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.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 63 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 90% | 84 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 96% | 91 | 11 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 32 reviews sampled · 29 total reviews in window · weighted 20.6 up / 0.9 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (66)
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.
- 85
“Overall, Card Shark is a unique title with an interesting animation style and equally interesting cheating concept; all set far from today's modern world. These elements combine to create a fun and engaging game that will leave a lasting impression.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Card Shark is one of the most unique indie games of the year. Taking the focus off of the card game itself and placing it all on cheating in said card game makes for some very cool gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Card Shark is a fun little game with plenty of shortcomings and some ways teach you several neat card tricks for loud parties.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A fresh card game with incredible art style and unique gameplay ideas.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Card Shark is the kind of game that at first blush seems like it just won't work. Lots of dialogue bookended by brief, simplistic minigame sequences seems like it would make for an experience that would lose its luster quickly, yet we couldn't put it down. Witty writing, high-stakes gameplay, and a gorgeous art style all come together here to make for a game that's well-executed and unique in its appeal. If you're looking to try something awesome that notably bucks most modern gaming trends, Card Shark is absolutely something we'd recommend, well worth your time and money.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Card Shark is a one-of-a-kind experience, one that has the potential to completely immerse you in the life of a card cheat in ways you'd never expect. Nerial has gaming's equivalent of a pair of aces in Card Shark, and I wouldn't even mind if they'd cheated to get this winning hand. I mean, as they say, cheaters always prosper.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A lack of a compelling story hurt the time I spent with the game's cast, even though I adore the game's art and how much every scene leaves me wanting more. More time with the mechanics and a greater emphasis on the place and people of 1700s France could've helped Card Shark a great deal in my eyes, but I still admire it for what it is. I just think that much like the game's countless tricks, the best possible execution of its ideas needed a bit more confidence.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“More than anything, Card Shark is an experience. It’s not an exceptionally long game, coming in at eight hours, but it very much suits its length. I wasn’t left unsatisfied, nor did it feel padded. The emphasis on the tricks themselves was oddly compelling as well. By the end of the game I had learned the theory behind a good number of techniques, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to practice some of these for real.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bless the indie developers who are determined to take ideas that may sound a bit crazy in concept and run with them, revealing potential new avenues of play to enjoy!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With its unique hook, surprisingly in-depth gameplay, and fascinating mystery, Card Shark is an absolute delight.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Card Shark is an original game that is worth your time, even if you are not a gambling fan. The individual pieces of gameplay may be essentially quite simple (visual novel and mini-games), but they are so aptly married and combined with the witty and phlegmatic writing, they make for a very addictive game that will keep your interest until the credits roll.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Card Shark's premise is that it allows players to become masters at deception. Our hero will be able to deceive his competitors and gain a lot of money. Card Shark is a solid game with an unique concept.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
cublikefoot
GameMAG
3DNews
Nintendo Life
video games are good
Paste Magazine
Gamer Escape
Nindie Spotlight
Gfinity
Capsule Computers…and 54 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Card Shark Version 1.2 and Fan Art!Jun 16, 2022
- Card Shark Version 1.1Jun 10, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix - June 6thJun 6, 2022
- Card Shark Demo - May UpdateMay 24, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Card Shark Demo - UpdateApr 22, 2022