Solitaire, the classic card game, is one that is close to my heart. Both of my parents were really into playing the traditional Solitaire – the one that you will play, over and over, in Solitaire Cooking Tower. I can honestly say, had they lived long enough to see this game they would be horribly addicted. Me on the other hand, I wish there was more to this game.

I played this game for quite a while and only came across one mode of the classic card game. No Golf, no Spider, no Tripeaks, nothing other than the traditional Solitaire game. This can be forgiven if the rest of the game is fun.

If you have ever played casual games of any type, then you know there is a lot of grinding to get your game moving forward. The way casual games do it though is how they keep people enthralled for so long.

For the rest of us, this mechanic is recognized as grinding. The art of doing the same thing over and over for some reward. Unfortunately, in casual games, that reward is often just another level to play through. Not unlike role-playing games where we would grind for hours killing slimes and rats for a few experience points and a pittance of digital currency of whatever game.

My problem with Solitaire Cooking Tower is that the rewards come along so slowly that it is almost pointless. Maybe I am missing something though.

As you play, you earn coins that goes towards paying for bigger and better dishes to be offered by each restaurant floor in your tower. Along the way you meet more people, see more food, and generally grow your tower to the sky.

That is all fine and can be fun.

If only it was not so linear.

When you get access to a new floor there are a set number of dishes that will be on offer from that food joint. A place where they missed a grand opportunity to give the player more control is – you have no control over what order the dishes are made available to the customer.

I understand why they did this, just don’t agree with it.

If they let you start offering the big kahuna dishes, then people like me would probably complain that we must bother with the basic dish at all.

There is a bit of collecting to do here. Instead of collecting monsters to do battle like you would in Pokemon. Instead, in Solitaire Cooking Tower you are collecting table tops and card backs.

No, you are not able to unlock other game modes such as Golf or Spider. Your only choice with regards to the actual game here is do you want to have one card or three cards dealt when clicking the pile.

If you like Solitaire and food, then you may like Solitaire Cooking Tower. It is quite simple, even though the other aspects still find a way to slow down the card dealing fun.

Solitaire Cooking Tower by Sticky Hands Inc
Platform: Android (Ascend XT2 used for review) and iPhone
Genre: Cards, Solitaire
In App Purchases: Yes
Rated: E for Everyone on Google Play and 4+ on iTunes
Available now on Google Play and the iTunes App Store