Dance of Cards proves that luck and chance are a dangerous combination. This bizarre hybrid title combines RPG elements and poker in a hearty battle to the death. As you explore the ship, your talents, patience, and resolve are tested throughout. However, it is the tantalising story and interesting characters that keep you coming back for more.
This weird combo game was developed by GoodMorningMrFrog and published by Pineapple Works. Moreover, it is a single-player game that focuses on poker, personalities, and a heavy slice of luck. If this isn’t your idea of fun, you should probably run for the hills. However, if you think you have what it takes to survive and highlight your special talents, then I suggest reading on.
Dance of Cards tells a doomed tale.
You play the role of Martin the magician. He is heading to the New World to find fresh opportunities and more people to rip off. This entertainment king doesn’t care how he gets his money and this is a good thing. If the hero were to be concerned about where he earns his money, he’d probably turn his nose up at every dicey game of death.
Though the setting is quite harrowing, the characters and interesting dialogue add some lighthearted moments. These elements are fleeting though, as death is the guarantee if you are shite at poker. As such, you better hope that your opponent or team of opponents don’t have more luck, skill, or talent than you can muster.
Complex at first, but simple once you know how.
An understanding of poker will help, but Dance of Cards doesn’t rely on every core poker idea for success. If you’ve ever played Balatro, you’ll know how a familiar game can be twisted for a unique outcome. Each encounter focuses on traditional poker hands. However, each player has talents which use talent points (TP) that can adjust the flow and rules of each round. This can be quite frustrating at first, but once you master each talent, you can manipulate the scenario in your favour.
As you play, you can unlock new talents to increase your chances. I found a handful to my liking and would base my approach around whichever I fancied trying. Yet, I had to remember that failure was deadly, so this kept me frosty throughout. The gameplay is broken down into many minor death games and the odd boss battle. As you progress through the rounds, it is the player with the lowest chips who is eliminated. Subsequently, if you wish to survive, make sure you keep ahead of one player to stay in the game.
The final hoorah.
I’m not going to ruin the finale for you, but needless to say, you need to be prepared. Unlike other encounters, this boss battle is bloody brutal. The one-shot victory design was vicious and I do not admire the developers’ cruel mindset. Though the layers of luck and the fear of restarting the game were at the fore, this didn’t appeal to me. As such, the conclusion of Dance of Cards will appeal to the niche group of sadomasochistic gamers who love to push the limit and revel in the spoils.
Dance of Cards is dark, pixelated, and oddly alluring.
Every aspect of Dance of Cards is dark and sinister. The earthy colour palette and dim lighting are complemented by the claustrophobic nature of the ship. Each random character is easily identifiable and I like how simple it was to move around. Though it won’t win any awards for beauty, I think it creates a wonderfully ominous atmosphere.
The audio juxtaposes the darkness. The upbeat music has a synth simplicity that is shrill but enjoyable. Sadly, it doesn’t have any strong emotional ties and I rarely felt intimidated or overwhelmed as I listened to each song. Subsequently, it works without being memorable.
Straightforward controls.
Dance of Cards should have been horrible to play. If you have never tried poker, it could have been intimidating. Alternatively, poker experts will struggle with small changes and talents. Thankfully, the developers got ahead of the curve as they delivered clear and concise tutorials throughout.
If you love to fail, die, and repeat everything you have done, then this is the game for you. Sadly, failure is guaranteed and this will grind your gears. But each failure delivers learning opportunities and different approaches to try. Therefore, failure isn’t so bad and replay value and longevity are at the fore.
Dance of Cards is challenging and cruel, but rewarding.
I didn’t expect to enjoy Dance of Cards as much as I did. The setting, gameplay, and “on edge” mechanics push you all the way. Though I wasn’t a fan of the finale, I can see this appealing to more hardcore gamers than me. I like the twists and turns and the interactions with the other guests, and the sense of failure around every turn. Accordingly, it is a challenging, cruel, but rewarding game and I recommend buying it here! Can you make it to your destination? Study your mark, master your skills, and ensure that you have the talent to survive.
