Forbidden Solitaire Review Summary

Last updated: 2026-05-02
  • Fun and enjoyable gameplay experience.
  • Unique Solitaire Gameplay with horror elements.
  • Creepy and nostalgic atmosphere throughout.
  • High-quality visuals and audio design.
  • Story is weak and predictable.
  • Game length is too short.
Forbidden Solitaire header

Emotions

Archetypes

Hardware

Windows <8GB VRAMpositive

What players like:

Common complaints:

Gameplay feedback:

Performance notes:

Recommendations:

Other player notes:

Review evidence

Why players say this

What players like

Fun and enjoyable gameplay: Many players found the game to be fun and enjoyable, with some describing it as addictive and a good value for the money.

Creepy and nostalgic atmosphere: The game's atmosphere is frequently described as creepy and nostalgic, with players appreciating the 90s aesthetic and vibes.

Positive overall impressions: Players frequently praised the game as excellent, amazing, and well-crafted, highlighting its engaging gameplay and great storytelling.

Effective horror elements: The game's horror elements were well-received, with players appreciating the mix of horror and comedy, as well as the option to toggle jumpscares.

High-quality visuals and audio: Players praised the game's visuals, art direction, and audio design, including the soundtrack and voice acting.

Common complaints

Weak and predictable story: The story was criticized for being uninteresting, predictable, and lacking depth, making it the weakest aspect of the game.

Difficulty too easy: The game was criticized for being too easy, including the final boss, which many found to be a pushover.

Short game length: Many reviews mentioned that the game is quite short, providing less content than expected for the price.

Flat and monotonous gameplay: The gameplay was described as flat, monotonous, and lacking complexity or challenge, leading to a boring experience.

Low replay value: Players noted that there isn't much replay value due to the game's linearity and lack of post-game content.

Gameplay and performance

Unique Solitaire Gameplay: The game features a unique take on solitaire with various twists, including jokers, powerups, and battle elements. This core mechanic is frequently highlighted as both simple and strategic.

Horror and Narrative Depth: The game blends horror elements with a narrative-driven experience, creating a spooky and engaging atmosphere. This includes analog horror, creepypasta, and a meta-layer story.

Dungeon Crawler Elements: The game incorporates dungeon exploration and roguelike elements, reminiscent of old-school D&D sessions. This includes linear dungeons and various obstacles.

Stealth and Combat Mechanics: The game includes stealth sections and combat matches with combo-building mechanics, adding variety to the gameplay.

Upgrade and Progression System: Players can unlock upgrades and new abilities through a currency system, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Steam Deck compatibility: The game works well on Steam Deck, as noted by multiple players. This indicates good optimization for the handheld device.

PC requirements vary: Players have mixed experiences with PC requirements. Some find the requirements decent, while others note the need for a high-end rig.

Optimization and performance: The game is reported to be properly optimized and runs smoothly for some players, with no bugs or performance issues.

Crashing issues reported: Some players have experienced crashing issues, which can significantly impact the gaming experience.

Lack of resolution options: Players have noted a lack of resolution and scaling options, which can limit customization and accessibility.

Recommendations

Highly recommended game: Many players strongly recommend the game, especially for those interested in card games, creepy themes, or fans of similar games like Inscryption or Hypnospace Outlaw.

Request for endless mode: A significant number of players have expressed a desire for an endless mode, possibly with rewards, to increase the game's replay value.

Interest in roguelite mode: Players are interested in the addition of a roguelite or roguelike mode, which could add a new dimension to the gameplay.

Appeal to specific audiences: The game is particularly recommended for fans of card games, creepy themes, old school PC games, and Solitaire enthusiasts.

Buying context

Community fair range: $10.00 - $14.00.

Game completion: 5.0h.

Story completion: 4.0h.

Session length: 2.0h.

Forbidden Solitaire is perceived as fun and addictive from the start, with engaging gameplay and an intriguing story that captivates players immediately.

Unlock drivers: addicting gameplay; engaging story; unique mechanics.

Player profiles

Nostalgic Retro Enthusiast: Casual, enjoys the nostalgic atmosphere and gameplay. Motivation: Nostalgia and retro gaming experience. Stance: buy.

Casual Gamer: Casual, enjoys short and simple gameplay sessions. Motivation: Relaxation and casual gaming experience. Stance: sale.

Challenge Seeker: Enjoys hardcore modes and complex mechanics. Motivation: Seeking challenging and deep gameplay. Stance: deep sale.

Platform notes

The game generally performs well across the provided hardware cohorts, with positive feedback on optimization and performance.

Windows <8GB VRAM: positive. The game is reported as properly optimized.

Other review notes

Request for more dungeons: Players are expressing interest in additional dungeons through DLC. This suggests a desire for more content and extended gameplay.

Braille collection note: Players have mentioned a note related to Braille collection. This could be a hint or part of a puzzle within the game.