EN 
IT Coming back to write on the blog after a while is always a pleasure, especially resuming this column! Today, I want to talk about a timeless classic, one of those games that have been with us for generations: Solitaire. Specifically, I'm sharing my experience with Lovely Solitaire, an adorable iOS version inspired by Klondike Solitaire, developed by Gobo.
A Timeless Refuge of Relaxation
If there's one thing I love about classic games like Solitaire, it's their ability to offer entertainment, strategy, and relaxation all in one experience. It's the perfect type of game to disconnect, focus the mind, and step away from the bombardment of social media. The name itself, Solitaire, captures the essence of these games: an intimate moment, just between you and yourself, an opportunity to challenge and improve without external pressures. There's also a strong nostalgic element: anyone who grew up in the '90s, like me, remembers it as one of the first games to appear on computers, with the classic Windows XP graphics. Lovely Solitaire manages to bring me right back to that atmosphere, but with a modern and incredibly relaxing touch.
Aesthetics and Atmosphere: A Delight for the Eyes and Ears
That makes Lovely Solitaire truly special is its artistic direction. As an illustrator, I have an unbounded passion for aesthetics and design, especially pixel art, and this game fully satisfies my visual tastes. The color palette is soft and pastel, perfect for creating a relaxing experience. The animations are carefully crafted and satisfying: simple yet impactful, with a delightful celebration of victory that brings great joy. The audio also deserves a special mention. The music and sound effects are delicate and immersive, making the game almost a meditative experience. This is a detail that makes Lovely Solitaire a true oasis of calm.
Non-Intrusive Advertising: A Rare Balance
One of the strengths of the game is its handling of advertising. Nowadays, finding a free mobile game that doesn't bombard you with interruptions is almost impossible. Here, however, there’s just a small banner on the main screen, which doesn’t disrupt the gaming experience at all. The only full-screen ad appears after using the “Undo” button three times, which is more than acceptable. However, it’s precisely at this point that I encountered a small issue...
Small Improvements That Would Make a Difference
Overall, the game is excellent, but there’s one feature I really missed: a button to restart the match from the beginning. Currently, if you reach a stalemate (a situation where no valid moves are possible), you have two options:
- Tap “Retry,” which starts a completely new game.
- Tap “Continue” and use the “Undo” button to go back and try a different strategy.
The problem is that Undo allows you to rewind one move at a time, including the cards drawn from the deck. This means you may have to press it dozens (if not hundreds) of times to reset the game, with an ad appearing every three undos. An option to restart the entire match with a single click would make the experience much smoother. Another possible solution could be a premium version of the game, available for purchase, that removes the Undo limitations and speeds up gameplay.
As I mentioned, having a restart button would have been ideal, as well as the option to buy the game and get unlimited undos. Unfortunately, neither of these alternatives is available, so the only way to replay a match is either to start a new one from scratch or use Undo, which takes a long time and breaks concentration. To get around this, I tried playing offline, since in this mode, undos are unlimited and ad-free. However, I encountered some bugs: for example, the game doesn’t seem to sync properly when rewinding moves, causing issues with the hint button. This button, which normally provides useful suggestions when stuck, doesn’t work correctly offline and displays unrelated animations, making it unreliable. It’s not a feature I usually rely on, since I prefer figuring things out on my own, but it’s still helpful for confirming a stalemate or running out of moves.
Another issue is that the game timer doesn’t reset when using Undo. As a result, if you replay the same match multiple times, the timer keeps running instead of starting fresh, affecting the final score. Time isn’t a crucial element in a strategy-focused and relaxing solitaire game, but it does contribute to the score and ranking in Game Center. For this reason, the ability to restart a match directly—without having to undo each move manually—would have been a valuable addition.
Another thing that made me think is whether, in a "pure" Klondike Solitaire, there’s some kind of written or unwritten rule that prevents a game from ever being replayed. I wonder if, for the more purist players, the game is meant to work like this: you draw the cards, try to win, and if it works, great—if not, so be it. Or, on the contrary, if replaying the same layout could be a legitimate option, perhaps for strategic purposes—to experiment with different paths and see if a different choice would have led to victory. I don’t know, but I’d find that extremely interesting, especially since there are versions with this option, and it’s very convenient. (The problem is that, in my opinion, other apps aren’t as enjoyable as Lovely Solitaire, so the comparison doesn’t really hold up anyway! :D)
I would have loved to share these thoughts directly with the developer, but finding a way to contact Gobo has been impossible. No contact forms or email addresses, their X profile has closed DMs, and I couldn’t find any other way to reach out. I ended up leaving a review on the App Store, hoping it would be read, though I haven’t received a response (sigh).
It’s possible that the developer has a clear vision for the game and wants to keep it as it is, without changes or outside suggestions. That’s absolutely understandable—it’s his project, and maybe this is their definitive version. As for me, I’ve decided to enjoy this little gem for what it is, appreciating it in its current form. If one day the developer considers this small update, I’d be thrilled—it would make an already wonderful game truly perfect.