Make Your Move in Once A Pawn A King
Clover Bite, in partnership with indie.io, has announced the full release date for Once A Pawn A King, a turn-based strategy roguelike that reshapes traditional chess. The game will launch in its 1.0 version on June 15, inviting players into a fractured world where familiar rules no longer apply.
In Once A Pawn A King, the developers break the classic chessboard and twist its rules. Players assemble a team of chess pieces, each with distinct abilities and movement styles, and lead them through a constantly shifting castle. The journey centers on rescuing the Black King from the tyrannical White King, but success demands constant adaptation to unpredictable layouts and evolving challenges.
The game avoids reliance on traditional chess theory and instead encourages experimentation. It pushes players to learn through direct experience, reacting to randomized boards and unexpected scenarios. Each run creates new strategic opportunities, rewarding quick thinking and flexible planning.
Players can build and upgrade their party, carefully choosing pieces that complement one another. The turn-based system emphasizes positioning and smart decisions over memorization. Roguelike elements, including permadeath, raise the stakes and ensure that no two runs play out the same way.
Once A Pawn A King will launch on Steam and the indie.io Store with a 20% discount, and it will also join Indie Pass on day one. With its bold reinterpretation of chess and strong focus on adaptability, the game delivers a fresh strategy experience that keeps every session engaging.