Card Shark

This deception game presents a bright, colorful, intriguing world that will sooner eat you alive than see you succeed. All the characters in Card Shark are beautifully animated, in visual flair and personality. Even though the time you spend with these characters is short-lived, the game's paced perfectly when it comes to keeping players engaged before they lose interest. It's easy to lose yourself as the challenge ramps up, the classical music kicks in, and the chatter of nearby patrons is drowned out by the pounding of your heart as you try to apply your skills of deception and sleight-of-hand without getting caught. Along the course of your adventure, you'll slowly be taught techniques needed to get the best of the other players at the table looking to take your money.

The best part is that players won't need a pre-existing knowledge of card games to play Card Shark. The techniques are distinct enough where jumping between them on the fly never becomes tedious. You'll shuffle decks knowing exactly where certain cards are at all times, disappear into back rooms where you'll mark cards in a way only you can understand, and pour wine for your foes with the full intent of looking at the hand they're working with. There's an indescribable thrill to the execution of these tricks that never loses its momentum. While the gameplay keeps the tension going, even introducing swordplay at a point as a fun diversion from the high-stakes tables, the plot speeds by in the blink of an eye. Certain subplots, minor characters, and resolutions to game moments are glossed over or wrapped up way too soon. Minor nitpicks aside, the fun and strategy of the gameplay combined with an overall package that leaves a lasting impression make Card Shark a gamble that's almost certain to win, one that even the greatest con artists can't steal away.