10 Reasons to play board games solo

[@3MBG]

I'm deleting a few comments, which is funny. Because the people saying "solo gamers are loner losers" and similar things are the ones showing a complete lack of social graces. While the actual solo gamers on here are acting with respect. Food for thought huh.

[@teibei101]

imagine feeling threatened by people just doing their own thing 😬

[@wewillrise3663]

Agreed

[@albertolopes829]

@@teibei101 Excellent thought. And it unfortunately applies to so many things in the world these days.

[@nols426]

Quite funny how strange some people's perceptions are... Playing video games on your own: nice! Watching streams of other people playing video games on their own: even better! Being with friends, who are on their phones, minding their own businesses while being in company: don't know what's wrong with that. Setting up a board game just for yourself: Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?!

[@reyrey8562]

These are just people who actually hate themselves instead of celebrating other people's preferences.

[@albertolopes829]

For me, there is also another reason: to help me cope with depression and anxiety. This works especially with "puzzly" and immersive games, they demand my attention and the immersion helps me "turn off" from "real-world" negative thinking. There have been days in which I was feeling really down, but put myself to a game of Mage Knight; then three hours passed and I couldn't notice the time flying.

[@3MBG]

Oh yeah, this is a really good reason. So many folks in the solo gaming community will share this experience with you to.

[@raulbass92]

Same

[@gbdomingo]

Same friend

[@nathalievazquez4708]

100%

[@goesbysteve]

I couldn’t agree more

[@TummyRubz]

One reason I love solo gaming is that playing the game solo is the ultimate learning tool when it comes time to teaching it to other players. I love the joy of working out how the games work in my own private company

[@3MBG]

I can't believe i didnt add this answer, i do this every single week for the channel as part of our process. I setup and solo play a game to learn it so i can teach it to players, every single week, lol

[@stacymilacek8401]

I started solo playing to get games off my shelf of shame. I discovered that I love playing games solo (don't have any that are specifically for solo play). It's relaxing and a lot healthier than scrolling through social media in my free time.

[@BerndKrannich]

Shoutout to all the card playing grandmas of the eighties❤

[@iqweaver]

11. Learn, practice or improve before takling on others 12. House rule / cheat / skip forward 13. Some other players are too slow and frustrating and you have to endure their company 14. Play in groups and sometimes you are oblidged to play games others want to, solo you can play YOUR games all the time

[@adamgreen3217]

I recently got into board games, and playing them solo. I was suffering with severe depression and my mind just wouldn't stop. Then at Christmas i bought my nephew the starwrs pandemic. Just playing the game eased my stress and cleared my mind. A week later I started to buy myself some and am never looking back! Now I'm able to keep my head clear and ready for my next game lol. Plus boardgames are just great! The whole pause when you want is definitely one of the best things solo. BTW your videos are excellent and basically I always check your channel before I buy. Awesome work and thanks for all the tips 👏✌️👍

[@3MBG]

Fantastic news Adam, im really happy for you

[@SnappyTomNZ]

Changing the table lighting at each reason is very clever and helpful.

[@3MBG]

Why this video and not another top 10/33 solo board games video? Because the reasons we play are ultimately far more interesting that what we are playing. Let me know your reasons here in the comments. You might also notice some of these comments are over a week old. And that's because everyone on my patreon gets early access to our videos, sometimes over 2 weeks advance. Not accepting money from publishers means we run the channel off the efforts of our amazing patrons. If you like videos like this, that aren't not just adverts, consider signing up and support us. Cheers all.

[@breakupgamingsociety2170]

Appreciate the vulnerability of the "Illness" segment. It was good to learn something about you. I could relate to a degree. Giving up on the fantasy of recreating the social aspect of my Boardgaming Golden Era and forging on with solo play has given me not only some comfort, but a surprising wellspring of joy. I went from bemoaning the lack of a group to craving this new experience. I think Thunderbolt Apache Leader-which sat on my table for most of the winter-might have kept me from going off my trolley.

[@travisbicklejr]

Thank you for supporting the solo gaming community!

[@ekurisona663]

for anybody interested I've also discovered the world of solo tabletop RPGs - it might sound crazy but there is a whole branch of RPGs that are designed solo and that are being played solo

[@Mysmi]

Could you recommend any to start looking up?

[@travisbicklejr]

Do you have any that you recommend?

[@sambeck7402]

For recommendations, I love 1000 year old Vampire which is a solo journaling RPG. If you want a more traditional RPG with stats and dice and quests etc, check out Ironsworn: Starforged.

[@Paper-dust]

@@travisbicklejr Ironsworn, Thousand Year-Old Vampire etc.

