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Online Chess Kingdoms

EMAILPRINTpsp

Online Chess Kingdoms
60
8.3 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Konami

Genre(s): Chess, Strategy

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: November 28, 2006

Summary

Taking full advantage of the PSP system's wireless connectivity, Online Chess Kingdoms features extensive multiplayer modes including gameplay over the Internet. In addition, the game will offer comprehensive single player modes that will challenge the skills of even the most experienced players. Combining powerful 3D graphics, animated battle sequences and storytelling as well as an intense Speed Chess mode, Online Chess Kingdoms delivers the ultimate interactive chess experience. 3D or 2D Interactive chess for the PSP using an advanced chess A.I. 5 different animated chess sets to choose from, including magicians, servants of chaos, and an aquatic civilization. Infrastructure online play - play chess against other players in an online environment to see who the best players are with a player ranking system. Speed chess mode gives players a quick dose of the classic board game. [Konami]

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

85

Deeko

Online Chess Kingdoms isn't perfect, but it's one of the best video Chess games I've played to date. While the move library isn't as diverse as, say, Chessmaster, it is still intelligent enough to put up one hell of a fight.

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75

Detroit Free Press

It's a fanciful take on one of the world's oldest games.

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70

GameZone

Its Story mode and chess pieces at least give chessboard strategists something unique to look at and you can even play against others online. Chess fans will also find something of a challenge here so you will definitely want to play this game.

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70

GameSpy

The overall integrity of the game has remained intact. So if you're jealous of your DS-toting friends walking around with those giant swollen craniums of theirs due to all of that brain-boosting gaming they're doing, do yourself a favor and give your own melon a workout with a healthy dose of classic chess.

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70

Pure Magazine UK

It plays a solid game of chess and while it doesn't really bring anything new to the party, the theming and overall presentation make it a decent and brain-taxing title. [Mar 2007, p.81]

70

Worth Playing

Online Chess Kingdoms for PSP can definitely be found for a pretty cheap price now, both new and used, so if you're looking for a solid portable chess title, then you'll enjoy what Online Chess Kingdoms has to offer.

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69

Digital Entertainment News

And, as long as you like a game of pretty chess against a computer or a friend that’s in the same room, this will do the trick. But if you want a teacher, a fantastical remake, a door to competition online or anything resembling comprehensive, this game will let you down.

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65

GamerNode

Just what it aims to be. It is chess at the individual, social, and competitive level.

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64

GameSpot

Online Chess Kingdoms is predictably unsuccessful in its attempts to change or enhance the timeless classic, but thankfully it does let you play classic chess online or off.

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63

Next Level Gaming

What this game adds in graphics is lost in the tactile experience of a real chess game.

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60

IGN

Kingdoms does offer is a new visual style to this tried and true game of wits and strategy, but as mentioned above, it's not the first time this has been done.

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50

Games Radar (in-house)

Newcomers to the game will enjoy better introductions elsewhere despite the handy suggest-a-move trappings, and veterans don't get any chess puzzles to tickle their fancy, but at least you won't have to worry about losing pieces in the depths of your carry-on luggage.

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50

PSM Magazine

It's chess, only with a nonsensical narrative and a crude turn-based strategy game that plays like a dumber "Advance Wars." [Jan 2007, p.88]

50

AceGamez

If you are looking for something more - if you already have chess for a PDA or GBA and are hoping for solid play over the Internet or a great story mode then look elsewhere, because as anything other than a decent chess engine, Online Chess Kingdoms fails to deliver a compelling experience.

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41

Gamer 2.0

The complete lack of an online community makes half of the reason to even pickup the game worthless, leaving single-player and ad-hoc multiplayer modes, which are futile when you have a computer or chessboard on hand.

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40

Modojo

If you love to play hours of chess against an opponent who is often much better than you are, then this game could be for you. However, be aware you will have to stomach a terrible storyline in order to play the single player game.

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20

Playstation Official Magazine UK

The stylistic, themed pieces (aquatic, chaos, etc.) all look the same unless you squint, and the lacklustre animations have no purpose other than slowing down play. [Apr 2007, p.118]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Bill K. gave it a5:
Could've been good. One problem is if you play black, you can't flip the "classic" board, only the 3D ones, so black is on top. But the biggest problem is the difficulty. I'm OK at chess...can barely beat the easiest levels in Chessmaster. But with this I can handily beat 3 out of the 4 difficulty levels. ONLY 4 settings is another problem. Apart from that its so disappointing that there is nothing to help you get better. No tutorials, no chess school. Nothing. I have two Gameboy Advance chess games that have more features than this, and I think that's more important than how pretty it looks. Really hoping they release Chessmaster for PSP!

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