Top 30 Best Solo Board Games

Although most board games are designed for multiple players, there are times when a person simply wants to be alone and play a game by themselves. In that case, it is important that the game is intriguing enough to hold the person's attention for multiple sessions. To that end, here is a list of the top 20 best solo board games

Top Solo Board Games by Editors in 2023

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• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven Multi-Award-Winning Strategy Boxed Board Game for ages 12 &...
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• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Stonemaier Games Scythe Board Game - An Engine-Building, Area Control for 1-5 Players,...
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• Bestseller No. 3
  
  Indie Boards and Cards Terraforming Mars Board Game, Multicolor (6005SG)
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• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Arkham Horror The Card Game | Horror Game | Mystery Game | Cooperative Card Games for...
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• Bestseller No. 5
  
  Tiny Epic Galaxies
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• Bestseller No. 6
  
  Onirim
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• Bestseller No. 7
  
  WizKids Mage Knight Board Game: Ultimate Edition
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• Bestseller No. 8
  
  A Feast For Odin Board Game | Viking Game | Strategy Game | Fun Family Board Game for...
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• Bestseller No. 9
  
  Wingspan Board Game - A Bird-Collection, Engine-Building Stonemaier Game for 1-5 Players,...
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• Bestseller No. 10
  
  Stonemaier Games Viticulture Essential Edition Board Game
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• Bestseller No. 11
  
  Greater Than Games Spirit Island Core Board Game
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• Bestseller No. 12
  
  Gaia Project
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• Bestseller No. 13
  
  Portal Games Robinson Crusoe Adventures on the Cursed Island Board Game
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• Bestseller No. 14
  
  Ares Games This War of Mine: The Board Game
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Top 30 Best Solo Board Games

1. Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion Strategy Boxed Board Game - Link

Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion is a smaller yet enthralling single-player version of the mega-hit Gloomhaven designed by Cephalofair Games.

Players can either play the Jaws of The Lion as an expansion of their Gloomhaven adventure or as a standalone game. This means you don't need prior knowledge of the Gloomhaven universe.

This standalone version introduces four new characters into the game as well as a couple of new monsters. There is also a 25-scene campaign the players have to play through.

The game captures all the best things about the original game while remaining unique.

GAMEPLAY

You play as one of the new character classes embarking on an adventure in the Gloomhaven universe. Players will have to delve into dungeons crawling with different types of mutant monsters and bandits while drawing from a deck of cards to initiate combat.

To survive better, players have to choose and combine different abilities to get the best results out of their character stats. As you play, you will also get the chance to upgrade your character as well as acquire optional abilities.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

There are two reasons why you should play this game.

As an old-timer or fan of the original game, playing the Jaws of the Lion is a great way to further experience the universe.

For people who have no prior knowledge of the Gloomhaven universe, this game offers a streamlined approach to playing the game. This is even more so due to its fewer tokens and shorter scenarios tailored for a single-player experience. The game is also widely regarded in the solo board gaming community as one of the best!

2. Stonemaier Games Scythe Board Game - Link

The Scythe Board Game by Stonemaier Games is available in two versions: A Baseboard style and a Modular Board style.

It is a wargame that is playable by 1 to 5 players at a time.

GAMEPLAY

The game throws players right into the events that occurred during the unrest and great war of the 1920s. You are tasked with leading your faction in a war against other factions while exploring "The Factory", a capitalistic city-state that owns armored mechs and troops. While exploring, you will also have to protect your faction against other factions while building mechs and mining resources from the land.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

With a playtime of 90 to 120 minutes, the Scythe Board Game gives you the chance to experience an alternate version of the events of the unrest in 1920 Europa. The game features brisk pacing and a streamlined turn selection mechanism.

3. WizKids Mage Knight Board Game: Ultimate Edition - Link

Mage Knight Board Game: Ultimate Edition is a deck-building game and one of the popular names you will see on any review of the best solo board games.

The game combines all the elements and themes fantasy RPG lovers look for in any game. Many fans of the RPG board game genre even compare it to Gloomhaven.

This is the ultimate edition of the original game. It contains the story arc from the base game as well as the story from other editions of the game. It comes with a detailed rules book since it is a combination of all the storylines in the Mage Knight Universe.

