Players Like...

❤ The Core Gameplay Concept

The game lets players move chess pieces not only across the standard 2D board, but also back and forth in time and into parallel timelines or dimensions. This allows for highly complex and nonlinear gameplay scenarios.

❤ Expanded Movement and Temporal Mechanics

Players can move each piece type in unique ways. Rooks can move any number of squares in a straight line, but can also shift backward or forward in time, creating new timelines. Bishops move diagonally, but can also shift their movement through time. Knights retain their "L-shaped" jumps, but can also time travel. This intricate system enables tactically complex maneuvers, as players must consider the past, present and potential futures.

❤ Branching Timelines

When a player moves a piece back or forward in time, this creates an entirely new timeline that splits off from the original. Each timeline has its own board state, with potentially different piece placements and captured/uncaptured kings. Players must manage and be aware of multiple timelines simultaneously, as pieces and kings in past/future timelines can affect the current game.

❤ Complex, Nonlinear Victory Conditions

Winning does not simply require checkmating the opponent's king on a single board. Players must consider the state of kings in multiple timelines - a checkmate in the past can affect the present, and vice versa. If a player has kings in several timelines, all of those kings must be checkmated for an overall victory. This creates deeply intricate and often confusing victory conditions.

❤ Emergent Gameplay and Unpredictability

The exponential increase in potential move possibilities, due to the temporal and dimensional elements, makes it extremely difficult to plan more than a few moves ahead. This results in games that often take unexpected and chaotic turns, with players constantly adapting to new, surprising developments.

❤ Steep Learning Curve but Rewarding Mastery

Reviewers universally acknowledge the game's extremely steep learning curve, as grasping the full implications of the temporal and dimensional mechanics takes substantial time and effort. However, players who invest the time report a hugely rewarding experience, with a unique sense of accomplishment in successfully navigating the complex, mind-bending gameplay.