REX is a streamlined chess-like digital board game that\u2019s easy to learn and quick to play.
The board is a compact 5\u00d75 squares, and each player starts with only 5 pieces: two \u00ab\u00a0Guards\u00a0\u00bb, two \u00ab\u00a0Priests\u00a0\u00bb and a \u00ab\u00a0King\u00a0\u00bb.
Each piece has different rules for moving — essentially, they\u2019ve able to jump 1, 2 or 3 squares — and a built-in tutorial explains every point. Even if you forget, there are hotkeys to remind you which piece is which, and where it can move.
There are multiple playing modes, including computer opponents with four levels of AI, and an option to play against a friend.
The program is a bulky download, but that\u2019s because it\u2019s been developed with the Unity game engine, and you\u2019re getting some very professional features. There\u2019s control over screen resolution, graphics quality, target monitor and hotkeys, and you get a gorgeously-rendered 3D view of the board and environment (right-click and drag to look around).
Gameplay seems nicely balanced. The most basic computer opponent is easy to beat, even as a novice. Play gets more complex as you try the others, but games are still over in a few minutes, typically, good news if you\u2019ve only a little time to spare.
We noticed one or two small technical issues, including a lengthy pause on launch for no apparent reason, but overall REX was easy to learn and fun to play. If you never learned chess or don\u2019t have the time to spend on full games, REX could be a more convenient way to fill a few minutes.
REX is available for Windows, Linux and Mac.<\/p>\n