Are you bored of playing 52 pickup or middle-of-the-road solitaires? Then it’s time to explore the world of card games on PC that, never before, has offered so many different flavors and mechanics for a wide audience to enjoy. Whether you’re a fan of traditional classics or collectible card games with deep lore, we’ll take a look at the best card games on PC.
The best card games to play on PC
In this post, we will explore many different kinds of PC card games, from bonafide classics that have completely redefined the genre to more obscure titles. From beginner-friendly games to complex challenges for seasoned players, this list will be the ace up your sleeve to find the perfect match for your style of play. Pick up those cards, shuffle the deck, and get ready to deal with an exciting array of card-based adventures!
Balatro
Let’s start with a recent classic, one small indie game that, in the space of a few months, has become one of the true cult hits of 2024. Starting from the simple mechanic of playing like a solitaire poker game, Balatro takes that idea and infuses it with so many different roguelike mechanics, endless possibilities, and infinite replayability. Here the Jokers are crazy wild, as they will offer all kinds of powers and combinations, so better choose carefully if you are looking to reach the end.
But that’s not all, as you will need as many chips as possible to beat the many difficult blinds while unlocking bonus hands and decks as you progress naturally. Every small edge you can get your hands on will be a great help as you make your way towards the boss blind, and perhaps secure your victory. Balatro is not only one of the most unique and time-consuming card games from the last few years but also for the overall PC game market.
Slay the Spire
Despite having a few years behind it, Slay the Spire is the one that really kickstarted the fusion of card games with roguelike mechanics. Many have tried to imitate it, but few have done it successfully. Choose one of the starting characters and prepare for a long sequence of fights while you try to climb to the top of the spire. But the path you choose will be a key to success since your strategy is often the only thing that makes the difference between victory and defeat. Every encounter, event, and path on the spire map presents opportunities for risk and reward.
Are you going to take a chance on a mysterious event, which might get you useful rewards, or instead stick to a safer route with easier battles but no rewards in sight? With a perfect 2D graphic style, atmospheric music, and lore that goes quite a bit deeper than it might seem at first, Mega Crit made one of the best games in the style. Make no mistake, Slay the Spire is well worth being played today, this modern classic is still inspiring and influencing the genre.
Stacklands
What if you like your card games with a hefty dose of strategy and unique RPG mechanics? Well, nothing better than Stacklands then, one very unique experience in the realm of card games. Open packs of cards to add villagers, resources, buildings, and tasks to your settlement. But that’s not all, since stacking them in creative ways will be the main mechanic to grow your little village while keeping a wonderful sense of discovery.
By unlocking new technologies, you can find new ways to feed your starving villagers. But, alas, it is not all smiles and roses. Often you will have to repel attacks from rats, goblins, and even evil wizards that come to conquer your realm. But if you don’t like combat, you are more than welcome to play the “pacifist” mode and just enjoy the single mechanic of keeping everyone fed. Stacklands is a unique experience that is made even better through its several DLCs.
Inscryption
Well, who said that card games have to be pleasant and cozy? Inscryption is one of the weirdest entries in the list and, from Daniel Mullins, the developer of Pony Island, we weren’t expecting anything different. Battle a weird multi-form creature using cards with animals of all kinds and, pretty soon, even your past self! While we are not going to spoil what happens next, keep in mind that this card battle is only the beginning of the game and the design direction will be much different later.
As you build your deck and make choices with consequences, you’ll uncover cryptic puzzles, unsettling lore, and scary and memorable twists that will reshape the gameplay. Inscryption’s haunting atmosphere, brought to life through its eerie visuals and atmospheric soundtrack, will keep you on edge throughout. With layers of meta secrets, plus a story that unfolds in unexpected ways, Inscryption is a chilling and unforgettable journey into the unknown realm of card games.
Griftlands
What if every decision in your life came down to a battle of cards? Well, that would make each day significantly longer. But that’s the heart of Griftlands, in a rundown sci-fi world where you decide how to shape your future, make life-changing decisions and, of course, try to survive battles against alien enemies such as the Shroogs. Keep building up your deck to get through most events and get people to help you.
With memorable world-building ideas and many unique characters to choose from, the game wears its inspiration on its sleeves, from other classics in the genre. Clearly, it does not reinvent the wheel, and perhaps some will find the narrative unengaging, but the deckbuilding gameplay works really well and will definitely please fans of the genre looking for something else to play.
Monster Train
If you have already played Slay the Spire to completion and you wished the game would feature a bit of the Pokémon flavor, Monster Train is the answer for you. As opposed to other entries in the genre, you are more than encouraged to experiment with your decks and cards, since there is also less random generation. Each playthrough will take more or less one hour, so it’s perfect for those bite-sized sessions on the go.
There are a huge number of different factions that you can combine together. Also of note is the high-quality art style, as opposed to the more “indie” propositions of the rest of the card games on PC. Buy your ticket, board the train to hell, and try to survive the ride.
