Info about Solitairica:

Official game description:
Solitairica takes RPG combat and challenging roguelike progression to a fresh new place - the world of solitaire!
Gather your weapons and prepare to battle the armies of Stuck. In the land of Myriodd, all of the hearts have been stolen by the horrible Emperor Stuck, and you are the latest warrior brave enough to try to return them, saving the world from total heartless destruction!
With the guidance of the great Kismet you will use the power of solitaire and the four great energies:
*   Attack spells which destroy cards in a variety of ways
*   Defense spells which give precious armor and can counter your foes
*   Agility spells used for revealing, changing and manipulating the cards
*   Willpower spells heal and channel the arcane
Each player’s journey will be a unique challenge, with a horde of ever-changing enemies and a wide variety of items and spells to explore. Battle your enemies with brute force, or cleverly constructed builds with devastating combos, and defeat the dastardly Emperor Stuck!
Could you be the one to finally save the realm?
**Key Features**
*   One of a kind turn based solitaire combat system
*   Dynamic enemies that combine hilarious and dangerous traits for endless variety
*   Heaps of items and scores of spells to combine. Millions of builds to try!
*   Challenging and dynamic roguelike progression
*   Collect wildstone each journey to unlock upgrades and new classes which change the way you play.
*   Deck upgrades include Ace, King and Queen cards which provide powerful boosts during battle.

Release date: May 31, 2016

Categories: Roguelike, Deckbuilding, Card Battles with Minion Summoning, Turn-based Combat, Solitaire, RPG, Spell-based Combat

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair / Insufficient MTX Evidence; summary: The reviews mention an in-game premium-currency economy, lives, and store manipulation, but none provides direct evidence that this game sells real-money currency, paid power, loot boxes, a battle pass, or a cash shop. One review explicitly says the pay-to-win portion was removed, and progression is described as earning premium currency through play. Other complaints concern the mobile-port origin, base price, and developer reputation, which are outside the MTX evidence threshold.
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Tier 4: The Tourist - Technical/Windowed Mode Issues; summary: The feedback centers on windowed-mode and alt-tab technical problems, such as broken sound, cursor glitches, and window resets, while also praising dual-monitor friendliness. No review evidence mentions farming, drop rates, inventory management, crafting requirements, quests, builds, secrets, or mechanics, so the complaint falls into the Tier 4 technical/bug category.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The available feedback is mostly positive for Steam Deck/Linux-adjacent play: users say the game runs well on Steam Deck and PC and is fun on Deck. There is one isolated report of occasional Steam Deck crashes, but it is described as infrequent and minor. No reviews mention Proton version switching, launch commands, driver workarounds, anti-cheat blocks, launcher failures, or other Linux-specific setup problems.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Playable with minor tinkering; summary: Steam Deck feedback is mixed but mostly playable. Users praise performance and some controls, yet some need trackpad or mouse configuration, report occasional crashes, and cite missing cloud saves that were later reportedly added. No Proton toggle, launcher barrier, anti-cheat error, or unreadable UI issue appears in the evidence.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly anchor the game at around $10 while often recommending purchase only during discounts. Some users consider $10 fair or worthwhile, but many describe it as steep and suggest waiting for a sale, with cited sale prices around $3-$5. This supports a fair base-game range from roughly $5 to $10, with $10 as the upper acceptable full-price point and lower prices reflecting the community’s strong sale-oriented sentiment.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 12.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: 36.0h
  - Reasoning: Session length is supported by the reported 30+ minute run length. Game completion is anchored by one player clearing after 12 hours, while another had not finished after 15 hours, indicating some skill variance around a single clear. The all-decks, all-bosses clear in 36 hours supports the endgame/completionist estimate. No separate story-only completion time was reported, so storyCompletion remains null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Solitairica is often called addictive, but a meaningful share of players describe an initial slog before meta-progression and additional classes make it click.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Unlocking a few new classes
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Slow start with few abilities and boring early monsters; First hours described as a total slog; Tedious, long combat animations and slow pacing; Repetitive early enemies and repeated sequences; High RNG and balance swings that can make runs feel unfair; Grindy progression
  - Unlock drivers: Unlocking a few new classes; Meta-progression upgrades and unlocking new decks/power-ups; Becoming stronger after losses through gems and persistent upgrades
  - Conditions: Tolerance for repetition and grinding; Liking solitaire or card games; Luck with RNG and early class survivability; Patience with slow combat animations; Willingness to replay after losses for meta-progression; Choosing and upgrading favorable decks or classes
- Player Archetypes:
  - Casual Solitaire Relaxer (sale)
    - Motivation: To unwind with familiar solitaire-style card play in short, low-pressure sessions.
