Not every video game needs to be an epic adventure that breaks new ground. Sometimes, it’s nice to just have an easy and convenient way to play a classic card game or two. This is the category of game that Carte Blanche, a new release from How Seven! for the Playdate, falls into. But just how good could a collection of old card games be?

It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, but there isn’t any real story in Carte Blanche. It does, however, go the extra mile and include a premise. Blanche is a raven who loves to play card games. Not only that, but she loves to teach card games. I’m not quite sure how she plays these games, as she’s not an anthropomorphic raven, but a literal raven, and thus does not have hands, but the point is she loves them.

The collection includes five card games, Cribbage, Spite & Malice, Spades, Gin Rummy, and Cassino. Each game includes a tutorial, in which Blanche will walk you through a game, setting up scenarios so that you can  understand when and why to play certain cards. I was very thankful for this, as other than Cribbage, I had no idea how to play any of these games. By the end of each of these, I felt very comfortable playing each game, with the exception of Cassino which is very complicated. After playing a round of it, I think I get it, but am just not even close to getting the strategy down. But I’m not giving up just yet, I bet I’ll end up really enjoying it.

After playing a game, you’ll earn pennies. These can be used at Blanche’s penny ante, which is a slot machine. I’ll be completely honest, I don’t fully understand how the slot machine works. You hit either the A button or turn the Playdate’s crank to activate the slot machine, which makes cards scroll by. When you line up certain hands, you earn more pennies. Then there’s face cards that kind of show up on the edge. When you get one of each, you earn a prize. I’m sure there’s some logic to why these cards show up, but I don’t know what it is. At the end of the day though, it doesn’t really matter, it’s not like you have any kind of control in how a slot machine turns out anyway. So, I usually just turn the crank until I’m out of pennies.

Those prizes are all things that Blanche has found out and about. These are things like stamps and thumbtacks, just human junk that this bird dragged home. Each one comes with a Pikmin-esque explanation of just what the item is from the perspective of a raven. You can also visit a gallery to check out all the prizes you’ve earned whenever you want.

Carte Blanche is not a game that’s going to blow your mind, but it’s not trying to be. It is, however, an excellent collection of card games that is great to have in your pocket. Playing a round of Cribbage or Spite & Malice has quickly become part of my nightly routine and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I don’t tend to get a lot of views on posts about the Playdate, but I love the little thing and its games so much, so I just keep writing about it. If I can convince even one person to check out the platform, and then check the excellent Carte Blanche, I’d be very happy.