My Top 10 Solo Board Games (2023)

[@yeli14]

I have to say I appreciate you opening the boxes and actually showing us. Most content creators do not.

[@BoardGameBadger]

Glad you enjoyed it! You can’t judge a game by its cover…

[@Leilataj85]

I was thinking the same thing!!

[@kosterix123]

4:21 cascadia; 6:33 ed + mistwood; 8:32 friday; 10:17 onirim; 8:57 hadrian; 15:53 maquis; 19:23 yu; 21:57 SI; 24:30 crusoe; 26:11 SG would be interested in seeing more of Everdell and mistwood solo. I don't see how that would be better.

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thanks for the timestamps! I haven’t learned how to do that yet. I’ll make a note to do an overview of Mistwood. I genuinely feel that it makes for a more realistic opponent, so it would be good to set that out in more detail.

[@lilianempls]

Glad to see Maquis spotlighted.

[@BoardGameBadger]

It’s a true gem. And Jake Staines is such a good designer.

[@PamOrl]

When you mentioned Resist, I thought I would point out Maquis as a better option. And then…😂

[@BoardGameBadger]

Haha!! I absolutely love Maquis. I’d like to record a play through of it so more people can see how amazing it is.

[@joxer96]

Great list! Quite varied, but everything sounds like fun. Regarding Onirim, I went with the app because I didn’t want to deal with all the shuffling, it’d annoy me rather than help me relax. 😂

[@BoardGameBadger]

Yeah I think it’s a love it or hate it feature of the game! Luckily the app is really good so everyone can play a version of the game that suits them! I’d love to get a play though onto the channel sometime.

[@unlimitedrabbit]

Friday is my go to solo game. It's the perfect blend of relaxation and tension. The app is so good that it defies description.

[@BoardGameBadger]

It really is! It took me a while to buy it because it’s one where the artwork doesn’t really appeal to me, but I love how relaxing it is while still being challenging. And I love the rewarding feel of my deck getting bigger, and better as I go.

[@zvnetzley9209]

The algorithm just introduced me to your list, and i am thankful that it did. I also enjoy Resist, though it gives me a good beating. Solo is the only way I have ever played Viticulture, but I really enjoy that for a calming solo game. Solo is my gavorite way to play Ark Nova, as it still takea an hour, but since i am always engaged unlike a 3 player game of it, i enjoy it much more. I fwll in love with The White Castle this year, and plan to try it solo over the holidays. Sylvion is my favorite from the Oniverse. After hearing your thoughts on Legacy of Yu, I am going to give it another go. I lost my first round, but then changed strategies and beat the next 7 in a row with no worries. I was expecting more if a build up in difficulty, but it never showed up. I will add in the promo barbarian and maybe drop a couple of ready cards at the beggining to crank it up a few notches.

[@BoardGameBadger]

Resist is always traumatising! I get beaten and so many civilians die 😭😭 but it tells amazing stories. A friend has allowed me to borrow a copy of Ark Nova so I am going to try that out over Christmas and see how I get on. Legacy of Yu can be a bit swing-y but the gameplay is so smooth it’s almost hypnotic: nice and calming.

[@draheim90]

We must have similar tastes, four of my five favorite solo games are on your list and I enjoy a couple others you have on here as well!

[@sydneyo.649]

this list of games is a good list, I have a few of them in my collection. Sleeping Gods immediately hit my amazon list. thank you for another great solo list

[@BoardGameBadger]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have fun with Sleeping Gods!

[@jonathanantscherl]

Great list - not sure if aware but black sonata which is a cracking and quite unique solo game by sideroom (same publisher as maquis) are doing a reprint with a bunch of new expansions in Marchish time I think (Gamefound I’d guess). Thought might be of interest!!

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you for watching! I have Black Sonata, I’ve played it a few times and it’s so smart. I’d be really interested in expansions for it. I don’t play it very often because I worry I’ll “learn” some of the game, and an expansion might ameliorate that somewhat.

[@drewcross1310]

Thanks so much for these great games I had no idea where out there! I immediately ordered Cascadia and maquis and intend to get Hadrian's Wall and Sleeping Gods later.

[@BoardGameBadger]

That’s fantastic! Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoy the games 👍🏼👍🏼

[@mygirlfriendismean]

Just discovered your channel and love it!

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you so much! I’m really glad you’re enjoying it. I hope to be back posting more content very soon!