    - Playstyle: Occasional short sessions, often on phone or tablet, avoiding hardcore strategy and permadeath.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: not competitive
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Roguelite Deckbuilding Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To build decks and optimize skill combos across repeatable roguelite runs.
    - Playstyle: Repeated runs, deck construction, min-maxing, and adapting to random card draws and enemy traits.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Magic: The Gathering
  - Grind-Weary Value Critic (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To find a deep, replayable card/roguelite experience that justifies its price and grind.
    - Playstyle: Plays multiple runs, evaluates progression and balance, and waits for discounts before committing.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Addictive Solitaire Experience (weight 0.45): Players find the solitaire core highly addictive and fun, often preferring it over traditional solitaire. The game captures the simple appeal of solitaire while adding engaging twists.
- Unique Solitaire-RPG Hybrid (weight 0.19): The combination of solitaire with RPG and roguelike elements is praised as unique and well-executed. Players enjoy the strategic depth added by character classes, skills, and enemies.
- Easy to Learn and Play (weight 0.16): The gameplay is simple to pick up, making it accessible and relaxing for casual play. Many appreciate its laid-back nature and streamlined mechanics.
- High Replayability (weight 0.11): The game offers high replay value with varied runs, keeping each playthrough fresh and engaging. This is frequently highlighted by reviewers.
- Charming Art and Graphics (weight 0.11): The art style, animations, and sound effects are praised as charming, cute, and well-crafted. The visual presentation enhances the overall experience.
- Great Time Killer (weight 0.09): Players often describe it as an addictive time-waster that is easy to lose track of time in. It's perfect for passing time.
- Solid Card Game with RPG Elements (weight 0.09): Reviewers describe it as a well-made card game with RPG-like mechanics that add depth and enjoyment. It stands out as a compelling strategic card game.
- Multiple Unique Character Classes (weight 0.09): Each playable character has a distinct playstyle and requires different strategies, adding depth and variety to the game. This encourages exploration and replayability.
- Best Solitaire Game Ever (weight 0.06): Some reviewers consider it the best solitaire game they have ever played, praising its innovative take on the classic formula.

Common complaints:
- Overwhelming RNG dependency (weight 0.46): The game is widely criticized for being dominated by randomness, to the point where skill matters little and runs are decided by luck. Players describe the RNG as unfair, punishing, and inescapable.
- Repetitive and stale gameplay (weight 0.16): Players find the game repetitive after several runs, with the same enemies and sequences repeating each time. Gameplay quickly becomes monotonous.
- Grindy progression loop (weight 0.1): Progression through decks and upgrades is painfully slow, with very little reward for the time invested. Upgrading a single deck requires excessive grinding.
- Missing cloud save support (weight 0.09): The game lacked Steam Cloud saves for a long time and was poorly implemented. Players lose progress when switching computers.
- Slow, clunky animations (weight 0.08): The gameplay feels tediously slow, and even the fast animation setting does not fix the delays. Poor animation pacing drags down the overall experience.
- Lacks strategic depth (weight 0.07): Reviewers feel the game lacks real tactical or strategic depth and deviates too far from solitaire principles. Card-counting strategy from real solitaire is absent.
- No battle background music (weight 0.07): Combat lacks background music despite menus having a nice soundtrack, making fights feel empty and austere. Reviewers often play their own music to compensate.
- Full restart on death (weight 0.06): Dying forces players to restart completely from the ladder's bottom and lose everything, which is frequently described as frustrating and punishing.
- Unfun and frustrating experience (weight 0.04): A portion of players describe the game as simply not fun and frustrating overall. The combination of RNG and grinding leaves many feeling discouraged.

