System: Valve Index & HTC Vive
Price at Time Of Review: £3.99
Comfort Rating: Green
Genre: Strategy
Input: Tracked Motion Controllers
Best Playing Position: Sitting
Multi-Player: Yes
Age Rating: PG
VR Shop Score 1/100: 20
Description: This game allows you to play both chess and checkers in virtual reality, either against the computer AI, or against a friend on the same computer (using desktop screen and mouse). There are 3 AI settings to choose from and the chess board measures 1.5m x 1.5m.
The game can be played both room-scale and seated. To play the game room-scale, just place your controller on the piece you wish to move and then pull the trigger whilst lifting the piece up. Then place it over a valid square and let go of the trigger, when that square has turned green. To play it seated, you can simply hold the ‘Point’ button down and then aim at the piece you wish to select, before pulling the trigger. If playing against a friend on the same computer, then they will need to use the desktop screen and mouse. They can then play by first clicking on the desired piece and then clicking on the valid square they wish to move to.
Review: I love a good chess game and playing in VR, with online multiplayer is just perfect. It also has to be said ‘Chess and Checkers VR’ looks pretty great with a nice, relaxing environment that perfectly captures the seriousness of the game. Also, all the pieces and board look amazing as well and very realistic. but…what utter idiot places the playing board on the bloody floor!!! In VR this is totally unforgivable and I can only resume no-one tried it or tested this before release! What a total shame and until this issue is sorted out I suggest you pick one of the many other VR chess games out there.
