Chessplosion
Released Sep 2021
Chessplosion is an arcade action puzzle game where you drop chess piece bombs to create chain reactions and trap opponents. Defeat enemies and bosses in Adventure Mode and the roguelike-inspired Dungeon Mode, break targets with limited bombs in Puzzle Mode, or fight friends and AI in Battle Mode.
96% positive · 153 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
Medium confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
Medium confidence
Where to buy
Steam $11.99
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Evaluation
Chessplosion launched on September 21, 2021 and received a healthy stream of post-launch updates from its solo developer, C.T. Matthews. Two major free content additions arrived in the first year: the Dungeon Mode (February 17, 2022) and a Dungeon Map (March 14, 2022). A third significant update — Gauntlet Mode, adding a brand-new arcade game mode with online co-op — shipped on December 18, 2023. Since then, the only update was a minor speedrun timer display tweak on June 3, 2024, and there have been no developer communications of any kind after that date. No future content has been announced, no unreleased DLC exists, and the developer has not signaled ongoing development plans. The November 2022 post mentioned a potential console port and a new game in progress, and the July 2023 post confirmed that new game (Ducky's Delivery Service) had launched — suggesting the developer's attention has shifted to other projects. The pattern of updates has tapered from substantial feature additions down to a single minor tweak, with silence stretching from June 3, 2024 to today (June 23, 2026) — well beyond the longest gap between any previous updates. The game appears to have reached a natural completion point with the Gauntlet Mode update in December 2023, and the June 2024 patch was routine maintenance rather than a sign of ongoing content development.
Evidence
Gauntlet Mode launched as a new arcade-inspired game mode with local and online co-op — the most recent major content addition to the game.
Dungeon Mode launched as a major new roguelike-inspired single-player mode, along with new battle stages, translations, and achievements.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
C.T. Matthews
Achievements
29
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · PvP · Local/Split Screen
About this game
Chessplosion is an arcade action puzzle game where you drop chess piece bombs to create chain reactions and trap opponents. Defeat enemies and bosses in Adventure Mode and the roguelike-inspired Dungeon Mode, break targets with limited bombs in Puzzle Mode, or fight friends and AI in Battle Mode.
Defeat a variety of enemy types and boss fights in Adventure Mode, inspired by the movement patterns of chess pieces. Avoid charging Rooks, don't get shot by Bishops' diagonal projectiles, and watch out for stomping Knights.
Venture into randomized dungeons in Dungeon Mode, defeating enemies and collecting money on your search for the Grandblaster Crown. A wide array of powerful upgrades and weapons mean that no two runs are the same!
Solve over 100 puzzles in Puzzle Mode, by using limited bombs to cause a chain reaction and break the targets. Or use the Puzzle Editor to create your own puzzles and share them with friends!
Dodge explosions in Survival Mode, where you're pitted against waves of tricky bomb patterns. It starts simple enough, but by the end you'll be dodging bullet hell Queen explosions and solving chess puzzles in real-time.
Go head to head in Battle Mode, either fighting against the AI or against other players in online or local multiplayer. If you want a change from the regular Free For All Battles or Team Battles, the Tennis Battle mode lets you throw bombs over the center line to create bomb patterns for your opponent to dodge.
Defeat a variety of enemy types and boss fights in Adventure Mode, inspired by the movement patterns of chess pieces. Avoid charging Rooks, don't get shot by Bishops' diagonal projectiles, and watch out for stomping Knights.
Venture into randomized dungeons in Dungeon Mode, defeating enemies and collecting money on your search for the Grandblaster Crown. A wide array of powerful upgrades and weapons mean that no two runs are the same!
Solve over 100 puzzles in Puzzle Mode, by using limited bombs to cause a chain reaction and break the targets. Or use the Puzzle Editor to create your own puzzles and share them with friends!
Dodge explosions in Survival Mode, where you're pitted against waves of tricky bomb patterns. It starts simple enough, but by the end you'll be dodging bullet hell Queen explosions and solving chess puzzles in real-time.
Go head to head in Battle Mode, either fighting against the AI or against other players in online or local multiplayer. If you want a change from the regular Free For All Battles or Team Battles, the Tennis Battle mode lets you throw bombs over the center line to create bomb patterns for your opponent to dodge.
Features
- Fight through 8 bosses and over 90 stages in Adventure Mode.
- Explore randomized dungeons in Dungeon Mode.
- Solve over 100 target-breaking puzzles in Puzzle Mode, or create your own puzzles and share them with friends.
- Survive over 10 stages of explosion-dodging challenges in Survival Mode.
- Battle your friends in 20 different arenas in Battle Mode, with up to 4 players in online or local multiplayer.
- Use the comprehensive Assist Mode to adjust the game to your liking by tweaking health, lives, game speed, or outright skipping troublesome stages.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 23, 2026
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