15 best solo RPGs to play in 2023

[@Crosbie71]

Apawthecaria is just the best. More than just journaling prompts, there’s a real, engaging game there.

[@puppaz8210]

As an older person with few friends I find this really useful. I'm new to tabletop RPGs, so will definitely take a look at some of these. Thank you!

[@nerddegreeburns]

I had no idea solo rpgs existed. I can't wait to try some of these.

[@PBuechner]

This is a great list! Thanks for supporting solo gaming and the solo game creator community!

[@cassimothwin]

Thank you for including The Sticker Game! We are really proud of it!!

[@dgtlrn]

Hell yeah, The Sticker Game is great.

[@roxaskinghearts]

lost alone isnt a game its a visual experience most of these i wouldnt call games but visual novels people need to stop lazily giving things the games title when there shorter then final fantasy in terms of gameplay depth in terms of strategy any 3d visual experience or 2d experience doesnt make it automatically a game a game is more puzzle strategy choice elden ring is a game kingdom hearts on proud mode down is a visual experience minecraft is a game same with seven days to die fallout 4 Pokemon is a visual novel there is 0 strategy 0 gameplay depth i mean dragon quest has more gameplay depth then this unless we are talking about end game mid maxing pokemon for max ev iv bla bla bla but compared that to smash bros and games are night and day

[@ChadUrsoMcDaniel]

@@roxaskinghearts I get your point, but you posted this as a reply concerning The Sticker Game.

[@Worthless-one]

​​@@roxaskinghearts Dude, games existed way before video games, LOL! Just because it's not a video game, doesn't make it not a game. RPGs (Role-Playing Games), originally referred to things like D&D, not CRPGs, like you mentioned (computer role-playing games), the "TT" referring to Table-Top, was only added to TTRPG to differentiate between CRPG later, because whiny children like you complained about it being confusing. But yes, TTRPGs are still games. So are your so-called 'visual novels'. So are board games. So are Sports. So is just Pure Imagination, like from the mind of a child playing pretend, running around in a field. Edit: also, your punctuation needs work.

[@TheGamingWard]

I can't wait to start The Sticker Game! I may or may not have bought tooooo many so I can start lol

[@dgtlrn]

I would definitely have to add 1000 Year Old Vampire, To Honour And Obey, & MIRU to the list. In 1kYoV, you document the unlife of a vampire through diary entries and memories that fade or are lost. To Honour And Obey sees you take on the role of the wife of an Arthurian knight who leaves you, pregnant, amidst all the dangers of the court whilst they go off questing. MIRU is a hex crawling survival game that gives you one simple task; kill god.

[@TheQrstOne]

MIRU sounds epic! I've gotta look into that. Also, TYOV was featured on Dicebreaker previously; they even have 2 sessions of gameplay as preview. 👍

[@lone_adventurer]

Love a bit of Miru! And the sequel is available to download now too (though I haven't tried it yet...).

[@ReneRunsRPGs]

Just released the finale of my Miru I podcast series today, and am so excited to dive into Miru II! Definitely worth a spot on the list. (And my group is putting together a group play Thousand Year Old Vampire series, too! though it'll be more like an audio drama than actual play)

[@joestacey6185]

I'm so happy to see Colostle. I was going to suggest it, but then didn't need to. It's lots of fun and deserves a wider audience.

[@dgill441]

I’m new to Solo RPG and was thinking of buying it. I really like how easy it seems to learn and play right away. Any tips or suggestions for a beginner?

[@St_M_]

Starforged

[@chinglee]

I played Ironsworn & Starforged solo and co-op with my daughter. Just a FYI. Ironsworn author wrote the One Ring Strider Mode book. Thanks for creating this list!!

[@hannahm7646]

Thanks for the great video! I’m definitely gonna check Fox Curio’s, it sounds right up my ally. I probably never would have heard of it if not through you, so thanks!