Gameplay feedback:
- Solitaire core gameplay (weight 0.6): The game is fundamentally a solitaire card game, with most players identifying it as a solitaire variant such as Golf solitaire. Core mechanics involve clearing cards by playing one rank higher or lower than the current card.
- Roguelike structure with runs (weight 0.36): The game is structured around repeated runs, each consisting of 18 battles followed by a boss. Losing a run restarts from the beginning, though some meta-progression persists.
- RPG and deckbuilding elements (weight 0.22): Beyond solitaire, the game incorporates RPG-style progression, deckbuilding, and collectible card game mechanics. Players unlock and upgrade decks with distinct abilities and characteristics.
- RNG and luck-based outcomes (weight 0.2): Random card draws heavily influence gameplay, with outcomes often determined by RNG rather than player decisions. Bad draws can cause runs to fail, though skill still matters.
- Spells and items system (weight 0.2): Players acquire and cast spells using energy generated from card suits, and can buy items and spells between battles. Spells have varying costs and effects.
- Multiple unlockable decks (weight 0.18): The game features multiple decks to choose from, each with distinct characteristics and mechanics. Decks and card abilities can be unlocked and upgraded using currency.
- Card draws and multiple decks (weight 0.12): Gameplay involves random card draws from multiple decks, with limited plays per turn. Deck composition and draw planning are central to strategy.
- Turn-based card combat (weight 0.1): Combat is turn-based and solitaire-style, where cards represent enemy health and must be cleared to defeat foes. Players draw cards and chain combos to deal damage.
- Final boss per deck (weight 0.1): Each run culminates in a final boss encounter after 18 battles. The game has a defined end boss in normal mode for each deck.
- Card suits fuel magic (weight 0.09): Four card suits correspond to different energy types used to cast spells. Players must collect enough suited cards to fill power meters and activate abilities.
- Fast animation option (weight 0.05): Players can speed up animations via a settings option, improving quality of life during repeated runs.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashes and stability issues (weight 0.09): Multiple reports describe crashes to desktop, including fatal errors and occasional crashes on Steam Deck and version 1.0.3. Turn-based and relaunch-based saving usually restores progress, which mitigates the impact.
- Poor performance and hardware strain (weight 0.07): Users report low frame rates, input lag, and system-wide lag on modest hardware. The game also heats PCs more than comparable titles and consumes unexpectedly high memory for simple graphics.
- Poor PC and Deck controls (weight 0.07): Default controls are criticized, with a mobile-style tap interface unsuitable for PC and no customization options. Rebinding buttons and using the Steam Deck trackpad as a mouse reportedly improves the experience.
- Mouse cursor misalignment problems (weight 0.06): The cursor is reported to be offset by several inches, making the game unplayable, and lowering the resolution to 1280 appears to fix it. Other windowed-mode cursor issues include the cursor not leaving the window or disappearing.
- Windowed mode and exclusive control issues (weight 0.04): The game takes exclusive control even in windowed mode, locks the mouse cursor unnecessarily, and can break sound completely when tabbing out. Together these make windowed play frustrating.
- Resolution and aspect ratio problems (weight 0.03): Available resolutions are limited and the game displays in a narrow pillarboxed aspect ratio. This reduces visual quality on many displays.
- Installation and antivirus blocking (weight 0.03): Windows Defender blocked part of the game due to Epic Games/Unreal components, and a Visual Studios package failed to install on another PC. These issues prevent the game from running at all.
- Runs well on Steam Deck and PC (weight 0.02): Despite other complaints, some users report the game runs well on both Steam Deck and PC. This shows the performance issues are not universal.
- Mobile version battery and heat (weight 0.02): The smartphone version drains battery heavily and generates significant heat. This affects extended play sessions on mobile.
- Long loading times (weight 0.02): Loading times of up to three minutes are reported. This slows down session pacing noticeably.
- Occasional glitches (weight 0.02): A few users encountered minor glitches during play. These are less severe than the crash reports but still affect polish.

Recommendations:
- Ideal for solitaire enthusiasts (weight 0.31): Many reviewers recommend the game specifically for players who enjoy solitaire, often noting it's a solid pick for fans of the genre. Some caution that pure solitaire purists may not appreciate the twists.
