Review: The best game for Solitaire Addicts

I am a Palm Addict, and I am also a Solitaire Addict, so when I saw that Astraware was working on a Solitaire Game, I just couldn't wait to try it, knowing all the other great quality games they have churned out over the years.

There are a lot of Palm Solitaire games out there, and in my mind; they all fail at one thing or another. Some are easy to play and can be customized a lot of ways, but the graphics look like they were designed for Palm OS 2.0 (they probably were…). Some look good but you can’t customize anything. So I was hoping Astraware could be the first one to put it all together. Did they? Let’s find out.

Graphics: 9/10

To me looks are extremely important. For Palm Apps, I mean. When you see the products that come out of companies like Astraware or GX-5, you know there is no reason why we should still have blocky graphics and old menus.

On this one, Astraware Solitaire did great. The graphics quality is way out there with other games like the now defunct PDAMill Solitaire games, or Kickoo’s Patience. Just beautiful. However, Astraware's graphics are larger and more visible, so you don't have to have 20/20 vision to play. Also available is a set of cards with large symbols that is very easy to read. The animations are very smooth, and the card backs and the background are customizable, which is standard on similar games, and altogether it makes for a very nice and customizable experience.

Game Selection: 8/10

Game selection is limited compared to some others, but it is plenty for 99% of users, IMHO, including me. Who needs 700 solitaire variations in their Palm, really? Anyway, it has the usual favorites; Klondike, Freecell, Spider and even Pyramid, my personal favorite. It has other classics like Yukon or Golf, so chances are, your favorite game is in there.

Customization: 10/10

This is where this game really shines. No matter what variation of a card game you prefer, Astraware Solitaire can make it happen. Want to have foundations available? Done. Want the stock on the right instead of the left? Done. Want cards to automatically “go up”, or only go up when it makes sense? Want the game to highlight possible moves, or only useful moves, or none? Want to play with one tap or by grabbing cards? Done, Done, and Done. And there’s more.

On top of all this, you can make some of those option changes on a game per game basis, or decide to apply one setting for all games. So for example I can have one tap control on all games, but the stock on the right only for Klondike if I want to… Amazing. Of all the card games I have tried, none has gone that far in terms of customization.

Extras: 5/10

Astraware Solitaire has a few extras to go beyond regular card games, to give people a little plus. I understand the reasoning behind this, and it is a common theme in the Astraware lineup, but it wasn’t necessary in my mind; the game stands out without those. Examples? You can get bonus card fronts and backs, backgrounds, etc. It doesn’t do much for me, but it’s not a drawback, either. Some bonuses are kind of silly, like “bonus for winning a game between 12pm and 2pm”… but it’s all in good fun. I even got an award for losing my first game… Actually, it’s kind of funny to see what they will come up with at the next levels… I give it a 5 because to me bonuses don’t matter one way or another.

What’s missing:

The only thing I miss, if I really wanted to be picky, is the possibility to not let the game tell me when I have lost, i.e. when there are no more useful moves. It makes games a tad easier than what I like, because sometimes I will think I have lost, but because I don’t get that “you’ve lost” message, I know that there is at least one more move available. Playing with real cards, you wouldn't have that extra bit of help.

I might also have included a speed setting, the card animations are a little slow, but that’s a matter of taste.

Conclusion:

All in all, I think Astraware once again pulled it off nicely, and I for one really welcome this new Solitaire offering. I have never found a solitaire suite that had all the important elements I like, so I ended up carrying several Apps and switching back and forth between them. I am happy to report that I have now deleted all my other card games and this one fits all my needs. It is very fast and intuitive to play, and easy on the eyes. Definitely addictive.

I think everyone with a PDA or Smartphone should have at least one Solitaire game on it, if not for yourself, then for your wife, kids, or other friends and relatives when you go on trips or spend time with them. Somebody will use it, I guarantee it. And if you can only buy one Solitaire Game, this is it! Especially at that $10 special price; that’s a steal.