[@ThatGamerAjax]

Absolutely fantastic list! I would add The Broken Cask to the list as well, it's just such a wonderful inn management style game. If you read Legends and Lattes and want to do that in a game, it's a great way to simulate that feeling

[@TheGamingWard]

My first thought of TBC was "oh this is just legends and lattes." Love it lol

[@LasseUJohansen]

So glad to see these kinds of games that has left the eighties behind and realized that the written word can do anything. Absolutely anything

[@himurogentoku7117]

I love The One Ring Strider Mode and Ironsworn Starforged!

[@broceollomon]

I'm glad you mentioned Ironsworn: Starforged. I've had a blast with the original game and can't wait to play Starforged.

[@dimitrik.9122]

This is an amazing list of solo games, there are quite a lot that I either have and love (Rune, Notorious, backed the Dragon Dowser kickstarter), or love and would like to have (Apawthecaria, Colostle, Koriko). Also got to learn a couple news games that I'll have to check out, specially Be Like a Crow sounds totally up my alley.

[@TheGamingWard]

Colostle is a blast

[@DiscoSoup1983]

This is a nice list. But I would really recommend that you review Ronin, the game on which Notorious was based, in order to really give due to Tiago Junges. He's an outstanding creator and a good guy.

[@Tampahop]

I'm hooked on Starforged, but actually doing a three player co-op game which has turned out amazing. The best thing about co-op play is bouncing ideas off of other players and using the best or most interesting idea.

[@ztrackday]

Awesome list! I love to see more solo RPGs. I'll have to track most of these down! For me they're such a nice place to find a quiet moment away from screens, work, and whatever else is happening.

[@Greg_M1]

Thanks for this excellent roundup of solo RPGs. I've subscribed. What I really appreciate is the diversity of game types you presented. Specifically games that are built around exploration and creativity, not just hack n slash. Brilliant.

[@falconashek8913]

I get the following games to the table most often: Micro Chapbook RPG , Four Against Darkness, Alone Against Darkness and Micro Sci-Fi Rpg.

[@nan1019]

Fox curios floating bookshop does take at least 30pages of stuff to learn but once you start it is soooo fun like it is the best calm rpg where you can really get creative

[@tomsalati1027]

You read my mind, I was just looking for solo RPG suggestions, thank you!

[@Official_FAS]

Because of this video, I bought Colostle, it’s is now my first solo rpg and my first love in this genre 🤩 thank you

[@dgill441]

Awesome! I was absout to buy it. I am new to solo rpg stuff and I really like how it seems to be easy to learn and has lots of cool worlds! Any suggestions for newcomers?

[@SPACENOMADMALEV]

This list nearly exploded my brains. So many cool things I can barely comprehend

[@GoblinMixtape]

This is an incredible list!!

[@matwetton]

I would add call of cthulu to this list. There are currently I think 4 solo adventure books available for the system. They are actually really good fun and with some replayability given the use of different characters

[@Stephen-Fox]

Chaosium's also got three for the current edition of RuneQuest, and I believe the upcoming edition of Pendragon will be doing the fairly common for Chaosium 'put a tutorial solo adventure in there to help folk learn the game'

[@ShmavinShmenhouse]

Woah! I did not know this! Thanks for the headsup

[@kenroach5469]

Absolutely agree. And notice she has Call of Cthulhu game books on her bookshelf behind her in the video. :)

[@skyblazeeterno]

theres a large amount of choose your own adventure rpg books out there not just Call Of Cthulhu

[@Stephen-Fox]

Currently got two solo campaigns going - Animon Story via Mythic GME 2e (which you mentioned in a past video on this topic), and Iron Valley, which is a Stardew Valley/Animal Crossing inspired deep hack of the Ironsworn system that I think originated as part of a Starforged game jam. I don't think that's reached it's 1.0 version yet, mind, so... No marriage rules yet. Has crop rules and rules for building relationships, but no official rules for turning those relationships romantic.

[@dicebreaker]

Ooo how are you finding Iron Valley? I'm really keen to start my own playthrough - Maddie

[@Stephen-Fox]

@@dicebreaker Extremely cosy. I helped a pig compose a poem to get the resources for a present, for an example of just how much it nails the cosy vibes.