GAMEPLAY

In the game, you will have to build a deck of action cards then equip the most effective ones with which you will explore different caves filled with hostile foes and monsters.

Players would have to push their limits by sorting out the best card combinations to complete each quest.

The game is playable by one to four (1 - 4) players.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

One of the things fans of the title often praise is the impressive and immersive combat mechanics present in the game. Combined with the insane number of deep rigid rules, there is so much action going on while playing the game.

4. Indie Boards and Cards Terraforming Mars Board Game (6005SG) - Link

Playable by one to five players, Terraforming Mars offers one of the most immersive single-player gaming experiences. Although, this does not take anything from the multiplayer experience which is also great.

GAMEPLAY

You start in the game on a dusty wasteland. You (and other players) are expected to grow food and craft other important tools using resources harvested from the wasteland. Players would also have to earn money and ensure they have enough oxygen so they don't die.

The game has loads of content and game dynamics to further enrich the expansion and experience.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

With over 200 different missions to complete, Terraforming Mars offers you a chance to make mars a habitable new world! While this game might not be completely fun to play for adults, kids would have a ton of fun playing the game. Fans of the sci-fi and adventure genre would love this game. The recommended age range of players that can play the game is 12 and up.

5. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - Link

There's hardly anyone who hasn't heard of Sherlock Holmes and for good reason. The character is one of the best consulting genius detectives ever written, at least that's what fans of the character would want you to believe.

As a result of the popularity of the character, there have been so many movies, TV shows adapted from some of the original Sherlock Holmes books. There have also been games; both video games and board games set in the Sherlock Holmes Universe.

This Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Mystery board game by Space Cowboys is a standalone entry in the Sherlock Holmes board game series. You don't need to have prior experience playing other Sherlock Holmes board games to play this one.

GAMEPLAY

As with most cooperative Sherlock Holmes mystery board games, you have to solve mysterious cases by interviewing suspects and searching different scenes for clues. Using the clues, you then conclude to arrest the culprit.

In this standalone edition, there are ten (10) different cases to solve. It includes 6 classic cases, though reworked, that fans of the character might be familiar with. The remaining four cases are a linked continuation of each other in which players have to work together to stop the notorious Jack the Ripper from committing certain murders.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is a must-buy for fans of the character. For people who haven't played a Sherlock Holmes board game before, you can expect a thrilling detective board game that you can enjoy alone or with up to 8 different players.

The recommended age is 12 and up.

The game has an average playtime of 1 hour, 30 minutes (90 minutes).

6. PORTAL GAMES Detective - Link

Named simply as Detective, this game by PORTAL GAMES is an exciting game for anyone who loves mystery and detective board games. It is a fully cooperative game that allows up to 5 players a chance to play at once.

NOTE: The recommended age range for this game is 16 and above.

GAMEPLAY

The objective of the game is as simple as its name; players have to carry out complete detective investigations and solve crime cases using clues collected from the game's database as well as in the scenarios they played through.

There are 5 crime cases in the game all of which are interconnected into one big amazing story.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

Detective by PORTAL GAMES offers a new look into mystery board games and how they should be played. It is not particularly suitable for young kids under the age of 15. It offers tons of mystery board game experience since it has over 120 minutes of playing time.

7. Arkham Horror The Card Game by FANTASY FLIGHT GAMES - Link

With many claiming this is the better version of the Arkham Horror Board game, this card game blurs the lines between traditional role-playing board games and mystery card games. It brings all the madness associated with the Lovecraftian stories and more!

GAMEPLAY

Players (known as investigators in the game) have to journey through the world, working together to solve arcane mysteries and conspiracies throughout the whole campaign. The goal of the investigators is simple, prevent the Ancient Ones from gaining entry into our world. Players would have to combine the strengths and weaknesses of their characters determined by the cards they choose to battle monsters, cultists, and strange creatures that might try to stop them on their campaign.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is one for fans of scary mystery games. The game is designed to be played as a solo as well as with up to 4 players. Suitable for kids age 14 and above. The average playing time of the game is 2 hours.

8. The Isle of Cats - Link

Who doesn't love cats right?

