Card Shark

"Card Shark is not a card game, but one that revolves around cheating with them, with an interesting backstory and unique aesthetic. You can put "buts", such as that in the end it is limited or a collection of quick …"

"One scam at a time, the (mis)adventures of an XVIII century apprentice cheater are transformed into the chapters of an unmissable tale in which the deceptions at the table are intertwined with political intrigues. Recommended even for those who are …"

"The characters are fun and inviting with just a hint of devilish mischief up their sleeves, including the speechless protagonist. There&s;s a richness to the storytelling in both form and execution and that&s;s definitely a highlight in a more uncommon …"

"Cheating in Card Shark is fun. It&s;s a pity that the traditional control is too complicated and that does not go beyond being a collection of increasingly difficult mini-games."

"Despite some pacing issues and uneven difficulty, Card Shark offers some very original card manipulation gameplay in a charming historical setting."

"Card Shark is certainly one of the most unique and interesting titles of the year, the son of a completely crazy concept that works divinely from the first to the last second of gameplay."

"It’s the most fun you’ll have from a comfortable vantage point of shuffling cards and pouring wine."

"Card Shark succeeds at establishing wild stakes within its wonderfully weird take on 18th century France. It serves up a memorable cast, a story that rewrites history in a fantastical way, all the while arming the player with tricks of …"

"Card Shark is an interesting little game. At its heart, it is more of a card-themed visual novel with some educational elements, but it presents the entire experience in an enjoyable package that avoids overstaying its welcome. A few nagging …"

"It reminds me of a story about Ricky Jay, the great and much-missed close-up magician and historian of magic. After a particularly dazzling piece of card control performed for a New Yorker writer, he was asked if there was anyone …"

"Card Shark has an interesting idea and the historical background could make for a fascinating exploration of a period rarely featured in non-strategy titles. It also has a unique presentation, that manages to comment on the era without aiming for …"

"Card Shark is unique, layered and an absolute must."

"Between court intrigues, disguises, deceptions and sleight of hand, Card Shark tells an historical era through a story, which, like the truth, is a prism with well-defined faces capable of reflecting light in an iridescent way. Nerial new game is …"

"Card Shark is unlike any game you&s;ve played before. As a card game where you don&s;t actually play cards, learning and executing various methods of cheating is a ton of fun. The historical setting contributes to the conspiracy central to …"

"An entertaining celebration of sleight of hand from the makers of Reigns"

"Card Shark has a few things going for it, not the least of which is unique gameplay. I&s;ve never played anything like this. The watercolor style looks great. But the story feels like an afterthought; it never felt important or …"

"Every aspect of Card Shark is polished to a mirror sheen. It is one of the most original ideas ever realized recent years and it is executed with extreme confidence and panache. Anyone who is a fan of adventure games …"

"Card Shark is an original game that is worth your time, even if you are not a gambling fan. The individual pieces of gameplay may be essentially quite simple (visual novel and mini-games), but they are so aptly married and …"

"A fresh, high stakes take on card-based videogames, sure to appeal to more than just deck-builders."

"Whatever the path may hold, all that players can and would experience in Card Shark is beautifully put together, with a fascinating narrative matched by a vibrant and outstanding aesthetic, and propped up by wonderfully inventive gameplay that puts the …"

"Not only does Card Shark explore a topic rarely seen in the medium but it does so with such authenticity that you can’t help but fall in love with the ruse before you. The stunning art direction and clever mechanics …"

"Overall, Card Shark is a unique title with an interesting animation style and equally interesting cheating concept; all set far from today&s;s modern world. These elements combine to create a fun and engaging game that will leave a lasting impression."

"In fact it&s;s that humble acknowledging of what it&s;s demanding of the player - let alone all the fine details to keep track of - that Card Shark successfully side-steps as a result."

"Bless the indie developers who are determined to take ideas that may sound a bit crazy in concept and run with them, revealing potential new avenues of play to enjoy!"

"Card Shark est vraiment magnifique, transforming the regimented style of the digital card games into something truly magical. Quirky, daring, and beautifully crafted, Nerial has created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that would draw the ire of the Mona Lisa herself. While …"

"There&s;s not another game even remotely like Card Shark, and as long as you have the patience to learn its tricks you&s;ll be delighted by its charm."

"Card Shark features an attractive art style, subtle writing, and a promising premise. But I couldn’t get past my dislike of the core gameplay encounters and the endless teaching segments. I applaud the effort to pull together a unique concept, …"

"Card Shark is a truly unique experience that shouldn’t be slept on. This is the game for those who don’t like card games. The developers have made a very fun experience that builds on itself fluidly in a way that …"

"Card Shark is the kind of game that at first blush seems like it just won&s;t work. Lots of dialogue bookended by brief, simplistic minigame sequences seems like it would make for an experience that would lose its luster quickly, …"

"A lack of a compelling story hurt the time I spent with the game&s;s cast, even though I adore the game&s;s art and how much every scene leaves me wanting more. More time with the mechanics and a greater emphasis …"

"A tale of high stakes con artistry in the early 1700s, Card Shark never lets up as it teaches you card trick after card trick, has you run con after con while immersing you in a conspiracy that&s;d make a …"

"Some dizzying tricks and cheap, sudden encounters aside, Card Shark feels like a genuine and charming mystery interwoven into a very interesting series of mechanics mimicking the fascinating sleight of hand behind card tricks. Don’t get me wrong, the concepts …"

"Solid card trick gameplay and some great quasi-historical presentation helps alleviate Card Shark&s;s occasionally obtuse level design."

"A fresh card game with incredible art style and unique gameplay ideas."

"Card shark is more like a visual novel combined with a bunch of mini-games. The exquisite graphics style and witty writing make me very satisfied. Even if there are some compromises in gameplay, Card shark is still an excellent work."