2024 Top 100 SOLO board games review
Hi everyone, today we’re running through 2024’s edition of the Top 100 solo board games of all time, according to the BoardGameGeek 1-player guild. This is a vote that happens on BoardGameGeek every year[1], so keep in mind that this list is not necessarily my personal opinion.
And I’ve said it last year but it’s worth repeating: this is just one ranking among others, and at the end of the day you’re the one who decides what games you like! This list is just an additional data point. As always, gather as much data as you can, then make your own opinion. With that being said, all entries in this list are undeniably solid games, and you’re bound to love many of them as a solo gamer.
By the way, at the time of publishing, it’s Black Friday and there are lots of the games in this list being discounted on Amazon and other retailers (affiliate link).
Also a quick note on the other game recommendations I give with each game, since I received a lot of comments on those last year. The list is crafted in an attempt that NONE of the games appears twice. This gives us a total of about 400 unique games in this article! As a side effect, the recommendations will occasionally feel weird or completely dumb. Many of these recommendations are extremely relevant though, but the reason might not always be obvious. With the disclaimer out of the way, let’s dive in!
This list also exists in video format if that’s more your thing:
Please note that Amazon links in this article are affiliate links: You don’t pay anything extra if you purchase through them, but I get a small commission.
100 – The Isofarian Guard (2023)
We start at number 100 with the Isofarian Guard. This is a very recent game of Fantasy, adventure and open world exploration. The game was already in the top 200 of last year’s vote, but has climbed its way into the top 100. People have praised its excellent narrative, and its combat mechanics, which are strategic, yet simple to grasp and original. Also, it’s designed from the ground up to be a 1 or 2 player game, so there are no shenanigans involved if you want to play it solo.
You might also like: For more adventure games, try Divinity Original Sin, Euthia, and Fateforge
99 – Grimm World (2024)
In number 99 we have Grimm World. Now this particular entry generated a bit of controversy, because the designer asked people to vote for his game. While this is not particularly against any rule of the contest as far as I know, there is no doubt that this artifically inflated the rank of this particular game. Nonetheless, this was confirmed to be an honest mistake, and the organizers have decided to keep it at number 99. Grimm World is a print and play Dark Fantasy adventure game. I personally love Print and Play, and the game only costs 8 bucks, however the amount of concent to print is massive. This is a cgame of exploration and combat, with more than 500 cards to print, and replayable campaigns that can last up to 20h each.
You might also like: You might also like A Rusty Throne, Aether captains, and Island Alone
98 – Halls of Hegra (2023)
Hall of Hegra is our number 98, climbing up from position 120 last year, and here again a fairly new game. It is great to se new entries in this ranking and I think that’s what lots of people like myself are actually enjoying the most, to discover more games to play solo. And for that, the tail of the ranking is the best part. Halls of Hegra is a solo game of strategy and war, with worker placement and bag building mechanics. You’ll have to survive a siege against air bombing and infantry attacks, while trying to keep your troops’ morale from falling too low.
You might also like: For more World War 2 themed games you can play solo, try Pavlov’s House, Pocket Landship, and Castle Itter
97 – Burncycle (2022)
In number 97 is Burncycle. This one was very close to being in this list last year, and is slowly making progress in the ranks, as more and more people get to play this gem by Chip Theory games. Burncycle is a game of infiltration with a puzzle aspect to it, in which you have to take down evil corporations with your team of robots. You will have to act both in the real world and on the company’s network to try and take them down. The solo mode works great, giving you control of 2 robots.
You might also like: You might also like :
96 – Nemesis (2018)
Falling down a bit from its position as number 82 last year, in 96 we have Nemesis, a game by Awaken Ralsm which which is as close as you get to “Aliens, the board game”. Nemesis is immersive and feels like a cinematic experience. The game is ok solo but really shines if you can find a group to play with, in particular for the “semi co-op” mode, in which all players have a secret goal, in addition to the overal cooperative mission. Nemesis might be for you, in particular if you like the Aliens franchise, like cool miniatures, and don’t mind a slightly overproduced game. If you already know other games by Awaken Realms, you probably know what you’re getting into anyway.
You might also like: If you like games with great table presence, have a look at Gods of Egypt, Rising Sun, and Twilight Imperium, but please note that none of these games are solo.
95 – Onirim (2010)
Onirim is a solo game of cards in which you have to discover eight “door” cards in the deck, before the deck runs out. Game sessions are short, at about 15 minutes. Notably, the second edition of the game includes several variants that really extend the lifespan of the game. Onirim is losing a bit f steam in this ranking, falling from its rank of 63 last year.
You might also like: There are many other games set in the Oniverse that you might enjoy as well, such as Nautillion
94 – Agricola (Revised Edition) (2016)
Just like every year, you will find a lot of Uwe Rosenberg games in this list! If you’re a fan of his designs, you’ll have a blast. Agricola is our number 94, more or less unchanged from last year when it was number 88. In Agricola, you have to help your farm to prosper, starting from very humble beginnings. It is worth mentioning that people seem to really prefer playing it multiplayer though, even when they love the solo mode.
You might also like: You might also like : Concordia Venus
93 – The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth (2019)
In number 93, we have Journeys in middle-earth, down from 78 last year. This is a modern take on dungeon crawlers, in which your party of adventurers progress on a map, trying to achieve a mission as well as potential side quests. The game is app driven, and the app is here to reveal the next components of the map as well as randomize enemy movement and actions. As I mentioned last year though, this particular game really didn’t make it for my play group, maybe because we have a bit of a middle-earth fatigue. I’d love to hear everyone’s opinion on this particular game.
You might also like: For more family friendly adventure games, try Mice and Mystics, Dice Throne, and Harry PotterHogwarts Battle
92 – Raiders of the North Sea (2015)
in number 92, we have Raiders of the North Sea, a game of Strategy, Worker placement, Vikings, and Victory points. Raiders of the North Sea shot up from rank 215 last year, because it’s been merged with Raiders of Scythia, which for the most part is the same game with a different theme. In Raiders of the North Sea, you’ll collect Victory points by assembling a crew, collecting provisions, and raid settlements for gold and resources.
You might also like: You might appreciate other worker placement games such as Champions of Midgard, Dinosaur Island, or Whistle Mountain. Dinosaur Island in particular has a solo mode.
91 – The Guild of Merchant Explorers (2022)
Pretty stable compared to last year, we have the Guild of Merchant explorers in number 91. Start with a single city, then explore a new land for treasure and more, in this game of Nautical Exploration. This is a simple and lightweight game, the kind you enjoy with your morning coffee, in which you have to reveal cards and fill spaces on your map accordingly. It is in essence very similar to a flip and write game, but you don’t actually need a pen.