Well in this board game, players are thrown into a small tropical island where strangely an incredible number of domestic cats have made their home.

GAMEPLAY

In the game, players will be tasked with protecting the felines from an evil lord who intends to capture them for his shady reasons. It is a rescue game where you have to save every cat that pops up on your radar. To play the game, players would have to work through different tile puzzles, manage their resources, and carry out multiple card-drafting. Each selected card influences the type of cat you can rescue which invariably determines your point score; especially when playing with other people.

Although The Isle of Cats is a cooperative game, it also offers a solo board game experience by allowing a single player to play through a pre-arranged setup against a simulated opposing player. There is no way to select a difficulty mode but you can alter the events of the game by making different decisions every time you play.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

The Isle of Cats is a family game that can be played by kids from the age of 8 and above. It is also about rescuing cats which makes it all the more fascinating. The game is an officially licensed game of the movie with which it shares its's name.

Up to four players can play the game at a time. It has a playtime of about 90 minutes.

9. Eldritch Horror Board Game - Link

Eldritch Horror Board Game is a strategy mystery game recommended for players aged 14 and above. The game is playable by 1 to 8 players and has one of the longest playing times - up to 4 hours.

GAMEPLAY

This thrilling horror and adventure game pits players against an ancient evil and foul monsters walking the land. You have to devise strategies to defeat these monsters while traveling around the world as a solo or with colleagues (other players).

The objective of the game is simple, defeat as many nightmarish creatures as they can to prevent the "Ancient one" from awakening. Failure is not an option!

Players would also be able to acquire powerful skills and weapons as they travel the world. There are four different Ancient Ones to defeat/ prevent from awakening, hundreds of different possible encounters that depend on the player's choices in the game.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

Eldritch Horror by Fantasy Flight Games is a fiction mystery horror game inspired by the popular Arkham Horror Board game. It offers a refreshing, scary experience and we highly recommend playing this at your game nights.

10. The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game - Link

The Lord of the Rings is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the biggest adventure fantasy novels ever written.

The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is an adventure game based on novels of the same name written by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is playable by 1 to 4 players with a recommended age range of 14 and up.

GAMEPLAY

Players take control of some of the popular heroes alongside the artifacts they possess. You have to gather allies, find and claim artifacts found on your quests through Middle Earth. You and your allies would have to battle dangerous fiends along the way while working together to overcome any obstacle.

All the action that takes place in the action is decided by drawing cards from the different decks made available. There are 226 cards at the start of the game and each belongs to a specific deck. There are three dangerous, albeit exciting, quests to play through.

As in the movie, you will have to form a fellowship of 12 hero cars which you can control alone or assign other people to play depending on how many players are available to play.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

The game is a card adaptation of the title and a must-play for all fans of the novels or the movies. The game also has a ton of replay value due to the countless card combinations and settings players can choose before starting the game.

11. Gloomhaven - Best Solo Board Game - Link

Players: 1-4 | Game Time: 60-120 minutes | Complexity: Medium Heavy | Age: 12+ | Year: 2017

Top on our list of best solo board games is Gloomhaven! Peppered with forgotten ruins and menacing dungeons, Gloomhaven is a medieval town located in a dark corner of the world. In order to negotiate area obstacles, players take on a mercenary role, which allows them to participate in multiples quests. At the end of each quest, players choose what comes next, and the story progresses much like a sandbox video game. Gloomhaven can be played in solo mode, or multiple players can work together to overcome obstacles, enhancing their skills in the process.

Gloomhaven is ideal for playing in solo mode because of its progressive nature. It is similar to a book wherein the reader chooses their own adventure. An innovative card system is used to determine what a player must do as they fight against automated monsters. This solo board game is designed for one to four players 12 years old and older. Sessions typically last from one to two hours.

12. Terraforming Mars - Link

Players: 1-5 | Game Time: 120 minutes | Complexity: Medium Heavy | Age: 12+ | Year: 2019

Coming in a close second on the list of best solo board games is Terraforming Mars. It takes place in the 25th century where giant corporations bid for an opportunity to terraform Mars (who would have guessed?). As a representative of one of those corporations, players are tasked with the responsibility of building cities by harvesting resources and establishing infrastructures. Players are able to gain victory points in a multitude of ways as there are more than 200 projects to complete.

