Voice of cards is a new table-top-styled RPG coming to Nintendo Switch, Playstation, and Steam. The game takes place on a table with the whole world taking the form of cards. Everything from items to people to buildings is in card form. It’s strangely beautiful to see the world laid out like this. The art on the cards is exquisite too, and I’d love to have physical versions of the cards someday. The game is different, but the story is pure magic, even in the demo.
The demo is its own story, lead by the Games Master. The Games Master tells the tale as he leads the player through the world. His introduction is brilliant as he tells the player he demands them to have the volume on as they play. Though there are subtitles, just in case it isn’t possible, the voice work does lend itself to make the game even better, however.
The demo doesn’t follow the game’s main protagonists but instead follows the Ivory Order; well, three members of the Order, Wynifred, Berwyn, and Heddwyn. The three members lean on each other to build one strong unit so players won’t worry too much about death. The demo pushes players through a single quest and tells a solid story.
Wynifred is the healer of the group and has a powerful light attack. Berwyn is the strongest of the group with his lightning attack and his sword attacks. While; Hedwynn gains quite a few magic spells that will aid the team in their struggle for survival. The team is well-balanced, and the camaraderie is ever-present.
The quest in this demo is to travel to find a special potion, the royal treasure, in fact, for Queen Nilla. Nilla wants nothing more than to see the item back in her hands and sends the party off. The party heads off into the world, with their Games Master guiding them to the other town in the demo.
The town itself is decently sized and holds characters like Man and the Greeter. The Greeter’s ability to only greet the characters is humorous and hints that this game won’t always be so heavy, which is a good thing. The other characters in town are all quite happy to see the Order, and the world is lively despite only being in card form.
Players can buy weapons and items from the shopkeepers or heal up at the inn. But the biggest attraction in town is the game hall. Here, players can play a little card game against the town’s game master. In the demo, this young boy will teach the player how to play the simple matching game and then challenge them to another round. It’s a fun game, and despite being simple, it is a game of chance.
After stocking up, the player will head out on their quest. They will fight random encounters as they travel, taking out goblins and skeletons. The battles are turned-based, and each character takes a turn playing a card. More powerful cards have gem amounts on them, and each turn, players will gain one gem. Players need to be on their toes, but there isn’t harm in grinding. I’m sure the game will ramp up in difficulty as the player plays through the game.
Completing the quest leads the team back to the castle, where everything seems to wrap up nicely. Something happens that seems to hint at what will occur in the full game, and the demo ends with a farewell from the Games Master. Yoko Taro has created a new world to explore, and this demo has made me hungry for more. Wynifred and her Ivory Order friends need help on a quest; will the player help them complete it?