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Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars

Square Enix · released Oct 28, 2021

RPGStrategyPCPlayStation 4Nintendo Switch

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is an RPG set in a world of swords and sorcery, told entirely through the medium of cards.

74
VGC Score
·No trend datamedium confidence
76%
At launch
80%
Steam all-time
74%
Press
77%
Player sentiment
72%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)7441
All-time Steam reviews80%74717
Metacritic user ratings779
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)72%692
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 5 reviews sampled · 5 total reviews in window · weighted 2.6 up / 1 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (58)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 80
    trust 78Jan 10, 2022

    Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is a comfy little game with a nostalgic vibes for an old era of jRPG-genre, unique visuals and great music. Not revolutionary or thought-provoking, but good enough to spend a couple of evenings with, inbetween other gaming releases.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 75Nov 8, 2021

    Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is a game that certainly won't appeal to everyone; this is one that you have to come into with an open mind. It's pretty short compared to most RPGs and doesn't take many chances with its gameplay, yet the card aesthetic remains consistently interesting, it's supported by extremely strong presentation, and that gameplay ultimately proves to be quite satisfying. For thirty bucks, this card game is one of the best concise RPGs you can buy on the Switch, and if any of its art or concepts pique your interest, we strongly recommend you give it a shot.

    read full review ↗
  • 50
    trust 74Nov 29, 2021

    In concept, Voice of Cards is exciting: a small game from a major designer (Yoko Taro is the game's creative director), released with little fanfare. It offers a lean framework for other RPGs and narrative games to come. Ultimately, though, it's far less effective at its core goals than the games it draws from. Voice of Cards positions itself as a more intelligent, if leaner, classic JRPG. In practice, it is a hollow echo of what came before.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 73Dec 8, 2021

    Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is an entertaining and creative diversion while it lasts. It certainly sets itself apart with relative ease but it does suffer a bit from diminishing returns.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 69Oct 29, 2021

    Thankfully, the game's excellent presentation holds everything together, and at around 12 hours in length, Voice of Cards doesn't quite outstay its welcome. There are multiple endings to unlock as well, but additional playthroughs may be a tall order. Voice of Cards isn't the kind of RPG that you can rush through, its deliberately slow pace is part of the charm, but there is a slightly expanded New Game+ mode for those who fancy taking on the dragon all over again.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 69Dec 4, 2021

    A traditional JRPG by some of the key team members behind the Nier series. Presented in a tabletop game aesthetic, Voice of Cards delivers a fantastic story.

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    trust 67Oct 27, 2021

    There aren't many places to explore, random card events in dungeons and the overworld are repeated frequently, and everything comes to a close too soon. Without question, Voice of Cards represents a great entry point for RPG newcomers that employs a compelling and unique aesthetic. If you've shuffled your way through most of the RPGs on Switch, however, you might find this Isle Dragon more of a whimper.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 67Nov 5, 2021

    Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is a great little gem to come out of this year. Where NieR is a good series though not quite for me, this absolutely is. The team have created a true sleeper hit that is well worth seeking out for NieR or fantasy adventure fans alike. The music and wondrous exploration on offer are engaging throughout. While other limitations in roleplaying are noticeable, they’re never enough to rob you of your enjoyment. What’s here is some clever and wonderful writing, a charming cast of characters and another weird world worth delving into. Yoko Taro and the team have done it again.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 67Oct 27, 2021

    Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars, the new game from NieR creator Yoko Taro, is a peculiar little game. It knows what it wants to be! And its aesthetics definitely come first. But if you’re at home in its slower pace and tavern feel, you’ll have a good time.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 66Nov 8, 2021

    But those who take a chance on Voice of Cards might be surprised. Its tabletop style is endearing and a testament to the idea that gripping adventure transcends the need for cinematic cutscenes. Voice of Cards puts the "game" back in "role-playing game" in fun, compelling, and thoughtful ways that will delight players throughout their time with it.

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  • 80
    trust 65Nov 4, 2021

    The great thing about Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is that it is another delightful Yoko Taro game with all the subversion of known clichés it provides and it is presented using a unique visual aesthetic. But it is not without its faults as gameplay-wise it lacks any big innovation and the random encounters are just too much and sometimes even make your progression a little tiresome.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 65Nov 2, 2021

    Voice of Cards is effectively Baby's First Yoko Taro Game, though its approachable nature does make it a little less satisfying.

    read full review ↗

…and 46 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Update Content
    Oct 9, 2025