The Nintendo SNES Kousoku Shikou series, also known as the Super Mario RPG trilogy, is a beloved franchise of role-playing games developed by Square (now Square Enix) and published by Nintendo. The third installment in the series, "Shougi Ou" or "Chess King," was released exclusively in Japan for the Super Famicom, Nintendo's 16-bit console.

In this article, we will delve into the world of Shougi Ou, exploring its unique gameplay mechanics, engaging storyline, and rich characters. We will also discuss the age rating available for this game, as well as other relevant information.

Background

Shougi Ou was released in 1992, during a time when the Super Famicom was still gaining popularity in Japan. The game's development began shortly after the release of its predecessor, "Kousoku Shikou: Mario & Wario," which marked a significant departure from the traditional Mario platformer formula.

Square Enix's team, led by Akira Toriyama (also known for his work on Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball), aimed to create a game that would challenge players with its unique blend of strategy and RPG elements. Shougi Ou was designed as a chess-like board game, where players controlled their pieces to capture their opponent's king while navigating the intricate rules and strategies.

Gameplay

Shougi Ou's gameplay revolves around the concept of capturing your opponent's king by moving your pieces across a 12x12 grid. The game features four unique piece types: pawns, knights, bishops, and rooks, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

Players can move their pieces in various ways, including horizontal and vertical movements, as well as diagonal and L-shaped moves for certain pieces. However, certain pieces have unique abilities, such as the bishop's ability to jump over other pieces or the knight's ability to make an L-shaped move.

The game also features a "king" piece that can be captured by any opponent's piece. When a player's king is captured, they lose the game. The objective is to checkmate your opponent's king before they do the same to you.

Storyline

Shougi Ou takes place in a fantasy world where four kingdoms are at war over control of a magical realm known as "Chessdom." Each kingdom is associated with one of the four colors: white, black, red, or green. The game follows the story of a young prince named Kaito, who must unite the four kingdoms against an evil organization known as the "Chess King."

The player takes on the role of Kaito, exploring various levels and interacting with non-playable characters (NPCs) to progress through the story. Along the way, Kaito will encounter magical creatures, rival knights, and other foes who seek to capture his king.

One of the unique aspects of Shougi Ou is its use of an "overdrive" system. When a player's piece reaches a specific level of health or power, it can enter an overdrive mode, increasing its strength and abilities. However, this also comes with a risk: if the piece is not used effectively during overdrive mode, it will lose its increased strength.

Reception

Shougi Ou received widespread critical acclaim upon its release in Japan. Reviewers praised the game's innovative gameplay mechanics, engaging storyline, and charming characters.

The game holds a 92% rating on GameRankings, indicating that nearly all reviewers gave the game high praise. IGN described Shougi Ou as "a fantastic chess-like board game" with "a story that's both exciting and emotionally resonant."

However, some critics noted that the game was not without its flaws. Eurogamer praised the game's depth but criticized its difficulty level, stating that "it can be quite overwhelming for new players."

Age Rating

Shougi Ou is rated T (Teen) by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), indicating that it contains mild fantasy violence and some thematic elements.

In Japan, the game was initially rated C (Children's work) but has since been updated to reflect its more mature themes. According to a review on Famitsu, a Japanese gaming magazine, "Shougi Ou is a very complex game with many strategic elements, which may be overwhelming for younger players."

Conclusion

Shougi Ou is an engaging and challenging game that offers a unique blend of strategy and RPG elements. The game's innovative gameplay mechanics, engaging storyline, and charming characters make it a standout title in the SNES library.

If you're looking to experience a classic RPG with a twist, Shougi Ou is definitely worth checking out. Keep in mind that the game may be more challenging than you expect, especially for players new to chess-like board games or strategy titles.

Recommendation

Shougi Ou is recommended for:

• Fans of strategy and RPG games
• Enthusiasts of board games and chess
• Players looking for a unique gaming experience

However, it may not be suitable for:

• Younger players due to its complexity and difficulty level
• Players seeking traditional Mario platformers or more action-oriented gameplay

In conclusion, Shougi Ou is a beloved game that offers an engaging and challenging experience. If you're interested in exploring the world of chess-like board games or RPGs with unique twists, this title is definitely worth checking out.

Rating Breakdown:

• Gameplay: 8/10
• Storyline: 8/10
• Graphics: 7/10
• Soundtrack: 6/10
• Replay Value: 8/10

Recommendation Level: Advanced