Publisher: Sierra
Ages: seven & up
Parental
Advisory:
None
For the ultimate in strategy games, there's always chess. The latest chess program, Sierra's Hoyle Majestic Chess, offers solid computer competition, great graphics, online play, and an innovative Chess Adventure tutorial. In all, it's a fresh approach to computer chess that will appeal to beginners and intermediate chess players.
Majestic Chess covers the basics. There's single play against 24 computer-controlled opponents that are designed to play at levels from beginner to grandmaster. Gamers can create and customize computer competitors. Online play is solid and offers the usual chat and game-timer options.
The game's crown jewel is its Chess Adventure. This beefed-up chess tutorial offers a quest-based adventure that has players traveling through eight enchanted lands. Players travel to castles that offer a basic chess concept, and are then sent on quests to apply the concept and gain chess pieces. The further a player progresses, the more difficult the challenges.
The game serves time-based puzzles. There are also some historic chess games with move-by-move commentary by 5-time U.S. Chess Champion Grandmaster Larry Evans. The graphics are gorgeous and present dozens of chess sets and playing environments.
Hoyle Majestic Chess is an excellent, entertaining program for beginner and intermediate chess players, and it gains points for offering fun chess lessons and promoting chess to youngsters and new players. For anyone expressing an interest in chess, Hoyle Majestic Chess is an excellent option.
www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
