Solitaire Crime Stories - Play Online
You know those detective shows where you're always one clue away from solving the case? That's the vibe here, but you're clearing cards instead of chasing suspects. Solitaire Crime Stories mixes classic Tri-Peaks solitaire with a story about journalist Lana Whitt and Deputy Sheriff Bill Maite solving crimes in Springdale. Match cards, earn coins, and unravel mysteries one hand at a time. It's basically if a mobile puzzle game and a crime drama had a baby.
Key Features
- Story-Driven Solitaire: Follow Lana and Bill through multiple cases with different characters and locations in Springdale.
- Cross-Platform Ready: Runs smooth on desktop browsers, Android, and iPhone without any downloads.
- Booster System: Rockets and power-ups to blast through tough layouts when you're stuck.
- Progressive Difficulty: Starts easy for beginners but ramps up with complex card pyramids that'll test your planning skills.
How to Play Solitaire Crime Stories
The rules are simple enough for your grandma, but clearing every level without burning through your coins? That's the challenge.
Matching Cards from the Pyramid
You've got a pyramid of cards and a waste pile at the bottom. Tap any card that's one higher or one lower than your current card. Got a 6? You can grab a 5 or a 7. Clear all the cards from the board and you win. The cards are big and easy to read, so you won't be squinting at tiny numbers.
Managing Your Deck and Coins
When you're stuck, tap the draw pile to flip a new card. But here's the catch—you've got limited draws, and refilling costs coins. Same goes for the Undo button. I watched that thing jump from 100 coins to 250 after a few mistakes, which stings when you're low on cash. The game really wants you to think before you tap.
Using Boosters to Clear Tough Spots
Those rocket boosters aren't just for show. Activate one and it'll auto-clear a bunch of cards in a flashy animation. You'll need them for the later levels where the layouts get genuinely tricky. The game gives you a few freebies, but after that, you're spending coins or watching ads. Classic mobile game economics.
Who is Solitaire Crime Stories for?
Perfect for casual players who want a story with their card game. If you've got 5 minutes between meetings or you're winding down before bed, this fits the bill. It's low-stress, no timers rushing you, and the detective theme gives you something to care about beyond just clearing cards. Not for hardcore gamers looking for deep strategy—this is comfort food gaming.
The Gameplay Vibe
It's chill. The backgrounds are soft and blurred—looks like bedrooms and offices—so your eyes stay on the cards. There's no frantic music pushing you to hurry. I didn't hear anything particularly memorable audio-wise, just gentle background stuff that won't annoy you. The whole thing feels designed for short sessions on your phone while you're half-watching TV. The visuals are clean but generic; this isn't pushing any artistic boundaries. Think "polished mobile game template" rather than something unique.
Technical Check: Saves & Performance
Your progress saves automatically through your browser cache, so you can pick up where you left off. Just don't go nuclear on your browsing history or you'll lose everything. Performance-wise, this runs on basically anything. It's a Unity game but lightweight—no fancy 3D graphics to choke older phones. I didn't see any lag or stuttering, even with the booster animations going off.
Quick Verdict: Pros & Cons
A solid time-killer if you like solitaire with a narrative wrapper, but the monetization will nudge you constantly.
- ✅ Pro: No timer pressure—play at your own pace without stress.
- ✅ Pro: Story gives you a reason to keep playing beyond just card mechanics.
- ❌ Con: The escalating undo costs and limited deck refills feel designed to push you toward spending real money or watching ads.
Controls
Super responsive. I didn't have any missed taps or accidental clicks. Everything's oversized for mobile, which actually makes the desktop version feel a bit chunky, but it works.
- Desktop: Click cards to select them. Click the draw pile for new cards. Point and click on boosters.
- Mobile: Tap cards directly. All buttons are thumb-friendly and spaced out enough to avoid mis-taps.
Release Date & Developer
Developed by Rainbow Games (Andrey Mesheryakov) and released on December 17, 2024. Pretty recent addition to the browser game library.