FULL REVIEW: Chess with Lasers (aka Deflection)

[Two Clicks]

IN A WORD: MAYBE

IN A NUTSHELL:

WHAT TO EXPECT: Indie made, using Unity. Digital adaptation inspired by Khet boardgame and videogame classic Laser Chess. Turn-based strategy through chess-like gameplay. Plays casually but complex in difficulty and strategy. Tutorial and info screens provide accessibility. Neon colourful 3D visuals. Sci-fi, cyberpunk styled ambience. Single-player and, local and online multiplayer modes. Cool retro style soundtrack. Steam achievements and stats supported. Steam workshop support promised. Level editor included. Basic content, needs more maps.
ACHIEVEMENTS: MOSTLY ENCOURAGE PLAY. A FEW STRAIGHTFORWARD MULTIPLAYER AND EDITOR ONES. SOME REQUIRE GRINDING.
STATUS: RELEASED. NEEDS EXPANDING.
FOR WHOM/WHEN TO BUY: WILL SUIT CHESS LOVERS OPEN TO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT. FOR THE CURRENT CONTENT I WOULD SUGGEST A SMALL SALE.

More info below....

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2735984407

THE LOWDOWN:

CHESS with LASERS (CwL) formerly known as Deflection, is a digital adaptation inspired by the boardgame Khet and the classic video game Laser Chess. A turn-based strategy title with casual gameplay and puzzle-like strategy, requiring deep-thinking that leans heavily on surprise, surprise... Chess. Visuals incorporate a neon coloured aesthetic to produce a sci-fi/cyberpunk influenced ambience, which is aptly supported by an appropriately themed, retro soundtrack.

Games of CwL take place upon square-tiled boards of increasing scale and complexity, rather than just the eight by eight used in standard Chess. These are created using a variety of layouts, piece allocation and starting positions. Instead of the traditional or Egyptian themed pieces used in Khet, CwL has its own roster of pieces. Among them are mirrors, teslas, portals, disruptors, sentries, splitters and spikes. All designed to influence offensive and defensive strategies.

A short tutorial and info screens detailing individual pieces, provide accessibility for new players. An inspection tool allows players to select and reveal what each piece is and does. Three game modes allow the choice of playing against humans online or locally, or against an AI with two difficulty modes. Multi-player games can be played with timed turns of adjustable minutes. A replay feature allows for players to analyse previous games step-by-step.

As in Chess the strategic goal remains the same; to take the opposition's pieces off the board, with the eventual aim of defeating their king. Each side begins with the same number and composition of playing pieces which differ per map. Players take turns while moving one of their own pieces. As they look to ensure their king remains protected. Here the similarities end.

The starkest difference is the utilisation of a laser which fires at the end of every turn. Players need to direct this beam across the board using the pieces at hand. Those struck on a vulnerable facing are destroyed. Alternatively when struck on an appropriate facing, special tactical abilities are activated. Some maps have green coloured pieces which are neutral in nature. These can be moved by any side, while opposition pieces on green coloured tiles can also be moved by any player.

Khet's wiki-page[en.wikipedia.org].

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2742817764

THE GOOD:

+ Solid digital adaptation of the boardgame.
+ Tough challenging gameplay that is puzzle-solving in nature.
+ Good enough accessibility to explain the rules and pieces.
+ An energetic and catchy multi-track retro musical score provides background music.
+ Well designed maps with good variety, that introduce new pieces incrementally.
+ An almost full array of game modes; Single-player, local versus and online versus multi-player supported.

THE BAD:

- Gameplay may be too challenging and given its apparent casual style. To a point its not suitable for casual gamers.
- Graphically, the pieces could have done with some more definition.
- Map randomisation feature would have added better replayability to such a pool of maps. I.e. Remove, change some starting pieces and to vary their starting positions.
- Gameplay can become mired against the AI, given the nature of moving and counter-moving.
- Mid-game saving is not permitted.
- Could do with a ladder for competitive match-ups, based on player ability.
- A distinct lack of community makes online multiplayer redundant.

AND THE REST:

* Neon cyberpunkesque aesthetic.
* 12x unique pieces.
* Adequate accessibility: How to play tutorial & piece guide.
* Adequate level Editor for players to mod new maps.
* Contains game Stats information.
* 7x single-player maps.
* 2x single-player AI difficulties.
* Steam Workshop integration has been promised.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2745095356

ANALYSIS:

My short time with the game proved to be enjoyable but limited. As someone who stopped playing chess to any level a while ago, I found my TBT gaming skills practically useless here. This curtailed the chance to really get stuck into the larger maps. Online multiplayer looks to be a better fit for me personally, depending on if I can find humans of my ability level.

In its genre
With zero experience of Khet and faded memories of playing Laser Chess its hard to compare this game to the impressive inspiration behind it. It definitely feels like a solid attempt at making a digital adaptation. However against other boardgames and especially tactically strong games, gameplay feels limited. It would be quite easy for it to be lost in the sea of adequate but unremarkable games of its ilk, expect that the sum of its parts let it stand-out. If only just.

