Everlasting Love

In the world of pc games, there is absolutely no shortage of card games. Playing cards have been around for centuries and they haven't even begun to decline in popularity. In fact, solitaire remains one of the best ways to have fun all by yourself. While trends like mahjong and sudoku will come and go, solitaire is more of an everlasting love; the one you always come back to. Spintop Games brings you Waterscape Solitaire, a beautiful and original take on the classic card game.

Match the Gold Cards

In a market that is absolutely flooded with different "takes" on solitaire (and just about any other card game that you can think of), this variation is actually fairly and adds a whole new level of fun to a game that has played out for years. Each level starts with a large arrangement of of overturned cards. These arrangements are always different, similar to a game of mahjong. The cards are stacked both next to each other and on top one another, sometimes going several layers deep. In each level there are two golden cards. The object of the entire level - your ultimate goal - is to match these two cards. If you want to know details, each gold card has a picture of a maple leaf carved in it, but the more prominent feature of the card is that it's solid gold.

If you're looking for a big score - and really, who isn't - then you'll want to match the golden cards as quickly as possible. The more normal cards left over when the game ends, the more bonus points you'll rack up. Different valued game pieces, including ones with special bonuses attached, are worth various amounts of points, with jokers being the highest at 40 points.

You have a free space at the bottom of the screen where you can store one card at a time. This is useful for getting a card out of the way while you make way for new ones to flip over. Only the cards on the top of the piles are flipped upright, just like real solitaire. Once you uncover one, you get to use it.

Bonuses

There are bonus pieces in each level, as well as jokers, which can be matched with anything. The bonuses (or power-ups, if you're more familiar with that term) include undos and shuffles. Using an undo will undo your last move, as if you couldn't figure that one out, and using a shuffle will shuffle all the cards currently visible.

Each "stage" is comprised of six levels, each taking place at a famous waterfall. The sixth level is always a bonus, where you must match cards in order, from ace to king. Doing so will net you mega points, so make sure you're at the top of your game here.

Cards Are Fun Again

A lot of PC games are merely passable, but I found myself genuinely enjoying Waterscape Solitaire. The variation in the gameplay was simple enough that it didn't take me long to catch on, yet it was enough of a change that I didn't get a "been there, done that" vibe from the game. If you're looking for something fun and relaxing, you can't go wrong here.