. It falls short of true excellence due to controller quirks in local multiplayer and a few missing conveniences in online play, such as a notification system or means by which to communicate more directly."[5]Nintendo World Reportliked how accessible the game is and called it "outstanding".[8]PlanetSwitch.desaid that despite a few technical inconsistencies, it's a great chess for on the go.[3]
References
[edit]- ^Thomas, Lucas M. (19 June 2017)."Out This Week: Ever Oasis, Dead by Daylight, Cave Story+".IGN.Ziff Davis.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^Whitehead, Thomas (2 November 2017)."Nintendo Download: 2nd November (Europe)".Nintendo Life.Hookshot Media.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^abcdHahn, Nicola (3 November 2017)."Kurztest: Chess Ultra".PlanetSwitch.de(in German).4Players.Archived fromthe originalon 7 November 2017.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^Whitehead, Thomas (3 November 2017)."Feature: Ripstone On Making the Right Moves With Chess Ultra on Nintendo Switch".Nintendo Life.Hookshot Media.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^abcdWhitehead, Thomas (3 November 2017)."Chess Ultra Review (Switch eShop)".Nintendo Life.Hookshot Media.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^abcS., Matt (8 November 2017)."Review: Chess Ultra (Nintendo Switch)".Digitally Downloaded.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^abcS., Matt (4 July 2017)."Review: Chess Ultra (Sony PlayStation 4)".Digitally Downloaded.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^abGibson, Casey (8 November 2017)."Chess Ultra (Switch) Review".Nintendo World Report.NINWR, LLC.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^abAcevedo, Paul (29 June 2017)."Chess Ultra for Xbox One review: A deep chess game with cross-platform multiplayer".Windows Central.Future plc.Archivedfrom the original on 29 June 2017.Retrieved5 August2023.