Chess Ultra

Chess Ultra is a chess video game developed and published by Ripstone for the PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in June 2017. A Switch port was released a few months later. It is the second chess game by Ripstone after Pure Chess (2012). Chess Ultra is the first in-house developed game by Ripstone.[4]

Chess Ultra
Developer(s)Ripstone
Publisher(s)Ripstone
EngineUnreal Engine 4[1]
Platform(s)PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Switch
ReleaseJune 21, 2017[2]
November 2, 2017 (Switch)[3]
Genre(s)Computer chess
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

The game features four different graphical locations (fireplace room, living room, museum, dark cave) and four chess piece sets.[1] In the tutorial mode, there are basic lessons for beginners, 80 checkmate challenges 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 supports cross-platform play (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 a chessboard. The computer AI has ten difficulty settings. The game calculates the player's Elo rating when playing against the AI or other players online.[5] The PlayStation 4 version has a PlayStation VR mode.[7]

Reception

Chess Ultra received generally positive reviews from critics. Windows Central liked the tutorials and cross-platform multiplayer but disliked the matchmaking system.[9] Digitally Downloaded thought the game is an improvement from Pure Chess in every way.[7] They also liked the table mode in the Switch version.[6] Nintendo Life said 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 Report liked how accessible the game is and called it "outstanding".[8] PlanetSwitch.de said that despite a few technical inconsistencies, it's a great chess for on the go.[1]

References
  1. Hahn, Nicola (3 November 2017). "Kurztest: Chess Ultra". PlanetSwitch.de (in German). 4Players. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. Thomas, Lucas M. (19 June 2017). "Out This Week: Ever Oasis, Dead by Daylight, Cave Story+". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  3. Whitehead, Thomas (2 November 2017). "Nintendo Download: 2nd November (Europe)". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  4. Whitehead, Thomas (3 November 2017). "Feature: Ripstone On Making the Right Moves With Chess Ultra on Nintendo Switch". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  5. Whitehead, Thomas (3 November 2017). "Chess Ultra Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  6. S., Matt (8 November 2017). "Review: Chess Ultra (Nintendo Switch)". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  7. S., Matt (4 July 2017). "Review: Chess Ultra (Sony PlayStation 4)". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  8. Gibson, Casey (8 November 2017). "Chess Ultra (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  9. Acevedo, Paul (29 June 2017). "Chess Ultra for Xbox One review: A deep chess game with cross-platform multiplayer". Windows Central. Future plc. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
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