Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live as a card shark outsmarting other cheats during the Age of Enlightenment? That’s the immersive setting for Card Shark, a historical adventure game based on gambling and sleight-of-hand. Created by Devolver Digital, the release puts a unique spin on classic card playing. With its watercolor graphics inspired by 17th-century paintings, Card Shark boasts striking visuals similar to Passpartout: The Starving Artist.
To win at Card Shark, you must defeat and out-cheat other players at their card game while keeping the secrets of the elite to escape Death. Each twist and turn throughout the levels will appeal to gamers looking for a challenge. But is Card Shark worthy of the hype set by its unique graphics and interesting premise?
Take a trip through time with Card Shark
As a player, you will start Card Shark in 17th century France as a pauper and need to learn the tactics of cheating at cards in order to escape poverty and certain demise. Your enemies are nobles and aristocrats who have hidden secrets to uncover as you make your way through the game.
If you’ve played real-life card games, you may have an advantage with card counting and fake shuffles of the deck. The detailed brushwork design beautifies the game and really brings you into the game. Devolver Digital’s extra attention to the dramatic accuracy of the era really pays off.
Start out on beginner, intermediate, or expert levels with Card Shark
Card Shark begins with a series of warnings as you are in danger of losing your life and ending the game if you make too many mistakes. You start off the game as a mute pauper who meets a rich and mysterious stranger who asks you to work with him to win card games.
The interactive opening tutorial requires you to swipe with your mouse to learn how to signal suits for the aristocrat after pouring him a proper amount of wine. You’ll have a few chances at first to re-learn the rules of the game, such as using a clockwise motion to signal the heart suite in secret. The game teaches you regular tricks and is lenient as a learning tutorial in a special story mode throughout the game.
Learn new tricks in record time to advance in Card Shark
As a quick-time event game, Card Shark requires you to establish your card tricks soon before the active gameplay. Some examples of card tricks include marking the deck with smudges or shuffling cards differently to give a glimpse to the card player and succeed within the ranks.
While the game starts easy, you quickly get to the point where you must memorize elaborate card tricks to out-cheat your opponents. That will involve remembering patterns and mastering mechanics such as holding fingers up or picking up cards from the left or the right. These tricks can be difficult to master, and you may want to take notes on the steps of a new trick. Also, we found that the mechanics are much easier if you’re using a controller.
The Card Shark game is saved regularly to track your gains or losses. Occasionally, you may get caught cheating and “die” where you will face the character of Death. You then either try your luck again or opt to erase your progress to start over the game.
Advance in your ranks from a peasant to a noble
Card Shark is a teaching game where you start as a lowly mute peasant and can rise through the ranks to become part of the nobility. The choose your own adventure story mode scenes will usually lead to the same game but the options are entertaining for those who prefer the point-and-click method.
Generally mellow but leading up to intense scenes, Card Shark changes from start to finish with more than a dozen card tricks to learn as you travel along. Advanced players may find the repetitive levels dull while those looking for a passive game find the beauty in the art and dedication to the story.
Explore history with Card Shark gameplay
Card Shark is based on the real-life card player and philosopher Comte de Saint Germain and his secret card games set in 18th century France. Your player is mute and prone to epileptic fits as he was raised poor and has to take on dangerous jobs to get ahead. While your gameplay choices don’t have much control over the plot, Card Shark’s story is engaging and adds another layer to the experience.
By spying on games, the main character overhears secrets from the aristocratic society and needs to maintain his wits to not get caught and killed, sending you back to start or replaying your failed rounds of cards. Card Shark is a game to be patient and strategic with your motions, so it may take a few times to get into the gameplay.
Card Shark is a visionary game for fans of quick gameplay and a memorable storyline
The standout graphics and time-appropriate graphics of Card Shark make this game truly original for fans of historical content. However, this game may be more suitable for those with a functioning trackpad or controller as the movements during the story need to be precise.
There are also some struggles as the gameplay may be too repetitive for expert gamers and the ability to restart the level doesn’t prove as much of a challenge. However, learning new tricks and defeating opponents can be a genuine challenge. Overall, Card Shark is a fun and exciting game with anticipation from start to finish. Feel free to leave your own comments and share this article with your fellow gamers!
PROS
- Amazing graphics and music
- Quick gameplay
- Teaches new skills at card play
- Unique premise and historical context
CONS
- Hard to manipulate without a controller
- Learning elaborate tricks can get repetitive
- Long tutorials and cut scenes
Developer: Devolver Digital
Publisher: Nerial
Game Modes: Simulation
Game Engine: Unity