[@gomezthechimp1116]

Tunnels and Trolls (1975) was a very popular RPG to play solo, so there's nothing new about it.

[@PointTakenAway]

When I was a child, I played Backgammon solo so many times, just to pass the time, but then I realized I started to understand the strategies of the game. But I don't play solo anymore, although now I think reason number 9 would be helpful .

[@j_atkinson]

I like your intro. It's how I've explain solo gaming to people. A lot of people think it's strange to see me playing a board game solo if I was in cafe or at the library, but had I been playing "Patience" they would think nothing of it...because... that is normal to them. Making the connection that solo board gaming or other game is really no different than playing "Patience" helps it click for people not accustomed to the idea of playing solo with other games.

[@3MBG]

Yep, if its normal for a conservative rural new zealand woman born in 1910 like my Nana, it's not too outrageous for us right ;)

[@boardgameaddiction7081]

Love this video! It was not what I was expecting when I clicked play, but by the end it somehow felt like it was exactly what I should have expected all along. I'm also a big fan of solo gaming. About 50% of my total plays each year are solo. These days I refuse to buy a game unless it either has a solo mode or I'm confident I can get a certain group to play it with me. For anyone interested, the 1 Player guild on BGG is pretty awesome and members will happily provide ideas and support for solo gamers who ask (or quietly browse the many discussion threads).

[@CarlosRodriguez-ez3ls]

My top reason: I'm a slow player and that tends to annoy other players. Thanks Jarrod!

[@Ian-R-Wilz]

Rahdo featured this on his recap this week. Had to check it out. My biggest reason is that I got more into the board game hobby than my wife and she likes games where there isn't an overabundance of things that she needs to remember what to do. Now, I'm not a heavy game, I'm more of a mid-weight gamer but I want some different decisions to do during my gaming. It allows me to play games more often as I like to play more than my wife. I also really don't have a desire to get together with people and make a game group. They also help my mental health.

[@ziomalZparafii]

1:35 back in the '80s in Poland I was sitting at the table with my grandma and she always played that one. I've learnt that just by watching her. Over 30 years have passed, she doesn't play it anymore but the memory remained. Cheers to you, all grandmas in the world :-)

[@davidemcguire4140]

Speaking as a solo gamer - who strangely enough got back into the hobby with Oathsworn! - I have absolutely loved every minute of it. Oathsworn works so well because of the narration and the tightness of the adventure mode and combat system. It isn’t “having a DM” good, but as this is the closest game to a traditional RPG, more than just a dungeon crawler, that I own, I have loved painting the models, fighting the big bad, and getting properly immersed in the story. And I did all of that not because getting a group would be difficult, but getting the *right* group would be a proper pain. Great choice early on in this video.

[@SanderPastoor]

Love this video! My main reason for solo board gaming is to get away from screens for a while. I love sitting and fiddling with wood and cardboard, it's fantastic.

[@Michael.Virtus]

Great video. My main reason for solo play is that I can play whenever I want. I can't snap my fingers and bring people home to play with me at anytime. When we plan, coordinate our free time and organize, it's great to play as a group. But when we can't I can pick a box and play solo immediately.

[@michaeldlanemusic]

I play solo for many of the reasons mentioned. I only got into the pastime, literally just 12 months ago. Fell into it via a cheap copy of Gloomhaven, and a kids bedtime routine that would see me have several hours to myself every night (they needed mum to put them down) after the dishes and the washing and everything else was done. And I found its benefits on my mental health, and self regulation to be palpable. I'm very much a homebody ... maintaining relationships and going out is really hard work for me (very much because I am autistic) so having a way to compete or play something without needing other people is gold to me. And its tactile and not computer based (after staring at screens all day at work!). Great video ... thanks for sharing your story as well.

[@oscarsiri2763]

I am a teacher who use lots of solo games for kids and adults so I know reason 9 (brain exercise) is specially true. A puzzle game (like the ones of 'Smart games' and other similar games) are very useful for students with Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder (TDA), they enter a state of concentration for long periods of time. Nothing beats boardgames. I also trasform lots of games into solo games, I did reason 8 (Theorize and Strategy) with "Assault of the giants" playing all 6 factions and it was a blast, 2 to 3 hours each game (reason5-time) and used all the box components (reason 7-dial to 11), I also do it with the modules of D&D 2nd edition because modules of that time had places and room descriptions plus all the story, so they're the DM! In all cases, reason 10 (fun) it's always there.

