Poker mini-games have really always been a part of video games to give players a short diversion from the main plot and at the same time, give them a feel of what it is like to play poker. On PlayStation, several titles have included poker as one of the activities, which players can use to sharpen their card-playing skills while playing video games. Here are the five best PlayStation games that have poker as one of their mini-games and how they present the game.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) by Rockstar Games is really one of the most popular games that offers open-world gameplay with the setting of the declining era of the American frontier. Of the many activities that players can participate in, poker remains to be one of the most realistic and fun. The game also includes a poker mini-game that is nicely incorporated into the storyline as the player can find several tables around the map where he can challenge the AI. Poker fans in Red Dead Redemption 2 will be glad to hear that many of the tactics and the adrenaline rush that the game offers are not unlike the ones that can be experienced at the best poker sites where people can play against other people.
In RDR2, poker is not limited to being a mini-game but is an activity that can affect the main plot of the game. Some of the consequences include, the player winning or losing money and even the performance at the poker table influencing the behavior of other characters. The game has several types of poker, such as Texas Hold’em, which enhances the gameplay. Whether you are playing it in the saloon at Valentine’s or around the campfire with your gang, the poker mini-game in RDR2 is a fun way to get involved in the world and take a break from hunting bounties and gunfights.
Far Cry 3
Another example is Ubisoft’s Far Cry 3, where poker is again included as a mini-game. The game is based on a tropical island where pirates and mercenaries rule and the player is given the role of a first-person shooter in an open world. Despite the confusion and the anarchy met by players, they can relax and play poker games that are placed all across the island.
In the game Far Cry 3, poker is not just a form of entertainment, but a way of earning money which is used to buy weapons, enhancements and ammunition. The poker game provided in the app is Texas Hold’em poker and it is quite basic but not too simple as to bore the players. The poker games are situated in different safe houses and bars and this is a contrast with the rest of the game and its often aggressive vibe. Besides giving you in-game money, poker in Far Cry 3 is fun as the AI opponents are quite intelligent and you get the satisfaction of winning.
Watch Dogs
Watch Dogs, another product of Ubisoft represents an interesting view of the open-world concept with a focus on the protagonists’ ability to hack and spy. The game is based in an alternate reality Chicago and the main protagonist is Aiden Pearce a hacker who is after avenging the death of his family. While the battle is going on, it is possible to relax and play poker mini-games located in different parts of the city.
The poker mini-game in Watch Dogs is a worthy example of the game of skills and chances that is by all means similar to real poker. However, the game adds an interesting twist: Aiden has a particular set of skills that he can use during the game playing, including hacking. Aiden can tap into other players’ phones and thus get to see their cards and the tells that they display hence making it easier for Aiden to win. This integration of hacking into the poker game therefore helps to make the game more interesting than just a mere card game. The rewards for winning a poker game in Watch Dogs are great and poker can improve your financial situation in the game greatly.
The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt from CD Projekt Red is a game that is most famous for its narrative, its setting and the characters that inhabit it. Although Gwent is the most popular mini-game of the game, there is also a poker mini-game that is familiar to the fans of the series from the previous Witcher games. Poker is not as widespread in The Witcher 3 as Gwent, but the mini-game is entertaining and can be a pass-time while in-game.
In The Witcher 3 poker is not a card game, but a dice game called “Dice Poker. ” The game is quite simple and does not require many skills, but it adds some variety to the Witcher’s typical work of monster-slaying and questing. Some of the non-playable characters can be invited to play Dice Poker with the player characters, the winnings from these games can be used to buy weapons, armor and health potions among other things. Now, it may not be as strategic as the other poker mini-games, but Dice Poker does make sense given the setting of The Witcher 3’s world.
Conclusion
Mini Poker games in PlayStation games are a good mix of challenge, chance and fun and give players a chance to step away from the main plot of the game. All the games in the list below are poker variations and they are all great for anyone who wants to play poker in front of a computer or other device.