Chessmaster

"If you play chess and own a Playstation2, then Chessmaster is the game for you."

Introduction:

For years, Ubisoft has offered a great computer chess program in Chessmaster - but making it only available on the PC. Now, they have finally brought the Chessmaster series to a console game system in the Playstation2, and they have not only succeeded in making a good game, but they have succeded in making one of the most in-depth and graphical chess games out there.

Gameplay:

When you buy a chess game, you pretty much expect just one thing from the gameplay: chess. And Chessmaster offers a great chess software, plus a variety of levels (150 different computer personalities) so you can find any competition, from the amateur to the Grandmaster level. However, Ubisoft added multiple modes of play to game - 9 in all. The first is Quick Game, which is pretty much your standard chess game that you can customize the settings for, such as the level and time control. The second is Rated Game, which is basically the same as the first mode except your rating in the game is actually affected by the outcome. The third is called Setup Postition, in which you can setup up any legal position in chess you want, and then play on with the computer from their. The next mode is called Puzzle of the Day, in which the game will throw you a chess puzzle and you must find the solution.

One of the greatest things about any chess software is the ability to go online and play with other people around the world. Chessmaster offers an online mode in which, with a network adaptor, you will be able to connect to the internet. But the modes of play don't stop there - next is called Championships. Basically, the mode is a tournament type mode, in which you play in different chess tournaments or create your own. Next is a mode called the Pandolfini Chess School, which offers many lessons and tutorials. It's a great feature for anyone new to the game of chess, and even for experts as the mode offers many advanced lessons.

The next mode of play is a great one - Famous Games. Okay, so it's not really a game mode, but it features 800, count 'em, 800 of the greatest chess games ever played dating back to the 17th century. The mode is great just to analyze the games and study them.

The last mode of play is Chess Battlefield, which is basically battle chess. The movement and capturing of pieces are both displayed in full animation with 3-D characters. A great addition, as it can be fun just watching the pieces attack. However, all the animations are typically the game and it is very hard just to play a good game of chess.

However, it's the controls where Chessmaster loses some points. Even though the PS2 controller format is not exactly built for a chess game, Ubisoft could have done a much better job at utilizing this. For example, the D-pad is very uncomfortable in selecting chess pieces and moving them around in a game, as opposed to a point-and-click mouse. That part, though, is unavoidable, but many times you will make mistakes in moving the pieces - say instead of moving it twice you accidently moved it only once. This is because of the non-sharp controls navigating around the chess board.

Another problem about the game is the camera angles, and this is a slightly more noticeable problem. Chessmaster doesn't feature a standard, flat, 2-D chess board as a default, but rather a variety of 3-D chess boards. The default camera settings of those 3-D boards boards is at a 90 degree angle, which makes you feel like your in the game. Even though you can adjust (rotate and flip) the board to your liking, you're never going to find a setting that suits you. And, with there being no zoom feature (the boards only fill up a little more than half the screen), and the pieces being a little hard to decipher from one another, the cameras are nearly unbearable for a normal chess game. The only camera angle that I found playable is the standard 2-D style, but there is only one board to chose from. Unfortunately, the board is a bit small and comes with no color.

Summary: Chessmaster offers top-notch gameplay as far as the actual chess is concerned, but falters in other keys areas that make a good game great, such as the controls and camera angles. However, the extra modes of play more than make up for that.

Gameplay Score: 9

Graphics:

Even with it being a chess game, which requires minimal graphics, Chessmaster offers some eye catching displays. It starts off from the opening cinema, which is a great CG display. The actual graphics in the game are also very good. The 3-D boards, as well as the animations in battle chess, are very well done. This is a tough score to access, because as any normal game, Chessmaster would be low in comparison, but for a chess game, it offers some of the best graphics to date.

Summary: Chessmaster, from the 3-D boards to battle chess, succeed in created some great graphics for a chess game. Overall, however, the graphics are minimal.

Graphics Score: 6

Sound:

Again, sound is not really needed much in a chess game. However, the background music during games are nice. There are also some other sound effects, such as the computer announcing moves and some in the tutorials.

Summary: The sound quality, although minimal, is very well done.

Sound Score: 7

Value:

Value is how long a game will last you. Chess, of course, has almost unlimited value. Add on top of that is the many extra modes Ubisoft featured in the game. You will be spending countless hours playing and analyzing games and always try to get better. And believe, if there was ever a hardest video game out there, this might be it, as it is impossible (at least very, very tough) to beat the game - as in defeating the highest level of play.

Summary: Chessmaster will be keeping you playing and analyzing games for hours, maybe even years.

Value Score: 10

To Buy or to Rent?:

Well, considering that it carries a retail value of 20$, and it offers so much replayability, I would say this is a definite buy for anyone interested in the game of chess, whether a beginner or pro.

Overall, Chessmaster offers a great chess software for any chess player. If you own a Playstation2, then this is the only chess offering out there. However, Ubisoft could've created just a chess game, but it was the many extras and detail that went into the game that make it excel. And, for a 20$ price tag, what better value can you get? Even the negatives taken into consideration, Chessmaster delivers one of the best chess experiences out there.

Overall Score: 9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/19/03