

The feeling of repetition grows because all you are really ever doing is performing mouse swipes, clicks, and drags for the entire game. While the mechanics and the originality of this title are highly engaging for a while, things can become quite challenging and perhaps repetitive. The tricks of Card Shark are so intriguing and interesting to learn about and execute, and make for a really unique video game experience.

There are over 25 mechanics you will learn over the course of the 4 to 6 hour story, each getting more complex and interesting, and possibly involving new moves, like even pretending to be a woman so you can use your powder mirror to again peak at opponent cards. Later on, as you join the table, you will have to learn a variety of techniques, from shuffling to bending and marking cards, sleight of hand moves, and more. When given a chance to leave the game, you will have to arrange cards in certain order in the back room, and so on. You could be pouring wine for Comte, as he carefully swaps decks in your pocket. For some tricks, you are acting as the assistant – you could be pouring wine, and taking a peak at the cards of the opponents, before wiping the table in a certain way as to give Comte the signal. This will help get acquainted with the tricks faster, and be amazed at both their indignity and mechanical details.Īll of the tricks and cheats demonstrated seem quite real, using a variety of approaches. The numbered and face cards, the suits, what shuffling is, and so on. While you do not need to know any real card games – after all, you are here to cheat and win, not to play – it is strongly recommended that you be familiar with what a deck of cards consists of. You'll meet a variety of characters across the journey, and cheat most of them out of their money through a wide variety of maneuvers.Ĭard Shark offers a quite ingenious and yet unique and exciting gameplay setup.
CARD SHARK PLAYING CARDS HOW TO
On the way to each card table, you will be given instructions by Comte on how to perform a certain card trick, and can keep practicing it before trying it for real at the destination. In each location, there will be a reason to quickly sit down for a card game with the local characters, usually to progress the story and move on. There is an overview map that lets you select your next destination, as you and Comte travel across the country. The campaign follows a mostly linear structure. The soundtrack is also well composed and appropriate for the setting, and while there are a few tracks, in many cases the same song loops during your card playing moments, which may get repetitive. The text-only dialogue gives characters a surprising amount of personality, and there are a few good bits of humor mixed in. Most of the scenes are static backgrounds, but they are well drawn and capture the time period well. Instead, the game maintains its charm by offering a fairly vibrant and painterly art style, with good stylistic animations. The main narrative is initially quite interesting, though later on becomes a bit predictable.

You meet up with a small group of friends that Comte is also involved with, that can help you stash your earnings by donating to their camp. At this time period, there was little else to do it seems but drink wine and play cards, so his instructions are pivotal to your future. He begins to teach you his card tricks and moves, so that you may best your opponents wherever you go.
CARD SHARK PLAYING CARDS PROFESSIONAL
Turns out, he is a professional card swindler, a cheater and manipulator that is traveling across France in search of a mystery about King Louis XV. With no other options you follow Comte and he sort of takes you under his wing. One of the tavern guests, Comte de Saint-Germain, quickly suggests that you follow him, lest you want to be accused of the murder. However, his life is changed when one night a disagreement arises and a gun is involved, which accidentally shoots the owner of the tavern. The game takes place in 18th century France, as players assume the role of a mute young man who is working as a servant in a tavern.
