Chessmaster LIVE

 Xbox 360
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Jan 30, 2008
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 4 out of 12

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  1. KevinB.
    Jan 31, 2008
    3
    I was so excited to see ChessMaster in my menu of games that I paid the 800 points for it sight unseen. What a dumb move that was. This game rates a solid "WTF?" I was unable to find a live opponent, and the Message Chess plain didn't work, so I had to just play the AI opponents. Unbelievably the game is essentially *unplayable* in this fashion, because after you make your move, you I was so excited to see ChessMaster in my menu of games that I paid the 800 points for it sight unseen. What a dumb move that was. This game rates a solid "WTF?" I was unable to find a live opponent, and the Message Chess plain didn't work, so I had to just play the AI opponents. Unbelievably the game is essentially *unplayable* in this fashion, because after you make your move, you sit and wait and wait and wait, sometimes for 5 minutes on end, for the $%!@ computer player to make its move! I do not understand this. If I were playing its very top AI I could understand it might take some processing power, but I was playing only 1100-1200 rated AI players. But the impatient waiting was not the worst of it! The worst part was that for every single one of the four games I have started, I ended up winning the game because the AI player's clock ran out!! One time it happened after we had each only made about 5 moves! I thought, what the hell did I just waste the last 12 minutes of my life for? This is complete idiocy. Oh and also, the chess "puzzles" are way, way, way too easy for anyone but an absolute beginner.… Expand
  2. JosephK.
    Feb 1, 2008
    10
    If you want a great chess program, look no further. If you want to blow stuff up/read an engrossing storyline/look at cutting edge graphics, then why are you even reading this?
  3. MatC.
    Feb 12, 2008
    4
    I couldn't agree more with Kevin. Why should I have to wait for the CPU to make a move with a rating of 600? I don't mind having the clock run, but if the CPU runs out of time, let me finish! A "force move" would have been not only appropriate, but it was necessary. The "lobby" for finding players is a joke. The 3-d boards are shockingly unreadable in full HD; I'm playing I couldn't agree more with Kevin. Why should I have to wait for the CPU to make a move with a rating of 600? I don't mind having the clock run, but if the CPU runs out of time, let me finish! A "force move" would have been not only appropriate, but it was necessary. The "lobby" for finding players is a joke. The 3-d boards are shockingly unreadable in full HD; I'm playing with just the 2-d boards. And finally, there are no un-timed games. Huh? Wouldn't it be nice to walk away, and come back to it after life interrupts for an hour? Nope. Not here. There are some redeeming points, particularly in the persona/ratings. The puzzles are fun for a warmup, but they really are simplistic. Overall, look at this as a 1-player game. If you want that, go for it. Don't look at this as a Live-competitive area. It's just not properly built.… Expand
  4. StevenH.
    Feb 2, 2008
    8
    Not the "perfect" chess game, but certainly sufficient. I'd rate it as an 8.
  5. AlesK.
    Feb 5, 2008
    7
    I miss lessons, more 2D boards and more detailed stats. AI thinks too slowly, even at the beginning or the end of game when there are only a few options what to do.

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
69
#69 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. TeamXbox
    80
    Whether you’re new to the game or a member of the old high-school chess club, you’ll find the Chessmaster series still holds the crown as “King” of the sixty-four-squared board.
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  2. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    70
    It's a graphically functional, perfectly playable plug-in for those who want a quick game of chess. Nothing more, nothing less. Just chess.
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  3. Official Xbox Magazine
    85
    The beating heart of chess is laid bare with such care that aspiring Kasparovs might yet be lured from the PC dungeon.
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