Tabletop Simulator
This is a bit of a different proposition than most other entries in this list, as this one allows for full-on experimentation with everything from the board and card games universe. Berserk Games provides players with a great platform they can use to create, share, and play virtually any card (or board) game. Also, thanks to its physics engine, you can manipulate game pieces, shuffle cards, roll dice, and even flip the table in frustration.
While the basic offering includes 15 games to start with, such as Poker, this is one game where you want to gift a copy to your group of friends and start experimenting. And if you don’t feel like experimenting, the Steam workshop will offer a huge variety of card games for you to try out. There are also Discord servers to discuss other games with like-minded individuals. If you ever asked yourself, “how many different card games can I play without buying more than one title”, then Tabletop Simulator has the answer for you. All of them!
Wingspan
What is the real reason you play card games? If it is to relax and unwind, then battling your way to the top might not be your cup of tea. What about a cozy card game all about birds and nature? Wingspan, the digital version of the original card game, feels like a relaxing walk in the park, with the ultimate goal being not that of survival or killing the big boss, but attracting birds to your wildlife preserve. Have fun and also learn a bit about our feathery friends.
Each bird you play can be combined to make some powerful additions to one of your three habitats. Also, the cards reflect how the actual birds behave in real life, and you have more than 170 of them. For example, pelicans will fish, magpies can find precious items, and your geese will form a flock. Thanks to its small 30-minute sessions, you will come out feeling refreshed just like a full-on forest immersion, without having to move away from your PC.
Cobalt Core
Ready to maneuver your own spaceship and carefully choose your crew? Thanks to a unique single-axis way of battling and playing cards, Cobalt Core brings a bit of the gameplay and atmosphere of FTL: Faster than Light in a roguelike card game much like Slay the Spire. Through cards you can order your crew to raise shields to protect your ship or to strike first, to try and disable your enemies before they have a chance to react.
Movement will be one of the keys to defeating your enemies and surviving battles, but one unique thing that Cobalt Core brings is a lot of heart and charm. Each character will have something to say about the situation they are in, along with some amusing snippets of lore. Also, since the overall difficulty is much lower than other games on the list, this might be a good one for someone curious about the genre but looking to avoid being punished too much.
DICEOMANCER
If you don’t mind a little dice in your cards, then DICEOMANCER brings you a unique experience where every number on the screen can be re-rolled through dice. But that’s not all, as the game features over 500 different cards to use. They will form the backbone of your strategy as you are going through a difficult day in the life of characters that just wanted to go about their lives and instead, find themselves in the midst of battles and combat.
This is another one I can recommend to those unfamiliar with the genre, as it’s often recognized as being easier than the classics on this list and can be beaten in 10-15 hours (as opposed to 80+ of the others). With pretty handpainted art and a quirky soundtrack, DICEOMANCER could be the little cult hit you need to expand your palate.
Marvel Snap
What if you could play a card game in the Marvel Universe — and for free, too? Welcome to Marvel Snap, one you might be familiar with as it is on its way to becoming a bonafide classic, thanks to its quick matches and strategic gameplay. Build your deck of 12 cards and battle across randomly selected locations, but be careful of their unique effects. With matches lasting just a few minutes, Marvel Snap is designed to be accessible while offering enough depth to be well-suited to more strategic thinkers.
While the overall mechanics can be easy to master, as it will be all about synergies between cards and the locations, the standout feature is, as the name implies, the “snap”. This lets you double the number of currency you are betting on a match, just like the bluff in poker. This way, you can push opponents to retreat or force them to accept those high-stakes gambles. With vibrant art, fluid animations, and all of the classic heroes and villains you can desire, Marvel Snap is definitely recommended for all card game or Marvel enthusiasts.
The Zachtronics Solitaire Collection
Perhaps you saw the “solitaire collection” title and rolled your eyes… but wait before you scroll away. Zachtronics has been a unique software house working in the space between programming and games, and their solitaires follow this philosophy to a T. In this collection, you will find eight different solitaire variants, with unique puzzle minigames blended in that add a whole new layer of gameplay to the usual card games.
Also, this collection does not feature any kind of the usual help that you might find in other games, so no undo button or anything else. Either you complete the game or you will have to restart. If you are looking for something a bit different from your usual Windows solitaire or your grandma’s card games, then this collection will surprise you.
Cookard
What if you are a fan of cooking and cards? Those two don’t really go together, do they? We don’t want to get pasta sauce on our precious jokers. But Cookard presents a gameplay that, while resembling Stacklands, does its own unique thing. Each dish requires several steps and, of course, ingredients. You need to drag ingredient cards (such as egg or dough) and utensil cards, together. But you better hurry because those customers won’t wait forever.
If you do not like your strategy card games to feature a lot of conquest and battles, then this game will give you that relaxing atmosphere you might need. Think of it like an automated solitaire where you need to take care of your food-making machines. Not only is it great for newcomers to the genre, but it’s fun in short bursts and should last you a fair amount of hours. And did I mention it’s also free?