Fate: The Carnivale Game Review

Fate is based loosely on the HBO series Carnivale. But its ties to the series are slim at best. Really, Fate is a one-player card game that pits you against a computer-controlled opponent. You play with tarot cards and, on a four-slot field, set down cards of varying strengths. At the end of each four-card round, scores are tallied and another four cards are dealt to each player. The average game takes about five minutes to complete, once you get up to speed on the game's rules via a handy tutorial. It's easy to pick up and fairly addictive.

As you win games, you'll start to earn new cards for your deck, though the computer player will keep pace, adding similar cards to her deck and generally providing a decent level of challenge throughout. Graphically, the game leans on the TV tie-in, presenting carnie life through a series of tarot card readings, a variety of tent backgrounds, and pictures of freaks.