Board games are usually seen as a friends and family activity. But playing board games solo can still be a lot of fun. Playing solo might take a little getting used to, but we’ll help you find the best solo board games for your next gaming session.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at what we think are 10 of the best solo board games to play.
Like always we’ve made our choices based on several different factors including the game’s popularity, strategy, creativity, and uniqueness. So, without further ado, let’s begin the countdown of our picks:
10 Best RPG Board Games
| 1. | Call To Adventure |
| 2. | Gloomhaven |
| 3. | Sub Terra |
| 4. | One Deck Dungeon |
| 5. | The Lost Expedition |
| 6. | Friday |
| 7. | Wingspan |
| 8. | Solitaire Chess |
| 9. | Onirim |
| 10. | Dungeons and Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon |
1. Call To Adventure
Call To Adventure is the dream RPG board game experience and perfect for solo play! In this fantasy game, you are tasked with completing numerous quests and building your character’s story through several gameplay sessions.
RPG board games are very popular when it comes to solo play, but Call To Adventure manages to be a very user-friendly experience making it ideal for players new to RPGs. You start by choosing three cards from different categories.
These are Origin, Motivation, and Destiny, the first two will be uncovered but the Destiny card won’t be revealed until much later in the game.
These cards, along with other unique elements like a dark and light scale allow you to go on amazing journeys even when playing solo.
You could be a hero and save the characters you meet on your journey or embrace your inner villain and go on a rampage.
The game follows a three-act structure with numerous different stories to tackle, making it the perfect way to enjoy some solo board gaming.
2. Gloomhaven
From one excellent RPG adventure to another! Gloomhaven is a very unusual RPG board game because it places a much stronger emphasis on combat. You’ll still be adventuring across a dark and desolate world and will spend a lot more time battling enemies.
Gloomhaven also takes a very unusual approach to its solo playing experience. Instead of just playing as one character, Gloomhaven is actually designed for solo players to take on multiple roles! So, playing alone is a unique experience and offers something a little different.
Like many other RPG board games, Gloomhaven follows a quest structure to help players in their journey. There are even quests designed to help new players ease into the gameplay as well.
There are many ways you could use to describe this game, but if you have ever read a choose your own adventure book then you will have some idea of what to expect. It’s a solo board game you could play for hundreds, if not thousands of hours!
3. Sub Terra
Who doesn’t love a bit of horror when it comes to their board games? We sure do, which is why Sub Terra is easy to recommend. In this survival-horror board game you will be tasked with escaping twisting caves in a subterranean nightmare!
While Sub Terra can be played with up to 4 players playing alone, it will also offer a thrilling experience. The game uses cards in the event deck to give you a number of different challenges as you play but also to enforce a time limit.
Every character is also unique with their own special skills. Some characters can navigate the board more quickly, while others will have equipment to help them get past obstacles more easily.
If you are looking for a more horror focused solo gaming experience, then Sub Terra is perfect for you. You’ll need to build your own strategy to escape but remember the clock is ticking and dangers are lurking all around you.
4. One Deck Dungeon
One Deck Dungeon takes the dungeon sprawling adventure of Dungeons and Dragons but downsizes it to make it faster. If you are looking for a solo board game you can play in short bursts, then One Deck Dungeon is a great choice.
Unlike some RPG board games, this game is also specifically designed for only 1 or 2 players. You use the character cards to create your character and then take a jaunt through the dungeons to battle all kinds of enemies.
There is a lot of strategy involved in this game as well because its turn-based gameplay style requires careful planning.
Do you use a stat-boosting item or take a potion to get your health back? Make the wrong decision and you might not make it out of the dungeon!
It’s a fun and fast solo board game sure to provide hours of entertainment.
5. The Lost Expedition
A solo board game should never be easy, and thankfully The Lost Expedition certainly provides a challenge. Don’t let this stop you from playing though, because even if you do die you’ll soon want to play again.
Over time you’ll be able to tweak your strategy and make it to the end. The Lost Expedition is designed to be quick to play, which is good because winning will likely take numerous attempts.
Traversing the jungle is fun and rewarding and full of enemies, puzzles and traps ready to kill your character.
The retro art-style of The Lost Expedition also makes it instantly stand out amongst other similar board games. Special solo player rules are included, so you’ll still be able to get the full experience when playing alone.
If you are a fan of strategy games and up for a challenge, it’s easy to recommend The Lost Expedition.
6. Friday
Friday is one of the most popular solo board games that uses solitaire style deckbuilding to offer fun, fast-paced action!
The object of Friday is simple: you help the stranded Robinson who was washed ashore on your island to survive.
