# Card Shark

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> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

For other uses, see [Card Shark (disambiguation)](/source/Card_Shark_(disambiguation)).

2022 video game

2022 video game

Card Shark Developer Nerial Publisher Devolver Digital Artist Nicolai Troshinsky Composer Andrea Boccadoro Platforms macOS Microsoft Windows Nintendo Switch Release June 2, 2022 Genre Action-adventure Mode Single-player

***Card Shark*** is an [action-adventure game](/source/Action-adventure_game) developed by Nerial and published by [Devolver Digital](/source/Devolver_Digital). The game was released for [macOS](/source/MacOS), [Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows), and [Nintendo Switch](/source/Nintendo_Switch) on June 2, 2022. Based and set in [18th century France](/source/Early_modern_France), the game follows a mute [peasant](/source/French_peasants) who assists [Comte de Saint Germain](/source/Count_of_St._Germain) to con gamblers from various parlors as they pursue a Royal rumor called "The Twelve Bottles of Milk".

## Gameplay

*Card Shark* is a [side-scrolling](/source/Side-scrolling_video_game) [action-adventure game](/source/Action-adventure_game) which is centered around trickery and cheating at cards. The player takes on the role of a mute boy serving in a tavern in south France,[1] where he is then recruited by the Comte de Saint Germain to help participate in the swindling of their opponents riches and secrets. There are approximately 28 card trick strategies to be learned to help climb the [French nobility](/source/French_nobility) ladder with each trick becoming progressively more complex and building off of the last move. One of the first tricks that is learned is which way you need to wipe the table to correctly notify your partner of the [playing card suit](/source/Playing_card_suit) your opponent has in hand, while further in the game you need to manipulate the shuffling of the deck to make sure the Comte has the best hand at the table.[2] If the trick takes too long or the player makes a mistake shuffling the deck your opponents begin to become suspicious of you, which is represented by a meter on the bottom of the screen that gradually fills up over time.[3] If the meter fills up all the way you will have to face consequences such as being kicked out of the parlor, becoming bankrupt, or in more extreme cases you face death.[4]

## Development

*Card Shark* is developed by Nerial, the same studio that created *[Reigns](/source/Reigns_(video_game))* which is a strategy video game set in a fictional medieval world. Nerial collaborated with artist Nicolai Troshinsky to bring the gameplay and artwork of *Card Shark* to fruition, which would be published by [Devolver Digital](/source/Devolver_Digital). The storyline was inspired by Troshinksy's love of the 1975 [Stanley Kubrick](/source/Stanley_Kubrick) film *[Barry Lyndon](/source/Barry_Lyndon)*, and his own interest in card manipulation. The soundtrack for the game features original scores and reimagined classics arranged by Andrea Boccadoro and performed by a live orchestra. The music score features pieces by 18th century musicians such as [Chevalier de Saint-Georges](/source/Chevalier_de_Saint-Georges), [Claude Debussy](/source/Claude_Debussy), and [Johann Sebastian Bach](/source/Johann_Sebastian_Bach).[5]

## Reception

Reception

Aggregate scores Aggregator Score Metacritic PC: 80/100[6] NS: 80/100[7] OpenCritic 81/100[8] 89% Critics Recommend

Review scores Publication Score Eurogamer Recommended[20] Game Informer 6/10[9] Hardcore Gamer 4.5/5[10] Jeuxvideo.com 16/20[19] Nintendo Life 9/10[11] Nintendo World Report 8.5/10[12] NME 5/5[17] PC Gamer (US) 86/100[13] Shacknews 8/10[14] The Guardian 4/5[15] TouchArcade 4.5/5[16] Siliconera 8/10[18]

*Card Shark* received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic).[6][7]