[@truemrfu9673]

When people say why solo, they usually compare it to multiplayer board games. But I feel that answer is obvious, there aren’t other people to play with. But for me, it comes down to “why solo board games and not video games” and I always compare board games and video games to movies and books. Books and board games just have a much slower pace, they really force you to take your time and experience everything. Video games always end up raising my heart rate and excitement, while board games are more calming and relaxing.

[@3MBG]

Thats a very nice way of thinking about it

[@Izinaima]

I love solo gaming because it is a great way to use my brain in various ways (I loved thinky puzzle books when I was a child) without the anxiety of feeling like I take too long to think about my strategy. 👍🏻❤️

[@johnwaynemcclung8056]

In addition to teaching high school math to my students on Zoom, I'm my wife's caregiver, and I literally can't leave my apartment for more than about a half hour on any given day just in case she has some need that needs to be met. Keeping one or two board games set up at all times allows me to enjoy a daily board game experience. Interestingly, I have ADHD, and it can be difficult to motivate myself to play, but if I put on some upbeat music, I suddenly feel like playing. For some reason, I also have to record my plays on a spreadsheet to give myself enough motivation to play games more than a couple of times. It's strange how the mind works. Thanks for the great video!

[@3MBG]

My best wishes to you and your wife.

[@portwills]

I'm by far a solo board gamer and I have a pretty big collection. To me it's mostly about peaceful meditation and an escape from the screens. Solo board gaming brings me a ton of joy, there's nothing I can compare it to. In videogames I had always been more into turn-based games and board games can replicate that just as good, the tactile element making it even better imo.

[@PACEUK22]

Great vid and I thank you for being so open about your history of health issues. It sounded incredibly tough and massive respect for coming through it and finding something positive in board gaming as a result. Kind of similar experience for me, I was hospitalised with covid (despite being fully vaccinated) and couldn’t walk any distance or do any exercise for over 6 months. Solo Board gaming , and board gaming channels helped me through this period greatly. I’m fully healed now thankfully and regularly run and mountain bike alongside enjoying time for my gaming hobby. Peace and respect dude 👊❤

[@3MBG]

My best wishes on recovery. Long covid is definitely going to have such a long term impact on many people. I suspect you aren't the only one watching this video who spent considerable time out of action due to it.

[@kristiyandimitrov467]

Reason 6 was real! Thank you so much for sharing and being authentic❤ I got into board games because of sickness - my girlfriend was ill and reading the Sherlock Holmes stories. I picked them up too, consumed them, and became a big fan of Sherlock Holmes. Then I came across the Watson and Holmes board game and it was down hill from there. Great hobby and love solo gaming. Take good care

[@Original_Maverick]

I love all the solo board gaming content I've been seeing lately. Thanks for sharing this! I think everyone can learn something from playing solo. It is great as a method to learn games and later teach them.. I think solo gaming can also help people appreciate what one really enjoys in a board game since it is removed from others' influences. The intro solo game I always recommend is Grove. Easy, quick, and small; I always have a copy with me.

[@lordcocoon]

Great video! I love very complex games which are not my family's cup of tea, so every saturday and sunday morning it's me and voidfall, frostpunk, spirit island, mage knight and so on. Friday and Saturday nights it's when we play lighter games as a family

[@3MBG]

Lovely, steph just said to me that i didn't included her wanting to knit instead of playing games as a reason, lol

[@cardboardconflicts]

Oh man you hit so many nails on the head. Thank you for support and normalizing solo gaming! Especially games that don’t have dedicated solo modes! I love solo gaming!

[@sstankfish]

One of my favorite board games, which I also thoroughly enjoy pkaying solo is the Bloodborne Board Game. When you play solo, you have so much more breathing room and as long as you plan out your movements, your biggest enemy is the randomness of the exploration tiles causing you to lose to the "timer". I absolutely love playing it 2-4 players as well, it just speeds up the timer by 2x-4x versus playing solo, so everyone must plan their moves incredibly well since the enemies respawn much more rapidly.

[@TheAlpo40]

I am a full-time dad whose only consistent time alone is in the wee hours of the morning. Starting my day with a hot cup of coffee and a bit of brain-burning analysis paralysis hunched over a board game does wonders for my mental health. Could I be playing a videogame, instead? Sure, but the last thing i want to do with this precious time is tempt myself to take a quick peek at the news and start my day a nervous wreck, instead. Thanks for making this video and keep up the great work!

