Solitaire Christmas. Match 2 Cards is a solitaire game in which players match 2 cards of the same value to complete levels. This game is a port of an app store game (my review is based on the steam version). However contentwise with regards to the port there have been some additions to the game. The new additions to the game being, Steam achievements and trading cards. However, the only changes to the game made have been in the removal of microtransactions. Since the appstore version provides players with the option to pay real money for coins earned in the game. Which are used to skip levels or alternatively buy hints. I welcome the removal of micro transactions as you have to pay for the game on steam. Technically speaking, there are no changes between the 2 versions as far as I can find out.
While on paper the concept seems simple enough to grasp as it is a case of matching 2 cards together. However, that isn’t the way in which you complete the levels. Since this game isn’t based around matching all the cards on the table. But rather matching all the golden cards on the level, which are usually hiding behind various cards in the set layout. This does make things more complicated. Many level designs, such as those which have an odd number on their layout, in my opinion are designed against the player. In some instances it is impossible to complete these levels in the game.
This potentially is because you may run out of moves. This is an issue that is caused by the game. Since the game does give out random cards. However, in game there is shuffle ability that will assist you. This ability is meant to change the location of cards that are currently on your deck/set layout. Instead the computer chooses the cards at random. You can receive cards even if they aren’t present in your deck/layout. Consequently, this will frustrate some who play this game for a relaxing experience. As if you get the wrong cards, it isn’t uncommon to restart a level.
With regards to design of the game I feel that the game could have been more festive. The game doesn’t have any story to it whatsoever and for a Christmas game it would have been nice to have a story. Also the layouts for the cards aren’t really festive as it is mostly random shapes/piles of cards. I feel that having more festive themed layouts would have made the game better. Particularly because the game is based around Christmas it was a missed opportunity to not have most of the layouts related to Christmas.
On a visual level I will give the game praise. As the visual design is good, and the graphics are of high quality. Although one thing that I didn’t like was how there is 12 levels in the game. But each level doesn’t have its own background. This in my opinion is unfortunate as each level should have had its own background. I also like that you can also change the deck of cards to a different design as there is a small selection of different card decks to choose from. If you wanted a new look for your cards with designs ranging from traditional designs through to more cartoon style. However one thing I don’t like in this game is the music. Even though the music is joyful and festive, it quickly becomes repetitive as it only 4 songs.
Overall, I would only recommend buying this game when it is on sale on steam. Since the normal price (£12.79) is too much for this game. However, if you can get it for 50p or less it is ok for an afternoon’s entertainment particularly if you like card games/Christmas. Other than the setting for this game I don’t think it is particularly outstanding.
