Publisher - Titus
Developer - Titus
Platform - N64
Type - Strategy
Score - 8/10
While Japanese gamers have had a
large selection of strategy games
available for a while now (too
many, actually), western N64
owners can now get their hands on
the very first chess game for N64:
Virtual Chess 64.
Chess games on consoles are
admittedly a niche genre and will
probably only interest a minority of
gamers. Luckily, Titus has included
a few interesting options in Virtual
Chess 64 that could make the title
accessible to larger audience -- if
only in a limited sense. Face it, if
you don't like chess, this game is
not going to change your mind.
Heck, if I had the choice between
Banjo-Kazooie and Virtual Chess,
it wouldn't take me more than five
seconds to decide which game to
get. But if chess is a passion of
yours (or you are trying to get
someone else interested in the
game), Virtual Chess is an excellent
choice.
Gameplay
The control in Virtual Chess is
either handled with the D-Pad or
the analog stick. The analog control
is a bit touchy and takes getting
used to, but the D-Pad is as simple
as can be. You move a hand
around the field and pick up any
figure you want to move by
pressing A. Then move it and put it
down with A. If the move is illegal,
an audio clue will tell you so and lift
the piece up.
Easily the game's best feature is the
Tutorial Mode -- one of the
reasons why we scored this game
so highly. Rather than confusing
beginning players with a lengthy
manual, Titus' mascot, Titus the Fox
will teach anyone chess while
displaying text and moves on
screen. It's ideal for children since it
asks for direct involvement, like
setting up the board by yourself
after the computer shows the setup,
moving the pieces, introducing the
terminology, and so on. The tutorial
also doesn't forget advanced rules,
such as Castling, En Passant
Capture, and Pawn's Promotion.
For more experienced players, the
Tutorial Mode offers a wealth of
tactics and strategy options, like
different mate schemes (from
Boxed Mate to Epaulette Mate),
trapping, and endings. Chess buffs
will appreciate the inclusion of
preset classic games, ranging from
Giocchino Greco's strategy (1625)
to the grand-master games Lasker :
Bauer, Botvinnik : Capablanca, and
Spassky : Tal, as well as three
Three-Queen's Sacrifices.
Which brings us to the AI (Artificial
Intelligence). In one word: wicked.
Virtual Chess 64 offers 12 levels of
difficulty using Titus' award-winning
Virtual Chess engine that won the
'96 and '97 World Microcomputer
Chess Championship Professional
Category and the '95 Harvard Cup.
Believe us, even the lower
difficulties put up and incredible
fight (and beat the hell out of us).
For beginning players, Titus
included two beginner levels
(Beginner #1 and #2), where the
game purposefully makes mistakes
(Titus calls this Artificial Stupidity)
based on the human player's game.
Overall, Virtual Chess is smart and
fast and won't disappoint players
looking for a smart challenge.
Graphics
When playing the 3D mode, players
are treated to funny 3D animation
scenes that (if switched on) appear
whenever a chess piece is taken.
For example, if the Queen takes out
a knight you are treated to a fat
valkyrie of a Queen flattening a
horse with less than graceful
disregard for animal rights. The
animations are a far cry from Battle
Chess, but they manage to be funny
for a while and kids will probably
dig them. Purists will want to skip
them from the start.
Sound
Overall
I will spare you the details about
how to play chess. Virtual Chess
64 does a much better job at
explaining the ancient strategy
game. Virtual Chess offers both
pure chess on a 3D board and on
four alternate 2D chess boards.
You can either play against the
computer or against a human
opponent or even compete with up
to four players in several games.
In the visual department, Virtual
Chess 64 offers a variety of views,
such as the typical "chess computer
overhead view" in 2D (the best out
of the bunch) and a classic set, but
also an appealing 3D polygonal
board view that can be rotated. To
bring the game closer to younger
players, Titus also included a
fantasy themed board and a cutesy
version with animals. All the
graphics are in hi-res, meaning very
sharp and clear visuals, but also a
bit of flicker in the alternate chess
boards. We recommend sticking to
the two standard sets (2D or 3D).
If you don't like to hear yourself
thinking, you can select from four
different "relaxing" tunes. The sound
effects during the animation scenes
are very cartooney and Titus the
Fox even says a few sentences
during the tutorial mode. It's a chess
game -- what did you expect?
Virtual Chess 64 is a great chess
game. The AI is excellent, the
options are all there, and if you
don't mind the lack of variety in
boards (alternate 3D boards would
have been nice), it's everything a
chess player could hope for. If you
think playing board games on a
console or the PC is a waste of
time and you rather play against a
human opponent, Virtual Chess is
not for you. While Titus has made
considerable efforts to attract a
broader audience, Virtual Chess 64
won't sway the opinions of those
out for action and graphic splendor.
But if you are looking for a strong
chess computer for a low price or
you have always wanted to learn
chess and are looking for a patient
teacher, Virtual Chess 64 is as
good as it gets.