Faerie Solitaire Dire

Well, I think the fact that I've logged over 160 hours on a demo with only a tiny fraction of the levels or features speaks for itself. I can't wait until it's finished. Edit 2/23/2022 -- Can't help but feel like it's been abandoned. Other than a hard-to-find answer to a direct question in the community pages, there's been no communication from the developer as to whether to even hope for it to be finished. Like, ever. Not even the slightest tweak in probably a year or more. There was mention of health problems, which I totally get, but a simple "Hey, can't work on this right now," or "currently doing occupational therapy so I can type again," (which I've had to do TWICE, so not being rude -- it's a thing that happens), or just any transparency at all would be great. I love the whole series, and this one is conceptually probably my favorite, but it is definitely not worth $20 at this point. Would love even a short note from the developer giving any kind of update at all.

A solitaire game that includes strategic thinking along with the challenge of solitaire play. Very engaging and I am looking forward to the completion of the game with more games of play.

More of the same, which is never a bad thing. As usual sub soap have distilled fun and mashed it into solitaire, fantasy pokemon( when pets are available:) hybrid. Fun and simple, but never not challenging.

Having come from Faerie Solitaire Harvest, this one is a different style (wheel-up/down or golf style as opposed to matching). The soundtrack is great this time as well, and yes it's early access but I want to support the devs. In terms of gameplay, what makes it stand out is that rather than purely going for different layouts of cards, they also added in a fair number of conditions, like certain cards are "locked" and require you to clear the card with the "key" first. Some cards can only be played during combos, some CANNOT be played during combos. You don't have to clear the entire board to win, though the specific cards that do need to be cleared tend to be placed at the bottom so you won't be far from it either way. One thing I have noted is it doesn't seem to matter what suit you match, so it's not like say, Fairway Solitaire where you only get the combo from matching alternating suits. Here, the challenge is getting the combo in the first place, due to the layouts and conditional cards. The ability to place a card into a free space to access later is helpful and the wildcard charges you build up can save a hand from failure. Overall, an interesting take on the genre.

Summary: Though this game is still clearly early access (there are a number of missing features, some missing art), I'm giving it a positive review. The underlying game is a solid one, and the dev's reputation gives me confidence that the remaining features will be implemented well. Extended review: Faerie Solitaire Dire is the latest entry in Subsoap's series of solitaire games. So far, it plays like previous iterations (which is a good thing) with a few key changes. The first main change is that it's based on a different type of solitaire: some up/down variant that I wasn't familiar with before playing this game. In this version, you match the card to the next/previous card, IE a 2 can match an ace or a 3, a queen can match a jack or a king, etc. For fans who have played previous versions, this is a welcome change because it means that you can't just reuse old strategies again. Each level will also lock cards behind certain requirements (such as matching 10 other cards or matching a card from a specific suit) which forces you to plan your moves out strategically. Right now the game is a little harder than previous versions, but that's mainly because some bonus items haven't been implemented yet. The other main change is that now there is a visual novel story to go along with the campaign, but right now it's much more novel than visual due to some missing art assets. I didn't find the story that engaging yet, but that might change when more art is added. Also, for those with no interest in the story, you can toggle it off in the options. Now, some people might be a bit worried about the missing content. After all, there are plenty of early access titles that have seemed to have a good base game only to screw everything up when they implemented the remaining features. This is not something you need to worry about here. Each of the previous Faerie Solitaire games have been solid games, and the unimplemented features are very similar to features in other Subsoap games. For example, the bonus items (which in this game currently do nothing) added a sense of progression and a way to tweak the game difficulty higher or lower based on your preferences. I have no doubt that they will sill this role in Dire as well. Missing art assets might be worrying too, but the art style has been pretty consistent throughout the series, so there's no reason to suspect a sudden dip in quality. For someone who has been playing Faerie Solitaire games for a while, it has been nice to be able to peer behind the curtain and see how it all comes together, so if you are a fan of the previous games I wholeheartedly recommend an early access purchase. For newcomers I would say that you don't need to let the early access tag worry you; this is a dev with a lot of experience and a long-running series with a lot of polish. However, if you are still on the fence, then definitely pick up one of the older titles to try out the gameplay. They are fairly cheap and often on sale if you just want to try it out.

