Are you looking to pass the time but want some quality time with yourself as well? Do you also want a break from technology and just want to stay home and relax? Solo board games are one of the best ways to enjoy and while away the time! From fascinating storylines, strategy planning, and solving mysteries there is so much in store for an interested solo board game player!
With so many options available, we have searched for the best solo board games you can start with! Begin with our top pick: Gloomhaven by Cephalofair Games. This board game can be played with several players but it also includes a solo mode. You play as a wandering adventurer as you vanquish monsters and clear out dungeons. It is a role-playing game that will occupy you for hours with its gripping storyline.
Quick List - Top Solo Board Games
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There are many types of solo board games that you can enjoy. Here some tips to keep in mind so that you can choose the right game for you!
From strategic board games, story-centric games, competing with oneself, or even competing with an artificial opponent, there are many types of board games you can choose from!
These games have puzzles that require strategy and logic to play, so they're ideal for players that love to think and analyze. Some are classic games with similar mechanics to chess, while others are more complex with a storyline. Puzzle games include the mystery genre where you solve a crime, escape prison, or unravel other mysteries!
RPGs, or role-playing games, focus more on storytelling. Sometimes they don't have a win-or-lose competition; instead, the player’s main goal is to see how the story will end as they play. These games include genres like fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and historical fiction. RPGs are great for players who love a strong narrative!
Some games have tools to help you keep tabs on your score as you play. Winning these games may range from how long you last or how many tokens or properties you have remaining after the game is over.
For example, in the game Parks, your goal is to get as many memories as you can during your hike. The more memories you collect, the higher your score gets. These games are addicting because you compete against yourself, so they are perfect for competitive players!
Sometimes you might want to compete with an opponent. Some solo board games let you compete with an artificial opponent called an “automa.” One of the ways it's created is through picking cards in a deck that will build an opposing character to yours.
Some also have pre-set scores that you have to beat. For example, in the board game Isle of Cats, you are competing with your “sister” to save the most cats. The sister is the automa you are competing against. This feature makes for enjoyable gameplay since you're introduced to a different kind of opponent every time you play.
Quick boardgames usually last around 20 to 30 minutes. These games don't require as much setup as those with longer gameplay. They are great for playing during breaks, and you can often play multiple rounds because of their brevity.
There are only so many times you can replay a game after you have exhausted all storylines, settings, characters, or tokens. So, some games include expansion packs that add characters, challenges, settings, and storylines.
If you plan to play a game repeatedly, expansion packs add surprises that will keep the game fresh each time you play.
When selecting a product online, it is best to check reviews to gain additional information about the game of your choice. Reading written reviews or watching video reviews will help you decide if a specific game will interest you.
Some reviews talk about the game's rules and mechanics, including how well the players understood everything. When reading or watching reviews, see if you can easily follow what the reviewers say about the instructions.
Some games may have instructions that are too complex to understand with just one reading. If you think that the instructions may too complicated for you, try watching online tutorials. This is also a good way to gauge if the game will be easy for you to follow.
Boardgame community websites, such as Board Game Geek, assist players in finding the right board game. They include reviews, complexity ratings, and gameplay time.
They also include game descriptions to give you a better idea of how the game is played. You can also find recommendations and check the community member ratings.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven | ![]() | An Unpredictable Fantasy Adventure | |
2 | Z-Man Games A Feast for Odin | ![]() | A Strategy Game in the Time of Vikings | |
3 | Portal Games Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island | ![]() | A Survival Game on a Deserted Island | |
4 | Z-Man Games Onirim | ![]() | A Timed Game of Labyrinths | |
5 | This War of Mine This War of Mine | ![]() | A Modern Warfare Survival Game | |
6 | Space Cowboys Unlock! Epic Adventures | ![]() | An Escape Room Adventure | |
7 | Space Cowboys Sherlock Holmes: The Thames and Other Cases | ![]() | A Test of Your Deduction Skills | |
8 | Fantasy Flight Games Eldritch Horror | ![]() | A Fight Against Horrors to Save the World | |
9 | Alderac Entertainment Group Tiny Towns | ![]() | A Strategy Game to Build the Most Prosperous Town | |
10 | Van Ryder Games Hostage Negotiator | ![]() | A Hostage Negotiation Situation |
In this role-playing game, you play as an adventurer exploring lands, clearing out dungeons, and fighting creatures as you strive to take control of the map. The world in this game constantly shifts, which keeps it exciting.
However, some reviewers said that this game takes a long time to set up due to the number of components. But, reviewers loved the choose-your-own-adventure element, storyline, and attention to detail. They also liked that the game offers new twists, saying they rarely play the same storyline twice.