In addition to contributing to the terraforming process, points are also awarded for such commendable achievements as advancing human infrastructure throughout the solar systems. The game uses cards to help terraform the drab surface of Mars into a lush greenscape. Terraforming Mars is designed for one to five players 12 years old and older. It can also be played in solo fashion. Sessions typically last from two to three hours.

13. Scythe - Link

Players: 1-5 | Game Time: 75-150 minutes | Complexity: Medium | Age: 12+ | Year: 2018

In the aftermath of a devastating war funded by The Factory, a capitalistic city-state, players sift through rusted gears and broken hearts to collect resources, recruit militia, conquer new territories and build structures. The time period is the 1920s. Each player represents a fallen leader who is trying to regain honor and restore the power of the faction they lead. In addition to choices made by players, hidden objective cards and encounter cards combine with luck to provide temporary combat boosts.

The solo board game can be played by up to five players 14 years old and older. However, its "Automa" feature allows it to be played in solo fashion. Players get to choose the difficulty level they want to deal with. No players are eliminated, and no units are destroyed. The maximum playing time is 115 minutes. The game board is slightly larger than 24 inches by 32 inches.

14. Viticulture - Link

Players: 1-6 | Game Time: 45-90 minutes | Complexity: Medium | Age: 13+ | Year: 2015

Anyone who has ever dreamed of owning their own winery in Tuscany will delight in one of the best solo board games. Players grow grapes, make and sell wines, build structures and give tours. All of the action takes place on an inherited vineyard consisting of a few meager plots of land, a tiny cellar and an old crush pad. Players are tasked with the responsibility of delegating work to helpers and visitors in a competitive fashion with the goal of transforming the inherited property into the most successful winery in Tuscany.

Although the game is designed for one to six players, it can be played in solo mode where the sole player is pitted against another worker who is represented by a card deck known as an "automa." In some respects, Viticulture is a time management game. Average playing time is about 45 to 90 minutes. The game includes 24 automa cards, 18 field cards and 36 mama and papa cards. It is designed for players 13 years old and older.

15. Arkham Horror: The Card Game - Link

Players: 1-2 | Game Time: 60-120 minutes | Complexity: Medium Heavy | Age: 14+ | Year: 2016

Arkham Horror: The Card Game blurs the line between role play and traditional card playing. Players take on the roles of investigators who gather clues and attempt to solve mysteries to defeat evil in Arkham. Each investigator has specific strengths and weaknesses, which are reflected in encounter cards. As players complete tasks, they gain experience points that can be used to upgrade their deck. As the game progresses, players must deal with haunted houses, strange creatures and cultists.

The game is designed for up to two players 14 years old and older and can be played in solo mode. Each session takes about 90 minutes. The game is played in more of a campaign mode than an adventure mode. Players' choices and actions have far-reaching consequences and allow the players to gain valuable experience that better prepares them for what lies ahead.

16. Mage Knight - Link

Players: 1-5 | Game Time: 150 minutes | Complexity: Heavy | Age: 14+ | Year: 2018

Created by Vlaada Chvatil, a renowned designer, Mage Knight combines intrigue, character development and sword fighting into a unique gaming experience that allows from one to four players to cooperate or compete against each other. As Mage Knights, players are thrown into the Atlantean Empire, a sprawling, ever-changing land where players build armies and battle against marauding enemies in hopes of conquering cities on behalf of the mysterious Void Council.

Knights must learn to cast powerful spells and acquire new abilities along the way as they battle fierce monsters. They also must make decisions that could result in victory or tragedy. Mage Knight was one of the first games to combine a roleplaying game, a card game and a board game into what is now known as a collectible miniatures game.

The game is designed for players 13 years old and older. It features a collection of cards, intricately painted miniatures, tokens, map tiles, mana crystals, mana dice, game mats and rulebooks. Most sessions take two hours or more to complete. Mage Knight is ideal as one of the best solo board games, and rules for solo play are included.

17. Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island - Link

Players: 1-4 | Game Time: 60-120 minutes | Complexity: Medium Heavy | Age: 14+ | Year: 2019

Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island requires shipwrecked crew members to survive on a deserted island. Confronted by massive challenges, players must find food and shelter, fight off wild beasts and shield themselves from violent storms. As they adapt to new surroundings, they must figure out how to build walls around dwellings, tame wild animals and fabricate tools from salvaged materials. In other words, they must do whatever it takes to survive.

Along the way, players make decisions that can take the game in a number of different directions. Event cards, object cards and structure cards determine whether players find a pirate treasure or uncover such things as a cursed temple at the bottom of a volcano. However, the game is not all luck-it has to be played strategically, and every decision has long-term consequences.

The game offers six different scenarios and is designed for one to four players who each take on the role of a character from the ship's crew. This could be a cook, explorer, carpenter or soldier. Players can work together or in solo mode to develop an action plan and put it into motion. This allows them to search for treasure and uncover island secrets. The game is designed for players 14 years old and older. Typical playing times range from one to two hours.

18. The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game - Link

Players: 1-2 | Game Time: 30-60 minutes | Complexity: Medium | Age: 13+ | Year: 2011

This is a great card game for anyone who likes to fight monsters and solve quests. It also is favored by individuals who are able to think strategically and enjoy a real challenge. This is because players must make tough decisions in order to complete missions and finish scenarios with the group of characters and heroes they lead.

The game is designed for one or two players 13 years old and older. Average playing time ranges from 30 to 90 minutes. Expansions can be purchased that add different characters and adventures. Some people believe this is one of the best solo board games a person can get their hands on because of the number of different decks that can be built in order to find the best combination of characters and cards.

19. This War of Mine - Link

Players: 1-6 | Game Time: 45-120 minutes | Complexity: Medium Heavy | Age: 18+ | Year: 2018

This War of Mine is all about survival. Based on events related to the Bosnian war, the main action takes place in a war-torn city where people live instead of at the front lines. Civilians are suffering, and it is up to players to lead them to safety. In doing so, they must build shelters and find food. During the day, they must constantly be on the lookout for snipers and maintain their hideout. At night, they have to go scavenging through war-torn areas, looking for items they can use to help them stay alive.

As the game progresses, it continues to get more challenging, and players are forced to make many difficult decisions in order to survive, such as whether to protect everyone or sacrifice some so that others stand a better chance of surviving longer. While the game can be played by as many as six participants, it is best played in solo mode, hence on the list of best solo board games! Each session takes about 45 to 120 minutes. The game is recommended for ages 18 and over.

20. Imperial Settlers - Link

Players: 1-4 | Game Time: 45-90 minutes | Complexity: Medium | Age: 10+ | Year: 2014

Imperial Settlers is a card game wherein players build empires. In order to do that, they are tasked with building structures and gathering resources from mines and fields. To protect the land, they also must build barracks and train soldiers. Players can choose to lead any of the four factions that have moved to this location in order to expand their boundaries. This includes Romans, Egyptians, Barbarians and Japanese.

During the five rounds of the game, players perform various actions to score victory points as they explore new lands, trade resources, build buildings and conquer enemies. The game is designed for one to four players ages 10 and over. Playing time is approximately 45 to 90 minutes. If the game begins to get stale, expansions can be purchased that add replay value.

21. Burgle Bros.

Players: 1-4 | Game Time: 45-90 minutes | Complexity: Medium Light | Age: 12+ | Year: 2015

The object of the Burgle Bros. solo board game is to pull off a seemingly impossible heist that consists of emptying the contents of three safes located on different skyscraper floors. This requires a coordinated effort to assemble a crew and conjure up a foolproof escape plan that will allow players to avoid alarms, laser traps and armed guards. Additionally, players must be able to escape via the roof even though it is protected by vaults and fingerprint scanners.

To overcome obstacles, certain characters within the game are able to perform extraordinary tasks, such as hacking and acrobatics. The game is designed for one to four players eight years old and older. In solo mode, the player gets to perform multiple roles. Sessions are approximately 45 to 90 minutes long. The game includes 124 premium square cards, 48 cardboard tiles, nine character meeples, three guard meeples, nine translucent dice, 73 tokens and 24 wooden walls.