[@juanjosesegura4585]

Thanks for the video, I am considering my first solo/journaling TTRPG, this is being very helpful :)

[@seanfsmith]

Great list! Apawthecaria is esp. fantastic and I was so pleased to see BLAC win at Expo! I'm hoping with Rebellion's recent acquisition of Tunnels & Trolls we'll get a resurgence in solo adventures for that ─ there were some excellent material from back in the day

[@stormy7745]

Wonderful list! Definitely want to check some of these out

[@steveholmes11]

I used to enjoy those Tunnels and Trolls: "If you attack the snake-man; go to 27/5" games. It was all a bit mechanical, and there wasn't a lot of character development. But it was a launchpad for this whole ecosystem of solo RPG.

[@dreadpiratexx]

I love this list. I still default to my favorite 1000 Year Old Vampire. I have created D&D characters off stories I develop in that.

[@sonwukong7602]

Games in this list are really original and unique. My only problem is I want to try them all but I must pick one or only a few.

[@ed2003wrx]

I paused the vid and immediately purchased Rune. Can't wait to play it tonight!

[@lockedlake]

I wish there were a video presenting "Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop" I will definitively try Last Tea Shop. I didn't play Apawthecaria but I played Apothecaria (very similar) and its really cute. Starforged is indeed very cool ( but the mindset is a little different than our typical TTRPG. It seem difficult to start a session, but after the first couple steps, it become easier. )

[@paralasalud]

never played a solo RPG but i literally want to play all of these. thanks for links to each of them as well, what a treat

[@davidaiello3754]

What a lovely expose! I starred a few, I'm new to SPRPG's but Oh Man! What a Horizon! Very good, I followed your channel. My first Solo Play RPG, The Machine, by Adira and Fen Slattery, Only lasted six sessions, but Whoosh! What a trip! And I, I find myself straight hooked on SPRPG's! ^_________^! *Bows Low *Snaps Fingers

[@kimoro9643]

fun list, thank you! I’ve just been playing lots of Unlock! games solo and Spire’s End Hildegard. I’m going to try and find some of these, never tried a solo rpg before, thank you!

[@avluis86]

Not only are they super cute but they just introduced me to potentially thousands of gameplay hours, thank you for the lovely list, checking all of these out!

[@brotherhumble]

I often have long stretches at work where I need something to keep me engaged. Thanks for the info.

[@ZestonN]

I definitely want to play "Be A Crow" and "Ironsworn: Starforged" 😃

[@DMoore_4]

I learned of Thousand Year Old Vampire because of your channel and I absolutely love it. Easily could have made this list. 😊

[@songsayswhat]

That is an amazing game! 11 out of 10.

[@leespiderpod]

Thanks for mentioning this I’d never heard of. I played it over the weekend and it’s awesome

[@laurab6146]

Great list! Thanks for the recommendations!

[@maple7rees-352]

Sea of Stars is my top RPG of 2023

[@whiskeygamesnerdstuff789]

Great list, appreciate the video

[@Deabru3]

Nice top!!! Also I see a copy of Xenos Rampant on your shelf... Are you gonna review it?? :D

[@coryschlichting3517]

Cool list! Have you also tried "Final Girl"? That's a great solo game!!!

[@amedeogiacomini7066]

Thanks a lot, those title are super perfect!

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Thank you for the recommendations!!!

[@thelbs6500]

Pausing to ask what is the music playing behind the 'Be Like a Crow' segment? It's very evocative!

[@dicebreaker]

It's Snowfall Butterflies by Asher Fulero!

[@cetx]

What a great list. There are definitely several I'm going to check out. Thank you!

[@guillermoyaroslavlverduzco1551]

Aren't you expecting Witchbound? It looks so promising. I hope I can get it in retail as I realized a bit late about the founding campaign.

