What happens when a game of chess fractures reality itself? Enter Beyond the Board, the debut title from indie developer Fragile Shapes Studio, which was just revealed during the OTK Games Expo. Blending the meditative puzzle vibes of Monument Valley with the eerie, atmospheric tone of Limbo, this minimalist adventure invites players into a dreamlike, checkered dimension where rules are rewritten and logic is anything but linear.
Beyond the Board Trailer
Currently available as a free demo on Steam, Beyond the Board casts you as a lone Rook—torn from the board by a lightning strike mid-match and plunged into a surreal world of shattered kingdoms and shifting tiles. With your party missing and the enemy King always one step ahead, you’ll traverse warped landscapes, decode environmental puzzles, and uncover the hidden truths of a chessboard gone existential.
A Puzzle World with a Pulse
Unlike traditional chess, this journey isn’t bound by black and white squares. Beyond the Board dares to redefine the rules, inviting players to experiment with strange new mechanics. Puzzles play with space and perspective—tiles move, paths appear and vanish, and enemies follow patterns that require more intuition than checkmate tactics.
And yet, no chess knowledge is needed. What’s essential is a sense of curiosity and a willingness to get lost in its abstract beauty.
A Wordless Story Told Through Motion and Sound
Rather than explaining itself, the game speaks in ambiance. Through haunting sound design, shifting scenery, and visual storytelling, Beyond the Board weaves its narrative quietly, letting players interpret its cryptic world through experience.
Key Features
- Explore fractured lands – Each realm echoes with remnants of a world that’s fallen apart, challenging you to navigate and interpret it.
- Reimagined puzzle mechanics – This isn’t chess as you know it. Switches, sliding tiles, illusions, and cryptic rules demand creative thinking.
- Enemy pieces and boss fights – Your foes follow their own twisted logic. Observe, learn, and exploit their patterns to survive.
- Return and unlock secrets – As your knowledge grows, revisit earlier puzzles to uncover hidden areas, secret moves, and new layers of narrative.
Try the Demo Now
The Steam demo is available now and gives players a taste of what’s to come. With its calming yet uncanny atmosphere and ingenious puzzle design, Beyond the Board looks to be a standout in the indie scene.
If you enjoy mind-bending adventures or just want to see what happens when chess goes beautifully off the rails, hit up the demo today and wishlist the game to stay updated on its full release.
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