The Solitaire Conspiracy

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,178 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
The Solitaire Conspiracy Game Cover
Whilst it is only solitaire, Bithell Games has managed to put a fresh take on an old classic. The Solitaire Conspiracy is addictive, and it oozes style in every game.
Starting at €3.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Epic Games Store

The Solitaire Conspiracy is a single-player card game with a thrilling spy narrative. As agent "Sam," you must solve daily solitaire challenges to uncover a secret organization, using strategy to earn power-ups and complete missions. With its unique blend of solitaire and storytelling, this game offers a fresh take on the classic card game.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,178 reviews
story260 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • The Solitaire Conspiracy offers a fresh and engaging twist on classic solitaire gameplay, incorporating unique powers for each suit that add strategic depth.
  • The game's presentation is top-notch, featuring stunning visuals, a dynamic soundtrack, and well-produced FMV cutscenes that enhance the overall experience.
  • The campaign mode, while short, provides an entertaining narrative that keeps players motivated to progress, and the additional game modes like Countdown and Skirmish offer replayability.
  • The campaign can feel too easy and lacks significant challenge, as players rarely encounter unwinnable situations, which may lead to a lack of engagement.
  • The story, while fun, is somewhat predictable and may not resonate with all players, leading to a desire to skip cutscenes.
  • Some players may find the special abilities of the face cards to be more of a hindrance than a help, making it difficult to fully utilize the game's mechanics.
  • story891 mentions

    The story in "The Solitaire Conspiracy" is a campy, espionage-themed narrative that serves as a backdrop to the solitaire gameplay, featuring FMV cutscenes and character interactions. While some players appreciate the engaging presentation and humor, many criticize the plot for being predictable, linear, and lacking depth, often feeling disconnected from the gameplay itself. Overall, the story adds a light flavor to the game, but it is not the main draw, with many players opting to skip it in favor of the solitaire mechanics.

    • “Although the game is relatively short, it offers an in-depth story, replayability, and strategic gameplay.”
    • “The story is a fairly straightforward spy adventure, featuring solid writing and some enjoyable FMV performances by notable industry personalities like Alanah Pearce and Greg Miller.”
    • “The solitaire conspiracy is a short, yet somewhat replayable, cyberpunk solitaire game, the campaign actually has an intriguing story and throughout the missions you discover a rather deep and interesting world of espionage and subterfuge going on.”
    • “The story is convoluted, yet predictable whilst also being noticeably short.”
    • “The storyline is the main reason why I bought the game - it's a super hammy over-the-top spy yarn that unfortunately does not have a very good payoff.”
    • “As a spy story, it's just a random collection of tropes forcibly smashed together in a nonsense arrangement that doesn't advance a plot so much as give you something to read between 'missions.'”
  • gameplay405 mentions

    The gameplay of this solitaire-inspired game is generally well-received, featuring unique mechanics that enhance the classic card game experience with strategic elements tied to different suits and face cards. While some players appreciate the engaging and addictive nature of the gameplay, others find it lacks depth and variety, leading to a mixed reception regarding its replayability and challenge. Overall, the combination of solid mechanics, appealing visuals, and a light narrative creates an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre, though some may feel it doesn't fully capitalize on its innovative potential.

    • “The gameplay is extremely fun and addicting, and the rogue-like countdown mode I can see becoming essential to speedrunners and high-score chasers.”
    • “Awesome, addicting solitaire gameplay with twists of special agent/face card powers, and a neat little story to boot.”
    • “The abilities of the picture cards make the gameplay really engaging, giving you multiple ways to complete a level.”
    • “Incredibly beautiful card design, but unfortunately the gameplay is absolutely boring and the story is somehow even worse, with poor acting at best.”
    • “There's no difficulty changes, game overs or twists on the gameplay - it's the same solitaire game from beginning to the end.”
    • “Some people really enjoy the gameplay, but if you are finding it tedious due to the lack of any real required skill, and minimal rewards for playing well, don't keep playing to get to the end of the story.”
  • music253 mentions

    The music in "The Solitaire Conspiracy," composed by Jon Everist, is widely praised for its intensity and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, dynamically increasing in urgency as players progress through levels. While many reviewers find the soundtrack engaging and fitting for the spy-themed gameplay, some note that it can feel generic or repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of high-quality music and striking visuals contributes significantly to the immersive experience of this unique take on solitaire.