You might also like: You might also like World Wonders, First Rat, or The Grand Carnival
90 – One Deck Dungeon (2016)
One Deck Dungeon is a minimalist dungeon crawler. You open doors that are symbolized by a deck of cards, fight the monsters or defeat the traps that hide behind the doors, then move on to the next room until you reach the boss. Battles are handled with dice placement. As you might know I’m personally not a huge fan of this game, in particular I find that sessions are too long for what the game has to offer, but it keeps showing up in the rankings so don’t take my word for it, give it a try.
You might also like: If you like One Deck Dungeon, you’ll definitely want to try its expansion Forest Of Shadows. You might also like Unbroken and Tiny Epic Zombies
89 – Concordia (2013)
Concordia is a peaceful strategy game of economic development in Roman times. Traders compete to build the greatest empire in the Roman Mediterranean. The solo mode requires an expansion, Concordia Solitaria, which has an easy setup and is challenging enough, with three levels of difficulty.
You might also like: You might also like : Keyflower, The Voyages of Marco Polo, abnd Lorenzo
88 – Zombicide (2021)
Zombicide is a staple of cooperative gaming, and I’m actually surprised it wasn’t in the top 100 last year. Granted, it wasn’t that far, at number 109. Look, it’s simple enough: you are survivors, and there are zombies controlled by the game. Get rid of them by collecting gear and weapons, complete the mission, done! Zombicide has gotten so many people into the board game hobby in general, and cooperative gameplay in particular, that you owe it to yourself to try it at least once.
You might also like: Zombicide has a bunch of expansions, standalone or not, which you’ll probably want to try
87 – The 7th Citadel (2024)
The 7th continent was a huge bomb droppped on solo gaming back in 2017, and it looks like the 7th Citadel is pretty much doing the same. This is a solo game of exploration, which shares a lot of concepts with the 7th continent and could almost be considered a sequel from a game mechanics perspective, but it is doing its own thing. The 7th Citadel is a medieval fantasy game in which you have to explore a world, flipping cards to progressively reveal a map. Each card flip can mean loot or danger! The 7th Citadel gets rid of some of the tedious aspects of the 7th continent such as the need to constantly hunt for food, and in my opinion, is an improvement for the most part, but this will be up to personal preference.
You might also like: And here I am, already breaking my rule of not mentioning the same game twice in this list. If you like the 7th Citadel, the obvious game you should also check is The 7th continent
86 – HEXplore It: The Valley of the Dead King (2017)
Number 86 is THe valley of the Dead King. In this fantasy game, you select a Hero and their race, to then try and improve their stats as fast as possible before you eventually defeat the Dead King. It has lots of RPG and Tactical RPG elements, from a large variety of characters, to the exploration and combat elements. The game has been strongly recommended for solo gamers who like a thematic experience.
You might also like: If you Enjoy the mechanics of Hexplore It, they have a ton of other adventures you’ll want to try
85 – Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn (2015)
Ashes Reborn is originally a 2 to 4 players dueling game, but the solo expansion adds a cooperative / solo mode in which you have to battle against a boss. The game itself is from 2015, but the solo expansion came last year, which is why we’re seeing this game appear in the rankings just recently. Ashes Reborn has a collectible and deck building element to it, and feels a lot like Marvel Champions meets Magic the gathering for some of those aspects. Ashes Reborn is generally considered to be a bit heavier and more strategic than Marvel Champions.
You might also like: For more card games of battle, have a look at Sorcerer, Summoner Wars, and Crystal Clans
84 – Harmonies (2024)
Yet another entirely new entry from this year, Harmponies is our number 84. This is a game fort1 to 4 players in which you have to build a landscape and create habitats for animals. It has been compared to games such as Cascadia or even Azul. The solo mode is a “beat your own score” for this strategic and charming game of tile placement.
You might also like: You might also like Faraway, Evergreen, and The Vale of Eternity
83 – Frostpunk: The Board Game (2022)
Losing steam, and falling from 61 to 83 this year, we have Frostpunk. Frostpunk is based on the popular videogame of the same name, and is a cooperative or solo board game, in which you have to survive as leaders of a small colony of survivors in a post-apocalyptic frozen world. The game has great table presence, but is known to be very punishing.
You might also like: People who enjoy Frostpunk also recommend The Great Wall, Scarface, and Lords of Ragnarok
82 – Fields of Arle (2014)
Fields of Arles is number 82 this year, falling a bit from the rank of 58 last year. In this worker placement game, players develop an estate and expand their territory. The game lasts nine half-years with alternating summer and winter seasons, and each season allows or denies specific player actions. It has a great solo mode with an easy setup.
You might also like: For more euro games, have a look at Le Havre, Ora et Labora, or Trajan
81 – Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs (2024)
Gloomhaven : Buttons and Bugs is a new entry in the insaneley popular Gloomhaven franchise. This particular version is a “pocket sized” version of the game, exclusively solo. Buttons and Bugs does reproduce most of the mechanics of the original game, and there is a surprisingly huge amount of content in a box that fits in the palm of your hand. But it has simplified mechanics and smaller maps, for a shorter time of setup and gameplay.
You might also like: Obviously if you like this game you should try the rest of the Gloomhaven franchise, but also have a look at these two underrated solo games: Spire’s End and Lands of Galzyr
80 – Maquis (2013)
Maquis is a clever worker placement game in which you play as a group of French resistants trying to complete a mission, while avoiding nazi patrols. Decisions are tough and strategic, missions are thematic, and there is surprising depth for such a tiny game. A print and play version exists, so you can technically play this game for free and I 100% recommend that you give it a try.
You might also like: Other small solo games you might enjoy: Deep Space D-6, Lux Aeterna, and Castellion
79 – Maracaibo (2019)
Maracaibo lost quite a bit in the ranking this year, falling from rank 54 to 79 this year. People have compared it to another euro game by the same designer, Great Western Trail. The solo mode has been praised for how simple it is to use.
You might also like: People who like Maracaibo also recommend Newton, Grabnd Austria Hotel, and Federation
78 – Keep the Heroes out! (2022)
Climbing up 65 ranks since last year, we have Keep the Heroes Out, a cooperative dungeon defense game for 1 to 4 players. You have to collectively survive three levels of threat from invading heroes by protecting the treasures in each room. The game is very cute, has a ton of replayability with lots of scenarios, but has been criticized for the swingy outcomes and uneven difficulty.
You might also like: You might also like :
77 – After the Virus (2017)
After The Virus is a cooperative or solo deck builder in which you have to survive and complete different missions. There is a campaign of 15 missions included in the game. unlike other deckbuilders, you’ll want your deck to get bigger with time, as your deck also contains the threats of the game! After the Virus is slowly but surely clibing the ranks, up from 97 last year!
