Solitaire gets a horror version – and anyone can try it for free

Solitaire is a true icon of computer gaming and easily one of the most played titles of all time. And how could it not be? The card game has been bundled with every Windows PC since the early ’90s, making it a familiar staple for generations of users. Forbidden Solitaire feels like the grown-up, twisted version of that classic – and it is downright unsettling. 

As shown in the trailer, the typical Solitaire gameplay is supplemented by bizarre mini-games and disturbing cut-scenes. Forbidden Solitaire packs the familiar card game principle into a dark roguelike format, featuring bloody card battles, monsters, and game-changing jokers. A seemingly “friendly” eye in the wall acts as a vendor for upgrades.

Unlike classic Solitaire, Forbidden Solitaire features a narrative-driven experience. The story begins in 2019, when the player stumbles upon a mysterious CD-ROM from 1995 in a second-hand store – a supposedly banned game that was never meant to see the light of day. The objective is to uncover the truth behind it, with even the act of uninstalling the game becoming part of the experience. With a playtime of around three to four hours, Forbidden Solitaire is a game that can actually be finished, setting it apart from the endless nature of the original.

A demo of Forbidden Solitaire has been available on Steam since January 16, offering around 25 to 45 minutes of gameplay. The full release is planned for the first quarter of 2026. The game is not an official Microsoft Solitaire title, but an indie project from Grey Alien Games, developed in collaboration with Night Signal Entertainment. The studio is best known for Shadowhand Solitaire and Regency Solitaire – an RPG-style and a romance-themed card game respectively – both of which are compatible with the Steam Deck (available on Amazon for $695). Based on the pricing of those earlier titles, Forbidden Solitaire is expected to cost between $10 and $15.