    • “The music is suitably 'urgent', giving a feeling that you are on an important mission that could go very wrong.”
    • “I love how the music ramps up as you get closer to beating the level.”
    • “The soundtrack is doing so much work while you play missions, really giving the feeling of urgency and excitement.”
    • “The OST is the child of Jon Everist, of Shadowrun and Battletech fame, but the composition for this game feels quite generic.”
    • “The music that plays during the gameplay has espionage film vibes, but overall it is kind of forgettable, and after playing for a while you kind of forget that it is even there.”
    • “Overall, your mileage may vary when it comes to game music, and I would not be surprised if some players would just turn it off completely.”
  • graphics238 mentions

    The graphics of "The Solitaire Conspiracy" are widely praised for their stunning cyberpunk aesthetic, vibrant color schemes, and high production value, which significantly enhance the overall gaming experience. Players appreciate the sleek UI design and beautiful character artwork, although some find the character portraits to be somewhat generic. Overall, the visuals, combined with an engaging soundtrack, create an immersive atmosphere that elevates this solitaire game beyond typical expectations.

    • “The graphics are fantastic.”
    • “Visually, the game is simply gorgeous - I love the neon aesthetic, and the character art is beautifully drawn.”
    • “The real standout for me is the excellent graphical production value - it's just gorgeous to look at the whole way through.”
    • “The art style on the character portraits looks so generic and out of context that it's slightly into the uncanny valley category.”
    • “Even though this was a mostly 2D game with fairly straightforward graphics, it consumed resources on my computer like there was no tomorrow.”
    • “I really love the art style, but the video segments aren't really doing it for me.”
  • replayability70 mentions

    Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while the campaign is short and lacks significant challenge, additional modes like "campaign plus," daily challenges, and skirmishes offer some replay value. Players appreciate the strategic elements and randomization that can extend gameplay, but some feel that the overall replayability is limited and could benefit from more streamlined options. Overall, the game provides enough variety to keep players engaged, especially for those who enjoy solitaire-style mechanics.

    • “The replayability of this game is amazing.”
    • “This game is fantastic value, is eminently replayable, fits around your schedule for long or short sessions, and the card abilities keep it fresh, giving you gameplay you just won't get anywhere else.”
    • “Fantastic gameplay design, extremely replayable and engaging gameplay loop with a beautiful art style and interesting story.”
    • “Not much replay value here in my estimation.”
    • “Replayability is very low.”
    • “But this game gets boring fast and has no replay value for me.”
  • optimization42 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is seen as needing improvement, particularly for speedrunning and enhancing gameplay efficiency. While the FMV performances by notable content creators add charm and aesthetic appeal, some players feel that the static text and repetitive elements detract from the experience. The performances are generally well-received, though there are suggestions for refining the delivery in more emotional scenes.

    • “Given that the reward for playing optimally is additional experience, the de facto upshot of good performance is that you play the game less.”
    • “That would be dope for speedruns, trying to make the most optimized deck!”
    • “Made solitaire itself so much better; the performances were excellent and the music, art, and overall aesthetic of the game are fantastic!”
    • “Definitely needs to be optimized.”
    • “In my opinion, the removal of the FMVs would even make the game better, since much of the solitaire script repeats and the acting was mediocre. From Solitaire's endless blabbing (with the exaggerated performance of the character) that I couldn't wait to end, to Diamond's eyes that went left and right when he was reading the script, I just couldn't avert my eyes from it. But I also didn't want to skip just so I could give the game a fair chance.”
    • “The performances were adequate - I felt as though a little more time could have been spent smoothing out some of the rough edges of both actors, especially in more heightened emotional scenes.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of *The Solitaire Conspiracy* is highly praised for its cinematic quality, blending neon visuals and engaging storytelling to create a suspenseful cyberpunk experience. The game's music and sound effects enhance immersion, while the aesthetic elements, including FMV cut scenes and collectible card art, contribute to a unique and enjoyable ambiance. Overall, the game successfully transforms the traditional solitaire format into a thrilling and visually captivating adventure.