You might also like: People who like After The Virus also recommend the solo games: Arkham Noir and Proving Grounds
76 – Tapestry (2019)
At rank 76, we have Tapestry, a Stonemaier game with an AI bot from popular company automa factory. Stonemaier obviously have more popular games in this list but Tapestry solidly remains in the top 100. In this euro game of Victory Points, you have to Lead a unique civilization to greatness through cultural and technological advances.
You might also like: If you like Tapestry, have a look at Crusaders
75 – Dorfromantik: The Board Game (2022)
Once again a new entry this year, or, specifically, up from rank 136 last year, we have Dorfromantik. This is a 1 to 6 player game based on the video game of the same name. You are cooperatively trying to create a map according to requests by the population, while also trying to build a long river and a rail track in parallel. The game also has a campaign and legacy aspect, and you unlock new content as you progress in the game.
You might also like: For more cooperative games, have a look at Paleo and The Adventures of Robin Hood
74 – Witchcraft! (2023)
And another new entry in the ranking, Witchcraft. In this exclusively solo game, you lead a coven of witches trying to protect a village from evil forces. The problem is that the village think you are the actual cause of the problems, and you have to convince them otherwise by completing missions. The gameplay is similar to Resist, with a very different theme
You might also like: More cool solo games for you if you like Witchcraft: try Unreliable Wizard, Conervas, and Kinfire Delve
73 – Space Hulk: Death Angel – The Card Game (2010)
Space Hulk: Death Angel is a great short game in which you play as a team of Space Marines trying to complete a mission before being overwhelmed by Genestealers. The game is cooperative in nature and in my opinion plays even better solo. Luck of the dice can be frustratingly punishing though. It’s still a great solo game that plays quickly, but it’s very hard to find considering it’s been out of print for years. My opinion remains that you should try it if you find a cheap copy, but don’t go out but I kinda regret it now.
You might also like: More warhammer for you: try Warhammer Quest (which has a solo mode) and Blood Bowl Team Manager (which doesn’t)
72 – Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deck Building Game (2014)
Lengendary Encounters is my favorite game of the “Legendary” Deck Building series. You have to complete missions that follow very closely the scenarios of the movie series, while hordes of Aliens come to attack you. It is an extremely thematic game, and it’s yet another cooperative game that can be enjoyed solo or with friends. Because the missions are quite narrative in nature, Legendary Encounters Alien might have less replayability than Legendary Marvel, but it remains a very good entry in the series.
You might also like: If you liked Legendary encounters, Try XenoShyft Onslaught, and Shadowrun Crossfire which both have solo modes
71 – Star Wars: Outer Rim (2019)
In Star Wars Outer Rim, you’re trying to make your mark on the galaxy. You’ll travel the outer rim in your personal ship, hire legendary Star Wars characters to join your crew, and try to become the most famous outlaw in the galaxy. First player to 10 points of fame wins the game. The solo (no pun intended) mode includes a deck of AI cards. The game is thematic, but sessions can be a bit on the long end of things.
You might also like: You might also like Western Legends, Fallout Shelter, and Sanctum
70 – The White Castle (2023)
The White Castle is certainly one of the strongest climbs in this list compared to last year where it was number 447. This is a game of dice and worker placement with a very strong medieval Japan theme. You play the role of the leader of a minor clan, trying to secure your position in the court of Daimyo Sakai Tadazumi. You have to gain Victory points by climbin the social ladder, tending to the Castle’s garden, and send your warriors for training. In the solo mode, you play against an AI controlled player, and try to beat its score. The official solo mode is arguably very brutal, but there are unofficial ones out there that people tend to enjoy more.
You might also like: People who like The White Castle also recommed Revive, Lacrimosa, and Darwin’s Journey, all of which have a solo mode
69 – Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game (2012)
Legendary Marvel is a deck builder in which you select a team of Marvel heroes who will try to defeat the scheme of a villain and their minions. There are tons of expansions that add a lot of depth to the game. In the same series, I personally prefer Alien Encounters, but there’s no denying that Legendary Marvel is the most popular of the lot. Now, with all of that being said, I had to admit I followed the general trend, and ultimately sold my copy of Legendary Marvel after I got into Fantasy Flight’s Marvel Champions. This is absolutely not to say Legendary is a bad game, but Marvel Champions is THAT good, and I didn’t have mental space for more marvel games. But that’s just me, this is still an awesome solo game!
You might also like: If you like Legendary Marvel, it has a ton of expansions to choose from, as well as standalone variants.
68 – ROVE: Results-Oriented Versatile Explorer (2021)
Rove is a tiny game that I personally really love, and I’m always happy to see some of these smaller scope games in the top hundred. It really demonstrates the variety of gameplay experiences we can get with board games in general, and solo in particular. ROVE is one of those 9-card games designed to be solo from the ground up. Game sessions are extremely short, and the art is cute. Don’t expect deep theme in here, the sci-fi art is just here for flavor. It’s just a tiny puzzle game but an extremely satisfying one. You can get the print and play version of the game for about 5 dollars an in my opinion it’s really worth it.
You might also like: For more pocket solo games, try Unsurmountable, Ugly Gryphon Inn, and Ancient Realm
67 – Race for the Galaxy (2007)
Race for the galaxy remains one of my favorite solo games. It stays solidly in this top 100 for solo gamers, but is also losing ground a bit every year. Playing Race for the Galaxy is like riding a bike: everything will definitely feel counterintuitive at first, but once you’ve grasped the rules and icons, playing almost becomes a second nature. The solo mode requires the Gathering Storm expansion, which had been hard to find for quite some time but is now widely available, as part of an all-inclusive expansion box called Expansion and Brinkmanship. Race for the Galaxy is a Victory point game of cards, and honestly the theme could be anything, but the sci-fi world in Race for the galaxy appeals to me. In solo mode, you play against a bot, and try to beat their score. The bot has a really intuitive but efficient mechanism that lets it behave differently depending on its starting world. I’ve found this great for replay value as a solo gamer.
You might also like: If you like Race for the Galaxy, you might also want to look at Roll for the galaxy, and Innovation
66 – Welcome to the Moon (2021)
Also losing ground, but still solodly present in this year’s rankings is Welcome to the moon. This is a sci-fi roll and write game with an 8-mission campaign. Your decisions in a mission will impact the next mission. The game can be played solo, or competitive with friends.
Other games to consider include Sky Team, Roll Camera, and It’s a Wonderful Kingdom
65: Kingdom Death: Monster
Kingdom Death : Monster was out of the top 100 last year, and came back with a bang in the 2024 ranking. This is a, massive, campaign-driven boss battler, with insanely good production value. It has huge table presence and can become a lifestyle kind of board game if you are the right audience for it. But be warned that it can be brutal and is not for everyone.
