Solitaire Mystery: Stolen Power
- July 12, 2014
- JoyBits
"Solitaire Mystery: Stolen Power" is a top-rated game that combines hidden object and solitaire elements. The objective is to find the stolen, powerful deck of cards scattered around the city before evil villains do. The game features two types of solitaire and four kinds of cartomancy, with a solitaire-only mode available. Players must find each card to create a new deck and unravel the mystery behind each one to save the world.
Reviews
- Great blend of hidden object and solitaire gameplay, providing a variety of mini-games.
- Nice graphics and a pleasant soundtrack that enhances the gaming experience.
- The game offers an endless mode for additional relaxed play after completing the main story.
- Extremely short playtime, with many players completing the game in under an hour.
- Lack of challenge and difficulty, making the game feel too easy and unengaging.
- Issues with language settings and graphics, including a journal in Russian and dated visuals.
- story21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally considered weak and predictable, revolving around the theft of a magical solitaire deck, with many players noting its brevity and lack of depth. While the narrative serves as a backdrop for gameplay, it is often overshadowed by the game's mechanics and mini-games, leading to mixed feelings about its overall value. Additionally, language barriers, such as the story being presented in Russian, have left some players feeling disconnected from the plot.
“The game's plot is rather simple: a magical solitaire deck is stolen from a museum.”
“The storyline was interesting but brief; many people have complained about the music, but I found it ambient and relaxing.”
“However, finishing the story unlocks two other modes: an endless mode in which you will be able to play randomly generated levels one after another and a divination mode which features different variations of the solitaire game.”
“Weak storyline; not something I really go for in this type of game anyway. Even the solitaire games weren't particularly good or complex.”
“I can't say the same about the story though, which is pretty bland and predictable: a magical deck has been stolen from an antiquities museum and you are tasked to find all 52 cards that are now scattered through town.”
“I beat the story mode in a little less than 2 hours, which is far too short for a game that is $9.99.”
- music11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its diverse and lovely soundtrack that includes influences from various cultures, while others find it ambient and relaxing. However, there are notable criticisms regarding the soundtrack's ability to enhance the gameplay atmosphere, with some describing it as inadequate or even distracting due to repetitive sound effects. Overall, the music is a highlight for some, but a point of contention for others.
“And if easy achievements, solitaire, or hogs aren't your cup of tea, you should get this game for the music alone!”
“One of the loveliest background soundtracks I've encountered.”
“They range from a Japanese-inspired track with an Andes-influenced flute, a Moroccan world music blend track, to something that would fit right into a Harry Potter movie soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack does not do the game justice - just horrible music that adds no atmosphere to the gameplay.”
“The music is acceptable; however, there is a rather loud sparkle sound effect each time you draw a new card, which gets old really fast.”
“Many people have complained about the music, but I found it ambient and relaxing.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally described as nice, but opinions vary significantly; some users find them appealing while others criticize them as dated or buggy. The hidden object scenes are particularly noted as a weak point, lacking in quality compared to the overall visual presentation. While the cover art is praised, the in-game artwork does not meet the same standard, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's visual appeal.
“The nice graphics and the undemanding difficulty make it an enjoyable experience, albeit a very short one - it took me slightly over 1 hour to get through the whole game.”
“Nice graphics, story is okay, and the music will do.”
“Very standard hidden object scenes that are the game's weakest point as the graphics aren't exactly pristine, although overall the game is very nice looking.”
“I found some of the graphics a bit buggy, and I'd have liked to be able to resize the window.”
“Very standard hidden object scenes that are the game's weakest point, as the graphics aren't exactly pristine, although overall the game is very nice looking.”
“An acceptable solitaire game with some dated graphics, mildly annoying sound aesthetics, and very short playtime.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique blend of two solitaire variations, hidden object elements, and card divination mechanics that unlock as players progress. However, the overall experience is marred by an unattractive visual presentation and a disappointing soundtrack that fails to enhance the atmosphere.
“Solitaire and mahjong mix up the gameplay.”
“The soundtrack does not do the game justice - just horrible music that adds no atmosphere to the gameplay.”
“Didn't affect gameplay, but it looked ugly.”
“This game combines two types of solitaire along with hidden object gameplay and four types of card divination (cartomancy), which unlock as you play.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users have reported occasional graphical bugs and expressed a desire for more flexibility in window resizing, indicating some stability issues in the game's performance.
“I found some of the graphics a bit buggy, and I'd have liked to be able to resize the window.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers some replayability through its endless mode and newly added achievements, making it a more appealing option at the reduced price of $6.99, though opinions on its overall replay value remain mixed.
“Now, with its price lowered to $6.99, I’d lean towards a 'maybe,' especially considering the endless mode that offers some replayability, the newly added achievements, and the beautiful art.”
“The game has so much replayability with its various modes and challenges that I find myself coming back to it time and again.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the random elements and different strategies you can employ, making it highly replayable.”
“Now, with its price lowered to $6.99, I’d lean towards a 'maybe', considering the endless mode which offers some replayability, the newly added achievements, and the beautiful art.”
“The game lacks significant content to encourage multiple playthroughs, making it feel repetitive after the first run.”
“While there are some additional modes, they don't add enough variety to make me want to replay the game.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is significantly undermined by a disappointing soundtrack, which many users feel fails to enhance the gameplay experience and detracts from the overall immersion.
“The soundtrack does not do the game justice; it's just horrible music that adds no atmosphere to the gameplay.”
“The environments feel lifeless and fail to immerse you in the game world.”
“There is a lack of ambient sounds that would typically enhance the atmosphere, making everything feel flat.”