[@djfusion2808]

Good list!

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you!

[@garyclark7222]

Excellent solo game video! I’m curious to know if you’ve played - This War of Mine (VERY story driven with a book for narrative) - Arkham Horror LCG (excellent story driven deck building game) - 7th Continent (sandbox) Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion is one of my all time favorites. Best “teaches you how to play” game ever in the first 5 scenarios. Deck building, character developing. Adventure. Seems to have everything you specifically say you want in a game. AND is a lot of game/dollar spent. I highly recommend trying that one out just to see if you like it. Then add Gloomhaven and Frosthaven should you discover you really like it.

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thanks for watching! I’ve had This War of Mine recommend to me a few times so it sounds like it definitely needs to be on my list. I’ve watched a couple of playthroughs of Arkham Horror and I think I might like that too. I’ve never looked into 7th Continent so I’m off to do some research. I backed Gloomhaven Buttons and Bugs: I thought that might help me get into the system without massive cost or rules overhead (although now I’ve seen the rulebook I’m not so sure…)

[@thorstenkempf8345]

great list with several games I wasn't aware of - I did enjoy 7th continent quite a bit, that's one I'd recommend and legacy of dragonholt, although it has no real artwork

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you! 7th Continent seems to be a popular recommendation so I’ll have to bump it up the list a bit!

[@lystic9392]

Your voice is very calming. 😊

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you! I’m not sure my family would agree 🤣🤣

[@danieltaylor3755]

Great video and lots of great games in there. Keep up the amazing solo content creation we need it!

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you Daniel! 🤩

[@reneaquarius]

We've got quite overlapping tastes it seems! I really adore Maquis too. It is one of the very best. You might also like Alien: Fate of the Nostromo, Parks, Trailblazers and Superhot: The Card Game.

[@BoardGameBadger]

I’ve got Parks and I really enjoy it. It didn’t come off the shelf enough this year to grace the top ten, but it’s still a great game. I haven’t played the others but they’re on my list now! Thanks for watching 🤩

[@Leilataj85]

I’m only halfway through your video, but I was literally just opening a new copy of Hadrian’s Wall to start reading the rule book when it came up in your video! 😂 I’m not sure if Three Sisters is on your list but I highly recommend giving it a go!

[@BoardGameBadger]

That’s hilarious! Hadrian’s Wall is such a good game and I hear a mechanical sequel is in the works. I have Three Sisters, it’s incredibly combo-tastic. I like to play it sitting on the sofa with a blanket in cold weather 😊

[@Mike_James]

thats a legit list. Robinson Crusoe fits your preference perfectly. Spirit Island is my #1 of all time, it wasnt always, i appreciate it the more i play it. Branch and Claw made it feel complete to me. Jagged Earth felt like a bit of bloat and i passed on Nature Incarnate because of it. thanks for the list. id recommend Coffee Roaster for a quick solo game. doesnt really fit your preferences per se, but i was impressed by it quite a bit. not dice rolling but bag building so not sure if that type of randomness will put you off.

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you for your comments! I do love Spirit Island, I’m always amazed at how tense and puzzly the game can be. I’ve seen Coffee Roaster recommended a couple of times, I do have Warp’s Edge which is another bag builder and I like it, I think I didn’t get Coffee Roaster because I didn’t drink coffee so the theme didn’t appeal more than anything. I have started drinking coffee recently so maybe I should have a look and see if the game theme interests me a bit more now!

[@ChrisCypher]

​@@BoardGameBadgeryeah, to my understanding there's not much of a reason to own Coffee Roasters if you have Warp's Edge. It's the reason I never got Coffee Roasters.

[@tanner3270]

id suggest have a look at the loop, astro knights and witchcraft. i really like resist too and witchcraft is made by the same designers and has alot of positive reviews from different channels

[@BoardGameBadger]

Witchcraft is definitely one I keep being recommended. I’ll have to watch a play through and see if it’s different enough to Resist to warrant a space in my collection.

[@skyelarsen8172]

Have you tried Paperback Adventures? If you'd like to try it, let me know and I'd be happy to send you a review copy.

