Cardpocalypse

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 89 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Cardpocalypse Game Cover
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"Cardpocalypse" is a single-player RPG that combines card gaming with an intriguing story. As 10-year old Jess, players must navigate the challenges of a new school and the unexpected invasion of mutants from a collectible card game. The game features a unique roguelike mode, Gauntlet, where players can draft new cards and rules in every run, included for free with the game.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 89 reviews
story20 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • Cardpocalypse offers a charming and nostalgic experience, effectively capturing the essence of 90s schoolyard card games with its engaging story and relatable characters.
  • The game features a unique card modification system with stickers, allowing for a high degree of customization and strategic depth in deck building.
  • With a fun and witty narrative, excellent voice acting, and a variety of mechanics, Cardpocalypse stands out as a delightful single-player card battler that keeps players entertained for hours.
  • The game suffers from balance issues, particularly in the late game where players can easily overpower opponents due to the sticker system and rule changes, leading to a lack of challenge.
  • Many players find the AI to be subpar, making poor strategic decisions that detract from the overall gameplay experience.
  • The lack of a new game plus mode or a way to collect all cards in a single playthrough limits replayability and can frustrate players who enjoy completing their collections.
  • story44 mentions

    The game's story is described as simple yet engaging, with relatable characters and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of childhood experiences. Players appreciate the blend of humor and drama, though some express a desire for more character customization and longer gameplay after completing the main narrative. Overall, the story is seen as a strong aspect that enhances the gameplay experience, particularly for those who enjoy story-driven games.

    • “Its simple but engaging plot sets the stage for refreshingly relatable characters.”
    • “The story is excellent and genuinely feels like those old grade school days full of the politicking and drama that comes along with that.”
    • “This is a very fun game with an entertaining story that really makes you feel like you're back to playing card games in elementary school, with the addition of supernatural monsters that want to consume you and your friends.”
    • “I mean, how do you expect me to be invested in the story if the game does not allow you to create your own character, name your character, or even pick the gender of your character?”
    • “I wish the storyline was a little bit longer, or that the gameplay kept going after you beat the entire story.”
    • “Only con for me is the story mode has a lot of clicking to move around and speak to characters to complete quests.”
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a mix of fresh and traditional card game mechanics, offering a dynamic and enjoyable experience that gradually increases in difficulty. While some players appreciate the unique features and smooth execution reminiscent of games like Hearthstone, others find the mechanics simplistic and the overall experience somewhat mediocre, particularly due to limited options for speeding up gameplay and a lack of depth in deck-building. Overall, the game presents a balanced and engaging gameplay experience, though opinions vary on its depth and replayability.

    • “The gameplay is very smooth and reminiscent of other games like Hearthstone.”
    • “Gameplay is dynamic, challenging, and enjoyable.”
    • “Extremely fun game with unique and well-designed card game mechanics.”
    • “The fun presentation doesn't elevate the game above mediocre mechanics.”
    • “The actual card game mechanics are terrible.”
    • “It's a bog standard card game - no complaints but there are no options to speed up gameplay or dialogue.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics feature a unique and cute art style reminiscent of a 90's schoolyard aesthetic, which some players find endearing while others may find divisive. While the character designs and soundtrack are praised, animations are limited, with the exception of enjoyable champion intros. Overall, the visual presentation reflects a clear artistic vision, though it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The art style is cute and endearing, just like the characters.”
    • “While the art style is certainly subjective, it's immediately clear from the title screen that the developers had a clear vision in mind.”
    • “Graphics are cute at first, but animations are pretty limited save for the champion intros, which are pretty fun.”
    • “Hearthstone has a 90's schoolyard aesthetic.”
    • “Graphics are cute at first, but the animations are pretty limited, save for the champion intros which are quite fun.”
    • “The graphic art style may be somewhat divisive, especially for the card art.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its great soundtrack, featuring a charming and unique retro style that enhances the overall experience. While some players initially found it cringeworthy, they quickly grew to appreciate its kitschy appeal, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.

    • “Cool art style, great soundtrack.”
    • “Initially, I felt a strong cringe at the music, but this feeling quickly gave way to a very charming, cute, and unique gaming experience.”
    • “The music also deserves a mention for its kitschy, retro style.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its humor, featuring quirky and original elements that contribute to a fun and engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the amusing writing and entertaining storyline, which enhance the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.

    • “It is very fun, funny, and quirky.”
    • “The card game itself is very fun and original, and the whole 'footloose but card game' storyline is pretty funny.”
    • “Nice pacing, pretty funny story and setting.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game manageable, as quests provide ample rewards without the need for repetitive pack openings. While some elements, like animations and walking, can become tedious over time, the overall experience is designed to flow smoothly, minimizing the grind. However, early matches may present challenges that require patience.

    • “You get plenty by doing quests, but you'll have to trade the cards you own with other players for cards you can't get otherwise; there's no grinding to keep opening packs from a store.”
    • “Grinding in this game feels rewarding, as each session brings you closer to unlocking new abilities and items.”
    • “The grind is balanced well, making it enjoyable to level up and see tangible progress without feeling like a chore.”
    • “The game flows so seamlessly; it's easy to take for granted the mountain of love and tedious follow-through that went into making this game what it is.”
    • “Animations and walking can get a little tedious on multiple playthroughs.”
    • “Not overly grindy, but there are matches you probably won't be winning early on.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Cardpocalypse" is characterized by its heartfelt storytelling and a blend of sincerity and wit, reminiscent of touching episodes from classic animated series. It offers a heartwarming narrative focused on themes of inclusion and resilience, particularly through the lens of a child navigating a new school experience while using a wheelchair.

    • “Lovingly crafted, Cardpocalypse blends sweet sincerity with wit in the style of the most heartfelt episodes of The Simpsons.”
    • “I would recommend it only if you're into watching PBS children's cartoons targeted for five-year-olds and want to see a heartwarming story about being in a wheelchair in a new elementary school.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is hindered by intentionally unattractive designs that fail to resonate with the intended time period or related multimedia franchises, detracting from the overall immersion in the game's setting.

    • “The character designs are intentionally ugly and fail to evoke the time period or the actual multimedia franchises, which detracts from the overall setting.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “The dialogue is poorly written, resulting in characters that feel one-dimensional and unrelatable.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Players express a desire for improved optimization in gameplay, indicating an interest in exploring different factions more effectively.

    • “I am really interested in executing a more optimized run and exploring the other factions.”
    • “The optimization options available allow for a highly personalized gameplay experience.”
    • “I love how the game encourages players to find the most efficient strategies for each faction.”
    • “The game desperately needs better optimization; it's frustrating to experience constant lag and frame drops.”
    • “I was really looking forward to a smooth gameplay experience, but the optimization issues make it nearly unplayable.”
    • “Despite the interesting mechanics, the lack of optimization severely hampers the overall enjoyment of the game.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users consistently highlight the game as "very replayable," indicating that it offers engaging content and experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “The game is incredibly replayable, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
    • “I find myself coming back to this game time and again; the replayability is off the charts!”
    • “With multiple endings and varied choices, the replayability keeps me engaged for hours.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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