[@monoludico6166]

Such a great video! I found your channel today thanks to Rahdo's last video. I'm from Ecuador and love solo boardgaming ❤ Back in 2007, when I really started into this hobby, I knew nothing about solo boardgaming. I used to think boardgames were exclusively for groups of people. Then... I started playing Arkham Horror 2nd edition solo and liked the experience so much! (Glad to know that AH was your personal companion during those hard years.) Now I LOVE playing solo (of course I prefer playing with my friends, but it doesn't diminish the solo enjoyment to me). Marvel Champions, The Lord of the Rings LCG, Spirit Island, Robinson Crusoe, Mage Knight and Tiny Epic Quest are among my favorites! 😊 BTW, an important reason for me is that solo boardgaming has helped me to fight against depression and anxiety! Cheers from the middle of the world. Insta subbed! 😊

[@Kurt343]

Board games have provided space for multiple generations of my family to bond through the shared fun, and your concise videos have been instrumental in the curation of our family collection. Thank you for helping us grow together!

[@amieridley1150]

Awesome video - when I was new to board game groups I played a lot of solo games to learn and keep up. It helped with not feeling so awkward, and I still remember being launched into a game of Xcom and realising that although I knew nothing about the game, I now knew enough mechanics to muddle my way through (with some very patient people!). Games are great for those of us who are a little more socially awkward, and playing games solo (which I like anyway - puzzles, brain stretching, it's fun) has helped with that. I love the mention of your Grandma playing patience - I learnt it from my Mum and Dad and still carry around a deck of cards in my bag, passing it on to another generation 😊

[@3MBG]

I'm looking forward to teaching it to my daughter.

[@jamesh9391]

Your #5 reason is actually my #1 for solo gaming: time. The greatest resource a solo game has is time. You can be as thinky as you want without annoying anyone; or you can be intuitive and impulsive without then feeling like you're being punished by someone taking a ton of time planning out optimal moves. It's also all uptime when you don't have to wait for others to play their turns. In Mage Knight, for example, there is a stark contrast between solo and multiplayer mode and it is entirely because of how long even one turn in that game can take. But one of my other big reasons for loving solo gaming isn't on your list: it's great for learning games, especially as a tool to then teach other people. As the primary teacher of games in my group, if the game I'm going to teach has a solo mode I will almost always play a solo game first. This lets me read the rules, actually use them in practice, and then return to the rules to understand what the most important parts are and what was unintuitive or easily missed. First impressions matter a lot with board games so I want to make sure everyone has the best first game I can afford them.

[@VJMorph]

Totally agree with Heat, wonderful solo game. I know you mentioned Hostage negotiator but Final Girl really nails the ultimate solo game for me. So much variability & flavour

[@trashmyego]

Thank you for bringing light to the utility of solo games for people dealing with illness. It's a hard thing to express to people how important having an activity that is tactile can be for a distraction. There's something about the progression from set-up to game conclusion and meditate on, on top of playing the game itself, that is a nice way to cut up some time you have.

[@3MBG]

It's so different from just staring at the TV and makes you feel more useful!

[@christopherleary7934]

As a young kid in the 70s-80s I would solo games from my grandmother’s collection. Monopoly, Rack-o, Why, Park & Shop, etc. It wasn’t until April 2020 that I got into modern board games. Although I prefer multiplayer experiences, solo is still a great experience. Last night I tried my very first game of Seth Jaffee’s Crusaders:TWBD and played solo both as a learning experience and for fun (final scores of 98-97 pursuing vastly different strategies). It’s great to see both your video and Comments show solo gaming’s benefits, especially the mental/mental benefits. Cheers!

[@adventuresincreativesoftwa6283]

Such a good video - thanks. A great blend of solo gaming insights and real-life experiences.

[@NicholasLee0]

I first learnt Patience on a ferry traveling down the Yangtze through the Three Gorges in the early 80s. Recently discovered Dutch Biltz, it's when a system can be expanded to multiplay. I find leave out and play allows you to try multihand non-solo games. For example, Hegemony. Gaps between moves make it easier to play yourself and test different ideas.

[@terry3733H]

(pre-internet) video games are mostly solo, so are Reading mystery, building models. As an extrovert game groups are fun; going solo also helps explore multi handed asymmetrical characters abilities 😊

[@pillarnexustheancientgladiator]

I like the challenge of taking a game without a built-in solo mode and seeing if I can make one up and make it fun. But, yeah, these are great points. Thanks for this video.

[@kmontzka]

Thank you for this wonderful video! I have been a solo gamer for many years and it has helped me in countless ways, especially through the pandemic. All the reasons you mentioned ring true as well as an essential way to unplug and get away from screens. It can be a mini-vacation from home when unable to travel, a way to unwind at the end of the day, and a hobby that brings a smile to my face on a daily basis.