22. Tiny Epic Galaxies - Link

Players: 1-5 | Game Time: 30-45 minutes | Complexity: Medium | Age: 14+ | Year: 2017

Tiny Epic Galaxies was awarded Solo Game of the Year in 2015 by BoardGameGeek, so obviously we had to include it on our list of best solo board games! As one of the best small-box board game collections, it provides an epic game experience in less than 60 minutes. In this space exploration game, players are faced with the task of acquiring planets, increasing their influence and managing resources. Players must hone their strategic and cognitive skills when pitted against a galaxy of rogue players.

The game is designed for one to five players 14 years old and older. It is easy to learn and is popular with players of all ages from kids to adults. Its components feature a beautiful graphic design, and its compact package makes the game easy to carry. Players roll dice wherein the number that can be rolled is dependent on the strength of their galaxy. Average playing time is around 20 minutes.

23. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper and West End Adventures

Players: 1-8 | Game Time: 60-120 minutes | Complexity: Medium Light | Age: 10+ | Year: 2017

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper and West End Adventures is great for anyone who loves to solve puzzles and mysteries. Players get to assume the identity of Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective of all time! In that role, they are forced to use their ingenuity, pay attention to details and sharpen their sleuthing skills. The game is designed for one to eight players 12 years old and older and can be played in solo mode. Each session takes about 90 minutes.

To keep things interesting, there are 10 intriguing, original cases to solve. Six of those cases are stand-alone adventures while four of them are linked with a campaign to stop Jack the Ripper. Players get drawn into the old-world flavor of Victorian London through the use of newspapers and maps that Holmes must sift through in order to solve each mystery.

24. Friday - Link

Players: 1 | Game Time: 25 minutes | Complexity: Medium Light | Age: 13+ | Year: 2011

The board game Friday is designed to be played only in solo mode. It is a unique and fun deck-building game that takes about 30 minutes per session. Players assume the role of Friday, Robinson Crusoe's trusted right hand, who goes on to fight pirates and help Crusoe survive as Crusoe ages and becomes clumsy. Crusoe is represented by a stack of cards with different behaviors. Friday must improve the card stack in order for Crusoe to have a chance at defeating the pirates.

The game is designed for players 13 years old and older. Although it involves some luck, players must work in a strategic fashion to improve Friday's skills. The game is addictive, and players typically find themselves replaying the game in an attempt to beat their own score.

25. Onirim - Link

Players: 1-2 | Game Time: 15 minutes | Complexity: Medium Light | Age: 10+ | Year: 2014

The main goal of Onirim is to escape a mysterious labyrinth by opening the right doors. Players attempt this by taking advantage of cards with matching symbols and colors. However, the game requires a combination of deduction skills and luck to get the correct doors open before the cards run out. Otherwise, a player may find themselves aimlessly wandering from room to room, forced to deal with the haunting nightmares that come to life in the labyrinth.

Onirim is ideal for players with short attention spans as sessions typically last only about 15 minutes. Despite short sessions, though, the abstract game delivers plenty of tension. Onirim is designed for one or two players 14 years old and older. The newest version includes seven mini-expansions and one appendix as an added bonus.

26. One Deck Dungeon - Link

Players: 1-2 | Game Time: 30-45 minutes | Complexity: Medium Light | Age: 14+ | Year: 2017

In One Deck Dungeon, players become heroes who fight their way through a series of dungeon floors all the way to the boss in an effort to defeat it. It is a difficult-to-survive card game that is different each time. Players begin with a character that they must build up from scratch in order to battle various foes and other dungeon perils.

Cards are used to determine the obstacles that must be overcome and the rewards for doing so. Players choose a card option and then tuck the card away in such a manner as to show the choice that was made. It is important to escape the dungeon quickly. Otherwise, players will delve deeper, and the difficulty level will increase dramatically.

One Deck Dungeon can be played by two players or in solo mode. Each session takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It is designed for players 14 years old and older. The game contains five hero cards, 30 small six-sided dice, one turn reference card, 44 encounter cards, four level cards, five dungeon-boss cards, two basic skill cards, one stairs card, 15 red damage token cubes, six white potion cubes, one campaign sheet pad and a 39-page rules booklet.

