Whoa, so here’s the deal—ever thought how something as stiff and formal as chess could turn into something wild and twisty? Yeah, me neither. But “Beyond the Board” is doing just that. Like, who even thinks of this stuff? Anyway, buckle up because this game is flipping the chessboard upside down, sideways, and every which way. “But how?” you wonder. Oh, my friend, it’s something else.
So there’s these folks at Fragile Shapes Studio—or, like, brainiacs in disguise—crafting this whole puzzle adventure thing. It’s minimalist, whatever that means, and it’s soon gonna hit Steam. Luckily, there’s a demo to keep us busy for now. Thank gosh, because I have zero patience.
Picture yourself as a lonely Rook—sounds emo, I know—wandering around in a bizarre chess world. It’s not just any world; we’re talking tiles shifting, crazy puzzles, and a sort-of-turn-based labyrinth. Imagine if Monument Valley and Limbo had a baby on a checkerboard. Got it? Yeah, me neither, but here we are.
The big reveal happened at the OTK Games Expo—even the name sounds fancy. The game smashes the whole chess concept, turning the grid into a playground. You don’t even have to be some chess prodigy, just show up with curiosity—or maybe a coffee—and you’re golden.
You start as this Rook, living its best chess life until—get this—lightning zaps you into a whole new world. Suddenly you’re off on a chase after a runaway king in collapsing, cursed lands. What a trip, right? Expect some serious twisty tiles and puzzles harder than Sunday morning crosswords.
Oh, and it doesn’t rely on dialogue. It’s all about visuals and atmosphere, inviting you to soak up the vibes and figure things out one weird move at a time.
Feel like diving into this chaos? Good news—Beyond the Board’s demo is chilling on Steam, waiting for you. Whether you’re a chess nut or just looking for a surreal escape, it’s worth checking out. And yes, maybe this isn’t for everyone, but hey, you never know unless you make that move. (Oops, chess joke.)
