If you’re tired of the same old card games, Card Shark might just be the breath of fresh air you need. Unlike online deck building games to create lethal combinations (Hearthstone Marvel Snap…), Card Shark is all about cheating your opponents and getting away with it.
Set in 17th century France during the reign of Louis XV, you play as a young mute boy who is taken under the wing of the talented trickster, Comte de Saint-Germain. As his apprentice, you must learn to cheat and survive, even as the King’s lackeys are hot on your trail.
Every encounter in Card Shark requires a new card technique, which ranges from simple to increasingly difficult to pull off and remember. You’ll learn shuffling techniques, sleight-of-hand movements, and even some fencing tactics. The story beats come as a welcome reprieve between your studying, as you strive to memorize the intricate moves needed to successfully cheat your opponents.
Gameplay
Developed for PC, Mac and Nintendo Switch, one of the standout features of Card Shark is how the gamepad mimics character actions. Each trick you learn corresponds with your actions, requiring precise movements in a small amount of time. Practising these sleight-of-hand movements with a real deck of cards is the closest comparison to playing this game. It’s an ingenious system, and every trick is different. However, it’s best played with a controller. Using keyboard is not as natural and seem to make it much harder to execute some of the actions.
The things with Card Shark that it’s not a game you can step away from for too long and come back to easily. I struggled trying to recall how to do a trick, especially for stages with time pressure. Also, the game also limits your options to just three techniques each time you try to earn a little cash in-between the main story. With 28 tricks to learn, you’ll have to work hard to keep everything straight in your mind.
Playing Card Shark is a nerve-racking experience in all the best ways. Each trick has its own mechanics to master, requiring genuine thought and a calm temperament. You’ll hold fingers up, in-jog cards, raise and lower them, dog-ear them, and even pick them up from the left or right. Every trick has a depth to it that’s reminiscent of pulling off magic in reality.
Visually, the game’s artwork is charming and expressive, and the music is delightful. While the story is about the struggling success of a young boy in an unforgiving world, the characters are surprisingly amusing and there are some laugh out loud moments.
Conclusion
Desfinitely a great game that is both challenging and fun. The mechanics are unique and well thought out, the story is engaging, and the visuals and music are a delight. While it may not be a game you can pick up and put down easily, it’s worth the effort to learn and master the various techniques. Whether you’re a fan of card enthusiast, card games or just looking for a new challenge, Card Shark is definitely worth checking out.
