Recently I received 2 solo games I backed on Kickstarter and since those 2 games are now available in store I would definitely recommend them:
The Dead Eye: A card game only in the same vain as Friday- you turn a card and choose what to do with it. Not sure which one of those two I prefer but I definitely recommend The Dead Eye if you prefer more a mad max still of universe vs a Robinson Crusoe one.
Mini Rogue: A small dungeon crawl that uses only cards. It’s a small game that packs a lot of fun! The game is more complex than what it looks like. You need to descend into a dungeon by gearing up and combat monsters that gets harder the further the dungeon you go. The version I backed is an updated version of an older game and they now includes a 2-player mode as well.
I think another interesting solo experience is Terraforming Mars. Interestingly, the solo experience is almost a completely different game. Instead of competitively building your engine and squeezing out victory points where possible, you instead have to completely terraform the planet in 20 turns. Still a great way to learn the game (which is mostly why I play solo.)
I have one day a week in office right now and I almost always bring along one of Button Shy's games to play over lunch. My favorite solo experience has been Tussie Mussie which I like a lot better as a solo game than a multi player one. I have most of their stuff though. As solo games, Pentaquark is OK, Skulls of Sedlec is quite fun, I don't care for sprawlopolis or any of its spinoffs, and I also didn't care for antimony. The Perfect Moment and Ragemore are both fun but a bit complicated/long in my opinion.
Wingspan solo (stonemaier) is also a fairly solid and quick/engaging experience. I have 7th continent, and I'm getting their next one, 7th Citadel, that they just kickstarted not too long ago but I struggle to bring it to the table for how long and involved it is. Fantastic quality when I do get it out though!
It should quickly be climbing into the BGG top 100 once more copies come out. I play it with my wife, but it could easily support solo play. Amazing open-worldesque exploration/storytelling game that uses a simple skill check system for most interactions. Reprint coming later this year I think!
I know you love Wind Waker. This game is literally about sailing around a bunch of islands at your whim, meeting strange people, fighting strange creatures, and trying to reawaken the gods.
Where can I find copies of Gate, Desolate, and Sprawlopolis? I love the idea of these tiny games I can pull out really quick and play, but I'm having trouble finding them anywhere for purchase.
Awesome, thanks! Definitely going to look into these, I've tried playing Jaws of the Lion by myself, and while it's a lot of fun, setting it up then putting it away before my toddlers get to it is a bit of a hassle, so I haven't played it much, just like you mentioned.
Loved this article! Calling back to Paperwave #2, I haven’t yet raised my own brood of gaming partners, so solo games have a good place in my life right now. I picked up Marvel Champions a few months back and enjoyed it enough for a few sessions. I was curious for that game and others that can be played as one player or “two handed,” what makes you (Justin or anyone else reading this) decide between the two? Personally I feel like I have enough difficulty managing my own resources without tacking on another “player’s,” but I feel like I miss out on some of the character-character interactions that could happen.
I had a section in this newsletter originally about one-handed solo vs. two-handed solo. I cut it for length and decided to split it into its own whole letter I'll send later.
For me 1H solo is my preference, when a game fully supports it, but I most often play 2H to get the most "authentic" or full-featured experience. I play 2H when the game design seems to encourage synergy and combos between players (Aeon's End) or when the game design doesn't *quite* scale down to 1P 100% gracefully (LOTR).
I played Marvel Champions and 7th Continent 1H solo. Everything else was 2H I think.
My buddy and I have been playing a lot of Lost Ruins of Arnak lately. He says the solo is quite good, but tough! I love the base game and am excited about future expansions.
One thing I appreciate about the Stonemeier games is that he makes sure they have solo options. The fact that "Automa" is part of the modern board gamer's glossary is pretty awesome in itself.
One last shout-out is for the "clockwork" or AI additions to Root. They can provide tough and meaningful solo experiences and also great if you need to add a third or fourth player to the board.
I actually personally dislike clockwork automatas in board games and cut a section from this write-up for length about how I don't find them satisfying :)
But it's still an interesting and cool development in the scene for sure. It feels like a crazy "what if we tried...?" thing suggested 10-15 years ago really leaned into and made manifest.
Good point about how they came to fruition! They definitely provide a different experience compared to games specifically designed for solo play.
I'm really enjoying your write-ups and am looking forward to what future game topics you write about (I've even been reading the Magic stuff I'm not usually as interested in because I like the history and perspective you provide of such an important game to the tabletop space). Keep it coming!
Recently I received 2 solo games I backed on Kickstarter and since those 2 games are now available in store I would definitely recommend them:
The Dead Eye: A card game only in the same vain as Friday- you turn a card and choose what to do with it. Not sure which one of those two I prefer but I definitely recommend The Dead Eye if you prefer more a mad max still of universe vs a Robinson Crusoe one.
Mini Rogue: A small dungeon crawl that uses only cards. It’s a small game that packs a lot of fun! The game is more complex than what it looks like. You need to descend into a dungeon by gearing up and combat monsters that gets harder the further the dungeon you go. The version I backed is an updated version of an older game and they now includes a 2-player mode as well.
Cheers,
Thanks for the suggestions!
