The Solitaire Conspiracy

The Solitaire Conspiracy deals out excellent solitaire with a weak layer of FMV window dressing.

The Solitaire Conspiracy uses the espionage theme to modernize the Solitaire game. The addition of special skills brings strategic aspects, resulting in agile and interesting matches. In essence it is a Solitaire variation and sometimes the simplicity stands out, but different modes, such as Campaign Plus, which resembles puzzles, and the frantic Countdown, which also requires quick reflexes, help to bring diversity. In addition to the updated mechanics, it is difficult to not be involved by the atmosphere created with stylish art direction and the use of neon colors. The campaign and its scenes with video performances are very engaging; it's just a shame that the plot is quite predictable. In the end, The Solitaire Conspiracy is a remarkable and addictive experience.

The Solitaire Conspiracy almost shouldn’t work, but it’s an example of that rare bit of alchemy that manages to fuse together two things that have no business occupying the same space into a shiny, exciting new thing that’s a joy to behold. You could certainly break down the game into its distinctive components, but there is a throughline that runs through all of it that doesn’t just tie those elements together, but makes them feel like they belong in this place with one another. It’s not necessarily a revolution in gaming, but the story is cheeky and fun, and the Solitaire itself is fun enough that you’ll want to keep it installed to continue playing well after the credits roll.

It was clearly forged from a love of Solitaire, and even its failures feel like restless, riffled expressions of that love.

What do you get when you add espionage and intrigue to the ubiquitous game found in nursing homes and every Windows decide known to mankind, then drop it into a carefully crafted, existing science fiction world? You get The Solitaire Conspiracy.

After two beautiful shorts, Bithell Games returns with a new take in the solitaires world. The Solitaire Conspiracy, unfortunately, doesn't fulfil its promises: the strategic part of the card game is poor and the story is far worse than the average Bithell story. The core gameplay is ok for a three hours game, but struggles to hold the replayability for too long.

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.

Bithell Games brings another quality short experience with The Solitaire Conspiracy.

The Solitaire Conspiracy is one of this year's most surprisingly addictive games, a tense showdown amongst spies using nothing other than your own wits and a few card tricks up your sleeve to deliver a quick punch of strategy.

I applaud Bithell Games’ efforts to make a classic card game something more. There’s no denying its presentation is compelling, even if the story may feel rather unnecessary. But regardless of how you feel about the over-the-top dramatics, there’s an excellent game at the core of The Solitaire Conspiracy. Its Countdown and Skirmish modes are something that players will find themselves going back to time and again – if only for a welcome change from Freecell or Spider Solitaire.