Five Elements Chess in IOS

5 Elements Match-3 Spell-Duel

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

87/100

Created by Ming Gao (the developer behind critically acclaimed titles like Candleman and Exhausted Man), Five Elements Chess is a wonderfully thoughtful strategy puzzle game. It seamlessly blends the core mechanics of match-3 tile placement with the ancient elemental philosophy of Wu Xing to create an unexpectedly deep spell-dueling system.

Rather than feeling like a mindless match-3 game, every move requires genuine tactical consideration. You aren't just matching tiles for points; you are gathering specific elemental energy while denying your opponent the elements needed to counter your upcoming spells. The interplay between generation cycles and restriction cycles turns every turn into a high-stakes chess match.

Accompanied by a serene, Zen visual presentation and relaxing audio design, Five Elements Chess is a calming yet intellectually engaging title. Whether played casually against AI or competitively in local or online PvP, it is a polished puzzle duel worth picking up.

Reviewed on: Thu Sep 24 2026
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

Combining Five Elements theory with match-3 dueling creates a decent strategic layer. The audio-visual presentation is wonderfully minimalist and relaxed. That said, RNG tile drops can occasionally undermine solid tactical planning.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Relaxing, Zen-inspired artistic and sound direction
  • Clever integration of elemental interactions into match-3 mechanics
  • Includes both local and online PvP options
  • RNG tile luck can override strategic moves
  • Online player base can be quiet during off-peak hours
  • Pacing is deliberate and slow

Technical Report

Performance: Smooth animations, fast loading, and screen orientation flexibility.

Accessibility:
  • Screen Rotation Toggles
  • Local PvP Mode

Audience Fit

Buy if: You enjoy competitive match-3 mechanics with a calm, aesthetic theme.

Skip if: You dislike chance-based tile spawns in tactical games.

Similar Games:
  • Hero Academy
  • Puzzle & Dragons
  • Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old critical gamer with conservative scoring standards
  • Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
  • Playtime: 5 hours
  • Status: Played Campaign and Local Duels

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.0.2Wed Sep 23 2026

New option: Screen Rotation



Requires iOS 15.6 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Five Elements Chess is a spell-duel game that combines the Five Elements theory and match-three gameplay.

Features

• Simple rules, deep strategy

• Calm, Zen-inspired visual style

• A balance of strategy and luck that anyone can enjoy

• Local and online PvP


Featured In

New Games We Love
WHAT WE’RE PLAYING
New Games We Love
Aniimo, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Boom, and more!

Ratings & Reviews

4.7 out of 5 with 40 Counts
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Age Rating 9+

Screenshots

Five Elements Chess screenshot 1Five Elements Chess screenshot 2Five Elements Chess screenshot 3Five Elements Chess screenshot 4Five Elements Chess screenshot 5Five Elements Chess screenshot 6Five Elements Chess screenshot 7Five Elements Chess screenshot 8Five Elements Chess screenshot 9Five Elements Chess screenshot 10Five Elements Chess screenshot 11Five Elements Chess screenshot 12

Five Elements Chess is a tactical strategy puzzle game developed by Ming Gao. Combining ancient Five Elements (Wu Xing) theory with match-three board mechanics, players cast spells, generate elemental affinity, and counter opponent moves in tactical duels. Set against a serene, Zen-inspired aesthetic, the game balances strategic board placement with elemental cycles where Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth interact. Supports single-player challenges alongside local and online player-versus-player (PvP) match-ups.

Features

1

Unique tactical blend of Wu Xing Five Elements theory and match-3 board mechanics

2

Deep spell-dueling system balancing strategic foresight and tile RNG

3

Zen-inspired visual design with relaxing soundscapes and customizable skin packs

4

Comprehensive game modes including solo practice, local multiplayer, and online PvP

5

Full screen rotation support and cross-platform iPad/iPhone optimization

Recommended Links

Five Elements Chess - App Store Page

Official store page detailing features, skin packs, and localized updates.

Official App Store

News on this game

Forget Checkmate – Five Elements Chess Is All About Magic  TheXboxHub

TheXboxHub - Thu Sep 24 2026

15+ Xbox Games Are Out Today, Including One Of The Biggest Releases Of The Year (September 24)  Pure Xbox

Pure Xbox - Thu Sep 24 2026

Xbox Details Release Schedule for Nearly 40 Games This Week  se7en.ws

se7en.ws - Mon Sep 21 2026

Xbox reveals list of releases for the current week - almost 40 games  ixbt.games

ixbt.games - Sun Sep 20 2026

Kojima Productions Pushs Back on Recent Reports - "The studio is in a healthy, profitable state"  PlayDayOne

PlayDayOne - Sun Sep 20 2026

Xbox gets 48 new games next week, including two Game Pass additions  TrueAchievements

TrueAchievements - Sun Sep 20 2026

These 50+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (September 21-25)  Pure Xbox

Pure Xbox - Sat Sep 19 2026

XBOX Players Are Getting a Massive Wave of Games September 21—25  Windows Report

Windows Report - Fri Sep 18 2026

Pre-order Graveyard Keeper 2 ahead of its September 22nd launch  Big Boss Battle

Big Boss Battle - Fri Aug 28 2026

Greenlight Highlight | Clone Drone in the Danger Zone  Big Boss Battle

Big Boss Battle - Sat Feb 04 2017

Gameplays

Q&A

The game was developed by Ming Gao, creator of Candleman and Exhausted Man.

Yes, it includes both local shared-screen PvP and online multiplayer options.

More by Developer

88
68
Exhausted Man
Last Update: Thu Feb 12 2026
92
74
Candleman
Last Update: Thu Apr 02 2026

You Might Also Like

86
53
Unlike
Last Update: Sun Sep 13 2026

All Categories

Puzzle Game

Action Game

Simulation Game

Casual Game

Adventure Game

Roleplaying Game

Card Game

Board Game

Sports Game

Strategy Game

Racing Game

Family Game

Casino Game

Music Game

Word Game

Trivia Game

Education Game

Games Game

Entertainment Game

Books Game

Utilities Game

Social Networking Game

Health & Fitness Game

Lifestyle Game