I think another interesting solo experience is Terraforming Mars. Interestingly, the solo experience is almost a completely different game. Instead of competitively building your engine and squeezing out victory points where possible, you instead have to completely terraform the planet in 20 turns. Still a great way to learn the game (which is mostly why I play solo.)
Keep it up Justin!
I haven't played TM yet but I'm really confident it would be a Justin Game if I got an opportunity to give it a shot.
I have one day a week in office right now and I almost always bring along one of Button Shy's games to play over lunch. My favorite solo experience has been Tussie Mussie which I like a lot better as a solo game than a multi player one. I have most of their stuff though. As solo games, Pentaquark is OK, Skulls of Sedlec is quite fun, I don't care for sprawlopolis or any of its spinoffs, and I also didn't care for antimony. The Perfect Moment and Ragemore are both fun but a bit complicated/long in my opinion.
Wingspan solo (stonemaier) is also a fairly solid and quick/engaging experience. I have 7th continent, and I'm getting their next one, 7th Citadel, that they just kickstarted not too long ago but I struggle to bring it to the table for how long and involved it is. Fantastic quality when I do get it out though!
I like Tussie Mussie solo quite a bit, too! Opted to shout out Sprawlopolis here in this newsletter instead but I did noodle it.
I've backed the current kickstarter for the full package of the three additional wallet solos - excited to get them.
Just backed it for the main game with the two expansions! (At one extra dollar I couldn’t not get the second expansion.) Thanks for shouting that out!
Have you looked into Sleeping Gods?
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/255984/sleeping-gods
It should quickly be climbing into the BGG top 100 once more copies come out. I play it with my wife, but it could easily support solo play. Amazing open-worldesque exploration/storytelling game that uses a simple skill check system for most interactions. Reprint coming later this year I think!
I know you love Wind Waker. This game is literally about sailing around a bunch of islands at your whim, meeting strange people, fighting strange creatures, and trying to reawaken the gods.
I keep missing opportunities to buy Sleeping Gods! I want it.
Hey, what do you have against Mage Knight? :P
I will say that Warp's Edge is an excellent solo bag building experience IMO.
I was waiting for someone reading closely to take issue with my goof on Mage Knight!
Warp's Edge is on my "maybe someday" list. I'd probably buy Coffee Roaster first.
Where can I find copies of Gate, Desolate, and Sprawlopolis? I love the idea of these tiny games I can pull out really quick and play, but I'm having trouble finding them anywhere for purchase.
Desolate and Gate are at The Game Crafter -
https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/desolate
https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/gate1
Sprawlopolis is sold direct from the publisher - https://buttonshygames.com/products/sprawlopolis?_pos=1&_sid=1dfff0206&_ss=r
Awesome, thanks! Definitely going to look into these, I've tried playing Jaws of the Lion by myself, and while it's a lot of fun, setting it up then putting it away before my toddlers get to it is a bit of a hassle, so I haven't played it much, just like you mentioned.
Loved this article! Calling back to Paperwave #2, I haven’t yet raised my own brood of gaming partners, so solo games have a good place in my life right now. I picked up Marvel Champions a few months back and enjoyed it enough for a few sessions. I was curious for that game and others that can be played as one player or “two handed,” what makes you (Justin or anyone else reading this) decide between the two? Personally I feel like I have enough difficulty managing my own resources without tacking on another “player’s,” but I feel like I miss out on some of the character-character interactions that could happen.
I had a section in this newsletter originally about one-handed solo vs. two-handed solo. I cut it for length and decided to split it into its own whole letter I'll send later.
For me 1H solo is my preference, when a game fully supports it, but I most often play 2H to get the most "authentic" or full-featured experience. I play 2H when the game design seems to encourage synergy and combos between players (Aeon's End) or when the game design doesn't *quite* scale down to 1P 100% gracefully (LOTR).
I played Marvel Champions and 7th Continent 1H solo. Everything else was 2H I think.
Definitely going to look into Gate or Desolate! Both seem like good fun for when my partner isn't up for a game or is in bed.
Great work all around!
I like Gate more, but its aesthetics do a lot of heavy lifting.
My buddy and I have been playing a lot of Lost Ruins of Arnak lately. He says the solo is quite good, but tough! I love the base game and am excited about future expansions.
One thing I appreciate about the Stonemeier games is that he makes sure they have solo options. The fact that "Automa" is part of the modern board gamer's glossary is pretty awesome in itself.
One last shout-out is for the "clockwork" or AI additions to Root. They can provide tough and meaningful solo experiences and also great if you need to add a third or fourth player to the board.
Love the content, Justin!
I actually personally dislike clockwork automatas in board games and cut a section from this write-up for length about how I don't find them satisfying :)
But it's still an interesting and cool development in the scene for sure. It feels like a crazy "what if we tried...?" thing suggested 10-15 years ago really leaned into and made manifest.
Good point about how they came to fruition! They definitely provide a different experience compared to games specifically designed for solo play.
I'm really enjoying your write-ups and am looking forward to what future game topics you write about (I've even been reading the Magic stuff I'm not usually as interested in because I like the history and perspective you provide of such an important game to the tabletop space). Keep it coming!