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Side Effect

Side Effect combines a game of chess with a roguelike experience. Experiment, discover combos, carve out your own path by expanding your spellbook and collecting artifacts. Lose, learn and try again.

Steam Page
Release
May 12, 2025
1 year and 82 days ago
Steam Reviews
4 user reviews4 reviews100.0%

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Search Google: Who developed Side Effect?Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Search Google: Who published Side Effect?Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Search Google: Is Side Effect self-published or published by Daegames Studio?Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Side Effect and Daegames Studio funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Side Effect and Daegames Studio?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Search Google: What is the release status of Side Effect?Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.

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About the Game

Side Effect is a tactical roguelike based on chess where you dominate the board by using spells. Choose an elemental school and enter the arena.

Think tactically:

Spells are channeled by your pawns, with various effects depending which pawn you chose. Use that to your advantage by strategically positioning your pieces on the board. Plan ahead to keep the upper hand. But be careful: the AI won’t go easy on you.

Spellbook building:

Assemble your spellbook, drawing from 9 schools of magic. Gather powerful artifacts and craft your own gameplay, as you experiment combos.

Journey through unique levels:

Understand the dynamic of each level and turn their mechanics to your advantage. Make sure to adapt your strategy and spells to the situation.

Engage in jolly cooperation:

You can experience the game with one like-minded friend! Strategies may change drastically as you combine both spellbooks. The more, the merrier!

DON’T PANIC!:

Things may get a bit hectic, and plans may not pan out the way you expected, but that’s fine. Even the AI cannot anticipate all the consequences of its actions.
Magic is beautiful, dangerous, and hard to predict. This is the actual Side Effect.