You might also like: If you’re still not afraid of the dark after trying KDM, have a look at Claustrophobia 1643 and Return to Dark Tower
64 – The Castles of Burgundy (2023)
The castles of Burgundy is a tile placement game, where you have to build your princedom into a bustling metropolis of commerce. The recently released special edition has a new Solo AI which is brilliant, according to everyone who’s tried it, and that certainly shows in the ranking which it has been climbing since last year.
You might also like: People who like The Castles of Burgundy also recommend Endless Winter, Expeditions, and Apiary
63 – Turing Machine (2022)
Turing machine was the big surprise of the year for me last year. The game jumped from being mostly unknown last, straight into the top 100 within a year, and it is staying solidly in the ranking this year. It is a must try if you’re a fan of deduction games. Understand though that this is a pure logic game where you have to guess numbers. If the dry theme doesn’t work for you, you might want to pass. This game is certainly not for everyone, but if you like abstract deduction and logic games, you’re in for a treat!
You might also like: These don’t all have a solo mode, but people who like Turing Machine also recommend Get on Board, Sea Salt and Paper, and Challengers!
62 – Sentinels of the Multiverse: Definitive Edition (2022)
I love Sentinels of the multiverse, altough I’ve mostly played the PC app version. This game is a great boss battler with truly original heroes, villains, and game mechanics. Unfortunately the mechanics of some heroes or villains can really become complicated, and this is where the app really helps. With that being said, a “definitive edition” of the game was released in 2022, which streamlines some of gameplay and mitigates some of the fiddliness. If you’re open to it, it’s one of those games where I actually recommend the PC app, but the board game itself is very good as well.
You might also like: You might also like : Astro Knights, Kinfire Chronicles, and Ascension Tactics
61 – The 7th Continent (2017)
When it came out several years ago, Seventh continent redefined the world of adventure and crafting board games. It is a game in which you have to explore an Island and lift a curse. The 7th continent takes inspiration from the old-school “Choose your own adventure” books, except the “book” here is a map that you reveal as you progress in the game. This game can be played with multiple players, but in my experience it truly shines solo. 7th continent has lost some footing in the rankings since its successor “The 7th Citadel” came out recently, but if you’re hesitating between the two games, my opinion would be to choose the one with the theme you prefer.
You might also like: For more games with strong narrative, emergent or story driven, have a look at Forgotten Waters or the Pandemic Legacy series
60 – Viticulture Essential Edition (2015)
Viticulture is a worker placement game in which you have to manage a vineyard. The essential edition introduced a solo mode, where you have to beat the automa in 7 rounds or less. Furthermore, the solo mode inclues a mini campaign with 8 challenges, which makes the solo experience very unique.
You might also like: You might also like : Furnace, Five Tribes, and The Search for Planet X.
59 – Aeon Trespass: Odyssey (2022)
Aeon Trespass Odyssey is a big box cooperative campaign game that had a very succesful kickstarter in 2022 followed by a second printing. This is a cooperative game of adventures and tactical battles against giant monsters, with more than 300 hours of content in the core box. The game has been extremely well received by the community and sits at the top of rankings for people who like solo adventure games with a nicely crafted story.For more epic games you can play solo, have a look at Bardsung, Arena: The Contest, and Agemonia
You might also like:
58 – Great Western Trail: Second Edition (2021)
Great Western Trail is a western themed euro game of victory points. The second edition includes solitaire rules in which you play against an AI opponent named Sam. Although the game is getting a lot of praised for how smooth the bot plays, a lot of people have recommended not buying it exclusively for solo.
You might also like: You might also like :
57 – Paladins of the West Kingdom (2019)
Invaders are coming from everywhere. Keep the faith and defend your homeland, in Paladins of the West Kingdom, a worker placement and victory points game with a great solo mode. This is a quite heavy euro game though, sessions can stretch to 2 hours and it can get a bit overwhleming.
You might also like: If you enjoy Paladins of the West Kingdom, oher games The West Kingdoms Series such as Viscounts of the West Kingdoms is an obvious recommendation for you. Also have a look at Wayfarers, and Raiders of Scythia
56 – Everdell (2018)
Everdell is a worker placement and tableau building game with a gorgeous theme of forest animals. In the solo mode, you compete against an AI opponent and have to beat their score.
You might also like: You might also like Libertalia, Clank Catacombs, and Between Two castles of Mad King Ludwig
55 – ISS Vanguard (2022)
Unsurprisingly, ISS Vanguard is climbing the ranks as more and more players have had a chance to give it a try. ISS Vanguard is another big box campaign cooperative game by Awaken Realms. Once again, after a massive kickstarter campaign, Awaken Realms have delivered, and the community have reacted extremely positiviely to this game of epic sci-fi adventure and planet exploration. People have in particular praised the visuals, as well as the immersive storyline by the writer of Tainted Grail.
You might also like: For more Solo adventure games with great table presence, have a look at Tamashii Chronicle of Ascend, Skyrim the board game, and Primal the Awakening
54 – Earthborne Rangers (2023)
I’m also extremely happy to see Earthborne Rangers climbing the ladder. This is a deck construction card game set in the wilderness of the far future. You begin by building a deck that reflects your Ranger’s skills and personality. Then as you progress in the game, you get to augment your deck with improved equipment and more. The game plays like a sandbox adventure game with branching storylines and side stories, reminiscent of some open world adventure games such as the modern Zelda.
You might also like: You might also like more solo games such as Roll Player Adventures, The Loop, and The Mandalorian Adventures
53 – Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood (2022)
OathSworn in number 53 is a big box campaign game that has been gathering a lot of attention due to its captivating art, ambitious design, and engaging gameplay. It’s been a good surprise coming from a Kickstarter project that actually delivered on its promise. This fantasy board game of narrative choice and miniature combat is great solo or co-operatively with friends.
You might also like: More big campaign games you can enjoy Solo: Stars of Akarios, Middara, and Tainted Grail King of Ruins
52 – Underwater Cities (2018)
Develop future cities on the seafloor through politics, production, and science in Underwater Cities. This game of Tableau and Engine building also has a lot of fanmade solo variants, in addition to the official ones. It has been losing a bit of steam in the rankings this year, possibly because this particular euro space is getting a bit crowded.
You might also like: People who like Underwater Cities also recommend Glenmore II chronicles, Anno 1800, and Bonfire
51 – Arkham Horror (Third Edition) (2018)
In Arkham Horror, you have to piece the clues together to stop the horrors before your sanity shatters. This game is of course very similar in theme, art, and even gameplay, to the Arkham Horror Card game. It is still a great game, much less demanding in terms of buying expansions, and will get to your table once in a while as a solo gamer. This game also remains controversial for the rankings, because the second and third edition have been grouped in a single entry, and there are countless reasons to agre or disagree with this choice.
