Where Cards Fall, originally released on Apple Arcade in 2019, has now made its way to the Nintendo Switch and PC. This unique puzzle game offers a heartfelt coming-of-age story, presented as brief memories of a young protagonist’s life. However, the placement of these memories hinders the pacing of the game, which may cause players to focus solely on the puzzles rather than the narrative.
Gameplay
The game requires players to navigate through small areas using cards that expand into various buildings, each with different symbols. While the game introduces new mechanics such as gusts of wind, the puzzles’ scale remains relatively small.
Unfortunately, the protagonist’s movement is quite rigid and lacks fluidity, making it challenging to maneuver. The cards, on the other hand, offer smooth movement, but selecting the correct deck can be a challenge.
Where Cards Fall’s design is visually appealing, with each diorama possessing a dreamlike quality and a simplistic design to capture the environment’s essence. The ambiance is created by the almost therapeutic score, which conveys emotions effectively, despite the lack of dialogue.
Conclusion
Overall, Where Cards Fall is a lovely puzzler that fails to capitalize on its innovative premise due to fiddly controls that mar the experience. While the puzzles offer a suitable level of challenge, they fail to deliver any truly memorable moments.
Although the developer aims to tell a sympathetic narrative, its delivery lacks the nuances required to engage the audience. Despite this, the game has the potential to be an ace in the hole, but several issues leave it in the lurch.
