Card Shark

Koi Solitaire is the latest in a very, very long line of card-based PC games. It offers a pretty fun variation on normal solitaire. It's a variation we've seen many times before, but it's fun none the less. The theme of the game revolves around Japanese Garden, which frequently feature ponds with Koi in them.

Koi are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp that are very closely related to goldfish. They originated in China and quickly spread across Japan. In Japanese culture, Koi are considered to be very lucky.

Well, now that I've given you your animal lesson for the day, let's dive into the specifics of the game.

Not Quite Solitaire

If you're well versed in PC gaming, odds are that you've played this version of the popular card game at some point or another. It goes like this: you're given a certain number of squares, all empty except for one that already has a card in it. Additional cards go by on a conveyor; these cards can be picked up and used with simple clicks of the left mouse button. The cards can only be placed next to existing cards that are either one higher or one lower. If the card fits, it can be placed on either side or the top or bottom of the existing card. You complete the level once all of the squares are filled up.

It's a very simple concept that can be learned almost instantly, yet it can provide for hours of fun.

In certain levels, you'll find tiles with arrows on them. These tiles give you the opportunity to make "streets" which net you some pretty hefty bonus points. In order to form a street, place a row of cards and follow the arrow's instructions. If the arrow is pointing up, place a card of a higher value and if the arrow is pointing down, place a card of a lower value. It's simple.

Of course, as you progress through the game, it will get harder. However, there are special items to help you deal with that. Here they are:

• Joker Card: Ah, the ol' joker. Like any card game that features this clown, the joker is a wild card and can be placed anywhere. Once you place it, it will turn into a random card.
• Wild Card: I know, it's very confusing. This particular item does not serve the same purpose as the joker. You won't know if a card is wild until you pick it up. Once you place it in the play area, if you can, you'll get a heap of bonus points.
• Basket: When clicked, the basket object will take away a few of the surrounding cards in the conveyor. It can be very useful it he conveyor is full of cards that you can't use.

A Pleasant Package

While the gameplay is far from unique, Koi Solitaire is enough fun to last you for a while. Backed up by a decent story and pretty nice presentation, there's a lot to like here.