Item: CardsAlone
Rating: 82
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

82/100

CardsAlone is a hidden gem for solitaire lovers, particularly those looking for something beyond the standard Klondike or Spider variants. It features two unique games: 'Napoleon's Grave' and 'Hexagon,' which are rarely found in other solitaire apps. The app is incredibly minimalist—no distracting sounds, no flashy animations—just pure, focused card play. It’s perfect for a quick mental break or a long session of contemplative strategy.

What truly makes CardsAlone stand out is its commitment to accessibility. It is one of the few card games that is fully compatible with VoiceOver, allowing visually impaired players to enjoy the game through gestures and speech output. This level of inclusion is rare in the gaming world and deserves high praise. With features like one-step undo and support for all modern iOS devices, it’s a polished, thoughtful, and highly inclusive solitaire experience.

Reviewed on: Fri Mar 15 2024

Dinsun Review

Solitaire is a solved genre, but CardsAlone at least tries to offer something different by including 'Napoleon’s Grave' and 'Hexagon'—two variants I haven't seen in the usual Windows clones. It’s an incredibly conservative piece of software: no music, basic graphics, and a very utilitarian interface. As a gamer who values efficiency, I don't hate the lack of bloat, but it does feel a bit barren.

The real standout feature is the VoiceOver support. While I don't personally need it, I respect the engineering effort to make a game fully accessible. That said, as a pure gaming experience for the average user, it’s a bit dry. There’s no progression, no flair, and no real hook beyond the cards themselves. It’s fine for what it is, but it’s more of a tool than a piece of entertainment.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Excellent accessibility features
Unique solitaire variants
Lightweight and fast

Absolutely no audio/music
Very dated visual interface
Lack of any tutorial for new players

Technical Report

Performance: Near-zero battery drain. Extremely efficient code.

Accessibility:

Full VoiceOver support
Braille output support

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want a highly accessible solitaire app or specific obscure card games.

Skip if: You expect animations, sound effects, or modern UI design.

Similar Games:

Microsoft Solitaire
Sage Solitaire

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative critic
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 2 hours
Status: Won several rounds of Hexagon

The Game

Available on: Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod

437437053

$0.99 4+★4.6 62 reviews

Author : Iiro Viitanen

Pubish Date : Tue May 17 2011

Last Update Date : Thu Mar 16 2023

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 2.5Thu Mar 16 2023

Ensuring support for the newest iPhones and iPads.
Small changes in the user interface to meet the latest best practices.
CardsAlone is a nice little solitaire app. It features two different games, which are usually not seen in solitaire apps: Napoleon's grave and Hexagon. This app is also totally accessible with VoiceOver.
Features
- one step undo
- no sounds
- accessible with VoiceOver
Requires iOS 15.5 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
CardsAlone is a nice little solitaire app. It features two different games, which are usually not seen in solitaire apps: Napoleon's grave and Hexagon. This app is also totally accessible with VoiceOver.
Features
- one step undo
- no sounds
- accessible with VoiceOver

Ratings & Reviews

4.6 out of 5 with 62 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

CardsAlone is a refined solitaire experience that offers two less common card games: Napoleon's Grave and Hexagon. Designed with a minimalist aesthetic, the app focuses on providing a calm and focused environment for card enthusiasts. It is notable for its exceptional accessibility features, being fully playable with VoiceOver. With support for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, CardsAlone provides a consistent and high-quality solitaire experience across all your devices.

Features

Two rare solitaire games: Napoleon's Grave and Hexagon

Full VoiceOver support for the visually impaired

Minimalist, distraction-free design

One-step undo functionality

Universal support (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV)

Tips

Playing Hexagon

In Hexagon, your goal is to clear the board by matching cards. Pay close attention to how many times you go through the main stack, as the app now tracks this for you. Use the one-step undo feature if you make a move that blocks your progress later in the game.

Gameplays

Accessibility Features

Visually impaired players can use standard VoiceOver gestures to navigate the cards. The 'two-finger scrub' gesture is also supported, making it easy to interact with the interface and manage the game board through speech feedback.