Game: Chessmaster, The | Developers: Software toolworks | Year: 1991 | Maximum No. Players: 2
When getting this game the thoughts running through my mind were that the SNES might have some problems with a chess game due to its lack of an efficient way in which to control the pieces. It even struck me that you may have to select letters and enter in your moves from there! Luckily, this is not the case. Instead you move a pointer around the screen using your d pad. Of course a mouse would be an ideal tool for controlling it but sadly this was not implemented. When the game does load up, you are first met with a character who I assume to me the “Chessmaster” himself and who looks rather suspiciously like Gadalf. Then you are hurled into a game against him. That appears to be, well, it. Now this might not seem like much (and it isn’t, really) but the opponent you face is bloody good. To hell with difficulty levels, learning curves, mistakes and mercy – the developers have, in this release, attempted to create an unbeatable chess engine and made a pretty good attempt at it. In saying that though, there is no chess engine in the world which is unbeatable on any system and this game is no exception.
Don’t expect to learn the game of chess, starting techniques or how to take defeat gracefully in this release. Defeat comes as a cold
stab in the chest - I have no idea how many times I was one away from checkmate, but then the computer mated me – it’s extremely
frustrating but then again it’s the game of chess! So what you have here is a no-frill chess game (it has a few options, accessed via pressing "select" including 2 player mode but it's quite limited, but then again, comparing the price of this game to the price of a chess set, they may consider it fair to assume that you can already afford one if you so wish!) One problem I have with playing against any computer chess game, though, is patience. I have a
bit of a "wise guy, huh?" attitude when the computer can make ten moves in the time it takes me to think of one but my advice is to
take your time - the computer’s always up to something! What you have in this game is a very sophisticated chess engine and a chalk
and slate gui - very good at what it does but don’t expect anything more.
Graphics
4/10
Well, you can make out what?s going on, but that?s about where it ende. Still better than the symbols you see in the newspapers though.
Difficulty
10/10
It?s certainly challenging although that?s only to me and I?m only a novice at chess.
Sound
0/10
That?s right ? a big fat zero! It?s annoying enough being beaten without a glorified ?nah nah nana nah? ringing in your ear.
Playability
6/10
Scores so lowly due to the frustration factor ? it?s very easy to give up hope after a few attempts.
Timescale
Enjoyment Factor------------------->
1 Day
1 Week
1 Month
1 Year
62%
This is what people have said about this game/review:
Posted by: Big C
on April 21, 2005, 5:41 pm this game is bad. its bad in a way it makes me laugh. the completely basic sound effect when you do each move.
btw..you may get an email from me wanting to do reviews for your site.im a sem-snes addict.
Posted by: kasper81 on December 8, 2009, 4:39 pm Graphics and sound mediocre at best. The challenge is there and makes for some interesting plays, if you don't get too frustrated.
Got any comments about the game? You disagree with the opinions cast above?
Have your word here:
When getting this game the thoughts running through my mind were that the SNES might have some problems with a chess game due to its lack of an efficient way in which to control the pieces. It even struck me that you may have to select letters and enter in your moves from there! Luckily, this is not the case. Instead you move a pointer around the screen using your d pad. Of course a mouse would be an ideal tool for controlling it but sadly this was not implemented. When the game does load up, you are first met with a character who I assume to me the “Chessmaster” himself and who looks rather suspiciously like Gadalf. Then you are hurled into a game against him. That appears to be, well, it. Now this might not seem like much (and it isn’t, really) but the opponent you face is bloody good. To hell with difficulty levels, learning curves, mistakes and mercy – the developers have, in this release, attempted to create an unbeatable chess engine and made a pretty good attempt at it. In saying that though, there is no chess engine in the world which is unbeatable on any system and this game is no exception.
Don’t expect to learn the game of chess, starting techniques or how to take defeat gracefully in this release. Defeat comes as a cold
stab in the chest - I have no idea how many times I was one away from checkmate, but then the computer mated me – it’s extremely
frustrating but then again it’s the game of chess! So what you have here is a no-frill chess game (it has a few options, accessed via pressing "select" including 2 player mode but it's quite limited, but then again, comparing the price of this game to the price of a chess set, they may consider it fair to assume that you can already afford one if you so wish!) One problem I have with playing against any computer chess game, though, is patience. I have a
bit of a "wise guy, huh?" attitude when the computer can make ten moves in the time it takes me to think of one but my advice is to
take your time - the computer’s always up to something! What you have in this game is a very sophisticated chess engine and a chalk
and slate gui - very good at what it does but don’t expect anything more.