*[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)* praised the cheating mechanics, saying "Card Shark is the closest I've seen a game get to mimicking character actions with a gamepad. It's an ingenious system and every trick is different".[13] *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)* liked the art style of the title, feeling it brought each scenario in the game to life, "All this is beautifully brought to life with scribbly, expressive character portraits, wine-coloured backdrops".[15] *[The Verge](/source/The_Verge)* enjoyed the stress of the game put the player under, "even when *Card Shark* was challenging, I had a lot of fun mastering the techniques... I would even get legitimately nervous before "performing" tricks at some big moments".[3] *[Nintendo Life](/source/Nintendo_Life)* felt that the dialogue elevated the game, "It's a delightful narrative all the way through, bolstered by the lighthearted, razor-sharp wit that permeates the writing".[11]

While enjoying the card games, *Nintendo World Report* criticized how bugs could occasionally ruin a card game, "around the outside there are some slight rough edges with a rare but occasional game crash or bug in the animation mechanics. These make for a slight derailing to an otherwise fantastically fresh presentation".[12] *[Rock Paper Shotgun](/source/Rock_Paper_Shotgun)* felt that the game could at some points become repetitive, trying a sequence repeatedly until you got it right.[21] *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)* heavily disliked the game's card tricks, writing "Unfortunately, almost without exception, I found the various ploys frustrating, tedious, and sometimes difficult to comprehend. These gameplay sequences usually amount to some variation of old-school [quick-time events](/source/Quick-time_events)".[9] *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)* enjoyed how smoothly the game ramped up the difficulty, "One minute you're learning how to in-jog a card so your friend always gets the ace... the next you're reading cards as you deal them by watching their reflections in a mirrored tobacco case that is itself shifting around the surface of a captain's table deep inside a sailing ship".[20]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Welsh, Oli (May 23, 2022). ["*Card Shark* is a delightful lesson in history and cheating"](https://www.polygon.com/23131458/card-shark-preview-devolver-digital-nerial-nintendo-switch-pc). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220625001522/https://www.polygon.com/23131458/card-shark-preview-devolver-digital-nerial-nintendo-switch-pc) from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Taveras, Moises (June 3, 2022). ["The Con Man Game *Card Shark* Doesn't Have Enough Confidence in Itself"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220611161224/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/card-shark-review/). *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))*. Archived from [the original](https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/card-shark-review/) on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-verge_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-verge_3-1) Peters, Jay (June 2, 2022). ["Playing *Card Shark* actually feels like cheating — in a good way"](https://www.theverge.com/23150182/card-shark-review-cheat-tricks). *[The Verge](/source/The_Verge)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220608182114/https://www.theverge.com/23150182/card-shark-review-cheat-tricks) from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Allen, Marty (May 20, 2022). ["*Card Shark* Proves That Swindling Can Be Fun"](https://goombastomp.com/card-shark-preview/). *Goomba Stomp Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220625090320/https://goombastomp.com/card-shark-preview/) from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Jerry (June 2, 2022). ["*Card Shark* soundtrack by Andrea Boccadoro arrives on Steam"](https://www.theongaku.com/posts/card-shark-soundtrack). *The Ongaku*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220602212756/https://www.theongaku.com/posts/card-shark-soundtrack) from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MCPC_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MCPC_6-1) ["*Card Shark* for PC Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/card-shark/critic-reviews/?platform=pc). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. Retrieved July 20, 2022.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MCNS_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MCNS_7-1) ["*Card Shark* for Switch Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/card-shark/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. Retrieved July 13, 2022.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Card Shark Reviews"](https://opencritic.com/game/13203/card-shark). *[OpenCritic](/source/OpenCritic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240420114337/https://opencritic.com/game/13203/card-shark) from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GI_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GI_9-1) Miller, Matt (June 1, 2022). ["*Card Shark* Review"](https://www.gameinformer.com/review/card-shark/bad-luck-at-the-tables). *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. [GameStop Corp.](/source/GameStop) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220601212332/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/card-shark/bad-luck-at-the-tables) from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HCG_10-0)** Helm, Jordan (June 2, 2022). ["Review: *Card Shark*"](https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-card-shark/423107/). *Hardcore