I'd say historically, wives of some "noble" men, tended to set solitaires while waiting for their husbands to come-back from casinoes at night. If this virtual simulation of carrdz adds a shady story on top, to get retribution on these filthy CARRDZ - then I am in I guess. ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ ;P PS (#ForeverAlone ;_;)

Faerie Solitaire Dire is an ambitious and more somber reinterpretation of the familiar solitaire-RPG hybrid that fans of the series have come to know, pushing the formula into darker thematic territory while layering in more demanding mechanics. Developed by Subsoap and published by Puppygames, the game builds on the core appeal of the Faerie Solitaire lineage—clearing cards in ascending or descending order—while deliberately challenging expectations of what a “relaxing” solitaire experience usually entails. Rather than offering gentle escapism, Dire positions itself as a more strategic, occasionally punishing journey that asks players to engage thoughtfully with every move. At the mechanical level, the foundation remains recognizable. Players clear cards by matching values one rank higher or lower than the active card, chaining moves to expose deeper layers of the board. Where Dire diverges is in how it complicates this loop. Environmental hazards, blocked paths, cursed cards, and other board-altering effects introduce friction that can dramatically change the flow of play. These additions mean that success is less about simply spotting obvious sequences and more about planning ahead, conserving options, and anticipating how the board might evolve several moves into the future. For series veterans, this added depth can feel refreshing; for newcomers, it can feel daunting. The game’s darker tone is immediately apparent in its presentation and narrative framing. Dire abandons the bright, whimsical fantasy aesthetic of earlier entries in favor of shadowy visuals, muted colors, and lore steeped in decay and lost spirits. The world feels threatened and unstable, with story elements suggesting a realm overwhelmed by creeping corruption. Narrative moments are delivered primarily through text and atmosphere rather than cinematic storytelling, encouraging players to absorb the setting gradually as they progress. This shift gives the game a distinct identity within the series, though it may alienate players who preferred the lighter tone of previous installments. Progression systems continue to play a key role in maintaining long-term engagement. As in other Faerie Solitaire games, players unlock and manage various upgrades, companions, and bonuses that influence how boards play out. In Dire, these systems feel more tightly interwoven with survival and risk management. Choices about which upgrades to prioritize or how aggressively to pursue certain strategies can have significant consequences, especially at higher difficulties. The sense of progression is slower and more deliberate, reinforcing the game’s overall emphasis on careful play rather than casual experimentation. Difficulty balance is one of the most polarizing aspects of the experience. Dire is unapologetically more challenging than its predecessors, and some runs can feel harsh when unlucky draws or stacked obstacles limit viable options. This difficulty can heighten the satisfaction of a successful clear, but it can also lead to frustration, particularly for players approaching the game expecting a low-stress solitaire title. The learning curve rewards persistence and familiarity with the game’s systems, making Dire best suited for players who enjoy mastering complex rule sets rather than breezing through content. Visually and technically, the game reflects its status as an evolving project. While the art direction is cohesive and thematically strong, some elements feel less polished than a fully finalized release. Backgrounds and effects can appear sparse, and the overall presentation prioritizes clarity of gameplay over visual spectacle. For many players, this restraint is acceptable given the depth of the mechanics; others may find it detracts from immersion, especially compared to the more refined look of earlier series entries. Overall, Faerie Solitaire Dire stands as a bold experiment within an established franchise. It transforms a traditionally calming genre into something more tense and strategic, blending solitaire mechanics with darker fantasy storytelling and layered gameplay systems. While its increased difficulty and somber tone may not appeal to everyone, players willing to invest time and patience will find a thoughtful, challenging experience that reimagines what solitaire can be. For fans seeking a deeper, more demanding take on card-based puzzle games, Dire offers a distinctive and memorable evolution of the Faerie Solitaire formula. Rating: 6/10

I like this version of this solitaire game, but looking at the discussions, it looks like the developer has abandoned this game and leaving it at early access development. I see nothing but empty promises from the developer. Its over 3 years since the games early access release and last update was release in December 2020. Once the developer comes keeps his word then might change my opinion. EDIT: 2025 Well it looks like the developer made some changes. Since the game is now complete as far as achievements goes, It is well worth the play.

Fun solitaire game, great art and music. A little more challenging than plain old solitaire. Would highly recommend if you need a fun time-waster.

OK, I Love card games! I REALLY LIKE THE 'FAERIE Solitaire' series by puppygames. I can play for hours. The resent update AUG 2022 has this game running about as perfect as any card game can get. I love this game although it is very addictive. Thank you guys for making this game great!