- Wait for a discount (weight 0.23): A recurring sentiment is that the game is best purchased on sale, with many reviewers advising to wait for a discount or a cheap bundle. Some consider it not worth the full price.
- High praise and recommendations (weight 0.19): Several reviewers give strong, unconditional recommendations, calling it the best solitaire game or a must-try for fans of card games and roguelikes. Some describe it as an easy recommendation or the best purchase in a long while.
- Mixed feelings on value (weight 0.18): While some find the game worth the investment, others feel it's only worth it at a lower price or on sale. A few are outright negative about its value.
- Worth the price (weight 0.14): Several reviewers feel the game is worth its price, with some even saying it's worth full price. Others find it a great value, especially at a low price.
- Appeals to roguelike fans (weight 0.14): Reviewers frequently recommend the game to fans of roguelikes, especially those who also enjoy solitaire or card games. It's often compared to titles like Slay the Spire.
- Great for casual play (weight 0.13): Many reviewers highlight the game's suitability for casual players, noting it's a fun stress-free card game for occasional sessions or killing time. However, some warn it may be too hard-core for casual gamers.
- Not recommended for various reasons (weight 0.12): A few reviewers do not recommend the game due to it being old, clunky, or not fun, or because they expect better alternatives on Steam. Some also mention lack of cloud saves and poor deckbuilding aspects.
- Good for card game fans (weight 0.09): Reviewers recommend the game to fans of card games in general, including match-elimination games and strategy card games. It's also praised for combining solitaire with RPG elements.
- Unfair RNG and grind criticized (weight 0.09): Some negative reviews cite unfair RNG and excessive grind as major drawbacks, making the game difficult to recommend. Others mention it's only enjoyable if you are very lucky.
- Challenging and strategic (weight 0.05): Some reviewers highlight the game's challenging nature and strategic depth, recommending it to players seeking a mind-challenging experience or who enjoy puzzle and strategy games.
- Not a pure solitaire game (weight 0.03): Some reviewers note that the game is not a traditional solitaire experience and may not appeal to those seeking a pure solitaire game. It's better for those open to twists and additional elements.
- Try free version first (weight 0.03): A couple of reviewers suggest trying the free Android version before purchasing the PC version, indicating the PC version may not be the best starting point.

Other player notes:
- Mobile port with free Android version (weight 0.17): Reviewers repeatedly note the game is a mobile app ported to Steam, with a free-to-try Android version available. The Steam version is paid while the mobile version is freemium.
- Frequent comparisons to Slay the Spire (weight 0.09): Players compare the game to Slay the Spire, Monster Train, Inscryption, and Balatro, often favorably for offering similar enjoyment. Some prefer Balatro's mature vibe over this game's cutesy style.
- Comparisons to Faerie Solitaire (weight 0.08): Reviewers compare the game to Faerie Solitaire, noting shared solitaire mechanics but different directions. One calls Faerie Solitaire relaxing while this game is a difficult roguelike.
- Steam Cloud support added later (weight 0.07): Steam Cloud saves were initially missing but were eventually implemented after developer response. Some reviews still mention the lack of Steam Cloud support.
- Easy to grasp solitaire gameplay (weight 0.06): The game is described as easy to grasp like Windows Solitaire, with a fun twist on classic solitaire. It is also compared to Fairway golf solitaire.
- Updates improved the game (weight 0.05): An update improved the game's look and play, and developers regularly release patches.
- English-only localization (weight 0.05): The game lacks Chinese and Japanese localization and is entirely in English, requiring some English knowledge to understand spells and items.
- Cheap price point (weight 0.04): Multiple reviewers highlight that the game is sold cheaply, making it an affordable purchase.
- Works well on Steam Deck (weight 0.03): Reviewers report the game works well on Steam Deck, including playable status with custom controls.
- Suited for short sessions (weight 0.03): Players find the game well-suited for short free-time sessions or occasional play.
