As time went by, card games became ever-so sophisticated as their designs became standardized. To this day, many regional variants keep entertaining die-hard card players and newbies alike. But if classics like solitaire or tarot haven't aged one bit, the video game industry has long put a refreshing twist on the genre. So, let's explore these card games to discover on PC and consoles.

The Solitaire Conspiracy

Solitaire Conspiracy is an amazing take on a classic game. A catastrophe has just hit the largest spy agency in the world, Protego. An anonymous supervillain named Solitaire sabotaged all means of communicating with field agents. There is only one hope left to find the spies scattered across the globe and save the world, and that hope is you.

Guided by the sole analyst who survived the disaster, Jim Ratio, you must restore your communication system through a series of tactical solitaire games. To win the day, you must master the unique powers of each spy crew. But a darker secret lurks in the shadows of a world populated by AI spies and cyber-enhanced operators that may be much less well-disposed than they appear. Developed by Bithell Games, this spy thriller mixes a gripping storyline and high-stakes solitaire games in pure entertainment bliss.

Inscryption

If you've always dreamed of an escape game meets card game, then Inscryption may be up your alley. This deck-building card game dripping in psychological horror locks you in a cabin alongside a demonic entity you must beat at cards to escape. Only instead of an ordinary deck, these items demand a sacrifice in blood or bones to play. The more powerful the card, the more cards you need to kill to play it.

This indie entry developed by Daniel Mullins takes you on an odyssey as blood-curdling as it is exciting, where even darker secrets await beyond the walls of your rundown shack. And while this roguelike's combat mechanics are fairly straightforward, you might want to start over after beating the game to clear many unanswered questions and unsolved puzzles. As uniquely bizarre as it is strangely addictive, Inscryption was crowned Game of the Year by the Independent Games Festival in 2022.

Hearthstone

Published by Blizzard Entertainment, the iconic studio responsible for the World of Warcraft franchise, Hearthstone is perhaps the most popular online collectible card game out there. This staple of turn-based CCGs pits two players against one another. So, pick a hero with a unique power and wave a deck of mighty relics and monsters to take down your opponent.

This free-to-play card-based strategy game draws heavy inspiration from the medieval fantasy setting of Warcraft. Aesthetics-wise, the influence of Magic: The Gathering also transpires from every class of heroes, special weapons, and spells. But if you're a fan of the Warcraft lore and don't know how to get started, we've got you covered at JayisGames with a full-on Hearthstone review.

Card Shark

Card games are in no short supply on the Nintendo Switch. But this indie gem by studio Nerial shakes up the formula in boisterous fashion. Card Shark is all about playing dirty. Acting as a con artist on behalf of a mysterious French count, your goal is to dupe the high and mighty of pre-revolutionary French society. Winning in any way you can, you may stack the cards or blatantly drain the pockets of the noblemen opposite you in a string of cunning minigames.

This mischievous action-adventure game with a historical flair therefore puts an alluring satirical spin on the genre.
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Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
Based on the popular Witcher game series, Gwent is a game of strategy and bluffing where players must build decks and compete against one another. It is available for free with in-app purchases.

Eternal
This free-to-play online card game features a wide variety of cards and mechanics, and is perfect for players who enjoy deep strategic gameplay. It has a campaign mode for single-player play, as well as online multiplayer.

Despite being one of the oldest forms of entertainment around, card games are still alive and kicking. And the gaming medium has even rekindled the flame for classics. As immersive as they are tightly-written, the titles above are worth checking out if you enjoy your card games with a spin. Some of them even include multiplayer modes to challenge your gamer friends. So, get ready to show off your neatest card tricks!