Archon takes a new and different view of the idea of chess. Rather than simply having pieces capture each other by moving onto the same square, pieces that occupy the same spot actually battle for control. Attacking doesn't necessarily mean that you will win the square, and in defense, you can slaughter your enemy's incoming army.
Even more, this battle between Light and Dark is going on a magical playing field. Each army has its own spellcaster capable of mighty magical spells, which can turn the tide of battle.
Archon takes a new and different view of the idea of chess. Rather than simply having pieces capture each other by moving onto the same square, pieces that occupy the same spot actually battle for control. Attacking doesn't necessarily mean that you will win the square, and in defense, you can slaughter your enemy's incoming army.
Even more, this battle between Light and Dark is going on a magical playing field. Each army has its own spellcaster capable of mighty magical spells, which can turn the tide of battle. As the game goes, certain squares cycle from white to black and back again. And, of course, Dark pieces are much stronger on dark squares, while Light pieces are more powerful on lighter squares.
You can
win by destroying the entire opposing army or by capturing the five power points that exist on the board.
Each piece in the two armies has its strengths and weaknesses. But there is no piece so strong that it is invulnerable to everything, and no piece so weak as to be useless. Every piece can move a certain number of squares on the chess board in any direction. Flying pieces are able to move over both friendly and enemy units.
The main game takes place on a black and white chess board, which are nine by nine squares instead of the standard eight by eight. The each spellcaster stands on one of the power points at the start of the game, while the other three are lined up along the middle of the board.
When two pieces occupy the same square, the view shifts to a battle screen where the two of them can fight for domination. Victorious pieces occupy the square for their army. Wounds are real, however, and a weakened piece can often be easily killed by another attack. These wounds regenerate slowly over time.
Archon was one of the first games to play with the basic idea of chess and turn it into something different. Whether you play for Light or Dark, the challenge is real. Overall, don’t think that you are playing usual chess.
