The Solitaire Conspiracy review | Xbox Series S

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Everybody knows solitaire. Whether it's the card or the marble game, both of which have a similar vibe, solitaire is tactical and even therapeutic. The same is true of The Solitaire Conspiracy, a clever take on the concept drenched in international espionage and pushing the tactical element with a few changes to mix up gameplay in unusual ways.

​by James Michael Parry

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@james_parry

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Developer: Bithell Games, Ant Workshop
Publisher:  Bithell Games, Ant Workshop
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Mac
Players: 1

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In standard, card-based solitaire the deck is stacked against you from the start. Here each suit is, in fact, a tactical team under your command - cards each have special abilities with varying degrees of benevolence.

The story places you in charge of a tactical system, abbreviated as C.A.R.D.S. (see what they did there?), to grant access to the network of spy agencies across the globe. These previously belonged to the Protego spy agency, which is now in disarray following crippling attacks from a master hacker known only as Solitaire.

You awaken in captivity, forced to play the first few rounds in a game of solitaire. Soon the captor-come-adviser, Jim Ratio, endearingly portrayed by a live-action Greg Miller, starts to fill you in on what to do next - keep playing to regain control before Solitaire does. Each prompt throughout the tutorial feels like it's been written by Ratio, expertly layering the game’s flair on top of familiar mechanics to ease players in.

Depending on whether you’re going for a laid-back session or more of a challenge, it’s possible to choose a higher difficulty that introduces a move limit. These are manageable at first, but quickly become exclusively for those looking for the perfect way to organise their cards.

​Teams’ powers can be a little hit and miss; while there’s no enemy player to go up against, some factions have abilities which tend to make things harder rather than easier. This can add another layer of challenge to the gameplay, though, if you’re not careful, it can manifest as unnecessary frustration.

​As you progress through the campaign, you’re introduced to new characters and new factions to recruit over a series of games. The live-action performances have just the right level of self-awareness, while the tongue-in-cheek writing and references help with that.​

Different visual filters (unlocked by completing levels) can mix things up a bit, but there’s no getting away from some repetitiveness in the gameplay. There isn’t a wild variety of setups and arrangements, just the set number of factions and therefore cards you need to sort out.

Visually, the game is very stylised, which combines well with the music to heighten narrative drama in what is, essentially, a fairly straightforward card game. While the musical score can go a bit over-the-top at times, the character artwork definitely brings the teams to life.

​Outside of the campaign, there’s a couple of additional modes which offer slight tweaks on the standard gameplay. These don’t necessarily lend themselves to sitting back for a leisurely afternoon playing cards, though.​

In the end, immersing yourself in and uncovering The Solitaire Conspiracy is a fun way to spend a few hours. Challenging yourself to be more efficient with moves can then keep that going for a little while longer.

Pros

• Attention to detail brings the spy world of Protego to life
• Simple gameplay, with a decent skill ceiling for those seeking a challenge
• Good humour and references raise a smile

Cons

• Repetitive, despite its bells and whistles
• Could be more mission variety
• Great artwork, but brief character introductions leave you wanting more

7/10​