Guest Author - Lynn Little

Casual computer card games are a wonderful source of fun and entertainment. A recent PC card game find of mine is Puzzle Solitaire. This game from publisher GameHouse is simple in premise and highly addictive.

Puzzle Solitaire is an innovative game that combines the fundamentals of solitaire and a puzzle atmosphere. Each level features a board with blank slots for cards. You start off with one or two cards on the board. To place a card next to one, it must be in sequential order. For example, next to a 7 you could place a six or an eight. Cards do not have to match the order of all of the surrounding cards, just one.

There are two modes of play: Arcade and Classic. Each mode has 12 levels with each level having several stages. In arcade mode, the possible cards you can place scroll at the bottom of the screen. When they reach the right side of the screen, you can hit the return button to return one card to the deck on the left. Playing in arcade mode, you can earn return bonus cards by placing bonus cards on the field. The bonus cards have an animated, sparkling halo around them. The eye bonus cards, if placed, will show you where a card can be place on the board once it is clicked. The classic mode set up is a little different. Cards are static at the bottom and four cards at a time are shown. When none of the four cards can be placed, click draw to get the next four cards from the deck.

Some bonuses are the same for both modes. Rapid bonus earns you more points depending on how quickly you place cards into the puzzle. The meter also dwindles fast so keep up the pace if possible.

On screen will be a bonus pattern. If you can duplicate the pattern in the puzzle you will earn extra points. The pattern might be an “H” of clubs-three cards on each side with a connecting card in the middle. The combo bonus gradually increases each time one is cleared.

A suit tile is a spot in the puzzle where only a card of a certain suit can be placed. A clubs can only be placed in a clubs tile. Suit tiles are marked with the symbol of the suit that must be placed.

While Puzzle Solitaire is fun and addicting, the colors and patterns of the boards can make it hard to see all of the outlined spots for cards. I have missed several tiles by not playing close attention. Overall, Puzzle Solitaire should not disappoint puzzle and card game fans.