GRAVICHESS
- TheAwakening
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 11
Overview
What if you could play a chess game, but instead of making moves traditionally, you could move as if in a platformer game? Gravichess manages to insert both rules across 100 levels. You can actually move your piece freely, but you also must be wary of your opponent’s pieces, strategically capturing pieces without getting yours captured. You don’t need to be a master at chess; just know the basic rules (which are explained in the tutorial) to complete all its levels in record time.
Gameplay
You can move your selected piece horizontally, but they must follow the laws of gravity and thus cannot jump as well. All the pieces are in play, only a few can be played in a level, and there are no duplicates. Your pieces have a limited range from which they can capture enemies, but your opponent has unlimited range. If a piece enters a tile the opponent can make a move, and it will be instantly captured. Since you only control one piece at a time, you only have one life.
Pawns can only jump one tile up, but their first jump is stronger, which covers two tiles, and they can capture adjacent pieces vertically. Squires move diagonally and can capture within a 5-range tile. Horses retain their L-shaped range tile. Towers have the same range as squires but in the four cardinal lines. The king can capture pieces in every surrounding tile (assuming the opponent cannot capture the king first). Lastly, the queen can move twice “per turn," even in mid-air. Because tiles cannot naturally make moves in the air, but the queen, a falling piece, is more susceptible to being captured.
To complete a level, all pieces must be captured. You only have access to up to three pieces or less, and you must navigate carefully to capture piece by piece. This can be observed even before making a move: all of your opponent’s pieces are already placed strategically. Is there a tower guarding a piece from afar? It will capture you if you dare make that move. There’s an order to follow that will help you complete the level. For more precision, you can see the tile your piece can jump to, but there are also two mechanics. First, you can move towards the edge of a platform without falling, giving you the distance necessary to make a move. Second, and this is more useful using a queen, you can freeze time and stop your pieces from moving accidentally, but your opponent will still react by capturing you.
There’s no time limit nor a set of movements you can do without resetting. On rare instances you might get a checkmate, however, being unable to move without getting captured. You can take your own pace towards completing a level. Secrets are present on certain levels, unlocking bonus levels that can be played in the level selection menu. If you are struggling with any level, remember you can plan ahead before even making a move, what pieces are guarded, how to move across the level, etc. Playing regular chess helps more, but you don’t need to be an expert for Gravichess.
Audio & Graphics
A game made in the Godot engine, I had no issues with performance, and the game ran smoothly on any level. There are only three tracks of music to listen to, a fitting piano playing on a chess game. I wish there was a timer that tracks how fast I solve a level or a hardcore option that limits the amount of moves.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Interesting game that changes how to play chess.
Very casual. Not difficult.
Cons
It might be difficult if you have never played chess.
Rating: 7/10
Remember magic chess? Good times.
