Pure Chess

{{short description|2012 video game}}

{{Infobox video game

|title=Pure Chess

|image=Pure Chess Cover Art.png

|caption=

|developer=VooFoo Studios

|publisher=Ripstone
Play It

|series=

|platforms=Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
PlayStation Vita
Nintendo 3DS
Wii U
IOS
Android
Xbox One

|released={{vgrelease|EU|April 11, 2012|NA|May 29, 2012}}Wii U & 3DS{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/games/pure-chess/vita-123220|title=Pure Chess|website=IGN|accessdate=March 27, 2013}}{{vgrelease|WW|March 20, 2014}}PlayStation 4{{vgrelease|EU|April 16, 2014|NA|April 15, 2014}}

|genre=Board

|modes= Single-player, Online

|designer=

|composer=

}}

Pure Chess is a chess video game by British developer VooFoo Studios.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/212916/PURE_CHESS_RELEASE_DATE_CONFIRMED_FOR_NINTENDO_3DS_AND_WiiU.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408220613/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/212916/PURE_CHESS_RELEASE_DATE_CONFIRMED_FOR_NINTENDO_3DS_AND_WiiU.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2014|title=Wii U and 3DS release date|website=Gamasutra|accessdate=March 12, 2014}}

Release

Pure Chess was released for the PlayStation Vita and the PlayStation 3. The PS3 version of the game is only available through digital download via the PlayStation Store. The PS3 version of Pure Chess was released on April 11, 2012, in Europe{{cite web|author=Tam|url=http://www.voofoostudios.com/?p=451|title=Pure Chess Released for PlayStation 3!|publisher=VooFoo Studios|date=April 11, 2012|accessdate=March 27, 2013}} and on May 29, 2012, in North America.{{cite web|author=Tam|url=http://www.voofoostudios.com/?p=486|title=American Rejoice! Pure Chess out now in North America|publisher=VooFoo Studios|date=May 30, 2012|accessdate=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929083845/http://www.voofoostudios.com/?p=486|archive-date=September 29, 2012|url-status=dead}} A PlayStation 4 version was later released on April 15, 2014 in North America and April 16, 2014 in Europe.{{cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-07-pure-chess-launches-on-ps4-this-month|title=Pure Chess launches on PS4 this month|website=Eurogamer|date=April 7, 2014|accessdate=November 16, 2014}} A physical edition of this version was also published as a budget title by System 3 under their Play It label.

Pure Chess was announced for Wii U during an August 2013 Nintendo Direct for the PAL region.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/ripstone-shows-their-support-for-the-nintendo-eshop-with-pure-chess-knytt-underground/|title=Ripstone Shows Their Support for the Nintendo eShop with Pure Chess & Knytt Underground|publisher=Nintendo Enthusiast|access-date=2021-05-29|archive-date=2021-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602212437/https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/ripstone-shows-their-support-for-the-nintendo-eshop-with-pure-chess-knytt-underground/|url-status=dead}} The game's publisher Ripstone later confirmed the game for the Nintendo 3DS as well.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/ripstone_confirms_details_for_knytt_underground_and_pure_chess_on_the_wii_u_eshop |title=Ripstone Confirms Details for Knytt Underground and Pure Chess on the Wii U eShop |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |website=Nintendo Life |date=August 13, 2013|accessdate=August 28, 2013}} In addition, it was also confirmed that cross-platform play will be supported between both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions, as well as with players playing the mobile versions of the game,{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/exclusive_pure_chess_eshop_releases_to_feature_cross_platform_multiplayer |title=Exclusive: Pure Chess eShop Releases To Feature Cross-Platform Multiplayer |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |website=Nintendo Life |date=August 14, 2013 |accessdate=August 28, 2013}} and possibly even Sony's PlayStation consoles.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/10/ripstone_confirms_plans_to_include_sony_systems_in_wii_u_and_3ds_pure_chess_online_multiplayer |title=Ripstone Confirms Plans to Include Sony Systems in Wii U and 3DS Pure Chess Online Multiplayer |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |website=Nintendo Life |date=October 9, 2013|accessdate=October 9, 2013}}

On September 9, 2016, Pure Chess: Grandmaster Edition was made available for the Xbox One[http://www.thisisxbox.com/grandmaster-pure-chess-xbox/#71yxat5OTTEV2ArR.99 Be a Grandmaster in Pure Chess on Xbox] and PC using Steam.[http://store.steampowered.com/app/300630/ STEAM: Pure Chess Grandmaster Edition]

Reception

=Commercial=

Pure Chess was the 11th best-selling PlayStation Network game and the 4th best-selling PS Vita game in June 2012.{{cite web|author=Colin Moriarty|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/11/junes-best-selling-playstation-network-games|title=June's Best-Selling PlayStation Network Games|website=IGN|date=July 11, 2012|accessdate=March 27, 2013}}

=Critical=

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 63/100 (Vita){{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pure-chess/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita|title=Pure Chess for PlayStation Vita reviews on Metacritic|website=Metacritic|accessdate=March 27, 2013}}
61/100 (Wii U){{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pure-chess/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u|title=Pure Chess for Wii U reviews on Metacritic|website=Metacritic|accessdate=April 21, 2014}}

| IGN = 5.5/10{{cite web|author=Colin Moriarty|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/01/pure-chess-review|title=Pure Chess Review|website=IGN|date=June 1, 2012|accessdate=March 27, 2013}}

| rev1 = Pocket Gamer

| rev1Score = 7/10{{cite web|url= http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PS+Vita/Pure+Chess/review.asp?c=40404|title= Pure Chess review on Pocket Gamer|last=Rose|first=Mike|work=Pocket Gamer|date= April 27, 2012|accessdate= April 21, 2014}}

}}

The game's single-player mode received praise from critics, but its multi-player mode was found disappointing by reviewers.{{cite web|last=Herrick|first=Langdon|url=http://theadvocate.com/entertainment/games/3099621-123/pure-chess-makes-some-bad|title='Pure Chess' makes some bad moves|work=The Advocate|date=September 24, 2012|accessdate=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016043752/https://www.theadvocate.com/entertainment/games/3099621-123/pure-chess-makes-some-bad/|archive-date=October 16, 2012}} IGN{{'}}s Colin Moriarty wrote that the game's "single-player offerings challenge gamers with a variety of options that will please chess nuts, especially for its relatively low price, but added that "Pure Chess has completely unacceptable online functionality that's flagrantly clumsy and lazily executed."

Mike Rose of Pocket Gamer gave the PS Vita version of Pure Chess 3.5 out 5 stars. Rose opined that "The single-player component of Pure Chess is solid, though there are peripheral niggles," noting issues with its touch controls and camera movement. Rose was critical of the game's multiplayer mode, listing several flaws, namely its asynchronous nature.

See also

  • Chess Ultra, a 2017 chess game also published by Ripstone

References