Just Go Reviews

Just Go is a strikingly polished and accessible digital rendition of the classic board game Go, delivering a deep, elegant experience that caters to both newcomers and seasoned players alike. Developed by Studio Amateur, this game distinguishes itself not only through its faithful adaptation of Go's intricate strategic layers but also through its thoughtful, user-focused design. It achieves the rare feat of making an ancient, intimidating game feel approachable without sacrificing the depth that has made Go a cornerstone of strategic gaming for over 2,500 years. At its heart, Just Go is a powerful learning tool as much as it is a competitive platform. New players are welcomed with a comprehensive, fully voiced tutorial that walks them through everything from the fundamental rules and stone placements to advanced concepts like life and death, territory control, and strategic shape reading. The clarity of instruction, combined with the beautifully rendered boards and stones, makes learning Go feel less like deciphering an ancient puzzle and more like stepping into a living tradition. For learners, this approach is invaluable—particularly because it scales. Players can adjust the difficulty across more than 30 AI levels, allowing for gradual growth and practice against increasingly sophisticated opponents. Visually, the game is a treat. The 4K-capable graphics are crisp and clean, lending a serene aesthetic to the experience. Board textures are rendered with care, stones click into place with a satisfying sound, and the environments—ranging from traditional wooden boards in serene tea rooms to sleek modern settings—help immerse players in the atmosphere. Every interaction, from placing a stone to reviewing past moves, is deliberate and elegant. The minimalist interface avoids clutter while still offering quick access to essential tools like undo, pass, score estimation, and AI suggestions. For more advanced players, Just Go reveals its true depth. Career mode allows players to progress through various ranks, compete in tournaments, and improve over time in a structure that mimics real-world Go development. Alongside this, the game includes a massive Tsumego library—over 3,000 puzzles that challenge tactical decision-making and pattern recognition. These problems are essential to mastering Go’s complex interactions, and their inclusion in such breadth is one of the game’s most compelling features. Meanwhile, the historic match library is a treasure trove for anyone curious about the game's most iconic moments. Classic games, including those of AlphaGo vs. Lee Sedol and famous 20th-century masters, are presented with full commentary and interactive playback, making them both educational and awe-inspiring. Online and multiplayer functionality is robust, allowing players to connect with others through the integrated Online Go Server (OGS) or play locally with friends. Ranked play, casual matches, and leaderboard integration offer a competitive edge, while in-game chat and matchmaking tools make the online ecosystem smooth and welcoming. Even for those who prefer solo play, the AI opponents present satisfying challenges and behave differently based on difficulty and style, offering endless replayability. Performance is stable across systems, including Steam Deck, where the game runs surprisingly well thanks to its efficient design and simple control scheme. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, Just Go isn't entirely without flaws. Some users have reported occasional UI quirks or connectivity hiccups in multiplayer, though these are infrequent and usually resolved through patches. One minor complaint is that while the game’s commentary during tutorials and replays is informative, it can sometimes feel a bit dry or repetitive. However, these are minor nitpicks in an otherwise seamless experience. The active development and frequent updates also signal a committed studio that listens to its player base and continues refining the product post-launch. Where Just Go truly excels is in its versatility. It functions equally well as a teaching platform, a solo challenge, and a competitive multiplayer title. Whether you're spending hours diving into Tsumego puzzles, replaying historical matches, climbing the ranks in career mode, or casually playing with a friend, the game adapts to the way you want to engage with it. Its serene visuals, responsive controls, and remarkably deep content make it one of the most complete digital Go experiences available on any platform. In a marketplace filled with minimal or overly academic Go simulators, Just Go strikes the perfect balance. It offers a warm invitation to beginners without compromising the strategic rigor that veterans crave. The sheer volume of content, combined with the quality of its presentation and teaching tools, positions it not just as a game but as a long-term companion for anyone who wants to learn, practice, or master Go. Whether you're taking your first steps on the board or looking to revisit a lifelong passion, Just Go is a rare achievement—an elegant, comprehensive, and deeply satisfying tribute to one of the world’s greatest games. Rating: 9/10

I wish the designers of this game had though like game designers because I think they really could have brought GO to people more accustomed to digital gaming. As it is, this is on par with some of the old Chess master games. I'm sure there's good GO knowledge in here, but the UX design just makes it all feel like a slog. I'd honestly rather pick up a book to learn

Fun way to learn the game. Smooth and simple aestetic, zero complaints

High quality and feature rich, obviously a labor of great love and care.