Dance of Cards is a tactical gambling RPG where you try to survive seven days of a deadly cruise by playing poker.
You take on the role of one of sixteen colorful characters, each with their own distinct talents and playstyles, as you navigate the deadly poker games aboard the ocean liner Magnific.
At the core of the gameplay is a series of high-stakes Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, where you must use your wits, bluffing skills, and special abilities to outmaneuver your opponents. However, the stakes are life and death, with the player holding the lowest chips being eliminated from the game, adding an extra layer of tension and consequence to every hand played.
Each character possesses a unique set of "Talents" - special abilities that you can activate during the poker games. These include the ability to swap cards with opponents, steal their chips, or even reverse the rules of the game. Mastering these abilities and finding the right synergies between team members is key to surviving the grueling poker tournaments.
The gameplay is tightly woven with the game's branching narrative, where your decisions during the poker games, as well as your interactions with the other characters, can have a significant impact on the overall story and which of the sixteen passengers ultimately survive the deadly cruise.
Beyond the main story mode, the game offers a wealth of additional content and modes to explore. This includes a "Quick Play" mode where you can set up your own custom poker games, as well as an online multiplayer mode where you can compete against other players. The diverse cast of characters and the variety of special abilities and strategies to master ensure a high level of replayability.