But having just washed ashore Robinson isn’t in the best condition, so you’ll have to do what you can to help improve his stats. But be warned you don’t have long because pirates are on their way!
Friday is the perfect solo board game with a fun narrative and easy, simple to understand gameplay. Friday is also designed specifically for one player so you will get the complete experience when playing alone.
Fun and frantic with a lot of room for strategy building Friday is a must play in our opinion.
7. Wingspan
This is our choice for the more experienced board game players out there! Wingspan is a game all about birds and as an avid bird watcher, you’ll want to attract as many birds to your aviary as possible.
Birds of different rarities will bring you more benefits and as you build up and expand your resources. Birds will also grow, lay eggs, and more!
There is a lot to think about and plan in this expansive game, making it ideal for more experienced players.
While it can be played with up to 5 players, Wingspan is easy to play solo and offers a very unique experience. You aren’t battling against other players but the luck of the cards themselves, which can be quite the challenge.
Finally, we need to talk about the beautiful artwork of Wingspan. Each bird card and there are over 170 have been professionally illustrated. The game is simply stunning to look at and admire but also brilliant fun to play.
8. Solitaire Chess
Now, this is something a little different, isn’t it? Chess isn’t something you can really play by yourself, but that isn’t a problem with Solitaire Chess. This is essentially a puzzle game that tasks you with 80 challenges.
All the pieces are included to help you tackle these challenges and while they might start easy they can be very difficult as you progress.
Everyone loves a good challenge and getting their brain thinking, which is why Solitaire Chess is easy to recommend as a solo board game.
Even if you aren’t a chess player you’ll probably still enjoy tackling these inventive puzzles. It’s not your traditional solo board game, but it offers a fun twist on a classic game and is perfect for anyone looking for a challenging solo board game experience.
9. Onirim
Onirim like Friday is a game designed for solo play, although it can be played with two players as well. In Onirim the goal of the game is simple, you need to escape a labyrinth by finding the exit door but finding this door isn’t going to be easy.
The game is played solitaire style, you’ll need to build up your deck as you traverse the labyrinth but if you run out of cards before you make it to the exit, well, it’s game over.
In Onirim you are fighting the game itself and while the luck of the cards is a big element perfecting your strategy could see you overcome difficult challenges to win!
It’s easy to recommend Onirim as a solo board game thanks to the challenging and fun gameplay. This great set also includes all the expansions so there is even more variety to the game.
The cards themselves feature great artwork and while the rules might be a little tricky for beginners, you’ll soon be having fun.
10. Dungeons and Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon
Well to finish off our top 10, we need to talk about the classic RPG board game Dungeons and Dragons! The Wrath of Ashardalon expansion is one of the simpler scenario setups for the game. You are in a land of smoke and ash and the recently discovered network of caves leads to the legendary Red Dragon.
This great set includes everything you need to get your adventure started, including character cards, miniatures, map tiles, and much more.
Dungeons and Dragons can easily be played solo and what we love about this classic RPG game is that you can set the end goal.
If you are new to Dungeons and Dragons or RPG board games then The Wrath of Ashardalon expansion is a great entry-level starting point.
The story guide will help you get started and you’ll be sure to have hours of fun playing solo as you journey across the lands and prepare to face the mighty dragon.
10 Best Solo Board Games Buyers Guide
Yes, RPG board games are popular when it comes to solo play, but there are other options to consider. While we have hopefully given you some ideas before you choose let’s look at some important factors you need to consider.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Playing solo doesn’t mean you can have a good long game session like those lengthy Monopoly games many of us have played before. Games like Call To Adventure and Gloomhaven can provide hours of gameplay. But if you want something a little shorter Friday, Onirim and One Deck Dungeon will be the better choice.
What’s Your Experience?
While games like Call To Adventure provide a lot of variety, they can also be a little tricky to learn. RPG games like this certainly do have a learning curve to them. If you are an experienced player, then Gloomhaven and Wingspan are easy to recommend. But if you want something a little more beginner-friendly, then we recommend Friday and Sub Terra.
How Much Space Do You Have To Play?
Finally, how much space do you have to play? Wingspan is a beautiful solo board game but will require a lot of space to set up. In contrast, Solitaire Chess and The Lost Expedition will only require a little room to play.
What’s the Best Solo Board Game To Buy?
So, what is the best solo board game to play? The answer like always will be different for everyone and all 10 of these board games would make a great choice.
But if we take everything into account we think Call to Adventure is our number one pick! There is so much for solo players to do that you could easily play the game for months and not do everything.
If you want something a little different, then we also love the survival gameplay and horror atmosphere of Sub Terra. Whatever you decide we’re sure you’ll have fun! Playing a board game solo will give you a whole new appreciation for the fun board games can offer.