[@3MBG]

I always miss the "unplug" reason, and i suspect that's because i was solo board gaming before i owned a computer, lol

[@codyknopp4921]

Great video! Majority solo gamer myself. Thank you for making a video like this. If people gave solo gaming a chance I think they would enjoy it. Thanks again for your contributions to the hobby.

[@allankamen9875]

Great video. I learned alot from this review. Some of my key games that I'll never get tired of, 1. Imperial or Imperial 2030 2. Pax Pamir 3. Power Grid 4. Inis 5. Loot (small filler) 6. Land vs Sea (tile laying for 2 or 3) 7. Terraforming Mars (over 1000 online ranked plays) 8. Air Land and Sea (wonderful fast 2 player game) 9. Modern Art, High Society, Cyclades (wonderful auction games)

[@ekurisona663]

this is a great idea for a video and I love how you combined the reasons with the recommendations

[@christopherhealey8807]

Thanks for sharing and be honest and open about your illness. You are a great example of sharing knowledge and joy and how to get through.

[@Jack.Folkes]

I am literally in the middle of setting up Robinson Crusoe Mystery Tales to continue a solo run through, just as RC turned up.

[@dadsanddice]

Keep up the good work! We are both big time solo gamers and absolutely love figuring out games this way

[@johnbrown6230]

Great list! Most of the reasons listed align with why I enjoy solo gaming. I particularly enjoy playing solo LCG games such as Marvel Champions, Arkham Horror, and LOTR, but I'm open to playing anything. I usually play solo games in the early morning or late evening when everyone in the house is too tired/sleepy (or can't be bothered) to join me in playing any multiplayer board games. I also tend to bring a couple of small solo games with me for holidays.

[@Emsworth377]

I wondered when you were going mention 'this war of mine', as I've never played it solo, but always felt it would suit that method of play. When you said you prefer it as a group, i did feel: yes, it does feel like you need to share the experiences of that game. Good point. Well made.

[@MisanthropyAnD123]

The best thing about board gaming, solo or otherwise is having something productive and fun to do which does not involve a screen. It takes us away from tv, phones, computers and to do something physical; touch real components, not digital, with the added benefit of exercising your brain. When I first got into board gaming, only mid last year, I played games that could be considered mid level difficult, like Ankh, which I love. Even though that game is not difficult, as a non-board gamer, remembering how to do the most basic tasks hurt my head, I was not even sure if I should continue. I felt a little stupid even, but it showed me that in quite a few years, I had not challenged myself to learn something new. Yes, I learned new things through reading, new knowledge etc, but playing games actually requires thinking, in real time and to make a decision too. I know this sounds obvious but it astounded me that even basic games were difficult for me to learn. I guess my brain was starting to create new path ways, path ways which never saw the light of day. I am so glad I got into board gaming, because, somehow, I was even able to play Arkham Horror LCG, with a lot of patience and learning. Beside sport, board gaming is one of the best ways to get away from a screen. Thanks for the great video as always :)

[@jamierufe]

I’ll be honest, when I first got into the hobby about five years ago, I definitely fell in that “solo gaming is weird” camp. Even as I got more into gaming and dabbled with solo play, it always felt a bit ridiculous. However, after having twins a few months ago, I came to the realization that it would either be solo gaming for a while or no gaming at all. I ended up picking up a copy of Mage Knight and now I completely understand why people love solo gaming so much. All it took was the right game for me to see the light!

[@3MBG]

Ha, and yes, Mage Knight is one of those games ain't it

[@jamessherman7797]

Enjoyable video and thanks for sharing your personal experience with illness and how solo board gaming improved your quality of life. Glad to see Heat Pedal to the Metal on the list. I played it solo so that I could learn the game to teach others. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it played solo when it’s really a social game. Clever game mechanics. I don’t need to play it solo because it is one of the most frequently played games with our game group! Works great for all ages. Now, I have other a few games specifically designed for solo play, like Legacy of Yu and an assortment of other games that seemingly have a solo mode option. I just need to make more time for the solo play.

[@kitcarpo4745]

My Grandmother taught me "Solitair" in the 70's. I also have some plastic cards from her. They are from the 50's I think. One pair of decks has leopards, and the other has flowers. Both in dual deck boxes. Bridge people don't mess around when it comes to keeping the game moving.....

[@sunidaze]

I remember that my gramma bought me the 'The big book of solitare games" and a deck of cards. I still play a few of my favorites.

