Rookie Tales
Press-Kit 

A Big Indie Pitch winner, Rookie Tales is a stealth puzzle adventure that merges chess-like movement with real-time action.

 

Set in a vibrant, toony world, the game challenges players to think strategically while reacting swiftly—demanding careful planning, precise timing, and sharp execution. With its unique mechanics, charming visuals, and layered gameplay, Rookie Tales delivers a refreshing twist that will delight puzzle lovers and strategy fans alike.

Rookie Tales is a real-time tactical puzzle game that reimagines chess into a vibrant, living world. The game blends stealth, strategic movement, and real-time action, creating an experience where every move matters, and every second counts.

 

You play as a young, brave Rook — a literal chess piece — on a mission to restore honor and balance after an Evil King breaks the sacred code of turn-based battle. With the Good King and Queen captured, it’s up to the “rookie” to fight through twisted versions of chess boards across different fantastical worlds.

 

What begins as chess soon spirals into an epic adventure of traps, monsters, and clever tactics — a fun, accessible, and fresh take on both chess and puzzle games.

• Chess-Inspired, Real-Time Gameplay: Move like classic chess pieces but react in real time. No turns. No waiting. Just pure timing and planning.

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• Deck-Based Strategy: Form a custom deck of 5 chess piece tokens (Rook, Pawn, Bishop) before every level.

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• Live Traps & Obstacles: Dodge flying arrows, activate spike tiles, or bait enemies into walking over mines.

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• Dynamic Enemy Behavior: Face scorpions, dragons, rogue knights, and other creatures that don’t wait their turn.

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• Power-Ups & Tools: Use tile breakers, decoys, crossbows, and more to turn the tide of battle.

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• Expansive Worlds: Journey from peaceful forests to haunted villages, burning deserts to icy mountains — with more dimensions added regularly.

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• Handcrafted Levels: Each puzzle is designed to challenge both logic and reflexes.

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• Toony Charm: A light-hearted, humorous tone wrapped in rich visuals and quirky animations.

A twisted betrayal shatters the rules of battle. The Evil King has unleashed an army that doesn’t respect the sanctity of turns — striking mid-move, defiling the honor of the chess realm. With the kingdom in chaos and leaders captured, a young, untrained Rook rises to the call.

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From chessboard to kingdoms unknown, the battle for honor begins — but this tale is anything but traditional.

• Combines the mental challenge of chess with the thrill of real-time gameplay

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• No two levels feel the same — new mechanics and enemies are regularly introduced

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• Designed for quick mobile play sessions, but deep enough for long-term mastery

 

• Appeals to a broad audience — from hardcore strategy players to casual puzzle fans

 

• Player-centric monetization: No pay-to-win mechanics, only fair progression