Accessibility
The tutorial and info screens do a perfect job of introducing the game to new players. A casual and straightforward play-style allows the rules to be picked up rather easily. Something that can also be said about the differences between it and its counterparts. It falls into the category of easy to play while being difficult to master. Made so by a capable AI. Chess players will have an advantage over those that haven't any experience of it. Playing against humans may better suit these gamers.

Ambience & Aesthetic
The neon, retro visuals were suitably complemented by the wonderfully psychedelic soundtrack. For me one of the best parts of the game. A real highlight probably due to my own particular tastes. It was so good I had it playing in the background while writing this review.

The aesthetic could also prove problematic with its majority black background and the use of neon colouring causing pieces to merge together. Perhaps this is a trick of the eye or somesuch, but I definitely had to do a double take on larger maps with more pieces. Given there are no alternatives to the visuals, this may prove an issue for those who would prefer to change them.

Gameplay
Gameplay is solid. The simple one action per turn approach to its IGOUGO makes it play pretty close to chess. The strategy involved also, requiring deep-thinking aptitude. Its most unique aspects; the use of distinct pieces and lasers took it past variant country. Neutral tiles and pieces give gameplay an additional, much needed extra depth. Especially given that the only real considerations are positioning and facing.

Given the move and counter-move nature of this type of game it is possible that gameplay can stall, constantly moving or rotating the same pieces back and forth. Not quite to infinitum but enough to invoke Deja vu. Something that will more likely happen against the AI, which is a very competently made component of the game. On larger maps this was tempered with the reality of games taking a long time. Which without a save feature made it is possible to run out of time and having to lose progress.

Complexity
Conceptually the game provides a basic level of intriguing puzzle-oriented challenge. One that becomes deeper when more complex maps are introduced. The introduction of more pieces, neutral elements takes difficulty from a casual experience against the easy AI on simple maps, to a much harder prospect on larger maps at hard difficulty. This can feel intimidating especially as assessing the strategic situation requires to think several moves ahead.

The content may not be there but at least the elements of strategy are. Making the change of direction from original chess welcome. The challenge and the strategizing is also there. My biggest issue though was falling into the trap of forgetting about protecting the king. This piece could have done with clearer rending to help players remember to focus on enemy pieces threatening it. Perhaps even a hint mode where the game shines attention to opposition pieces that are threatening this vital piece.

Level of Enjoyment
While a certain level of enjoyment is to be had from playing CwL, it doesn't seem to be suited to all gamers. Appeal will be strongest to chess players or those with an affinity to logic/puzzle solving games, as the strategy involved caters more for those types.

Given the aptitude of the AI then novices and even average players may find getting anywhere frustrating. So unless you are of the crowd that enjoys learning from their mistakes, then this could be a game to leave aside. Personally speaking I would like to see an easier set of maps or AI initially in single-player.

Against other humans who do make mistakes, this game comes into its own. The biggest enjoyment factor this game provided for me was the challenge against other humans. Especially those of roughly the same level of ability as myself. Even if this could only be done locally for me.

The single-player game while a useful learning tool became too frustrating to play against, for even on easy silly mistakes are relentlessly punished. If making maps to play against friends is your thing, then that is one more aspect of the game that will add to the game's enjoyment level. Though I did not spend much time on this particular aspect.

Quality
CwL has an adequate amount of quality running through its veins. The use of neon in the depiction of the pieces gives it a very that futuristic feel, that fans of cyberpunk styled games will appreciate. This gives it a distinctive virtual quality, that keeps it apart from the board game.

However the rendering used for the pieces can make them blur into an art exhibit that may confuse. Makes the inclusion of the inspect tool a necessity. Given its simple nature there is little wrong with the game. I cannot speak for online multiplayer as I could not try it. No issues where encountered in my short time with the game. The only negative being the missing save game feature.

Replayability & Longevity
Given its limited content in single-player replayability will stem from replaying the same maps, to learn from mistakes and/or to try different strategies. The limited number of AI difficulties will only allow players to test themselves against a single tougher opponent. Steam workshop integration cannot come soon enough and more levels would be appreciated.

Multiplayer against humans is where the bulk of replayability and longevity will come from. At least until there is a community willing to make custom maps for other players. Some dynamicity in standard maps or a randomised positioning of pieces and even the laser, perhaps even as a mode, would have extended this to a more acceptable level.

Value for money
There is no reason to quibble at its low price. For me personally it would feel better value for money if it were around 33% of the current listing. Though only because multiplayer will be what I play it mostly for. Those who intend to play mostly multiplayer games and can find the opponents, the amount of hours accrued is sure to more than justify the current price. Singleplayer will be forgotten for good players once they master each map on hard difficulty.

VERDICT:

Chess with Lasers proved to be an intriguing game. Not merely a variant. Similar in the way it plays but very different in its strategizing. Its appeal is sure to point to those who enjoy chess or chess-like games. With only a basic amount of content and a small player base, its going to be difficult to get the number of maps to deliver the longevity that reflects the price.

For those of you who enjoy planning many moves ahead it could be a worthwhile purchase or better. For those of us less inclined it MAYBE of some interest at best.

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