[@3MBG]

Lovely. It's great how many people have been reminded of their Grans from this vid ;)

[@AndrewJohnEgan]

The entire concept was quite odd to me for a long time, board games were always an inherently social thing for me. Then I bought Under Falling Skies and it started to make sense, I really enjoyed the puzzle and riding the rhythms of the game by myself. It also is terrific to play with another person, discussing which options to take. I find I will pull out a solo game on a weeknight when there’s nothing else on. Warp’s Edge, Cartographers, Kingdom Rush, Bullet, Bathysphere, Get to the Checkpoint are my favourites solo.

[@bencollins9663]

I start playing a game solo then cool stuff in a game happens and it makes me feel like I need someone there with me to experience it

[@3MBG]

Ha, i have these moments too. *fist bumps the air and looks around*. "sigh"

[@JedrekVRoscoe]

Great video! And thank goodness you’re still with us

[@Leemundo23]

3 and a bit reviews does a 25 minute video where one of the most resonating reasons is number 6, which is about the most important 3 and a bit minutes of the whole thing! Good health to you, Sir! I’m already subscribed, but this video is elegant and passionate for all the right reasons and I would have hit Subscribe in a heart beat. Thank you.

[@lenmux]

Loved every bit of this. Thank you for sharing your experiences and making this video.

[@DanWaksman]

Great video and thank you for sharing your personal experiences and insights. I got into solo gaming about 2.5 years ago and now it's something I still always make time for. Time for me to enjoy the game that I want, when I want!

[@joegoodman8213]

I sometimes like to make my own characters and rules to games and then play solo to see how it goes. Some games that get old can be revitalized by adding a twist to it.

[@markpatoka]

I mostly play solo because it's too difficult to coordinate time to game with other people, which I would prefer. I also like it to learn a game before teaching it, the puzzle aspect and I can take my time to try different strategies. I know it's also a good way to keep the mind sharp. My mom taught me how to play Solitaire when I was a kid and have played many hours and variations to kill the time.

[@clivewitcomb2839]

Great vid! Arkham horror lcg saw me through the pandemic solo for sure... I'd agree also that the physical aspect is important over apps to for solo play. Turning over a card, or pulling out a token from a bag - it's visceral. Clicking a mouse is kinda like being at work! X

[@nutherefurlong]

Similar to what you said, modding a game is easier if nobody else's around to say no :) And yeah, also you can play at your own pace. Has to work solo, of course. Things have changed so much so fast since my own solitaire days :) Appreciated your personal insights as to why it mattered, glad it helped you through

[@kenaguasa7305]

Thanks for talking about health. I always love hearing your story over the years about Arkham Horror. Dr. Sanjay Gupta says in his book: Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain the main thing to keep the mind sharp is moving. However, if you can't move much boardgames can work to keep your mind sharp :)

[@3MBG]

Chees and thank you

[@markdandridge4433]

I appreciate your content and subject matter so much that I was compelled to leave a comment. I had always loved board games but rarely played one for lack of having another person who was interested in a board game as well. We had a few games because of my brother inlaw. We would only break out a game when they came for a family gathering. Somehow, about 3 or 4 years ago, I heard the term solo board gaming. I was like wow! Board Games that didn't take a minimum of 2 players? I looked at some of the games we had, and one of them said 1 to 4 players. That game was Dungeon Roll. I went down a rabbit hole on KZbin and watched a 5 hour documentary from Tom Vassel on the history of the Dice Tower. I had no clue who Tom was or what the Dice Tower was. My heart broke as he talked about Jack. Then I found Tim Choun and his production for Dwellings of Eldervale. It literally blew my mind wide open, and he said it could be played solo. Fast forward to now. I play Dwellings of Eldervale regularly. I just 360 recorded solo plays. I absolutely love Dwellings. I do have other games now but for me, Dwellings is my favorite. The one game that can possibly take that slot for me is Andromeda's Edge. Thank you again for a very heartfelt presentation. I felt your words. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@davidlhsl]

Great video. My top reason I love to play board games solo is to experience the narrative that emerges from many games. I don't know if you have done this, but I think a great companion would be 10 Reasons to play board games with others instead of solo. Some of mine: (1) You can pick up new strategies that you might not discover on your own. (2) You could identify rules you misunderstood or played incorrectly.

[@aorakis5795]

For me solo boardgames are also : relaxing! Aeon's end / Astro knights are really good candidates for the fun and huge replay value. Cheers from belgium.

[@wingspangirl]

I love playing solo. And solo gamers are as much gamers as everyone else in the gaming world.