- Inspired by Puzzle Quest (weight 0.03): Reviewers note the gameplay is heavily inspired by the puzzle RPG Puzzle Quest.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.21): Players are frustrated by pervasive RNG that makes card draws, shop offerings, and enemy actions feel unfair and often unwinnable regardless of skill or strategy. This is compounded by grindy progression, slow unlock systems, permanent loss of progress on death, and technical issues like slow animations and lack of cloud saves.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.15): Players enjoy the unique blend of solitaire, deck-building, and roguelike RPG elements, finding the gameplay loop fun, addictive, and full of satisfying synergies. The variety of classes, spells, relics, and enemy encounters keeps runs fresh and engaging despite the RNG.
- Disappointment (weight 0.11): Players are disappointed by the gap between the game's promising concept and its execution, citing excessive RNG, shallow strategy, repetitive content, and slow, grindy progression. Missing features like cloud saves, cross-platform support, and proper localization further let them down.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Players feel satisfied by the sense of progression and mastery, from unlocking classes and upgrading decks to devising strategies that overcome difficult fights. Winning runs, beating bosses, and seeing their builds come together provides a strong sense of accomplishment.
- Boredom (weight 0.04): Players find the game boring due to repetitive gameplay loops, facing the same enemies in the same order, and slow, grind-heavy progression. Early runs lack variety and drag on, making the experience feel like a chore.
- Addiction (weight 0.04): The simple, addictive solitaire gameplay combined with roguelike progression creates a compelling 'one more run' loop that keeps players engaged for hours. Unlockable classes and deck upgrades provide constant motivation to play again.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Players are annoyed by the heavy grind required to unlock decks and abilities, painfully slow animations that cannot be skipped, and technical issues like cursor misalignment and crashes. The lack of cloud saves and dismissive developer responses add to the irritation.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's fresh spin on solitaire, blending it successfully with RPG systems and roguelite progression. The strategic depth, variety of classes and decks, and high replayability make it a standout title they eagerly recommend.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's polished presentation, including cute art, pleasant music, and a well-executed adaptation of solitaire into a roguelike RPG. They also value the developer's responsiveness and active patching of issues.
- Fun (weight 0.02): Players find the game fun and entertaining due to its simple, easy-to-learn gameplay that combines solitaire with RPG and roguelike elements. The variety of classes, card mechanics, and random events keeps each run enjoyable.
- Relaxation (weight 0.02): Players use the game to relax, as its low-brainpower, casual gameplay is perfect for playing while watching videos or listening to something. The soothing solitaire mechanics and restful visuals provide a stress-free experience.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the game's compelling combination of solitaire, roguelike, and RPG elements, which offers high replayability and strategic depth. The deck-building, class variety, and fair randomness create an engaging experience they deeply enjoy.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Players are excited by the game's 'one more try' pull, the thrill of clearing multiple card layers and earning streak coins, and the variety of unique abilities and boss powers. The addictive loop and continuous updates keep them coming back for more.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.02): Players are dissatisfied with the game's lack of tactical depth, where choices feel meaningless and outcomes depend heavily on random card flips rather than strategy. The clunky feel, poor Steam Deck controls, and minimal ways to manipulate cards further diminish the experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Players find the game amusing due to its playful tone, humorous enemy dialogue, and charming artwork. The whimsical take on solitaire rules and the funny personalities of enemies add to the entertainment.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Players are engaged by the game's compelling blend of solitaire and roguelike mechanics, with meaningful choices each run and a strong urge to play just one more turn. The challenge and progression keep them invested and eager to retry.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's balance, depth, and well-executed RPG elements, considering it one of the best solitaire games they've played. The unique playstyles across many characters and the thoughtful design of bosses and decks earn high praise.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised by the game's depth and difficulty, which exceed initial expectations. The tactical options and engaging gameplay make it much better than it first appears.
- Helplessness (weight 0.01): Players feel helpless when enemy chains and RNG leave them unable to respond or strategize, resulting in inevitable loss. The lack of control over run outcomes and the inability to counter enemy actions contribute to this feeling.
- Anger (weight 0): Players feel anger due to the game's tedious grind, low-level power-ups appearing too late, and the perception of mobile developers cashing in on PC gamers. Repeatedly drawing unusable cards with nothing working further fuels frustration.}