Developers have long been skilled at turning abandoned space stations and eerie small towns into terrifying experiences. However, it’s always intriguing when a horror game emerges from an unexpected premise. Enter Forbidden Solitaire, an upcoming release from Night Signal Entertainment. This game poses a unique question: What happens when you buy a seemingly ordinary game of Solitaire, only to discover it’s haunted?
The Steam description draws players in with a succinct, three-line pitch: “It’s 2019. You brought home a strange yet familiar 1995 CD-ROM game from the thrift store. You vaguely remember seeing ads for this game, and some kind of controversy, but you never got the chance to play it. Until now.”
It might seem challenging to envision how a solitary card game like Solitaire could invoke fear. Yet, that’s the same surprise we felt when classic poker mechanics transformed into the thrilling success of Balatro. Given that the developer had previously created Home Safety Hotline, a game blending tech support simulation with chilling narrative twists, my expectations are high. In Forbidden Solitaire, players must endure and navigate through “bloodletting solitaire gameplay.” In between rounds, there’s an option to buy upgrades from the “friendly eye that watches you from the walls.” Additionally, players will encounter various Jokers, each with distinct effects – some are helpful, while others are downright sinister.
The Steam page mentions that a typical session of Forbidden Solitaire will take about two to three hours. Although Night Signal Entertainment hasn’t specified a release date yet, I’m eagerly anticipating how they’ll handle this intriguing concept. It’s a dual period piece at heart, featuring a modern gamer in 2019 diving into a distinctively ’90s experience.