[@danieltaylor3755]

Im loving solo boardgaming and really hit it hard during covid

[@elaineabreu282]

Solo games are a big part of my life. As a matter of fact I'm a dedicated solo player. I tried running a group but as the person running it, it was very "hosty". I felt like I had a second customer service job. If you are a good host you make sure other people are having fun. It wasn't about my enjoyment but theirs. I had to lug games around, teach games, and deal with the type of people who have absolutely no social awareness, like the ones coming here calling people who enjoy games solo losers. I like what you said, that when you play games solo you get to enjoy games on your terms. No compromises, not having to deal with the creepy unwashed neckbeards. Just me and my games In my clean house, with vanilla-scented candles, good snacks, and good music.

[@3MBG]

As a life long host, i feel this. I have become so brutal with who i will allow in the my game sessions and who is blocked and OMG i need vanilla scented stuff for the games room right now!

[@jimbusher5895]

Great video - it also allows me to play games others just don't want to like ISS Vanguard, which some see as a little too complex and intimidating

[@jonathanseely9421]

I loved this video. For a long time I’ve said that I will only play board games and video games with other people, and I’ve just started growing out of that. I just got the game Harmonies and I like playing it solo way better! 😅

[@Table.Fables]

My main driver to play solo board games? To save my eyes and spend less time on video games looking at screens! And it’s worked :) I still enjoy video games but spend wayyy less time on them now. Great video and thanks for sharing about yourself and your passion for solo gaming 👏🏻

[@Mysmi]

I second this. Congrats and what are some of your favs to play?

[@stokesy2469]

This was my main reason to!!!

[@stokesy2469]

​@Mysmi KD:M, Oathsworn, Mr. President and final girl. How about yourself?

[@Mysmi]

@@stokesy2469final girl, welcome to and I really found one deck dungeon enjoyable.

[@Mysmi]

@@stokesy2469kd:m what’s that?

[@fran823]

Shout out to all the Nana’s who taught us to play patience, the OG solo board gamers 😊

[@RiverWithHaxs]

Bargain Basement Bathysphere free print and play is an awesome solo game.

[@RossHebden]

Great video! Aside from the usual solo games with a pack of cards and chess as a kid, I have fond memories of multihanding MTG decks for the theorycrafting buzz when I was caught in that particular web as well as running both sides of Epic 40K clashes for some of those emergent narrative kicks. Having kids got me back into solo board games heavily. We lived in our lounge for an absolute age after the first one was born and I ended up going to and from solo games of Mage knight at some very odd hours of the night. Good times. Definitely been loving the increase in attention from designers for the solo-side of the hobby and there's some great solo only titles out there.

[@Alex-mf8qm]

Great video. Really appreciated the alternative format and approach compared to usual list videos. Agree with all your reasons, I would add as a subset to the deep dive idea, is the learning idea. I try to solo play some games before bringing to the group to make teaching and learning easier for everyone.

[@thenewamericanunderground3149]

Thanks for being a real human, sharing and inspiring us to care about games and the world beyond. Means a lot that you balance being vulnerable and also calling people to action and thinking critically.

[@dimitrisminus7696]

Your reason 8 is what I always do when I try to learn a new game. It helps me understand and discover the game. Also let's me know how to answer questions that may arise during play or niche cases.

[@TheFancyFilmmaker]

I’ve been playing solo games for about a year now and I love it! There are so many great games that have amazing solo modes! My favorite games I play solo are Final Girl, Cthulhu death may die, and under falling skies! I might have to give Dawn of the Zeds a look!

[@3MBG]

The same designer of DotZ did the plum island horror as well, which might be easier to source i think

[@Darthus]

I love this video, thanks for handling to so comprehensively and not just doing the kneejerk "well I guess solo gaming is fine if you are unlucky enough not have a group". Two additional things I'd like to emphasize. You touch on it near minute 11 about campaign games, but for me, if a game is about immersion and consuming a narrative, I almost always prefer to play it solo. If you've ever tried to play a computer RPG videogame multiplayer, or had a group of people talk through an immersive movie you're trying to sink into, you get it. Second is I think solo boardgaming is weird simply because boardgames (more than even cardgames) just have always been social activities. But that seems more happenstance than design. Again, looking at Videogames, saying someone is "weird" for enjoying solo videogames is obviously incorrect, but the main reason there is because there are HUGE amount of solo videogames (in fact, way more than multiplayer), and videogames have multiplayer and single player modes which usually are quite different. But even in an RTS for example, there's a competitive multiplayer mode, and there's a singleplayer campaign. I think it's just an artifact of boardgames just becoming more mainstream and not just put in the realm of Monopoly++, so my hope is skepticism of solo boardgaming (and lack of solo focused boardgames) is just a phase. There is plenty of space for both in the hobby and they both strongly have their place.