27. Shadowrun: Crossfire - Link

Players: 1-4 | Game Time: 30-60 minutes | Complexity: Medium | Age: 13+ | Year: 2018

Shadowrun: Crossfire players take on the role of runners who are tasked with the responsibilities of securing valuable information, battling dragons and protecting VIPs in a dystopian world. Success in those ventures allows a player to upgrade their character, gain Karma and improve their playing abilities to the point that they can sling spells, talk a tiger out of their stripes or hack the Matrix.

Although this deck-building game can be played by up to four players, it is also excellent as one of the best solo board games because a player can control two or more runners. It includes two obstacle decks, a crossfire event deck, a black market deck, upgrade stickers, mission sheets, runner cards and role cards. The game is designed for players 13 years old and older. Each session takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

28. Massive Darkness - Link

Players: 1-6 | Game Time: 120 minutes | Complexity: Medium | Age: 14+ | Year: 2017

Rumors have been spreading about the return of an evil Darkness that swept the land a generation ago. At that time, Lightbringers were able to use magical weapons to defeat the evil Darkness and send it far below the surface of the earth. Now it looks like the stage is set for a rematch.

Much of the action occurs in tunnels below the surface of the earth. Players can take advantage of the darkness by using shadow mode players. After choosing their hero and class, players join other Lightbringers in various adventures and campaigns with the goal of illuminating the evil underground. Throughout the game, player heroes encounter all kinds of monsters, including agents, minions, bosses and roaming monsters.

Massive Darkness is a roleplaying game designed for one to six players 14 years old and older. Sessions take from 90 to 180 minutes to complete. The game comes with six detailed hero figures and 69 detailed enemy figures. The campaign includes 10 unique quests.

29. Hostage Negotiator - Link

Players: 1 | Game Time: 20 minutes | Complexity: Medium Light | Age: 15+ | Year: 2017

Solitaire Game of the Year winner in 2015, Hostage Negotiator is designed to be played as a solo game and obviously one of the best solo board games. Players negotiate with abductors in an attempt to secure the release of hostages through the use of cards and by rolling dice. Although luck plays a part, success also depends on strategy. This is because abductors are different, and each one requires a different negotiating technique. Unlike deck-building games, cards purchased by a player go into that player's hand to be used in the next turn.

Hostage Negotiator is challenging because there are numerous paths to victory. For instance, should a player attempt to calm the abductor and get him or her to surrender, or would it be better to stall until reinforcements are able to stage a major extraction? The game is designed for players 14 years old and older. Each session takes about 20 minutes to complete.

30. Legacy of Dragonholt - Link

Players: 1-6 | Game Time: 60-999 minutes | Complexity: Light | Age: 14+ | Year: 2017

Rounding out our list of best solo board games is Legacy of Dragonholt. Legacy of Dragonholt begins with players designing their own heroes - choosing between humans, dwarves, elves, orcs, catfolk and gnomes. Following that, they select a class, define traits and scribe a personal history. This dictates how their characters will respond to obstacles they encounter throughout the remainder of their journey. Once the creative process is complete, the heroes begin their journey in the Rune-bound universe where a mysterious death has occurred near the edge of Terrinoth.

As the game continues, players battle goblins and other creatures long thought dead in an attempt to end the evil reign of a Dragonholt lord. Legacy of Dragonholt combines roleplaying with video games, adventure games and adventure books. It is all about the story rather than winning or losing. This solo board game is designed for one to six players 14 years old and older. Average session time is 60 minutes or more. Players have the opportunity to participate in six noble and thrilling quests.

Best Solo Board Game Buying Guide

Board Games are mostly designed to play by at least two people. There are however a fair few that also offer impressive single-player experience.

Now, to be honest, there aren't many things to look for when buying a Solo board game. This is because the concept of Solo board gaming is often strange to most people since they can't quite imagine not playing against friends or families.

That said, there are some important elements you should look for in any solo board game before buying it.

Single-Player Mode

This is the first element you want to check in any board game before buying. Board games are traditionally not designed to be played by a single person. Most of the best-selling board games on the market today still follow this principle.

