mobilityware.com

Bringing the App Store to the Browser: MobilityWare Solitaire Review

By Martin Petroff

If you have ever played a card game on your smartphone, there is a very high chance you have interacted with MobilityWare. They are essentially mobile gaming royalty, having launched their flagship Solitaire game on the very first day the App Store opened in 2008. Recently, they brought this incredibly popular mobile experience directly to the web via MobilityWare.com.

Here is my breakdown of what happens when a giant mobile app developer tries to conquer the browser-based solitaire market.

The Good: Highly Polished and App-Like

Because this browser game was adapted from a mobile app with hundreds of millions of downloads, it brings a level of polish that many older web games lack.

• The "App" Feel: The user was absolutely right—playing on MobilityWare.com feels exactly like playing a high-end mobile app. The animations are buttery smooth, the interface is incredibly modern, and the tap-and-drag mechanics are highly responsive. It feels like a premium piece of software running directly in your browser.

• Daily Challenges & Gamification: It brings over popular features from its app counterpart, like Daily Challenges where you can earn crowns and trophies. This provides a great incentive to keep coming back day after day.

• Great Readability: The cards are clean, well-designed, and easy to read, making it comfortable for players on both desktop and mobile browsers.

The Drawbacks: Mobile Monetization on the Web

While it inherits the polish of a mobile app, it unfortunately also inherits the monetization strategies of one.

• Ads Between Games: Unlike sites that rely on side-banners, MobilityWare forces you to watch ads between your games. While it is certainly better than having an ad physically cover your game board (like we saw with Play-Solitaire.com), it completely breaks your flow. When you finish a game and just want to immediately deal a new hand, sitting through an interstitial ad can be quite frustrating.

The Verdict

MobilityWare.com offers an undeniably slick, premium experience. It successfully translates the smooth, polished feel of an industry-leading mobile app directly into your web browser. If you love Daily Challenges and a modern aesthetic, it is a fantastic choice. However, you will have to tolerate the app-style interstitial ads between your games. If you can look past those interruptions, it is a highly competent, enjoyable platform.