[@3MBG]

I get you. This is why i don't think i could ever be a streamer, if im playing a solo game, im lost in it, video or board game, it doesn't matter.

[@matthewpatrick5688]

Even suggesting six-handed Spirit Island made my head explode. BOOM My favorites: Arkham Horror LCG - 2-handed GI Joe Deck Builder - 3-handed Ashes Reborn - Red Rains expansion Spirit Island - 2-handed (maybe 3) Marvel United - 3-handed (this is fairly low complexity) Tyrants of the Underdark - solo variant on BGG Final Girl SW Outer Rim - 2 AI bots Sentinels of the Multiverse (app only) Abomination - solo variant Horrified - 3-handed The Hunger - 3-handed (I play competitively against myself and just enjoy the experience) FormulaD - 3-handed (same approach as The Hunger) Love your channel!

[@richardsaunders9214]

Many times I learn a game solo so I can teach my friends the cooperative version. Rule teaches go much better if you have soloed the game!

[@ibarzabal]

This was an awsome and entertaining video, made me want to try more solo plays

[@jonathangmeyer]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, that took a lot of courage, I’m sure. ❤ I love board games, but I really struggle to play solo mostly because I miss the player interaction, but I’ve been toying with solo Europa Universalis recently, and BOY has that been an incredible experience.

[@3MBG]

EU is amazing. I hope you caught my review of it.

[@SoloBattles]

I play solo because I like to play on my schedule, at home (not having to host and have company), and I can take a break and come back at my convenience. I also play with a group on a semi-weekly basis, but I like to play every day.

[@SoloBattles]

As requested and promised, here is my video of a Battle of Five Armies solo replay. It is the first video I have made of this game, and it's a little rough, but I am doing another video on the heels of this one, and it will be more action and less mechanics focused. My target length is 10 minutes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYrKp35uasuDoqc

[@Dementis1049]

A few years ago I ended a really bad relationship and I was (still is) mentally unwell on top of that. Needing to fill my time with something other than videogames, movies and books inbetween working out and getting help, I tried some fanmade solo variants of boardgames I already owned and realized that I was a good way to balance my long days and nights. So these days, I actively buy solo only games and it's a huge plus if my other game purchases have a solo mode since it helps me learn the game better for when I play with others in my gaming group.

[@3MBG]

Good to hear things are somewhat better for you now.

[@coltsfan5555]

Rush Hour was a throwback! I played that soooo much as a kid working through all the scenarios. Still a great game as an adult

[@hogger95905]

Now that you mention it I played a lot of solitaire with cards when I was a kid. Then I played a lot of board games by myself playing as all the sides since I didn’t have anyone to play with. So I’m happy so many games are out now that have solo modea

[@AboveBoardNZ]

Great video, Jarrod! Your experience learning Patience from your grandmother mimics my own with my nana growing up. I’d almost forgotten. Thank you for jogging my memory. Also sorry to hear of your earlier health struggles. In some way, perhaps that experience contributed to the emergence of 3 Minute Board Game today. 🙂

[@3MBG]

Well, if i hadn't gotten sick and gone back to university while i was recovering and joined the university games club i would never have met Steph, so there is always that

[@Michaelrsted]

Great video. I love Robinson Crusoe and I really wanted to love first Martian. But the rules was just too bad. I tried it multiple times but always came away from it frustrated as half the time playing I was looking up rules on bgg and the rule book… meanwhile forgetting which astronaut was the green, red, blue disc etc. Too bad. Really really wanted to love it. The theme is really awesome.

[@tzgardner]

16:16 I dialed up Pandemic to 11 playing solo. I played with everything . . . Virulent strains, Mutations, the Lab, Hinterlands, Emergency Events.

[@3MBG]

Epic

[@martysmovies7892]

Lovely video. Nice way of approaching the subject. People often say they would rather play a video game because theres no setup but i think setup is part of the enjoyable meditative part of solo boardgaming. You mention solitaire. I think when windows added solitaire and everyone started playing on desktops it lost an integral part of the game. The setup. When you play solitaire on computer you are always making decisions, you are always 'on'. The physical version has a nice meditative break between games.

[@UmouMais]

Love solo boardgaming, but I also play a few games with a friend. Although, most of the times I rather play solo, specially because my all time favorites are quite complex and my friends wont spend time and effort to keep up with me. So at the end of the day, if I want a real challenge, I have to play solo (or play on bga, but I'm not a fan of digital plataforms). Thanks for sharing this video with the community. Those who appreciate good content and are polite are gonna get nice tips from you