Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection was announced earlier in 2022. After many long years, fans can finally replay these tactical card RPG hybrids in 2023 after they were locked away on the Game Boy Advance and DS handhelds. That’s good news for future players, but what are they to play until then?
The good news is that the Switch is practically bulging with good card games from RPGs to ones that are a bit stranger. There are plenty of games with card-based mini-games too like Shovel Knight: King of Cards, Final Fantasy 8, and Final Fantasy 9. Those three are worth mentioning, but these picks are all standalone hits that players should shuffle onto their systems as fast as possible. Some of these may not seem traditional, but cards play a big role in these games.
7/7 Card Shark
Card Shark is almost like a stealth game more than it is a card game. The game takes place in France during the 18th century wherein a con artist decides to take on a humble servant as his new protege. Players will go through a series of scenarios, each one introducing a new way to trick people out of their money using cards. These tricks include signaling teammates with a rag to bending the corners of cards. It gets more elaborate as the game goes on and may even teach players a thing or two on how to cheat at games like poker in real life.
6/7 Griftlands
Griftlands has a fairly standard turn-based battle system for a card RPG. The thing that makes it unique is the dialogue battles. Instead of going through a series of predetermined dialogue choices like in Mass Effect, players will have to use a special card deck to get the information they want.
Players begin with one character but as they make their way through the game, they’ll unlock more which in turn unlocks more campaigns. The dialogue and battle systems are not the only unique card-based gameplay in Griftlands either. The rest of the mechanics are worth discovering for yourself.
5/7 Loop Hero
Loop Hero is both a roguelike and a time loop game if that title wasn’t a dead giveaway. The world was ended thanks to a dastardly villain but the player has the ability to unlock the world and restore it to its former glory. Each run will present players with a small track that they will run around automatically.
The battles, which happen randomly, are also automatic. Players can pause the game whenever they want to equip new gear or to place a card on the map which will affect the world. Placing a forest on the track may attract more monsters while other facilities could boost stats. Cards are more like modifiers to the game, but they are a central part of the gameplay, making Loop Hero count as a card adjacent game at the very least.
4/7 Monster Train
Monster Train is another roguelike but one that has tower-defense DNA in it. Players helm their train, guiding it down different paths filled with both monsters and treasure. Once an encounter happens, players can use cards to summon monsters or cast spells on the enemy. The train consists of a few levels with the train’s core resting on the top floor. If this core is destroyed then the game is over.
Thankfully, the core can fight back, and it’s quite strong too. It takes a while to get the hang of the mechanics more than other roguelikes but after some patience, it’ll be hard to put down.
3/7 Roguebook
Roguebook is set inside a book that randomly generates its worlds. Players are sucked in and forced to go through a series of trials to escape its clutches. Players begin with one extra party member but besting bosses can usually unlock a new teammate to tag in on the next run. This is a roguelike with turn-based card gameplay that is fairly easy to understand. Players can also use cards on the world map to create new paths or unlock treasure chests; the map has a tabletop RPG feel to it.
The reward system offers very little between runs, making it one of the more challenging new roguelikes in recent memory. It’s a good card game, but it will probably be beyond the grasp of beginners.
2/7 Slay The Spire
Slay the Spire follows a similar pathway system to Monster Train. Players start with three heroes that offer unique gameplay styles from a hero more based on stealth to one that excels in magic. The worlds randomly generate each time, as is standard in a roguelike, and there are branching paths to follow.
The gameplay is turn-based with cards standing in for normal actions. The carryover between runs is limited like Roguebook, making it tricky to recommend to a more casual crowd. Even with the difficulty spikes, the art alone is worth checking out.
1/7 SteamWorld Quest: Hand Of Gilgamech
The great thing about this series is that the developers are always trying to keep things fresh. There’s been a digging Metroidvania, a turn-based tactical RPG akin to X-Com, a tower-defense game, and then this turn-based card RPG.
SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech follows the story of a group of heroes trying to save the world from an evil robot. It’s the first fantastical setting in this series which gives it some extra flavor besides the cards. How they use robots in a fantasy-based medieval setting can be funny at times. To keep it short and sweet, it’s an easy pick-up and play RPG for the Switch.
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