Really Bad Chess vs Where Light Remembers
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Really Bad Chess
This app reimagines chess with completely randomized pieces, offering a fresh strategic challenge. It's perfect for both seasoned players seeking a new puzzle and beginners looking to learn the fundamentals in a fun, accessible way.
- Randomized chess piece sets
- AI opponent challenges
- Ranked, Daily, and Weekly modes
- Freeplay practice mode
- Local multiplayer (with IAP)
- Alternate color palettes (with IAP)
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Really Bad Chess is just like chess, but with totally random pieces. Try 8 Knights, 4 Bishops, and 3 pawns — why not? As heard on NPR's Weekend Edition 5 out of 5 Stars "An essential puzzle experience for anyone even remotely interested in strategy games" - TouchArcade Whether you play chess daily, or quit just after learning the rules, this small twist will open the door to an entire new world of chess. ------WHATS IN THE “BOX”? The free version of Really Bad Chess lets you compete vs. an AI in Ranked, Daily, or Weekly Challenges. Improve your skills using the included Freeplay mode. A single in-app purchase unlocks Versus Mode so you can compete against your friends locally! It also removes ads, displays captured pieces, and adds soothing alternate color-palettes to choose from. ------REALLY BAD PRESS "Makes chess fun even if you’re really bad" - The Verge "Feels more modern than chess has ever felt" - Applenapps "Really Bad Chess takes a really bad idea and somehow manages to make it a lot of fun." - Pocket Gamer "Really good fun" - MacLife ------A WORD FROM THE DEVELOPER Chess is one of those games I always wished I enjoyed, but its commitment to beauty, elegance, and perfect balance always turned me away. Really Bad Chess removes these boring restrictions and flips chess on its head. As much as random pieces change the game in some ways, I was really surprised to notice how much the game remains the same, and how powerful some pieces are — you've never truly struggled against a pawn until you've struggled against a pawn in the back row. For chess pros, Really Bad Chess will give you a new type of challenge — the pieces & the moves are the same, but you'll have to throw out your openings and your understanding of normal patterns of play. For novice chess players (like most of us), Really Bad Chess greatly opens up the game. Instead of starting by studying openings, in your first games you'll get to discover the joy (and challenge!) of learning how to checkmate. I hope you have as much fun with Really Bad Chess as much as I did making it. -zach
Where Light Remembers
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Light does not reveal everything. Sometimes it remembers. Where Light Remembers is an atmospheric puzzle adventure about guiding two connected forces: a lone Traveler and a living orb of light. Move them independently, shape shadows, awaken gates, preserve patterns in memory, bend reflections, and teach forgotten architecture to return. The rules are not delivered as a lecture. Each room lets you observe, try, reset softly, and discover the relationship for yourself. When you need a nudge, the Memory Atlas and three-step room hints help without tracing the full solution. FOUR CYCLES, ONE REMEMBERED WORLD Travel through The Long Night, Echo, Parallax, and The Remembered Sky: 300 authored rooms across 24 distinct locations, with new visual states, musical movements, and puzzle relationships unfolding along the way. DESIGNED AROUND TWO FORCES Use the left side to guide the Traveler and the right side to move the light. A doorway may answer to brightness, shadow, half-light, memory, refraction, or the position of both figures at once. MADE FOR QUIET DISCOVERY - 300 puzzle rooms across four complete cycles - Independent two-touch control - Living shadows, light relays, remembered patterns, refraction, and changing geometry - Optional contextual hints that never reveal a full route - A distinct musical journey for every cycle - No in-game advertising, no in-app purchases, and no account required - Play offline - English and Turkish interface - iPhone and iPad support Every room asks the same quiet question in a different way: What does the light remember?
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Really Bad Chess at Free against Where Light Remembers's $0.99. Really Bad Chess also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Where Light Remembers's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Really Bad Chess is free to download; Where Light Remembers costs $0.99 up front. Really Bad Chess sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Where Light Remembers asks for nothing beyond the download.
Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, Where Light Remembers every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Really Bad Chess | Where Light Remembers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 3.8 (1.6K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 46.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.6K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 125 MB | 58 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Zach Gage | Can Ozcan |
Bugs and requests
Really Bad Chess
Reported bugs
3 issues- Pieces unable to move as per chess rules
- Game freezes and crashes
- Incorrect checkmate detection
Requested features
5 requests- Add draw conditions and stalemate rules
- Implement online/multiplayer mode
- Provide more difficulty settings
- Allow custom piece arrangements
- Sync progress across devices
Where Light Remembers
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Really Bad Chess
- 100 Undos$0.99
- Full Game Unlock$3.99
Where Light Remembers
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Really Bad Chess free?
Is Where Light Remembers free?
Do Really Bad Chess or Where Light Remembers have ads?
Which is updated more often, Really Bad Chess or Where Light Remembers?
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