PlayStationconsoles have always had good card games thanks to theFinal Fantasygames. While the mini-games inFinal Fantasy 8andFinal Fantasy 9aren’t the main attractions for most, they are well-thought-out card RPGs that are beloved by a dedicated crowd. Which one was better is still a heated debate among fans. Both of those mini-games even went beyond their original titles and made it into the MMOs.
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Those two games are worth mentioning, but they don’t exactly count as purecard games on PS4. There are plenty of standalone titles that offer similar mechanics or ones that are far off the beaten path though. Some are well-known while others are a bit more hidden. Whatever type of card player you are, there is assuredly a game on PS4 for you even though these may not seem traditional.
7Cursed To Golf
Cursed to Golfis a golf gamewith the twist that it is also a roguelike. The two genres blend rather well together. It could be played as a straight golf game in 2D, but players won’t get very far without utilizing cards.
These cards can be bought at the golf shop, ranging from ways to rewind time to granting players an extra Par which is like health. It’s not a traditional card game but the cards are is a big part of the game, making it a worthwhile entry.
6Hand Of Fate 2
BothHand of Fategames are good, but the sequel is just a bit more refined. Players begin by talking to a mysterious stranger who reads their fortune through cards. Players go through a series of dialogue choices that create branching paths in the roguelike scenario.
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When a battle commences, the perspective switches over toan action RPGin a small arena. It’s a fun twist on the genre as cards are merely the backdrop for the action gameplay within.
5Inscryption
Inscryptionis one of the wildest card games players are ever going to see. It’s part card games, part FMV adventure game, and part ARG. There are real-world locations that players can travel to which can unlockthe best ending.
That was the case when the game first launched on PC at least. By now, dedicated fans have poured over every pixel to unlock the secrets within. Pretty much all the knowledge is out there now which is good for anyone that gets stuck.Inscryptionis an almost impossible game to describe but to put it bluntly, it’s just one of those games that have to be experienced firsthand.
4Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain Of Memories
Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memorieswas a remake of a Game Boy Advance game for the PS2 which then got remastered on both the PS3 and PS4. It’s an interquel set betweenKingdom HeartsandKingdom Hearts 2wherein Sora finds himself in a mysterious castle and travels to familiar,but remixed worlds. Instead of fighting traditionally, players have to use cards to perform actions.
It may have needlessly complicated the solid action combat of the series, but the card-based gameplay did at least make it stand out. Plus it allowed thirsty fans to play Riku for the first time.
3Lost In Random
Lost in Randomhas a similar gameplaysetup to theKingdom Heartsspinoff. The gameplay is action-based, having players roll dice to determine which cards can be played. The overall game feels like a lost Tim Burton film.
The designs are horrific and yet whimsical, creating one of the unique worlds from 2021. It’s a shame it got lost in the shuffle amidst bigger EA games from last year. It’s never too late to jump into a classic like this though.
2Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
Gwentwas a challenging mini-game inThe Witcher 3. Some fans loved it while others tossed it aside as something too complicated. The standalone game ofGwentwas met with similar reactions, although it was a bit easier to figure out thanks to more helpful tutorials.
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The game changer for thenaysayers wasThronebreaker: The Witcher Taleswhich addedan in-depth story to the card-based gameplay. The narrative isn’t as captivating as the main game, but it’s easy to call it one of the best stories ever seen in a card game. The bar isn’t that high, butThronebreakerhurdled over it with flying colors.
1Voice Of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roarsis the first game in this series that started in 2021. It was seemingly successful enough to grant it not one, but two sequels in 2022. The first,The Forsaken Maiden, was released in the early months of the year whileBeasts of Burdenwas just released. All three games follow different heroes but offer similar gameplay mechanics. Players fight battles with cards, which are locked to certain characters inthe turn-based gameplay.
They explore these worlds as if they were playing an elaborate board game. The art style and stories found within each game are captivating thanks to Yoko Taro having a hand in the scenarios. For those unfamiliar, he is the acclaimed creator behind theNieRseries. Either one of these games is worth checking out, but players might as well start withThe Isle Dragon Roarsas it offers the best balance of the three in terms of difficulty.
