Enjoying board games with loved ones is fantastic, but what about solo playtime? Many modern board games offer engaging single-player experiences, from strategic challenges to relaxing roll-and-writes. Below, we highlight some of the best solo board games perfect for unwinding while stimulating your mind.
TL;DR: The Best Solo Board Games
War Story: Occupied France
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Invincible: The Hero-Building Game
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Legacy of Yu
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Final Girl
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Dune Imperium
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Hadrian's Wall
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Imperium: Horizons
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Frosthaven
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Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition
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Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
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Under Falling Skies
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Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
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Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write
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Arkham Horror: The Card Game
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Cascadia
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Terraforming Mars
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Spirit Island
See it at AmazonEditor's Note: While all games listed offer solo play, most support 1-4 players (except *Final Girl*, designed exclusively for solo play).
War Story: Occupied France
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 45-60 mins
Blending choose-your-own-adventure and tactical wargame elements, *War Story: Occupied France* casts you as a WWII secret agent. Navigate textual choices impacting a miniature map where tactical decisions unfold. The branching narrative and strategic depth provide excellent replayability, especially in solo mode, magnifying the weight of command.
Invincible: The Hero-Building Game
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 45-90 mins
Based on the popular comic and TV show, this game focuses on young heroes learning to control their powers. Balance power upgrades with battling villains and saving civilians. Scenarios link to TV show storylines, offering replayability and a campaign mode.
Legacy of Yu
See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60 mins
Set in mythic China, you defend the kingdom from floods and barbarian tribes as Yu the Great. Combine resource management, worker placement, narrative elements, and military strategy for a compelling solo experience.
Final Girl
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1
Play Time: 20-60 mins
A modular horror game where you play the survivor. Manage actions, cards, and resource allocation in a tense, narratively rich experience. Requires a separate Film Box for scenarios.
Dune: Imperium
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60-120 mins
While best with multiple players, the automated opponent, House Hagal, provides a challenging solo experience. Face one or two AI opponents with varying difficulty levels.
Hadrian’s Wall
See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 60 mins
A flip-and-write game where you construct Roman walls and fortresses. Features a downloadable campaign for extended solo play.
Imperium: Horizons
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 40 mins/player
A civilization-building game using a deck-building mechanic. Each civilization offers unique strategies for a highly replayable solo experience.
Frosthaven
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60-120 mins
A legacy-style game with card-driven combat. Explore a vast fantasy world across multiple sessions.
Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 60+ mins
A sprawling fantasy epic known for its excellent solo play. Fight monsters, upgrade your character, and explore a fantasy setting in a long, strategic experience.
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-8
Play Time: 90 mins
Solve mysteries using a map, directory, and newspaper to gather clues. A challenging and immersive experience.
Under Falling Skies
See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+
Players: 1+
Play Time: 20-40 mins
A solo-focused game where you defend your base from descending alien ships. Balance dice allocation for shooting, building, and research.
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 90-180 mins
Survive on a hostile island as a castaway. Scavenge, build shelter, and explore perilous locations. The solo variant allows playing multiple characters.
Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write
See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 30-45 mins
A roll-and-write game where you manage a dinosaur theme park. Balance resource allocation to build and run your park.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60-120 mins
Face eldritch horrors in a tense solo experience. Investigate locations, gather clues, and impede the Mythos deck.
Cascadia
See it at WalmartAge Range: 10+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 30-45 mins
Build a nature reserve by selecting terrain tiles and animal tokens. The included achievements offer varied challenges for solo play.
Terraforming Mars
See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 120 mins
Help make Mars habitable by managing resources and building your corporation. Race against the clock to maximize end-game parameters.
Spirit Island
See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 90-120 mins
A cooperative game where you protect your island from colonizers as island spirits. Excellent for solo play by controlling multiple spirits.
Solo Board Game FAQs
Is it weird to play board games alone?
Not at all! Solo gaming has a long history, offering a satisfying challenge and a chance to enjoy the game's visual and tactile aspects. It's no different than enjoying a puzzle or a single-player video game.