You might also like: For more Lovecraftian games, have a look at Arkham Horror Final Hour and Reign of Cthuluh.
50 – This War of Mine: The Board Game (2017)
We’re now getting into really awesome games as we hit the half of our list. This war of mine consistently scores well in solo board game votes, and it stays quite stable in this year’s rankings. If you can stomach the grim theme of being a civilian surviving during wartime, this game is great at emergent story telling. This is a very unique solo game but you have to be in the right mood to bring it to the table.
You might also like: You might also like The thing, Star Wars Rebellion, and XCOM THe Board game
49 – Bullet★ (2021)
Whether it’s the star or heart version, or any of its other variants, Bullet is becoming a staple for solo gamers. It’s a fast paced puzzle action game that will remind you of video games such as tetris or puzzle bobble. In the solo version of the game, you play against a boss version of one of the characters. The game also has a growing list of expansions with new characters and new abilities.
You might also like: If you like this game, you’ll most likely enjoy the other games from the franchise. You might also want to look at cooperative games Unmatched Adventures or Kinfire Delve
48 – Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition (2021)
Terraforming Mars, Ares Expedition is inspired by the popular Terraforming Mars game of course, with game mechanics of tableau building very similar to Race for the Galaxy. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I will say that Race for the galaxy remains my favorite because it was onf of my first solo games, but it’s undeniable that Ares Expedition is a great game for solo players.
You might also like: If you like Ares Expedition, have a look at Red Rising, Aquatica, and Fantastic Factories
47 – Slay the Spire: The Board Game (2024)
As a huge fan of the video game of the same name, I am very excited to see Slay the Spire enter this list directly as number 47. This solo deckbuilding game did a very succesful conversion to the physical world as either a solo or cooperative game. The creators have simplified some of the mechanics of the games were it made sense, while retaining the essence of the Video game. Slay the spire has received nothing but praise from critics and gamers, and I can’t wait to give it a try.
You might also like: For more solo adventure games, try Dwellings of Eldervale or Leviathan wilds
46 – Cartographers (2019)
Cartographers is a very relaxing game of roll and write, where you have to draw a map. You don’t have to be a gifted artist, and it plays more like a turned based tetris, where you have to position elements of a map in a way that will let you score higher at the end of the round. The game is very relaxing solo, the kind of game that you play with a cup of coffee. It’s also quite great as a family game, however I personally ended up selling my copy, since there are a lot of other roll and write solo games in my collection already (Voyages is one of those that I always warmly recommend)
You might also like: You might also like Nova Luna, 7 Wonders Architects, and Bunny Kingdom. These don’t all have a solo mode though
45 – Marvel United (2020)
Marvel United is a great cooperative game in which you fight a villain with your team of super heroes. The game has tons of replayability thanks to the many expansions. It plays great solo, but a lot of people are pointing out that it’s also a very fun game for families. It is considered a lightweight game, which is perfect once in a while. It might not be for you if you have superhero fatigue.
You might also like: If you like Marvel United you’ll of course want to buy one of its many expansions. You might also want to have a look at Marvel Dice Throne, and The Clone Wars
44 – Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon (2019)
With some nice progress in the votes this year, Tainted grail is a Dark fantasy adventure inspired by Arthurian legends, in which you have to understand why your world is falling into darkness. As often with Awaken Realms games, Tainted Grail has been praised for its narrative and art. The exploration of the map is quite exciting, and very similar to games such as the 7th continent. The card driven combat system and associated deckbuilding might or might not be your thing, but personally I think it is one of the strong points of the game.
You might also like: You might want to check other games by Awaken Realms such as Etherfields. For more large scale RPGs, check Trudvang Legends and The Witcher.
43 – Anachrony (2017)
Thanks to regular reprints and renewed retail availability, Anachrony remains very high in this best solo games ranking. Anachrony is a worker placement game set in a science-fiction setting, with a very original mechanic of being able to borrow resources from your future self, which you will then have to pay back with interest. Personally, I have yet to put my hands on a reasonably priced copy.
You might also like: If you like Anachrony, you’ll also want to have a look at Trickerion by the same designers
42 – Orchard: A 9 card solitaire game (2018)
In number 42, we have Orchard, a delightful small game of only 9 cards. I am quite surprised to see this one up so high in the rankings, but it shows solo gamers don’t only appreciate big campaign games. We also enjoy the occasional lightweight game, and these pocket games designed for solo are perfect for that. Orchard is a game of tile laying that plays in under ten minutes. You have to harvest the most fruits, and keep track of your harvest with dice, but beware of rotten apples!
You might also like: Other smalm footprint solo games you might enjoy include Mini Rogue, Railroad Ink, and Bargain Basement Bathysphere
41 – Cthulhu: Death May Die (2019)
Cthulhu: Death May Die is number 41 this year, a significant boost compared to last year. In this lovecraftian game, you plays as investigators who are actively trying to summon the elder Gods, in order to destroy them. The game plays in about 2 hours and has great table presence. People tend to appreciate that it breaks the stereotypes of lovecraftian games, and that it’s easy to manage two characters as a solo gamer.
You might also like: For more adventure games, check out Nemesis Lockdown, the Descent series, and Destinies
40 – It’s a Wonderful World (2019)
In It’s a Wonderful World, you are an expanding Empire and must choose your path to your future. You must develop faster and better than your competitors. You’ll carefully plan your expansion to develop your production power and rule over this new world. This is a drafting game, and the solo mode tries to emulate that by giving you a choice of cards to pick each turn. The decisions are interesting, setup and gameplay are easy, there is a bit of card luck involved which might or might not work for you.
You might also like: You might also like :
39 – Friday (2011)
Friday is a solitaire deck-building game based on the story of Robinson Crusoe. In Friday, you optimize your deck of fight cards in order to defeat the hazards of the island. This is a fun and challenging game, which has been a staple of solo gaming for years. It’s been in this particlar top 100 for 11 years now!
You might also like: Other small solo games you might enjoy include Black Sonata (a very original game I personally love), Mint Works, and Sylvion
38 – Scythe (2016)
Scythe is a very popular game that has lots of good reasons to be included in anybody’s board game collection. Despite its massive table presence and cool miniatures, it remains a mid-weight worker placement game with a fairly easy learning curve, and which can even work for family game night. As far as I’m concerned I have a love and hate relationship with the solo mode: The solo AI opponent plays with different rules than a regular player and I always found that to be a bit disappointing. With that being said it remains a game that I will keep for a long time in my collection, simply because it’s such a great entry point into 4X gaming.