This game has been described as being a Norse saga. You play as a tribe leader who rules over his Vikings. You discover new lands, raid territories, and acquire wealth that you can trade. You also have daily responsibilities to keep your people alive. The objective of the game is to have the most valuable possessions.
Reviewers stated that this game is large and complex, so some players may find it a little difficult to get into. Despite this, reviewers praised the instruction manual for being easy to understand. They also loved this game's strategic aspect and Nordic inspiration. They appreciated its depth and the worldbuilding, too.
In this survival game, you play as a shipwreck survivor. You have to find a way to stay alive by building shelter, finding food, and fending off wild animals. As you keep playing, developments will unfold and lead you on unexpected adventures.
Players have mentioned that it is hard to win in this game. They mentioned that the first playthrough can be challenging and they advised watching online tutorials before playing. They also commented on the complex setup of the components.
However, most players praised this game's high replayability, saying its various situations make each game unique. Reviewers also loved the adventures and said they were thoroughly entertained with the structure of the game.
In this game, you wander around inside a labyrinth. Your goal is to find eight door cards before time runs out and you get trapped inside the maze forever! The game also includes mini-expansions that keep the gameplay exciting.
Some players mentioned that the instructions are a bit difficult to follow. Others found the gameplay to be too simple, saying it relies on luck more than skill. But, players liked that it's quick to play. They also appreciated that the expansion packs are included, making the game more fun to play again.
In this game, you must survive as a civilian in a war-torn city. During the day, you build and maintain your shelter. At night, you have to guard your territory against raiders. This is a game of choices, and each decision has repercussions.
Some players mentioned that there are a lot of components to keep track of throughout the game. They also said that the mechanics take time to understand, and the instruction manual isn't easy to follow.
But, reviewers praised this game's unique approach to the aftermath of war. They mentioned that taking the time to master the instructions is worth it because of its storyline. They also loved the game's unpredictability as it offers something new every time they play.
Unlock! is a series of escape room adventures. You examine scenes, collect objects, and piece together how you can escape. This version includes three scenarios you have to escape: a horror movie, a dragon temple, and a secret organization. Unlock! also has other releases with more scenarios that you can check out.
Some reviewers disliked that you can sometimes skip clues and steps to arrive at your goal, making the game lose its fun. But, reviewers loved that there is an app that you can use alongside the game. It has a "hint" feature when you find yourself stuck and keeps track of the time you have left. Overall, they agreed that the escape scenarios are creative and fun.
In this game, you get to play detective as you solve murder mysteries around Victorian England. You have to find the murderer by connecting the dots after reading newspaper clippings, interviewing suspects, and collecting clues.
Some players mentioned that this game is reading-heavy. They also stated that the game takes longer to finish when played alone compared to playing with a team. But, most players enjoyed its unique approach and test of deduction skills. They also liked its interesting stories and immersive game design.
In this game, you play as an investigator trying to protect the world from the threat of the Ancient One who plans to wreak havoc on humanity. You travel around the world encountering horrors and defeating monsters as you go.
Some players said that it can get discouraging at times because it relies heavily on luck due to the dice rolling element of the game. They also noted that it can be very long and suggested playing it in intervals.
But, players loved this game's theme and design, saying they enjoy going around the globe to do the quests. They also loved that it's replayable as you get to encounter different villains each time you play.
This game is set in a city in the middle of a forest. The city has been barricaded against predators, and it's your job to build a successful town with the few resources available. The game ends when there is no more space on the board to keep building.
A few players said this game is slow and could use more challenges. They mentioned that when playing solo, the thrill comes when you replay the game and see if you can beat your high score.
But, many players liked that it's easy to understand and play. They also like the quick gameplay. They also liked that the game has a separately designed solo mode with tailored restrictions to keep the game interesting.
In this game, you play as a law enforcer as you try to ease tensions in a hostage situation. You will be playing with dice and cards to increase or decrease your conversation points when talking to the abductor. You win if half of the hostages survive and the enemy is either arrested or eliminated.
A common complaint among reviewers is its low level of replayability. With only three different hostage-takers, it does not allow for much variety before the game becomes repetitive.
But, reviewers agreed that the game has a unique theme and challenge. They like the strategic part of the game where you have to plan your negotiations and find the best way to save the hostages. They also appreciated the easy-to-follow instructions and the quick gameplay.
Are you looking for more engaging and fun board games? Here are other types of games that you can play with friends and family!
No. 1: Cephalofair Games|Gloomhaven
No. 2: Z-Man Games|A Feast for Odin
No. 3: Portal Games|Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
No. 4: Z-Man Games|Onirim
No. 5: This War of Mine|This War of Mine
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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