A Solitaire Mystery

Developer: Hempuli Oy
Release: Jul 9th 2025
Platforms:
Indie
Innovative
Addictive
Nostalgic
Confusing
Buggy
A Solitaire Mystery Poster

A Solitaire Mystery Review

A Solitaire Mystery is an inventive and extensive collection of 30 unique solitaire variants that challenge traditional gameplay with creative twists and diverse rulesets. Players praise its brain-teasing puzzles that range from approachable to diabolically difficult, making it ideal for solitaire enthusiasts and puzzle lovers alike. The game features a charming retro-inspired art style complemented by a relaxing, nostalgic soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.

The developer, known for Baba Is You, has crafted a game that rewards strategic thinking and experimentation, with an undo feature that encourages trial and error without harsh penalties. While the game is highly addictive and offers hours of engaging content, some players note occasional bugs and UI issues, such as card visibility and rule clarity. The absence of visual tutorials and save states can frustrate newcomers or those less familiar with solitaire mechanics. Nonetheless, active developer support and regular updates continue to improve the experience, making it a worthwhile purchase for fans of challenging, creative solitaire puzzles.

Highlights

Players highly praise the game's innovative and varied solitaire mechanics, offering a fresh take on classic card puzzles. The soundtrack and retro art style receive consistent acclaim for their nostalgic and relaxing qualities. The undo feature is appreciated for allowing experimentation without severe consequences. Many enjoy the wide range of difficulty levels, from simple to mind-bending challenges, providing something for both casual players and hardcore puzzle fans. The game's design encourages deep strategic thinking and replayability, making it a standout in the solitaire genre.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include confusing or insufficient instructions, which can make some solitaire variants difficult to understand, especially for newcomers. The UI sometimes obscures card symbols, leading to eye strain and frustration. Several players report bugs and crashes in specific game modes, impacting progress due to lack of save states. The absence of a traditional solitaire tutorial or visual move guides can hinder accessibility. Some find the difficulty curve too steep or inconsistent, with a few variants feeling nearly impossible without expert knowledge. Overall, quality-of-life improvements and polish are desired.

Pros

  • Innovative and diverse solitaire variants that challenge traditional gameplay.
  • Engaging puzzles that range from easy to highly challenging difficulty.
  • Relaxing and nostalgic soundtrack enhances the gaming atmosphere.
  • Retro-inspired art style is charming and visually pleasant.
  • Undo feature allows experimentation without harsh penalties.
  • Extensive content with 30 unique solitaire games to explore.
  • Active developer support with regular updates and bug fixes.

Cons

  • Instructions can be unclear or insufficient for complex variants.
  • UI sometimes cuts off card symbols, making reading difficult.
  • Bugs and crashes reported in certain game modes.
  • No save state feature causes loss of progress on crashes.
  • Lack of visual tutorials or move highlighting for beginners.
  • Difficulty curve can be steep and inconsistent across variants.
  • Some solitaire modes feel nearly impossible without expertise.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

A collection of mysterious solitaires. The solitaires included vary from fairly standard cardgames to funky reimplementations of other games in solitaire form.

Release Date Jul 9th 2025
Publisher Hempuli Oy
Developer Hempuli Oy
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (98)
93% Positive 7% Negative