Simply Chess similar games & best alternatives
Simply Chess
2015
Related articles
Quick resume
The classic board game comes to Steam with asynchronous online play and 100 levels of AI. If you are a chess enthusiast or someone who just likes to play a game now and again, this is what you've been looking for. This is Simply Chess.
Global score
74/100
Genres
Casual, Free To Play, Indie, Strategy
Similar games
Pros
- Free to play with optional premium
- 100 ai difficulty levels
- Online multiplayer with elo ranking
- Simple, clean interface
- Relaxing music
Cons
- Limited online player base and matchmaking issues
- No game analysis or move history
- Basic graphics and ui
- Occasional bugs and crashes reported
- No story or additional game modes
Motivations
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Autonomy
Game with the same Autonomy vibe
4"Players freely choose moves and strategies in a simple match-3 gameplay without forced routines."
Bejeweled Deluxe
"Players freely choose moves and strategies in a classic chess game with no forced routines."
-
Competence
Game with the same Competence vibe
5"The game offers a challenging AI with multiple difficulty levels and realistic physics that require skillful play and provide clear feedback on performance."
Eleven Table Tennis
"The game offers 100 AI difficulty levels and online play, providing strong skill challenges and feedback."
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Competition
Game with the same Competition vibe
4"Features ranked multiplayer with Elo-like matchmaking and leaderboards, encouraging players to compare and improve against others."
GLADIABOTS - AI Combat Arena
"Includes ranked online multiplayer with ELO ratings and leaderboards, encouraging comparison with others."
-
Continuation
Game with the same Continuation vibe
3"Players report long play sessions, habitual engagement, and progression systems that encourage continued play."
Warplanes: WW1 Fighters
"Players engage in long sessions and level progression, with some reviews noting habitual play and achievement hunting."
-
Cooperation
Game with the same Cooperation vibe
-4"Game is primarily 1v1 competitive; minimal cooperative or team-based activities described."
Prismata
"Chess is inherently a 1v1 competitive game with limited cooperative elements; mostly independent play."
-
Creativity
Game with the same Creativity vibe
-3"Gameplay follows fixed rules and card sets; limited customization or creation."
Splendor
"Gameplay follows strict chess rules with minimal customization beyond cosmetic options."
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Domination
Game with the same Domination vibe
2"Competitive multiplayer includes exerting superiority over opponents, though no strong evidence of toxic domination."
COH 2 - The Western Front Armies: US Forces
"Competitive multiplayer and ranked matches imply exerting superiority, though no reports of toxic domination."
-
Escapism
Game with the same Escapism vibe
3"Players use the game as a relaxing, casual distraction with calming music and simple gameplay."
Super Blue Boy Planet
"Players use the game as a relaxing distraction with soothing music and casual or serious play."
-
Expectation
Game with the same Expectation vibe
-4"Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment rather than obligation."
The Knightling
"Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment rather than obligation."
-
Experimenting
Game with the same Experimenting vibe
2"Players experiment with different strategies and roles within levels, though within fixed game mechanics and environments."
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
"Players experiment with different strategies and AI levels, though within fixed chess rules."
-
Exploration
Game with the same Exploration vibe
-5"Game consists of fixed puzzle sets with no new areas or secrets to discover."
Three Digits
"Chess has a fixed board and no new areas or secrets to discover."
-
Expression
Game with the same Expression vibe
1"Allows cosmetic customization of pieces and boards, enabling some self-expression."
Scythe: Digital Edition
"Some customization of board and piece appearance allows limited self-expression."
-
Fantasy
Game with the same Fantasy vibe
-5"The game simulates realistic chess play without fantasy elements or imaginative fiction."
Pure Chess Grandmaster Edition
"The game simulates realistic chess with no fantasy or fictional elements."
-
Fellowship
Game with the same Fellowship vibe
3"Multiplayer community and leaderboards foster a sense of belonging among players."
Hexarchy
"Online multiplayer and community features foster a sense of belonging among chess players."
-
Growth
Game with the same Growth vibe
5"Deep skill progression, learning by doing, and character development are core to gameplay."
The Doors of Trithius
"Learning and skill development are core, with AI levels supporting gradual improvement."
-
Health
Game with the same Health vibe
-5"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced
"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."
-
Idle
Game with the same Idle vibe
-3"Requires focused attention during turns; not suited for idle or background play."
Worms Ultimate Mayhem
"Requires focused attention during turns; not typically played as background or idle activity."
-
Intimacy
Game with the same Intimacy vibe
-3"Social interactions are mostly surface-level competitive matches rather than close relationships."
BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend
"Social interactions are mostly surface-level competitive matches rather than close relationships."
-
Leadership
Game with the same Leadership vibe
-4"No leadership or management roles; players act independently or as equals in matches."
Mahjong Soul
"No leadership roles; players act independently or equally in matches."
-
Progression
Game with the same Progression vibe
3"Progression through levels and achievements provides a sense of advancement."
Dungeon Escape
"Progression through AI levels and achievements provides a sense of advancement."
-
Relaxation
Game with the same Relaxation vibe
3"Music and gameplay provide a relaxing and enjoyable flow experience for many players."
Frederic: Evil Strikes Back
"Music and gameplay support a relaxing, thoughtful experience for many players."
-
Sensation
Game with the same Sensation vibe
-2"Sensory input is minimal and calm; no intense stimulation or excitement."
Nothing Together
"Sensory input is moderate and calm; no intense visual or auditory stimulation."
-
Status
Game with the same Status vibe
3"Online rankings and achievements provide recognition and social status"
100% Orange Juice
"Online rankings and achievements offer recognition and social status."
-
Story
Game with the same Story vibe
-5"No narrative or story elements; purely abstract gameplay."
140
"No narrative or story elements; pure abstract gameplay."
-
Strategy
Game with the same Strategy vibe
5"Chess is a deeply strategic game requiring planning, problem solving, and mental challenge."
Pure Chess Grandmaster Edition
"Chess is a deeply strategic game requiring planning, logic, and problem solving."
-
Thrill
Game with the same Thrill vibe
2"Some tension in timed modes and competitive matches but overall moderate suspense."
Pool Nation
"Some suspense in competitive matches and timed moves, but overall controlled environment."
-
Value
Game with the same Value vibe
5"Free to play with optional convenience purchases; high perceived value for time invested."
Haven & Hearth
"Free to play with optional low-cost premium; good return for time invested."
-
Violence
Game with the same Violence vibe
-5"No violent or destructive content; gameplay is constructive and abstract."
Understand
"No violent or destructive content; purely abstract board game."
-
Survival
Game with the same Survival vibe
3"Players must protect their king and manage resources to avoid defeat, emphasizing survival elements."
The Ouroboros King
"Players must avoid losing the king and manage threats, reflecting survival aspects in gameplay."
Analysis
Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Creativity, Exploration, Expression, Story. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Domination. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy.
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.
Last update: 30/04/2026