Card Shark is a game that puts you in the shoes of a friendly con man, willing to learn different card tricks to earn a living. We play it on PC, we have a lot of fun, and we tell you our experience.
Originality is always talked about in video games, as well as in other forms of art. An original concept is a high point, which plays very well. But when talking about these issues, it is sometimes forgotten that there are nuances and contexts. To give an example, we recently uploaded the review of the title The Quarry, where we are not facing an original story or concept, but the strength of that game is how the story is told to us, because of its narrative. And it is a valid thing. Nevertheless, CardShark sail through both worlds: it has a very original concept, a great story and a very good narrative. We played it on PC and we tell you everything, in this review.
Usually, if we think about card gamesthe first thing that perhaps comes to mind are titles like Heartstoneeverything that has to do with Magic, Gwent, and others like that. That said, we could say that the best-known card games have a lot to do with strategy, and sometimes with the role. For certain countries of the world, games such as Truco or Poker would also fall into this category. But what about all those magic card tricks that we used to watch as kids on different shows? This branch of magic has its own name: Card Magic.
Card Shark does not propose us to play cards, but to cheat with them. Achieving certain guidelines to scam people and make money in certain ways that morality may not allow, but within the game is the only way out we have. We get into the skin of a small-time French peasant, who has lost (or never had) the ability to speak. Working for a bar, we meet the Count of Saint Germaina lying thief who teaches us a couple of tricks to win a card game against an illustrious citizen.
From the outset, we realize that the game offers us a mechanic similar to point ‘n click to move our character and interact with other characters or carry out different actions. Once in game, it’s all about pressing certain buttons at just the right time, like everything QTE proposes it. The QTE (Quick Time Events), mechanic that is also used in The Quarrythe game mentioned in the first paragraph, is going to be the main protagonist when carrying out all the mini-games that it is going to propose CardShark.
For example: while we serve a glass of wine (we do not have to serve very little, nor overflow the glass) we quickly spy on the opponent’s cards, remembering the suit of the highest card. After serving, Through the way we wipe the table, we communicate our opponent’s cards to our ally.
Later, we are taught to show one card out of three available, shuffle them, move them around on the table, and make our “customer” never know where he really is. In the same context, we are taught to cut a deck of cards and always know where the chosen card is located. Step by step, they are turning us into a master of deception.
The game offers us use a lot of memory, be attentive to everything, and have good synchronicity. Although all the commands appear on the screen and we can even use the necessary help, once we agree to trick someone there is no turning back. As simple as a trick may seem, practicing it several times and even taking note of a few specific things can be very productive.
QTEs give you no respite once each game begins, and the slightest mistake can give us away and the aristocracy doesn’t mess around: right away they pull out a gun and shoot you, at least.
The game is set in 18th century France, and in this context, the gap between aristocracy and us, some hustlers, thugs, people we usually wouldn’t like to cross paths with is well marked. Behind this way of life that seems simple, earning money by scamming the wealthy, there is a plot that proposes to bring to light some personal issues of King Luis, something that directly hits with that historical emphasis that Nerial, its developers, intend to infect with the game.
And it is that, in a tragicomic, almost theatrical way, an attempt is made to justify this way of living. It’s like they make us feel the weight of being a nobody in no man’s land, escaping from the law without having sought it, and being forced to learn new ways of being with people as a way of life. We are victims of the situation, and although we choose to take that path, feels like the character has no other options. All this development, mixing drama and comedy, has an impeccable narrative behind it, and it is something vital to be able to generate empathy.
Another thing that is very well done is the feeling of progression. Everything we do has a specific purpose, which is reflected and feels tacit. Every time we learn a new trick, we face a more powerful rival, and at the same time that we discover new information, we earn more money, and the tricks are more and more complex because otherwise, nothing would make sense. It’s like an evolutionary scale that goes hand in hand with a necessary increase in difficulty, all of this masterfully tied by a very engaging story.
The visual style is beautiful, made up of broad, untidy strokes, as if made with markers and crayons, reminiscent of many children’s books. Despite its minimalism in its conception, there is an immense variety of details both in the characters and in the great variety of locations, which try to faithfully recreate the time. Animations look smooth and subtle, without being wooden or robotic. All the visual aspect and the design perfectly accompany the story that is trying to be told, which many times seems like a visual novel, other times a graphic adventure, but it is strictly neither of the two.
Do you remember that at some point we said that CardShark required attention, concentration, and even, if we could, to write things down on a piece of paper or notebook? Well, maybe that’s one of your talking points. We cannot say that it is a negative point, but the problem is that, somehow, the title forces you to play Card Shark from start to finish, doing nothing else or playing anything in between. Unless, of course, you have a mind with an impeccable memory.
while we were playing CardSharkcame out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, and we immerse ourselves in it. Two days later, we resumed the card game and had to go over everything again: in the first games you noticed that loss of that little habit of doing everything on time, of looking quickly at some things, of being concentrated and attentive to everything. Despite the fact that the game gives us second chances when we die, or that we can even practice or see a very basic guide for each game, getting the rhythm back on track takes time for mental adaptation.
But maybe it’s something very personal. Analyzing it macro and micro, Card Shark is cool and feels cool, of those proposals that are seen from time to time, and that for those of us who are constantly looking for new challenges, are like a bucket of fresh water in the middle of summer. And it is that, if we are sincere, we are facing one of the most original games so far this year, not only because of its gameplay, its minigames, the way of playing through QTE and the recurring use of visual memory, but also because it has a great story that coherently unites everything we are doing. One of those games not to be missed. Some details, including his irreverence and his absurd humor, reminded us of the old Monkey Island.
RELEASE DATE | June 2, 2022 |
DEVELOPER | nerial |
DISTRIBUTOR | Return Digital |
PLATAFORMS | PC,Nintendo Switch |