PSXECard games have been a staple of entertainment long before video games became a thing, offering a mix of strategy, luck, and social interaction that captivates audiences to this day.
Even though card games are not as prevalent among youth today as they once were, they can be more than just a side activity in video games; they can be deeply integrated into the narrative, providing moments of tension, strategy, and even humor.
With that in mind, let’s explore some of the video games’ most memorable and impactful card game scenes, highlighting how they enhance the story and gameplay.
Key Piece of the Narrative
1. Fallout: New Vegas
– In Fallout: New Vegas, the player can participate in various card games like blackjack and poker. The games are not just meant for fun but can even help one win caps, the game currency, or gain access to special quests.
Of course, this is no surprise since the game is set in a post-apocalyptic Mojave wasteland, where Las Vegas (now New Vegas) serves as an oasis, preserving its title as the gambling capital and casino hub.
For instance, winning at the Ultra-Luxe casino can provide the player with a special companion that is not available through other means.
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2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Like any depiction of the Wild West and smokey saloons, poker is a major feature of Red Dead Redemption 2’s setting.
Players can play high-stakes poker against other characters, which can lead to some interesting story points and character interactions.
Winning or losing can impact the player’s reputation and relationship with NPCs.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Even though not a casino or a real-life game until recently, in The Witcher 3, Gwent – the card game – is a central part, to the point you can play it against the majority of the characters you interact with.
Players must learn Gwent to progress through some quests and can even participate in tournaments. And you can even use the cards you won to progress the story and make quests easier.
Gwent is so much of a focus that it has been turned into its own game, both virtual and real, which shows how popular it is with fans.
4. Far Cry 3
In Far Cry 3, there is one memorable moment where the player is forced to engage in a game of five-card hold’em with Hoyt Volker, one of the main villains in the game.
It occurs in the mission, where the stakes are high in both senses of the word. After the first round, Hoyt shows his true colors and murders Sam Becker, triggering a series of intense events. The player then confronts Hoyt in a series of quick-time events, culminating in an action-packed fight.
This poker game is not a side quest; it’s part of the story that propels the player closer to the final confrontation with Hoyt.
Realistic Depiction of Card Games
1. Poker Night at the Inventory
This is a poker game featuring characters from Valve’s popular franchises like Team Fortress 2 and Portal.
It is designed to mimic a real poker night, with insults and sarcasm employed to retain the personality of the established game characters and make the game seem as realistic as possible.
2. Poker Night 2
This sequel to Poker Night at the Inventory features additional characters and continues the realistic poker game tradition.
The dialogue and character interactions give the game a feeling of a real poker game while retaining the original game’s humor and mechanics. It serves as a good example of improving upon an established formula and giving it a new light.
Most Intense Encounters
1. BioShock Infinite
While not a card game in the classical sense, BioShock Infinite does include an instance in which the player must play poker with another character.
The moment is tense because it is part of a larger narrative that addresses the role of chance and fate, themes explored throughout the game. This leads to a mind-boggling turn of events.
2. L.A. Noire
In L.A. Noire, players can participate in poker games as a side mission of the game.
However, the games are exciting because they are played against other characters who also have motives and agendas, which is another plus to the detective nature of the game.
These segments also serve as a spotlight for the facial expressions technology, which was cutting edge at the time and one of the reasons the game was famous for at the time of its release.
As we saw, card games within video games do more than just serve as a side quest; they can actually be a part of the storyline itself, lending realism and suspense to the gameplay that adds to the overall experience.
These games demonstrate just how card games can be used to further a narrative and engage the player on a deeper level, both symbolically and literally, through participation.
The success of standalone card games like Gwent, Hearthstone, or Hand of Fate suggests that the integration of card games into larger narratives will eventually become more sophisticated, potentially leading to new genres or gameplay mechanics that blend storytelling with card-based strategy.
