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Passant: A Chess Roguelike similar games & best alternatives

Passant: A Chess Roguelike

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2025

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Quick resume

Passant is a chess roguelike that changes all the rules. Progress through challenging rounds while collecting powerful pieces and game-changing items to seize victory.

Global score

80/100

Genres

Casual, Indie, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)

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    Pros

    • Innovative blend of chess and roguelike mechanics
    • Highly customizable gameplay with many unique pieces and badges
    • Accessible to both casual and experienced chess players
    • Active developer support and frequent updates
    • Good value for price with substantial replayability

    Cons

    • Ui and visual presentation are minimal and sometimes confusing
    • Ai can be repetitive or exploitable, leading to frustration
    • Some balance issues with overpowered pieces and badges
    • Lack of multiplayer or social features
    • Long runs can become tedious or fatiguing

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to choose boards, wheels, routes, and playstyle (speed or score focus), allowing personal control over gameplay."

      Capsule for Driftwood Driftwood

      "Players have significant control over their board setup, choice of pieces, badges, and playstyle, enabling personal freedom and strategic decision-making."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game challenges players to master complex synergies, unit positioning, and timing of card plays, rewarding skill and strategic thinking."

      Capsule for Hadean Tactics Hadean Tactics

      "The game challenges players to think strategically and adapt to complex chess variants and roguelike elements, rewarding skillful play and mastery."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on single-player against AI with no multiplayer; players compete against scenario objectives and AI rather than other players."

      Capsule for Unity of Command II Unity of Command II

      "Focus is on single-player against AI with no multiplayer or ranked modes; players compete against AI and themselves rather than others."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Many players report addictive gameplay with long sessions and repeated runs, though some find it repetitive and lose interest after finishing."

      Capsule for Necroking Necroking

      "Many players report addictive gameplay with long sessions and repeated runs, though some mention frustration and fatigue in longer runs."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

      Capsule for Demon Turf: Queens Edition Demon Turf: Queens Edition

      "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "Extensive crafting, item creation, character customization, and multiple endings encourage creative play styles."

      Capsule for STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R

      "Strong emphasis on creative customization of boards, pieces, badges, and modifiers, allowing unique and varied playstyles."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No elements of dominance or power over others; interactions are with AI robots and self-directed."

      Capsule for Job Simulator Job Simulator

      "No evidence of domination or power over others; interactions are with AI and self-directed."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      3

      "Players use the game as a relaxing distraction and mental challenge away from real life."

      Capsule for Locked In Mind Locked In Mind

      "Players use the game as a mental challenge and distraction, enjoying the novelty and complexity as a break from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment; no obligation or external pressure noted."

      Capsule for Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment; no obligation or external pressure noted."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      5

      "Encourages trying new builds, skills, and strategies; players experiment extensively."

      Capsule for Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition

      "High encouragement for experimentation with new pieces, rules, and strategies; players explore many combinations and synergies."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players discover new variants, rules, and puzzle combinations progressively, fostering curiosity and discovery."

      Capsule for 14 Minesweeper Variants 14 Minesweeper Variants

      "Players discover new chess variants, pieces, and badges progressively, fostering curiosity and discovery within the game."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Customization of boards and triggers allows for self-expression through strategic choices."

      Capsule for Ballionaire Ballionaire

      "Customization of board setups and piece arrangements allows some level of self-expression, though visual options are limited."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "Fantasy elements like magical pieces and abilities add imaginative fiction beyond traditional chess."

      Capsule for Chess Evolved Online Chess Evolved Online

      "Incorporates imaginative chess variants and fantastical pieces beyond traditional chess, blending fiction with realistic chess."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "No social or community gameplay elements; strictly single-player experience."

      Capsule for Fights in Tight Spaces Fights in Tight Spaces

      "No social or community gameplay elements; strictly single-player experience."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop chess skills, strategic thinking, and mastery of game mechanics through repeated play."

      Capsule for Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate

      "Players learn new chess strategies, piece interactions, and roguelike mechanics, improving skills over time."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and strategic thinking; not suited for idle or background play."

      Capsule for Root Root

      "Requires focused attention and strategic thinking; not suited for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship-building features."

      Capsule for Beeny Beeny

      "No social or emotional relationship-building features."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles present."

      Capsule for People Playground People Playground

      "No leadership or group management roles present."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong progression through unlocking players, leveling up, and completing challenges."

      Capsule for NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 NBA 2K Playgrounds 2

      "Strong progression through unlocking badges, pieces, and modifiers that enhance gameplay and strategy."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      1

      "Some players find the game relaxing and satisfying, but others report stress and frustration due to difficulty spikes."

      Capsule for Protolife Protolife

      "Some players find the game relaxing and satisfying, though others report frustration and tension from difficulty spikes."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      1

      "Visuals and sound are functional and minimalistic, focusing on clarity over sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for Through the Ages Through the Ages

      "Visuals and audio are functional but minimal; sensory stimulation is moderate and focused on clarity over flair."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not widely visible."

      Capsule for NightSky NightSky

      "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not widely visible."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      -5

      "No narrative or story elements; gameplay is context-free and focused on challenge."

      Capsule for Paddle Paddle Paddle Paddle Paddle Paddle

      "No narrative or story elements; gameplay is context-free and focused on chess challenges."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic thinking, planning, and problem solving with unique chess mechanics."

      Capsule for The Ouroboros King The Ouroboros King

      "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic thinking, planning, and problem solving with complex chess variants."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some suspense from AI reactions and escape attempts, but overall controlled and low-risk gameplay."

      Capsule for AI2U: With You 'Til The End AI2U: With You 'Til The End

      "Some thrill from overcoming challenging AI and unpredictable chess variants, though not high suspense or risk."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players feel the game offers good value for its price with substantial content and replayability."

      Capsule for Inside the Backrooms Inside the Backrooms

      "Players feel the game offers good value for its price with substantial content and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      1

      "Combat involves defeating enemies but is abstract and puzzle-focused rather than graphic or chaotic."

      Capsule for Fidel Dungeon Rescue Fidel Dungeon Rescue

      "Combat is abstract and symbolic as chess captures; some explosive and chaotic effects add mild destructive flavor."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must manage resources and avoid defeat, emphasizing survival and strategic defense."

      Capsule for NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Souzou NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Souzou

      "Players must avoid losing pieces and survive threats on the board; strategic defense and resource management are important."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Strategy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Story, Sensation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026