Okay, let’s dive in. You know that feeling when something you knew flips upside down? Like, you think you’ve got a handle on what’s what, then—bam!—something like Beyond the Board comes along and messes with your head. Yeah, it’s Chess, but, like, not. It’s beyond me why they named it that. Oh well.
So, these minds over at Fragile Shapes Studio cooked up this minimalist puzzle adventure. It’s soon hitting Steam—they dropped a demo for us curious souls who can’t wait. Here’s the thing: it’s Chess-ish in name, but honestly, who knows what’s really going on here. I haven’t figured it out yet, but it’s intriguing.
Picture guiding a lone Rook through a world that doesn’t make sense—a bit like life, right? Tiles moving, you solving riddles, all in some turn-based dance that has you guessing what’s next. Think Monument Valley, but throw it in a blender with Limbo. Friendly disclaimer: I might be romanticizing it, but that’s the picture I’m painting in my head.
OTK Games Expo showed some gameplay—it’s all topsy-turvy. We’ve got pieces running wild off the board like they don’t care about the rules. Puzzles? They’re meant to twist your noodle and make you late for dinner. No Chess genius needed, just a hefty bag of curiosity and maybe a pinch of madness.
Anyway, there’s a backstory here. You’re a Rook, right? Wham! Lightning hits, and now you’re in la-la land chasing down an enemy king. Real life isn’t this dramatic, unfortunately. Shifting tiles, lurking enemies, and wait—a boss battle too? I’m already out of breath just typing this.
So here’s a kicker: the whole shebang isn’t chatty. It’s like they’re pulling a silent film gig or something, teasing with visuals and sounds to draw you into who knows where. You’ll spin stories in your head—wild narratives threading through every atmosphere and shadow.
If you’re in the mood for a bizarre ride, Beyond the Board is gearing up for launch. That demo’s there for the taking if you want a sneak peek. You don’t even have to fancy Chess to get into this; it’s an adventure of the unexpected. Might be worth poking around, see what tales the tiles tell.