As a result, you want to check that the board game you intend to buy can be played by one person. A good way to do this is to check the game description or label. If it is possible to play the game as a solo, you will see this on the label.

Streamlined Story Line

One mistake people often make when buying solo board games is looking for an elegant game that would keep them occupied. But the truth is it can get very tiring and overwhelming if there are too many things or actions to keep in mind while playing the game. This is especially true if you do not play the game regularly. This can result in you having to relearn the game almost every time you want to play.

The main idea of playing solo board games is to be able to pick up the game months after playing it and still be able to get right back into the action without having to relearn the whole thing.

A good way to do this is to check out reviews of that particular board game. For instance, in our review, all the games listed have streamlined storylines dedicated to solo plays. For those that do not, the gameplay isn't overly complicated that you need to pick up the rulebook every 5 seconds.

Play Time

This is another important element you should consider before buying a solo board game. The playtime represents how long it would take to complete the game.

Since you will be playing the game alone, you don't want a game that takes too long to complete. It is best to look for solo board games that you can complete in under 2 hours. Games that have very simple rulesets are also a bonus.

Difficulty Mode

Solo board games are not different from video games. They are more simplified versions of video games. However, when a game is too easy, it can quickly get boring since it does not offer much in terms of replay value.

Most of the best-selling solo board games let you decide the difficult mode you wish to play in. They also let you decide many variables in the game while setting up.

Age Limit

This isn't especially important but it can be handy to know. The recommended age range is usually often stated in the game's description or on the game's label. You only need to consider this if you plan on exploring the multiplayer aspect of the board game with your kids or family. In which case, you will want a game that is right for your kid's age so that they can easily understand the rules and gameplay.

That said, solo board gaming is quite tricky to buy because there are so many things that can influence one's decision. The decision, of course, tends to have a great impact on the overall experience of the game. Understand what you need in a solo board game and buy one that meets that requirement!

Solo Board Game FAQs

What are Solo Board Games?

Solo board games are board games designed to be played by just one player. The interesting thing about these types of games is that they are also designed to be played by multiple people.

Traditional Board games require at least two players to play which is one of the elements that gave the genre its popularity till now.

To help you out, we have highlighted some incredibly exciting board games designed to be played as a solo and as a team.

Are Solo Board Games Any Good?

The only correct way to answer this is by looking at it from an individual point of view. Many people love having time to themselves but they are only able to do this while doing something. Sometimes it might be by reading alone, walking alone, listening to music, or even playing solo video games. This is essentially why there are solo board games! To give people the option to experience their board games in a different light using the same methods and tactics they would otherwise use in a multiplayer board game setting.

Solo board games also give you the chance to wholeheartedly learn the game and rules so you can play with more experience against your friends and family.

Buy on Walmart

Far Off Games Xia: Legends of a Drift System - Walmart Link

Rebel Nemesis Board Game | Sci-Fi Horror Game | Miniatures Game | Strategy Game | - Walmart Link

The Lord of the Rings Journeys in Middle-earth Board Game | Strategy Game | Adventure - Walmart Link

Bag of Dungeon - A Fantasy Adventure Board Game for 1-4 Players - Walmart Link

Descent Legends of The Dark Board Game | RPG Board Game | Cooperative Board Game | - Walmart Link

Star Wars Outer Rim Board Game | Strategy Game | Adventure Game for Adults and Teens | - Walmart Link

The 7th Continent Classic Edition - Core Box - English Version - Boardgame - Cooperative - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

Far Off Games Xia: Legends of a Drift System - eBay Link

Rebel Nemesis Board Game | Sci-Fi Horror Game | Miniatures Game | Strategy Game | - eBay Link

The Lord of the Rings Journeys in Middle-earth Board Game | Strategy Game | Adventure - eBay Link

Bag of Dungeon - A Fantasy Adventure Board Game for 1-4 Players - eBay Link

Descent Legends of The Dark Board Game | RPG Board Game | Cooperative Board Game | - eBay Link

Star Wars Outer Rim Board Game | Strategy Game | Adventure Game for Adults and Teens | - eBay Link

The 7th Continent Classic Edition - Core Box - English Version - Boardgame - Cooperative - eBay Link