River Horse is distributing The Dark Crystal: The Card Game, a trick-taking game for families and fans alike, and the Zatu listing confirms its existence. The game arrives from the same studio behind the Labyrinth card game, and it marks Jim Henson’s Dark Crystal getting its own card game at last.
The price tag sits at $15, and the package holds 80 tarot-sized cards alongside a rule set that expands into an advanced version for players seeking added depth. Illustrations by Jim Henson and Brian Froud bring the cards to life, the same pair of artists responsible for the original film’s distinctive look.
The Classic That Refuses To Die
Jim Henson and Frank Oz directed The Dark Crystal, which premiered in 1982. It was a puppet adventure built from hundreds of distinct skills, showing off the art of puppetry in a manner never before displayed. Though the film failed to find success at the box office, it has since become a cult favorite, continually referenced by Henson fans over 40 years later.
The rules of the card game are easy to grasp. Every round, each player picks which cards to put into play, a choice that carries weight. Play too little strength, and the trick slips away. Play too much, and you leave your hand bare for the next round. Working with your partner and reading what they need is how you uncover the secrets of the Dark Crystal.
A Studio With A Track Record
River Horse is a card game studio, not a video game developer. The company has previously produced a tarot-style trick-taking game built around Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, which came out back in 2019. That game used the same design approach: tarot-sized cards, cherished artwork, and a cooperative trick-taking system.
The Dark Crystal version follows the same design approach, with striking visuals and a family-friendly appeal that it’s being pitched to fans and casual players alike.
The Sequels That Fell Short
The Dark Crystal has a spotty history with revivals and sequels. In 2019, Netflix greenlit Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, a full prequel series set before the original film. The series was canceled after just one season, leaving many threads hanging.
The prequel received a video game called Age of Resistance Tactics, which gave the series a bit more shelf life in the modern era. Just like the series itself, the game never got a sequel, but it’s still active now, and is sitting at “mostly positive” reviews on Steam. Publisher En Masse Entertainment didn’t pull the game from sale.
Labyrinth Got More Love
Two well-known live-action Jim Henson horror-adjacent productions exist, and Labyrinth has received far more attention than Dark Crystal. The former is due to return after a long break. Fans of the latter, however, now have this card game to hold onto.
The Dark Crystal art looks great too.
What You Get
- Price: $15
- Cards: 80 tarot-sized cards
- Artists: Jim Henson and Brian Froud
- Mechanic: Trick-taking
- Target audience: Families and fans alike
- Advanced rules: Included in the package
There is no set date for the game’s release at this point. It is being distributed by River Horse.
The Verdict
This is a small win for Dark Crystal fans. A card game at $15 with beautiful art from Jim Henson and Brian Froud is a modest ask. The trick-taking mechanic is familiar ground for River Horse, and the advanced rules offer a path for players who want more depth.
The game doesn’t replace a sequel or a revival, but it does give fans something tangible to hold onto while waiting for the next project. It’s a charming, affordable way to spend an evening with friends and family, and it honors the craft of the original film.
At the very least, it’s better than nothing.
See the video the story is built around at Screen Rant.
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