[@muskyoxes]

"getting into deep thoughts and feelings" - i keep looking for that, but too many solo games are just event randomizers without a directed story

[@bhopwow5596]

idk solo ttrpg seems to be just rolling and looking at tables and writing down results... I would think a better solo ttrpg would straight up dungeons with a read throu that desribes things around you with preception rolls and abilities rolls and have a key at the end of the chapter/adventure and for diolauge have a read throu with tables depending on choices.

[@tiborszekely8303]

Thank you for the recommendations! May I ask about the music from 1:22, please? It is so lovely!

[@PpAirO5]

Where and how can i get The one ring Strider mode (Book form) ? I can't find it anywhere.

[@dicebreaker]

I don't believe there's a physical version but you can grab the PDF on DrveThruRPG!

[@Paul-ro6py]

Thanks for a great list

[@kikithepupper6774]

these are SUCH AMAZING list. so many to choose from. thanks for this video. I have no friends so I gotta play by myself..

[@eixonm]

Hey, any way you can show the box again at the end each one. I would rather take screenshots of games I am interested without backtracking

[@HerrAwesomebot]

Amazing suggestions! For real though -- being a floating librarian == best life.

[@dicebreaker]

Let's all agree to abandon our lives and become floating libraians, they can't stop all of us 👀 - Maddie

[@cinnamonbun108]

I saw a picture of Runes combat a while ago and couldn't find it again! Thank you!

[@driver3899]

You sound so natural in front of the camera, do you memorize a script or read one or just talk?

[@odinulveson9101]

Shoutout to Dragonbane, Forbidden Lands and Vaesen from Free League. They do granite solid solo/ co-op ways to play at least those ttrpgs👏

[@MikePerry-bt9yv]

Be Like a Crow sounds great and I'll definitely get it Thank you

[@GenuineMattyC]

Love this list! I hope we see more of these type of lists in the future.

[@paulbarton1119]

Do these games offer a "Fail Forward" system? Or does your game end? Also how much replayability do they offer?

[@himurogentoku7117]

I am familiar with One Ring Strider Mode and Ironsworn Starforged. Both of them does have continuos story forward system. They have huge replayability thanks to their massive setting and story potential and wide character options. I hope my answer is helpful, Paul.

[@theHiddenStone]

Some good ones on this list, some I already knew and some new to me! My current favourite is NoteQuest. The free version is cool but the Expanded World (which is only a few quid) really kicks it up a notch.

[@lone_adventurer]

I love a bit of NoteQuest - my first game where I was drawing a hexmap and building a world as I played. One of my favourite parts of solo gaming.

[@theHiddenStone]

@@lone_adventurer Ah, I think it was actually your channel that first introduced me to NoteQuest, so thanks :D

[@lone_adventurer]

@@theHiddenStone ha, no problem! 🙂

[@edwardfreeman7512]

This is an interesting video. So which solo rpg comes closest to pen and paper rpgs like D and D and Runequest?

[@greenskynz]

thanks but would prefer to see to boxes and content as from the description it is hard to tell what the game feels like. each game i had to google. and is no. 1 the best or 15?....

[@TiagoJunges]

Yeah! Notorious is a hack of Ronin! :D

[@bradleybarth9939]

What do you think of "Domain of the Deathless King"?

[@hariszark7396]

I'm playing among others with: Vampire : Alone In The Darkness Alone Against Fear Cthulhu Nights Solo RPG Frontier Space The Solo Investigator's Handbook And soon I hope I will finish making my own space RPG.......

[@WildfireMagni]

Nice list. Quite a few I hadn't heard of and some of them seem pretty interesting.

[@YouTubdotCub]

been playing quick games of Korg when I'm out and about and bored (the game fits in your wallet easily), three games involving tarot: Princess With A Cursed Sword, Dungeon Divinations and the excellent solo dungeon crawlers Dungeon Solitaire: Labyrinth of Souls and Dungeon Solitaire: Devil's Playground, Irownsworn, the playing card deck journaling game Lichdom, the Solitary Defilement solo supplement for Mörk Borg (this one more than the rest probably) and planning to use geekgamers' Solo Game Master's Guide's INCREDIBLE tips and advice to run solo games of the dystopian sci fi derelict salvage game Orbiters Local 519 as well as eventually solo games of Whitehack, Errant and Delving Deeper.

