Cards of Heart

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 25 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Cards of Heart Game Cover
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This is the story of a girl who faced her Shadows… who, in the face of darkness, found her light. Amalia is a librarian’s assistant living in the small fantasy town of Respite who’s haunted by Shadows- dark beings born from her negative inner thoughts. But when a wisp named Ljos appears and gives her the ability to create cards of light from her everyday life, Amalia must use this power to face h…

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 25 reviews
story11 positive mentions
  • The game features a touching and personal story that effectively addresses mental health themes, making players feel seen and understood.
  • The art design and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the game's world.
  • The card-battler mechanics are engaging and serve as a poignant metaphor for dealing with depression and personal growth.
  • The game is quite short, with only a few battles and side quests, which may leave players wanting more content.
  • Some players experienced minor bugs and issues with saving settings between sessions, which could disrupt gameplay.
  • The combat system can feel unbalanced at times, and the tutorial may be overly detailed for some players.
  • story33 mentions

    The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth and personal resonance, particularly in its exploration of mental health themes such as depression and personal growth. Players find the narrative touching and relatable, with charming characters and a beautiful art style that enhance the overall experience. The integration of gameplay mechanics with the story effectively reinforces its messages, making it a compelling journey that resonates deeply with many players.

    • “Super cute story and charming characters that have made me sob my eyes out over my computer many times!”
    • “To persevere through all the trials while living with guilt and grief, feeling like you weren't worth it to the one person who meant the world to you - it sent chills throughout my body while living through this story.”
    • “A wonderful game and lovely story about mental health and personal growth in the form of a card game, the game shows the effectiveness of daily activities and CBT techniques that can help when dealing with the more negative side of our emotions and thoughts, a great adventure and a wonderful learning experience.”
    • “The gameplay was enjoyable, though a tad easy even on standard mode. I haven't tried story mode, but considering that standard mode is already easy, I wouldn't recommend story mode unless you literally just want to read the story.”
    • “There are only 4 bosses and 4 fights in the game, so please don't break your experience with story mode, which is too easy and can be beaten without any deck building.”
    • “There are only 4 battles but there are many little side quests to complete about town to complete more of the story.”
  • gameplay18 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simple yet effective mechanics that seamlessly integrate with the narrative, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. While some players found the difficulty level to be on the easier side, the deck-building and card gameplay are engaging and thoughtfully designed, particularly in relation to mental health themes. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its charm and ability to advance the story, making it accessible even for those new to card games.

    • “The gameplay reflects the story so well.”
    • “Mental health practices were incorporated so well into the gameplay mechanics and story.”
    • “The card gameplay itself is relatively basic but not a cakewalk either.”
    • “Battle mechanics are slightly unclear at points.”
    • “The gameplay is fairly simple, but also mixes with the narrative so that each of the fights feels like they're advancing the story, not distracting from it.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its seamless integration with gameplay, enhancing the overall experience without becoming distracting. Reviewers appreciate the quality of the soundtrack, noting its emotional depth and the effort put into its composition, with some expressing a desire to add it to their personal playlists. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's immersive storytelling and artistic presentation.

    • “The music blended so well with what I was doing that I forgot the music was there to begin with.”
    • “For anyone who wishes to experience a wonderful story that includes enjoyable art and an amazing soundtrack, I highly recommend giving this game a good try.”
    • “You can feel the love that went into every aspect, especially the art design, dialogue, and the soundtrack.”
  • graphics7 mentions

    The graphics are widely praised for their gorgeous and cute art styles, which blend seamlessly to create an enjoyable environment. Reviewers appreciate the thoughtful integration of different art styles and the visual representation of uplifting themes related to mental health. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's positive atmosphere.

    • “The art and graphics are gorgeous and the story is very uplifting.”
    • “I particularly liked the art style - there are a few different art styles used but they blend pretty seamlessly and create a really enjoyable environment.”
    • “I really like the different integrated art styles, the research done on mental health struggles, and the wonderful hard work this team did.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching and personal narrative, allowing players to connect deeply with the protagonist and reflect on their own struggles. The story offers a sense of hope and healing, emphasizing that failure is not the end, which resonates with players seeking a meaningful experience. Despite its simplicity, the game is praised for its beautiful concept and ability to evoke strong feelings.

    • “Throughout the story, it felt so touching and personal; I could truly see my past self within the protagonist.”
    • “As someone who struggles with their own shadows constantly in life, this story made me feel seen and gave me hope.”
    • “This is a short and simple game, but it has a beautiful concept and touching story.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is often praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, with many users highlighting the effective use of sound design, visuals, and thematic elements that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate how the atmosphere contributes to the emotional depth and tension of the gameplay, making it a standout feature. Overall, the game's atmosphere is seen as a key factor in drawing players into its world.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into a world that feels alive and vibrant.”
    • “Every sound and visual detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is rich and layered, creating a sense of wonder and mystery that lingers long after you put it down.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
    • “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is flat and fails to evoke any real emotion or tension.”
    • “The environments lack detail and personality, resulting in an overall bland atmosphere that detracts from the experience.”
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