You might also like: If you want to dive deeper into 4X, these are not solo games, but you might want to have a look at Eclipse and Civilization: A new Dawn
37 – Pax Pamir: Second Edition (2019)
Pax Pamir is a game of political influence set in Afghanistan during the 1800’s. People like this Victory point game’s production value, as well as the interesting challenge offered by the AI bot in solo mode. Some people consider the solo mode to actually be even better than multiplayer
You might also like: People who like Pax Pamir also recommend Food Chain Magnate, John Company, and Pax Renaissance
36 – Dawn of the Zeds (Third Edition) (2016)
Dawn of the Zeds is a solo or cooperative game in which you have to defend a city against invading zombies. Your heroes have to look for supplies and ammo, heal, and of course, shoot zombies. The game relies a lot on dice rolls for combat resolution. It is unfortunately quite hard to find in retail.
You might also like: You might also want to look at D-Day Dice, Hostage Negotiator, and the City of Kings
35 – Nemo’s War (Second Edition) (2017)
Sail the Seven Seas as captain Nemo, fighting the Imperialist powers. Nemo’s war is an exclusively Solo experience with wargame aspects, set in Jules Vernes’ world of Twenty Thousand leagues under the sea. This game remains solidly in the top 40 this year again
You might also like: People who like Nemo’s war also recommend solo games The Plum Island and Apex Theropod
34 – Wingspan (2019)
Attract a beautiful and diverse collection of birds to your wildlife preserve in Wingspan, a great tableau building game that’s also a staple of solo gaming. Wingspan is a charming game that you’ll like to occasionally bring to the table for a relaxing time.
You might also like: If you like Wingspan, have a look at Sagrada, My City, and Patchwork
33 – Legacy of Yu (2023)
Legacy of Yu is another game that went right up to the top of the rankings for solo gamers, and apparently decided to stay there. People have praised the balanced complexity of the gameplay and the overall campaign of this deck building and worker placement game. The setup is easy, and the campaign enjoyable as a solo gamer.
32 – Nusfjord (2017)
Use your three workers to clear trees, build a harbor, and fish in northern Norway. Nusfjord is a worker placement game, one of the most liked solo experiences of popular designer Uwe Rosenberg. It is not necessarily his best game, although that will be left to your own judgement, but it is often considered to be one of his most accessible and games for solo play.
You might also like: Also check Hallertau, Lowlands, and Troyes
31 – Heat: Pedal to the Metal (2022)
Heat Pedal to the metal is another smashing hit from recent years. It came out late 2022 and instantly made it to the top of multiple rankings, including for solo players. This is a racing game with a solo automa that is simple to manage. There’s no doubt that it’s even more fun with multiple people, but the solo mode is pretty good. Each game can be customized in many ways, and the last lap against the AI can be very intense!
You might also like: A few multiplayer recommendations here if you like Pedal to the Metal: Splendor Duel, Azul, and 7 Wonders Duel
30 – Eldritch Horror (2013)
Eldritch Horror is a Lovecraftian cooperative game where you have to fight evil around the globe. The game is fairly difficult and game sessions can last several hours.
You might also like: For More Horror games, try Fury of Dracula, and Elder sign. And try Fallout for something a bit different
29 – 20 Strong (2023)
Shooting straight to the top 30 this year is Twenty strong, a modular deck-based system by Chip Theory games. 20 Strong is “modular” in the sense that a small set of common rules exist, which can then be adapted by different games using the 20 Strong system. In 20 strong, you have a character represented by statistics, health and the like. The goal of a game of 20 strong is to progress through a deck of cards, each card representing a specific challenge that you’ll have to face with the game’s specific dice. Games using the 20 strong system already exist in the worlds of Too many bones, Hoplomachus, and others. People like that the game has a small footprint while still offering a good challenge, and that the different variants of the game offer significantly different experiences.
You might also like: You might also like : Astro Knights: Eternity, and Skytear Horde: Monoliths
28 – Sprawlopolis (2018)
Sprawlopolis is one of those games that fit on a total of 9 cards. Playing Sprawlopolis is like playing a Mini sim City, and although it can be played two players, it really shines as a solo game. You have to score points buy building your city according to some specific goals. It’s very clever, very elegant, and it plays fast. It’s also available as a print and play for typicallyless than 5 bucks, so I really recommend you give it a try. Of course you won’t play this game forever and ever, but it’s such a nice little puzzle for whenever you’re travelling or on a break.
You might also like: There are lots of pocket solo games you can try if you like Sprawlopolis, including its expansion Agropolis, Tussie Mussie, and Food Chain Island
27 – Sleeping Gods (2021)
Sleeping Gods is a game where you and your boat crew have to explore Islands in a mysterious world. You have to find hidden totems on the map, or die trying. The art is gorgeous and the gameplay original, in particular exploration and combat. This is one of these games that gets universal praise from solo gamers. However, Sleeping Gods did not work for my play group. We wandered aimlessly on the map for quite some time, before calling it quits. They can’t all be winners I guess.
You might also like: This is the solo ranking, but Sleeping Gods is best enjoyed with a group of friends, and for more cooperative games with a legacy aspect, you might want to try Clank Legacy (Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated), and the Pandemic Legacy series (e.g. Pandemic Legacy: Season 0)
26 – Warp’s Edge (2020)
Number 26 is Warp’s Edge. This is yet another game that I have to try, which went directly to the top of the ranking as soon as it was released back in 2020, and has been staying there since. At the core it’s a boss battler with some bag building mechanics. You play as a spaceship that has to defeat a …well a larger spaceship and its minions.
You might also like: For more exciting solo games, have a look at games from the Set a Watch series, and Wreckland Run
25 – Hoplomachus: Victorum (2023)
Hoplomachus: Victorum is a solo-only campaign game of tactical combat. The game has an in-depth, rewarding adventure with deep strategic decisions and exciting combat.
You might also like: You might also like : Skytear Horde, Too Many Bones: Unbreakable, and Tales from the Red Dragon Inn
24 – Voidfall (2023)
Voidfall has been progressing nicely in the rankings and was bound to end up in the top 100 of solo gaming this year, but I have to admit I wasn’t expecting it to get right into the top 25. We’ll have to see if this one is here to stay! Voidfall is a 4x game, and very few of them have an official solo mode (arguably Scythe fits the bill, and another one I can think of is Galactic Era) so it definitely fills a gap here. It is a crunchy, difficult, and often epic game of space exploration and conquest. The game is firmly in the heavyweight category and sessions will last several hours.
You might also like: You might also like : Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles – Episodes 1 & 2, On Mars, and Weather Machine
23 – Cloudspire (2019)
Cloudspire has been described as a board game equivalent of Multiplayer Battle Arena games, or tower defense games. The game has many modes, including (but not only) a solo and co-op campaign.
