Game: SokoChess White
Genre: Strategy, Puzzle, Casual, Indie, Turned-based.
System: Steam (Windows, Linux, macOS)
Developer | Publisher: Daisy Games
Controller Support: Mouse & Keyboard
Price: USD $ 4.99 | UK £ 3.99 | EU € 3,99
Release Date: March 3rd, 2023
Review code used, with many thanks to Daisy Games.
SokoChess White is a puzzle game that combines Sokoban’s classic gameplay with the chess strategy. The game is developed by Daisy Games and brings with it an amazing twist to the chess formula. The game has a simple yet elegant design and has levels that will challenge the player’s logical skills and thoughtful planning.
The Chess Formula
The game has 70 levels, each with a different set of puzzles to solve. The puzzles are presented on a chess board, and the objective of each puzzle is to move the pieces in a specific order to reach the end goal. The pieces in the game include pawns, knights, bishops, rooks, and the king, each with its unique movement patterns.
The player may move other pieces between them by pushing them or changing their location with the knight, for example, to complete most levels. The difference with the previous SokoChess is mainly that only white pieces exist. Yet, other aspects were added to the game to spice up the challenge differently.
The game has a minimalistic design with only white pieces and recognizable obstacles. The chessboard is displayed with different designs on each level and progressively becomes more complex. The gradient different colours of the background are simple and matching to the game.
The controls of the game are straightforward, with players selecting a piece and then moving it in the direction they want to move the piece. The game also has an undo feature that allows players to backtrack their moves in case of a mistake or restart the level.
Learning Curve
The puzzles in SokoChess White are challenging and require careful planning and strategy to solve. The game gradually increases in difficulty, starting with simple puzzles that require only a few moves to solve and then progresses to more complex puzzles that require several moves and planning ahead. The puzzles are designed to test the player’s logic and spatial reasoning skills, making the game both entertaining and educational.
It doesn’t take a long time to get used to the mechanics, and even though the game introduces more new obstacles constantly, they are intuitively easy to understand. Also, more than one level would become playable when unlocking them, making it less tedious to be stuck on a level. The player can simply move forward and try a different one instead.
An Interesting Twist
One of the most exciting aspects of SokoChess White is the way it combines two classic games, Sokoban and chess. The game takes the best elements of both games and merges them into a new and unique gaming experience.
The chess pieces add an extra layer of strategy and complexity to the game, while the Sokoban elements provide the challenge of moving objects around a confined space (or in some instances, trigger a reaction by moving a piece to a specific tile). The result is a game that is both mentally stimulating and fun to play.
What Does it Offer
Another great feature of SokoChess White is the game’s simplicity. The game is easy to pick up and play, making it ideal for players of all ages and skill levels. Some of them are easy to solve and still satisfactory, and other with make the players scratch their brain and think ahead.
The minimalist design of the game also makes it easy on the eyes and the classical background music is soothing and nice (still, there could have been a better variation of classical music). All of this provides a relaxing and enjoyable gaming experience.
Conclusion
Overall, SokoChess White is an excellent puzzle game that combines the best elements of chess and Sokoban into a unique and challenging gaming experience. The game is easy to learn but difficult to master, providing hours of entertainment and mental stimulation.
The game’s minimalist design and intuitive mechanics make it a joy to play, and the challenges keep it fresh and engaging. Whether you are a chess or puzzle fan, SokoChess White is a game that will entertain and challenge you.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot.
