Chaturanga
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About Chaturanga
Chaturanga is a strategic board game from Bored Games that reimagines chess with roguelite twists. Released January 1, 2026, it plays on PC and Mac as a single-player title. The game swaps rigid chess rules for dynamic, randomized elements. Each match starts with a shuffled deck of pieces that evolve over time, and the board itself changes between rounds. Players must adapt to shifting layouts, evolving units, and temporary buffs. It’s a brainy blend of planning and improvisation. The core appeal is its unpredictable yet structured gameplay, ideal for fans of deep strategy who want something different from traditional chess.
Gameplay
Chaturanga’s core loop revolves around asymmetric, turn-based battles. You begin with a random set of 12 pieces, each with one or two base abilities. Every move alters their potential, capture a pawn to gain a new trait or discard a piece to refresh your hand. The 8x8 grid shifts after each round, swapping terrain types and placing obstacles. Victory requires balancing short-term gains with long-term board control. Matches last 20, 30 minutes, with late-game turns often involving chain reactions from overlapping buffs. Controls are precise but unintuitive at first, as context-sensitive actions determine piece behavior. The lack of multiplayer keeps the focus on solo mastery, though the roguelite progression demands multiple playthroughs to unlock all 40 unit types.
What Players Think
Chaturanga holds a 4.2/5 rating from PlayPile users, with 89% of 12,000+ players completing the core campaign. Average playtime is 8 hours, but 67% report feeling “challenged” or “curious,” while 33% call it “slow.” Community reviews highlight the “refreshing twist on chess” and “adds needed variety to strategy games,” though some note the learning curve is steep. Completion stats reveal 84% earned the “Strategic Depth” achievement by mastering all unit synergies. Critics from GameSpot and PC Gamer praise its originality but warn it “caters to a niche.” The 92% completion rate among finishers suggests high replay value, though 15% of players quit before unlocking the final boss.
PlayPile's Take
At $29.99, Chaturanga is a worthwhile purchase for strategy enthusiasts who want a modernized chess experience. The roguelite elements and evolving mechanics justify its short playtime, especially with 84% of players hitting the key achievement. While the slow pacing may deter casual gamers, the 92% completion rate among finishers proves its depth. It’s best for those who enjoy high-risk, high-reward planning and don’t mind a steep learning curve. The lack of multiplayer won’t appeal to everyone, but for $30, it offers a unique strategic challenge worth exploring.
Game Modes
Single player
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