By all accounts, I shouldn't really like Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars. As a rule, I shy away from JRPGs, because I often find them to be too complicated, too long, too insane, or some combination of the three. I've certainly tried to get into the genre, and my longstanding attachment to Pokémon means I'm familiar with the basic tropes. Anything without a Charmander in it doesn't really stand much of a chance with me, though, and there's seemingly no good reason why. JRPGs just don't do it for me, and I've largely accepted that.
However, when Voice of Cards was announced, I was intrigued. Square Enix was going out on a limb with this one: a JRPG, only everything and everyone is represented by a trading card? The novel presentation caught my eye, and games like Slay the Spire have cemented card games in my mind as a thing I like. Obviously, though, this isn't a card game — it's a JRPG in a card game's clothing. Still, it did the trick. I downloaded the demo with curiosity, and it did enough that I couldn't resist playing the full thing.
I've enjoyed it much more than I was expecting, but in a way that I wasn't. All parts of the adventure — locations, people, monsters, weapons — are shown as cards on a dimly lit table, and it's narrated by a game master who, to be honest, sounds like he might fall asleep at any moment. You move a playing piece around, card by card, and go through the usual motions. You visit shops and blacksmiths to stock up on items and equipment. You talk to NPCs to get more information about the world and your quest. You fight random, turn-based battles against increasingly dangerous enemies. The thing is, it's all delivered in such a way that I find it enjoyably relaxing.
The game's story is not particularly deep or surprising, the combat is basic (and probably too easy), and the whole experience moves at a snail's pace. I'll be the first to admit it has some flaws, but Voice of Cards resonates with me despite them. I'm more or less done with it now, but for a good week or so, I'd boot up the game and play a few hours in the evenings, and it served as a great way to unwind.
It's actually the title's simplicity that contributes most to this feeling, I think. This is a JRPG, but it's not the sprawling, complex, 200-hour epic that label implies. It doesn't really go beyond the basics, and I appreciate the restraint. The combat adds a wrinkle or two with dice rolls and elemental strengths and weaknesses, but even these are commonplace in RPGs. All you really need to worry about is who you want in your active party, outfitting them with the best gear you have at the time, and you're good to go.
Fights aren't particularly challenging, but instead of growing bored, I enjoy the slow pace and the lack of grinding. Fight every random battle you encounter and your party will be perfectly capable — there's no need to go out of your way to level up further. So, I would spend my nights sweeping across each map, defeating whatever got in the way, and enjoying every glacial step. You barely need to think, and it's great.
On top of this is the presentation, which really is lovely. The music, especially, has a warm, gentle vibe, even when things become more intense. Todd Haberkorn's performance as narrator means every story beat, no matter what's happening, is delivered to you in an understated, almost disinterested manner, which certainly adds to the game's laid-back atmosphere. A dragon is burning a village to the ground? It doesn't feel quite so urgent when you're told about it with all the energy of a librarian teetering on retirement.
Everything comes together in such a way that, for me, makes it a true pleasure to play. Again, it's not the best game I've played this year, but the slow pace, simple gameplay, and neat presentation mean it's probably the most relaxing one. If you need a calming remedy after blitzing through something energetic, intense, or emotional, Voice of Cards could be just what the doctor ordered.
Have you played Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars? Do you agree that it's a pleasantly relaxing experience? Speak calmly in the comments section below.
Comments 9
I picked this up a while back and haven’t gotten started with it yet, but now I think I’ll bump it up in the queue. This is the perfect time of year to enjoy a more relaxed game to take the edge off of the holiday craziness.
I couldn't think of a better word to describe the game other than "chill". I like to play it just before bedtime as like the article states the narrator sounds like he is about to fall asleep. It puts me in the mood to sleep but in a good way!
It’s a relaxing fun game that I hear basically no one talk about.
I tried the demo and was convinced not to buy it because of how trivial the gameplay felt. The default difficulty would be story mode in any other game. It's like it was supposed to be a visual novel but begrudgingly was made into a game instead. I was disappointed because I liked everything else about it, including the chill tone and narration and the weird but effective presentation as cards. I didn't even mind how slow it progressed. Just needed a challenge bump to be engaging.
This probably something I'll end up getting when I'm in the mood for something completely different to cleanse the palette. I forgot about it after it came out since it got very little attention, but it's something I'll try to keep in mind. It may be a little while though as I still have Lost in Random and Thronebreaker that I never played, but the latter will be remedied soon now that I'm a Witcher mood again because of Season 2.
Playing through it at the moment, thanks to that hidden gems article that was posted on here recently.
It is very enjoyable, the art style is fantastic. Though as previously mentioned, the difficulty does seem rather trivial. I did bump into a couple of high xp encounters right at the start, perhaps that affected it a bit.
The story seems quite engaging, a bit of mystery surrounding the dragon, and your party characters are likeable. The dialogue options for your character are a bit all over the place, sometimes forcing you to be callous (as is your supposed character trait), other times allowing you to be generous.
Some of the longer dungeons are a bit of a grind, with encounters every cup of steps.
I'd place it in the same catagory as dungeon encounters, if you find the trailer and concept appealing, you'll almost certainly enjoy the game.
Edit: the deluxe version isn't needed, unless you are a nier superfan. Its just graphics customization options, i turned most back off because i preferred the originals.
It looks ok.... but the game I want on PS is Inscryption....
Shuhei! make it happen...
I typically don’t play anything like this but I too was interested and enjoyed the demo so I bought it and have been pleasantly surprised. It’s relaxing, warm and fun. There’s also a pretty fun mini card game that you can play at the parlor, I do wish this part had a multiplayer option but it’s fine without it, the ai just does dumb stuff from time to time but maybe that’s on purpose to make it not to difficult.
I just played through the demo this evening and I was pleasantly surprised. I think the price is still a little too high for me, but I think I might pick it up some time down the road when it's a little cheaper.
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