The Solitaire Conspiracy

Some few weeks after it was announced, the next game from Bithell Games, The Solitaire Conspiracy is here. The people who made hit gems such as Thomas Was Alone and John Wick Hex have gone and done it. They’ve made their own spin on Solitaire. Promising gorgeous espionage aesthetics, a full campaign with FMV cutscenes and additional game modes, just what was I getting myself into? Turns out, it was something magic.

The crew at Bithell Games has done it again. The Solitaire Conspiracy may not be the developer’s best-told story, but it’s one of the most enjoyable on a gameplay level. And like every Bithell Short, it never overstays its welcome. If you want to play something short and sweet, look no further.

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.

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

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