You might also like: If you enjoyed Cloudspire, have a look at Townsfolk Tussle, Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor, and Unsettled
22 – A Feast for Odin (2016)
A feast for Odin is awesome if you’re the right person for this Viking themed Victory point game. I’m not the target audience for Rosenberg’s games.This game is a point salad from my completely biased perspective.Maybe I’m just not into Vikings. A Feast for Odin is one of those games that’s undeniably great, but that I just never got into. Give it a try and statistically you’re likely to love it, so don’t trust me on this one.
You might also like: You might also like other medium to heavy weight euro games such as : Clans of Caledonia, Teotihuacan: City of Gods, and The Castles of Burgundy
21 – Hadrian’s Wall (2021)
Hadrian’s wall has been a solo favorite since it came out. This is a roll and write where you have to build a wall as a Roman General. In the solo mode, you are trying to beat your own score. Gamers are enjoying that this game is easy to setup and play, while offering crunchy turns and long game sessions. Games can take an hour, which is pretty rare for a roll and write. A free solo campaign can be found on the designer’s website, which consists in 16 missions with different objectives.
You might also like: Gamers who like Hadrian’s Wall also recommend The Isle of Cats, Welcome To…, and PARKS
20 – For Northwood! A Solo Trick-Taking Game (2021)
For Northwood was a print and play game that got some massive succes and now has a retail version. It is now fairly easy to find in retail, but the free print and play version is also available on BGG. For Northwood is a trick-taking card game for one player. You are trying to unite the 8 kingdoms of Northwood, by convincinge their rulers to join you. People have praised the game mechanics and the replayability, it is a simple yet engaging little game.
You might also like: There are tons of awesome print and play solo board games out there waiting to be discovered. Some favorites include Grove (Grove: 9 card solitaire game) and Voyages
19 – Obsession (2018)
Renovate an estate, manage servants, and pursue romance in Victorian England with Obsession, a game that everybody seems to love. This is a victory point game, with great components. Gamers have praised how the mechanics and theme support each other to enhance the game. The Solo mode involves an AI opponent that’s easy to run with a clever D20 system.
You might also like: You might also like : Distilled, Orléans, and Space Station Phoenix
18 – Under Falling Skies (2020)
Under Falling skies remains one of my favorite solo games. The game initially started as a print and play, and that’s the version I own, but there is a commercial version which adds a campaign. This is an exclusively solo game, in which you have to contain alien invaders while figuring out the technology to destroy them. Under Falling Skies is a dice placement game with lots of crunchy decisions. It looks and plays like an action game, but turns are puzzly and crunchy, every single decision matters. It’s also very thematic with its Space Invaders atmosphere. I love it!
You might also like: A few more great solo games for you to consider if you likes Under Falling Skies: Resist!, Coffee Roaster, and The Lost Expedition
17 – Gaia Project (2017)
Gaia project is a heavy euro-style game with a sci-fi theme, set in the Terra Mystica universe. People have praised its Automa in the solo mode, while recognizing that it can be a bit finicky to handle. Gaia project offer lots of depth, and people love the variety of the factions in the game. A new expansion namd The Lost Fleet was released in 2024, and it is a recommended purchase if you like the game.
You might also like: You might also like: Barrage, Age of Innovation, and Carnegie
16 – Lost Ruins of Arnak (2020)
Lost Ruins of Arnak is a Deck Building and Worker Placement game, with a great solo mode. The missing Expedition expansion, released in 2023, adds an interesting campaign for solo mode. Arnak is often compared to Dune Imperium, as both games came out the same year and have similar mechanics. In my opinion you should pick one of the two depending on your theme preference. They’re both great so there isn’t a bad choice here.
You might also like: If you like Lost Runs of Arnak, have a look at Earth, Planet Unknown, and Res Arcana
15 – Terraforming Mars (2016)
Our number 15 is Terraforming Mars, which is losing a bit of ground in the rankings, but still remains a top solo game. People love what this thematic euro game of strategy and tile placement has to offer for solo gamers, while recognizing that the components of the base game aren’t of the best quality. A new expansion designed for solo gamers, Automa, came out this year. It really elevates the solo experience and is recommended if you like the game.
You might also like: For more euro games, try Caverna: The Cave Farmers, Terra Mystica, and Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar.
14 – Cascadia (2021)
Cascadia is a very relaxing game that plays great solo or with friends. You have to create a terrain and populate it with Widllife. The game has continuously stayed in the top 100 since it was released in 2021, and it keeps climbing the ranks, inching a bit closer to the top 10 every year.
You might also like: You might also like : Calico, The Quacks of Quedlinburg, and project L
13 – Aeon’s End (2016)
Aeon’s End is a great boss battler that you can play either co-op or solo. You play as mages trying to defeat a monster and its minions, in a Heroic fantasy setting. Aeon’s End is a deck builder with a shop mechanism, with high emphasis on the battle aspect. Aeon’s End has a lot of interesting mechanics, in particular the fact that your deck isn’t shuffled when it runs out, or its initiative mechanism which can bring chaos into your strategy. The enemies are also pretty well thought out. I do not own Aeon’s End anymore because I’ve played it a lot. And I really mean a lot.
You might also like: If you like Aeon’s End, the game has a lot of expansions, including standalone ones such as Aeon’s End: War Eternal, and even a legacy version of the game (Aeon’s End: Legacy) which I’m personally not a huge fan of. Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure might also be for you.
12 – Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island (2012)
Robinson Crusoe is one of those survival games that on the paper was made for me. In this co-op game that plays extremely well solo, you have to survive on an Island full of threats. Explore, Gather wood, craft a shelter, survive the elements and dangerous animals. There are a variety of missions that are all very interesting too, but be prepared to lose a lot. Everything wants to kill you in this game, and I personally found it to be too hard for me to truly enjoy it. I have to admit at this point that I’m surprised it still ranks so high.
You might also like: You might also like Imperial Settlers, 51st State(51st State: Master Set), and Clank! In! Space!(Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure)
11 – Gloomhaven (2017)
Look at this point if you’re looking at a top hundred solo board game list, there’s no way you haven’t heard of Gloomhaven by now. This game revolutionized board gaming, and in particular the dungeon crawling genre when it came out in 2017. It’s not only the *insane* amount of content that was baffling, but also its extremely original and strategic battle system. Look, there was a “before” and an “after” Gloomhaven in the world of board gaming, and it’s bittersweet for me to admit that this remains my favorite board game to this day, and that I haven’t found anything that can compete, except maybe its sequel Frosthaven.
You might also like: There’s nothing really like Gloomhaven except the other games in the franchise, but if you’re looking for exciting cooperative games, have a look at Mechs vs. Minions, the Pandemic Legacy series (Pandemic Legacy: Season 1), and Dead of Winter (Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game)
10 – Ark Nova (2021)
We’re now getting into the top 10, and I’m pretty sure you can guess the top 10 games already. Number 10 is Ark Nova, a game in which you Plan and build a modern, scientifically managed zoo to support conservation projects.