[@nicholascolares8646]

Horoscope zine's make simple and great content. They just released a new one with plenty coverage for solo gaming

[@robinblaine5385]

Great list!

[@ZealoxDK]

I picked up "Like A Crow" in Essen, and had a chat with the author. Haven't played it yet, but now I'll have to give it a go :D

[@7.7.7_.7..7._]

Ironsworn/ starforged can emulate everything. Its perfect.❤

[@DaveinLedbury]

Just released, I believe Star Trek Adventures: Captain’s Log will be the solo RPG of the year in 2023…

[@shinlichi7860]

It’s almost April 2024 and most of your games have no reviews on board game geek. this review inspired me to take a look at some of these products for example sworn did you play this game? I can’t even tell if anybody has even bought it. I’m Morpheus. There’s no reviews. And a lot of it is pre-order. I can’t even make heads or tails of what is needed to play the game.

[@Svain5]

Have you played all/any these games, or are you promoting them?

[@luxiscarbonus]

Cool! Thanks!!

[@elaineabreu282]

I looooooove solo rpg and board games!!!

[@kori228]

want to try Colostle, but I really don't like the artstyle

[@MiniHarpist]

None of my local rpg sellers have any of these. :/

[@sproetland]

Only one i missed was Thousand Year Old Vampire, but otherwise wonderful list!!

[@baibaibaiiiii]

Would love to see you review LIMINAL by aesthetically sad ghost! I found it on Itch !! The aesthetic is amazing for an indie horror ttrpg! 😳😳😳

[@dicebreaker]

Ahh I can only find the Modiphius one! Is there a different one? - Maddie

[@madmatt112]

Can anyone identify the music playing behind the Apawthecaria segment? I KNOW I've heard it a million times before.

[@dicebreaker]

It's Leaning On Everlasting Arms by Zachariah Hickman

[@madmatt112]

@@dicebreaker Bless you for answering, thanks.

[@jessquinn6106]

Thank u for all of the new subs & positive comments, I am positively CHUFFED TO BITS!!! If you'd like to watch me do some "Actual Play," check out my current Solo Warhammer 40k campaign I'm doing using the Star Trek: Captain's Log solo system:

I just started playing Village Witch.

'Village Witch' is great, but I'm also starting to play 'Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop' simultaneously. This game is adorable!

[@The_Entity]

Im a big nerd and have literally never heard of solo rpgs, they sound fun.

[@dicebreaker]

They're honestly such a fun thing to get into and there are SO so many to pick from depending on what vibe you're after - Maddie

[@The_Entity]

​@@dicebreaker awesome ill definitely give it a shot. any suggestions for what to start with? bear in mind ive never played things like dnd and do age of sigmar mostly for the painting :)

[@dicebreaker]

I'd obviously recommend anything that sounds fun from the video, but hunting around on Itch.io is a good place to start too, it really depends on what kind of thing interests you! - Maddie

[@guillermoyaroslavlverduzco1551]

Aren't you keen on board alike? Something like... let's say... Folklore: The Affliction?

[@KarnakZMZM]

Introvert level over 9000!

[@Jei000]

Where is the Misty Mountain Link, I am assuming there should be an affiliate link?

[@dicebreaker]

Apologies! Link has been added and you can find them here: mistymountaingaming.com/

[@razzan532]

No Ronin?

[@ericperez7872]

D100 Space should be on here !!!

[@commandershepard9920]

A lot of these look like they could be played as a couple making decisions collaboratively.

[@dicebreaker]

Yes! Lots of them could be played collaboratively, some like Apawthecaria even have suggested rules to adapt them to have other players

[@bobbyk2891]

Love Koriko!

[@medicineman2210]

Try Five parsecs from home

[@ismaelhall3990]

so cool n neat