Gamer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220607225110/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-card-shark/423107/) from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NLife_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NLife_11-1) Vogel, Mitch (June 1, 2022). ["*Card Shark* Review (Switch eShop)"](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/card-shark). *[Nintendo Life](/source/Gamer_Network#Partnered_websites)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220630193526/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/card-shark) from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NWR_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NWR_12-1) Orona, Alex (June 1, 2022). ["*Card Shark* (Switch) Review"](https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/60584/card-shark-switch-review). *Nintendo World Report*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220614214103/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/60584/card-shark-switch-review) from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PCGUS_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PCGUS_13-1) Mellor, Imogen (June 7, 2022). ["*Card Shark* review"](https://www.pcgamer.com/card-shark-review/). *[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)*. [Future plc](/source/Future_plc). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220614082441/https://www.pcgamer.com/card-shark-review/) from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SN_14-0)** Denzer, TJ (June 2, 2022). ["*Card Shark* review: Cheeky aces"](https://www.shacknews.com/article/130651/card-shark-review). *[Shacknews](/source/Shacknews)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220607225110/https://www.shacknews.com/article/130651/card-shark-review) from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TG_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TG_15-1) Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (June 2, 2022). ["*Card Shark* review – cheat the French aristocracy in this dashing period caper"](https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/jun/02/card-shark-review-the-french-aristocracy-in-this-dashing-period-caper). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [Guardian Media Group plc](/source/Guardian_Media_Group). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220617111948/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/jun/02/card-shark-review-the-french-aristocracy-in-this-dashing-period-caper) from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TA_16-0)** Musgrave, Shaun (June 7, 2022). ["SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring *Card Shark* and *TOKOYO*, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales"](https://toucharcade.com/2022/06/07/card-shark-switch-review-tokoyo-nintendo-eshop-deals-sales-price-dangen-entertainment-anniversary-deals/). *[TouchArcade](/source/TouchArcade)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220616112341/https://toucharcade.com/2022/06/07/card-shark-switch-review-tokoyo-nintendo-eshop-deals-sales-price-dangen-entertainment-anniversary-deals/) from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NME_17-0)** Bailes, Jon (June 2, 2022). ["*Card Shark* review: cheat the rich in a unique indie with plenty of aces up its sleeve"](https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/card-shark-review-3238176). *[NME](/source/NME)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220611172903/https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/card-shark-review-3238176) from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Silicon_18-0)** Lada, Jenni (June 6, 2022). ["Review: *Card Shark* Makes You Feel Daring and Slick"](https://www.siliconera.com/review-card-shark-switch-makes-you-feel-daring/). *[Siliconera](/source/Enthusiast_Gaming#Websites)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220708083015/https://www.siliconera.com/review-card-shark-switch-makes-you-feel-daring/) from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-JXV_19-0)** Mariel Zema, Alexis (June 2, 2022). ["*Card Shark* : Le jeu de cartes et de triche pique en plein cœur !"](https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1581661/card-shark-le-jeu-de-cartes-et-de-triche-pique-en-plein-ceur.htm) [*Card Shark*: The card game and cheat stings in the heart]. *[Jeuxvideo.com](/source/Jeuxvideo.com)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220618181516/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1581661/card-shark-le-jeu-de-cartes-et-de-triche-pique-en-plein-ceur.htm) from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Eurogamer_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Eurogamer_20-1) Donlan, Christian (June 9, 2022). ["*Card Shark* review - scoundrels and intrigue, delivered with a flourish"](https://www.eurogamer.net/card-shark-review-scoundrels-and-intrigue-delivered-with-a-flourish). *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220624150435/https://www.eurogamer.net/card-shark-review-scoundrels-and-intrigue-delivered-with-a-flourish) from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Bell, Alice (June 7, 2022). ["*Card Shark* review: it's hard to deal yourself a good hand"](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/card-shark-pc-review). *[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](/source/Rock%2C_Paper%2C_Shotgun)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220619185612/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/card-shark-pc-review) from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.

## External links

- [Official Website](https://www.cardsharkgame.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Card Shark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Card_Shark) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Card_Shark?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.