    • “This game might still be solitaire at its core, but 'The Solitaire Conspiracy' excels with its cinematic atmosphere.”
    • “The music and sound effects are atmospheric and pleasant, immersing the player even more in the story.”
    • “Neon-drenched visuals, an entertaining if not a bit over-the-top story, and Jon Everest's synths set a great atmosphere for a casual game of cards gone cyberpunk.”
    • “The narrative part, albeit accessory, does its duty very well, drops the player into the cyber/hacker/terrorist/spy atmosphere, and also justifies the mechanics of the solitaire itself.”
    • “It tells its story in a very exciting and amusing way, while also managing to carry over the created atmosphere of suspense into the gameplay which historically isn't necessarily associated with big thrills.”
    • “But the gameplay is smooth, the visuals are a joy to look at, and the music adds to a solid atmosphere.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of "bad hacker/IT/programmer" jokes and clever writing, which adds a comedic layer to the over-the-top spy narrative. Players found the performances, particularly by Greg Miller and the character Solitaire, to be hilarious and engaging, enhancing the overall experience. The humor effectively complements the game's storyline, making it both entertaining and immersive.

    • “The over-the-top spy story contrasts with the card game, which makes it hilarious to play in its own way.”
    • “Also, the writing made me chuckle, and it was funny to see Greg Miller in a game.”
    • “Another great game by the team led by the kind and hilarious Mike Bithell, the man with a book for any conversation.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is criticized for being tedious and lacking meaningful rewards, with gameplay described as a monotonous variation of solitaire that offers minimal skill challenges. While some players appreciate the casual nature of the game, others find it frustrating due to its repetitive sorting mechanics and unreadable cards, leading to a lack of motivation to continue.

    • “So even with that extra layer of choice, it's still just a lot of tedious sorting.”
    • “Some people really enjoy the gameplay, but if you are finding it tedious due to the lack of any real required skill, and minimal rewards for playing well, don't keep playing to get to the end of the story.”
    • “I enjoy a good solitaire game when I just want to switch off and chill without grinding for something in the FPS, RPG, etc. games I also love!”
  • character development8 mentions

    Overall, the character development in the game is appreciated for its engaging designs and interesting story, though some players express a desire for deeper plot and character exploration. The visuals and music enhance the experience, but the simplicity of the narrative leaves some wanting more complexity.

    • “A very fun, easy game with great OST, character design, and a short and simple but interesting story.”
    • “Love the character designs and story, too.”
    • “There is a nice character design that appears in the background while playing the game.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional impact of the game is mixed; while some design choices elicited strong negative feelings, moments that highlighted peaceful protest brought genuine joy. The performances were generally adequate, though there were suggestions for improvement in conveying heightened emotions. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of personal emotional responses.

    • “When I read that a mission led to protestors being able to express themselves on the streets, peacefully and safely... it genuinely made me feel good.”
    • “The performances were adequate - I felt as though a little more time could have been spent smoothing out some of the rough edges of both actors, especially in more heightened emotional scenes; however, they were both still delivering great performances.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game is praised for its stability, with users reporting no glitches or bugs, and noting that it runs smoothly and looks great.

    • “No glitches or bugs.”
    • “It looks and runs great.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy The Solitaire Conspiracy

Play time

12hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
7-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News