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Patrick Murphy:
You guys always have things like HDTVs, headsets, and other electronic stuff and I was wondering what you do with all of the th ...
OXM SAYS:
Generally, we return them. HDTVs are obtained with legally binding loan agreements; we have generally 30 to 45 d...MORE
Posted on: Jan 30, 2008
Chessmaster Live
WORDS BY: Cameron Lewis
Though it’s missing the library of historic games and opening moves of its pricier PC counterpart, Chessmaster Live delivers surprisingly big value. The animated tutorials seem strangely timed without a vocal accompaniment, but practice play is adorned with visual tips for improving your overall game, from offensive and defensive arrows to color-coded danger squares. Spar with more than 100 A.I. personalities (ranging in intellect from chimpanzee to virtual omniscience); hone your board-reading skills on hundreds of puzzles; and take your ELO rating online in real-time and play-by-message modes.
There are obvious flaws: the A.I. can’t play offbeat variants like “losing chess,” the coach system lights up hints with no explanation of the reasoning behind them, and Live Vision camera support offers no zoom options. But the beating heart of chess is laid bare with such care that aspiring Kasparovs might yet be lured from the PC dungeon.
On Xbox Live Arcade
8.5
- 100-plus A.I. personalities, visual helpers, puzzles.
- Strong online play, including camera support.
- A.I. plays only classic chess; crap tutorials; weak coaching.
- Where are classics like Go and Scrabble? C’mon, XBLA!
Thu, 01/31/2008 - 03:19
Posted by FirelanderX
I've never understood chess before this came out, but when I downloaded the trial, I went to the tutorials to understand how it works (the tutorials were wierd at first, but then I caught on). Don't believe the myth that video games are mindless entertainment, this game actually made me learn how to play chess. For that reason, download this game, it's very awesome. Now I own at this game. :P
PS: Puzzle Mode=Win :)