Players Like...

❤ Puzzle Gameplay

The core gameplay revolves around solving a series of spatial puzzle challenges. Players navigate chess and shogi pieces, each with distinct movement patterns, across a 2D grid. The objective is to guide the pieces to capture or reach certain target squares on the board. The puzzles start with relatively simple setups, allowing players to familiarize themselves with the piece mechanics. However, the difficulty increases significantly as the game progresses. Later puzzles present complex boards with multiple objectives, requiring thoughtful planning and strategic piece positioning to solve. Many reviewers praise the quality and originality of the puzzles. While challenging, the puzzles remain satisfying to solve. The gameplay feels more akin to a game like solitaire than a traditional chess or shogi simulation, maintaining accessibility for players without prior experience in those strategy games.

❤ Customizable Difficulty

An important aspect is the ability to customize the difficulty. The game provides an "easy mode" to make the puzzles more approachable for players primarily interested in the story. Additionally, a built-in "skip" function allows players to bypass any puzzle they are struggling with, enabling them to continue progressing through the narrative. Reviewers appreciate this flexibility, as it enables tailoring the experience to personal preferences. Those who enjoy the puzzle aspect can fully engage with the challenges, while story-focused players can minimize time spent on the spatial puzzles.

❤ Pacing and Progression

Some reviewers note that the puzzles can become overly dense or frequent, especially towards the later stages. The frequent back-tracking and repetition of puzzle rooms was cited as a drawback that could disrupt the player's immersion in the story. However, the inclusion of the skip function helps to mitigate this issue, allowing players to bypass puzzles they find too time-consuming or tedious. Overall, the puzzle gameplay is seen as a strong aspect, providing a unique and engaging challenge that complements the narrative experience.