You might also like: You might also like : Beyond the Sun, Architects of the West Kingdom, and Great Western Trail.
9 – Imperium: Classics (2021)
Imperimum classics is a civilization victory point game in which you play as an empire trying to progress through different eras. You can for example play as the Romans or Persians, and will advance from “Barbarians” to “Civilized”. The goal here is to pace your progression in the game and accumulate victory points based on your population, army, and developments. Imperium certainly has terrific replayability thanks to the many civilizations included in the box, and the variety of its AI bot for solo players. However, and I’m gonna sound like a broken record here: Imperium classics is the game that really didn’t work for me. I found it too long, with too big of a footprint (both in time and in space) for what it has to offer, the art fell flat for me, not to mention the overall quality of the game components which I really found sub-par. I understand that lots of people love it so you should definitely make your own opinion on this game, but for me, I finally sold it this year.
You might also like: If you like Imperium classics, try some of the other games of the series such as Imperium: Horizons.
8 – Dune: Imperium (2020)
Dune Imperium is a game of light Deckbuilding and game worker placement. We’ve mentioned Lost Ruins of Arnak a few minutes ago, and the two games are often compared. I’m not sure if it’s the theme that attracts more people, or if Dune Imperium’s gameplay is a bit better, or if it’s the quality expansions that get delivered on a regular basis for the game, but it seems to rank a bit higher than Arnak every single year. The game is great with friends, and it is awesome solo too.
You might also like: If you like Dune Imperium, you might want to try its standalone spinoff: Uprising (Dune: Imperium – Uprising). Also have a look at Blood Rage, or Brass: Birmingham,
7 – Final Girl (2021)
Final Girl was one of my favorite board games in 2022. But I have yet to play the new content from season two, which I acquired more than a year ago, and there’s a season 3 with more scenarios already! Final Girl is a very unique and extremely thematic game of horror, in which you play the final girl who has to defeat a serial killer, or die trying. The game is tense and fun whether you win or you lose. There’s also lots of contents for it, with its modular system allowing you to play a lot of different scenarios and characters, based on popular horror movie franchises. There is some luck of the dice involved, but mitigation mechanisms are in my opinion working pretty well, and it is less luck based than some will have you believe. This is a very atmospheric game, and I strongly recommend playing it with some horror movie music in the background!
You might also like: You might also like : Vagrantsong, Horizons of Spirit Island, or Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies
6 – The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set (2022)
Lord of the rings the card game was the first Living Card Game by Fantasy flight. It’s an extremely solid game co-op or solo, very thematic, but also very hard. The revised edition introduced in 2022 makes the base set a bit more enjoyable as a standalone product. Nonetheless, once you get the hang of it, there’s no question that you’ll want more.
You might also like: For more Lord of the Rings, you might also want to try War of the Ring: The Card Game which is not solo. Pathfinder (Pathfinder Adventure Card Game: Core Set) is another great fantasy card game that can be played solo.
5 – Too Many Bones (2017)
Toss gobs of unique dice in an epic adventure en route to a final boss showdown. Chip Theory’s Too many bones remains solidly in the top 10. This self-proclaimed dice-builder RPG was number 5 last year, and is in 6th position this year.
You might also like: You might also like other Chip Theory games such as Hoplomachus: Remastered or Too Many Bones: Undertow. For more heavy campaigns, have a look at Frosthaven.
4 – Arkham Horror: The Card Game (2016)
I have played so much of the Arkham horror card game! Of all three Fantasy flight living card games, this is probably the one with the best theme in my opinion. The art of the game is quite gruesome and might not be your thing, but personally I love it. The game is hard, thematic… By now probably know the drill if you’ve tried any of the Living Card Games by Fantasy flight. What sets Arkham Horror LCG appart, beside its theme, is that each expansion is a full campaign with multiple scenarios. Whether your team succeeds or fails at a scenario, you’ll have to move forward to the next one. The narrative arc of each campaign is pretty convincing if you like Lovecraftian horror, and this is a great game on all fronts: theme, gameplay, mechanics, you name it. Absolutely no surprise this is in the top 10.
You might also like: If you can’t get enough lovecraftian chills, check Mansions of Madness: Second Edition and Unfathomable
3 – Marvel Champions: The Card Game (2019)
Marvel Champions is the third game in Fantasy Flight’s living card games family, after Lord of The rings and Arkham Horror. They all follow similar mechanics, but play differently enough that you might eventually want to play all of them. I feel like Marvel Champions is a bit simpler than the other two, which to me makes it more enjoyable, and I’ve been obsessed with this game this year. But if you’ve never tried any of these games, I’d say pick the one with the theme you like the most. Marvel Champion is a solo or co-op boss battler, with deck construction mechanics. You play as a super hero who has to defeat a villain. The heroes, as well as the villains, all have very different mechanics and abilities, which help keep the content fresh. There is enough content in the base game for you to have hours of fun, and, unlike other games from the Living card Game franchises, the base game feels like a complete product. But if you’re like me, you’ll quickly want to get some of the expansions for more heroes and enemies.
You might also like: For more games based on popular franchises, check out Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Star Wars: Unlimited, and Marvel D.A.G.G.E.R.
2 – Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition (2018)
Mage Knight has been consistently in the top of the rankings for solo gamers for years. Although I think it was initially meant to be played with a group, game sessions are fairly long, and it’s become a staple of solo gaming. I bought the games several years ago during a sale but still haven’t found the time to play it, and unfortunately for me it sits prominently on my shelf of shame.
You might also like: Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is said to have taken heavy inspiration from Mage Knight. People also recommend Imperium: Legends and Tiny Epic Dungeons
1 – Spirit Island (2017)
Unsurprisingly, Spirit Island remains number 1 in the list this year. Spirit Island Is a cooperative game in which you play as magical spirits, or gods, trying to defend your island from Invaders. The rules can appears daunting at first, but once you’ve got them, this game is phenomenal either solo or cooperative. There’s also a lot of contents in the base game with multiple spirits that play very differently from each other, and additional scenarios that ramp up the difficulty. It’s a game I’ve owned for years and that I’m always delighted to bring to the table.
This is it for the 1-Player Guild’s ranking of the best solo games this year. What did you think of the list? Are there solo games you would recommend, that did not make it to this ranking? Let me know in the comments! Thanks a lot for reading. Personally, I’m off to play some more Marvel Champions to try my Spider-Gwen solo deck, and I’ll see you next time!
[1] https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/345687/2024-peoples-choice-top-200-solo-games-200-1
Games mentioned in this article
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