[@BoardGameBadger]

I haven’t, but I love games and I love reading so it sounds like a great combination for me! I’d love to try it please. I can be contacted at [e-mail]

[@RyanAshley419]

Mistwood is great. I usually shy away from getting sucked into expansions, but this is a great one. And Friday...it looks so underwhelming when you get the box, but the replay value is astounding. You really liked Legacy of Yu so highly? I have thought about getting that, but a lot of the reviews were mixed, so I haven't got it yet. And truth be told, I actually like Horizons of Spirit Island more than the original. It's quicker and easier to pick up and they give the spirits more powers. If you haven't tried it, you might give it a whirl.

[@BoardGameBadger]

I don’t tend to get expansions either, but Mistwood looked so good, and fit into the base box, so it was a no-brainer for me. I did like Legacy of Yu a lot and I’ve actually just started a new campaign. It’s becoming a bit of a comfort game. We’ll have to see if it stays that high next year. I’ve played Horizons once and enjoyed it. Nice and easy to jump into and I liked the spirits. I’d like to play it again. Thank you for watching, and for commenting!

[@killerkevsfromouterspace4479]

You just might like Secrets of the Lost Station. Nice video. Thank you!

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thanks, I’ll add it to the list!

[@IanUniacke]

It's not a board game, but I've been playing a video game called Sunless Seas which I think you would really love. It's very similar to some of these where it's basically like a board game (with some very light action parts) but has a tonne of well written narrative. It's also hard as nails (but fair) and it will take you a fair few tries to succeed.

[@kosterix123]

Distant skies is based off that.

[@IanUniacke]

oh awesome, I'll have to try that@@kosterix123

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll definitely have a look into that. I often think some of the games I enjoy would make good video games.

[@tzera_rhuon]

There's also a browser-based game in the same universe called Fallen London.

[@anthonychilds8193]

Been intrigued by Sleeping Gods (new to modern board gaming universe, until this month I'd only backed one game which was a reboot from my childhood, Dark Tower/Return to Dark Tower); with Sleeping Gods, is there much replayability? Also, I see that Ryan Laukat has done a bunch of games, have you played any of his other creations? Cool list, when I saw your #2 I immediately thought, I wonder if she likes "Sleeping Gods"; This is my first time watching your vids/channel. Will look for more! Happy holidaze!

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you for your comments! Yes, Sleeping Gods is very replayable. The world is so vast, and there’s so much content, that you won’t see it all in one, two, or even three campaigns. And when you explore the world your actions and decisions have consequences, which close off some avenues and options. When you play again and make a different decision, or the outcome of an encounter goes a different way, then the story can take a different path. I haven’t tried any of Ryan Laukat’s other games, although I have been looking into Near and Far. I also backed Creature Caravan in its recent Gamefound campaign so I’m looking forward to seeing what that’s like!

[@anthonychilds8193]

@@BoardGameBadger very cool, thanks!

[@trulsfinne9362]

Spirit Island has become my favourite game with the Branch&Claw and Jagged Earth expansions. Horizons was fine, but not that special. Looking forward to Nature Incarnate. I also find Friday a beautiful little game. Didn't enjoy Onirim as much. After watching your video, there are definitely more games I want to try! Have you tried Slay the Spire? It's a single player card game as a video game, I really enjoy it.

[@BoardGameBadger]

Spirit Island is such a good game. I always enjoy getting it to the table. I haven’t tried Slay the Spire but you’re the second person to mention it to me this week, so it definitely sounds like something I should look into!

[@tzera_rhuon]

​@BoardGameBadger if you're open to try digital games I'd highly recommend Armello, as it's a digital-only boardgame, available on PC, mobile (for free) & several consoles with crossplay. It has asymmetrical characters, a hex-based map, card based tactics, and dice-based combat (in short, a llittle bit of everything). It's an older game at this point but still possible to find players via Discord, or play it solo vs 3 AI.

[@misterblister1200]

Maquis rules

[@elaineabreu282]

I just got witchcraft. I'm not really a fan of the historical war themes do I have been avoiding resist and marquis for that reason

[@BoardGameBadger]

I hear that a lot from people who chose Witchcraft over Resist. Witchcraft looks good, I haven’t got it yet though because I’m not sure if there’s room for both Resist and Witchcraft in my collection. Thanks for watching!

[@justinoke1965]

I cant play Robinson Crusoe anymore, its too depressing as only negative events and most of the time you lose unless you roll above average with the dice. Not fun

[@Boardgamesensei]

Glad you didn’t include gloomhavem, overly put on list lol

[@Boardgamesensei]

Great video

[@BoardGameBadger]

Thank you! 🤩

[@realdealastrology9]

Sleeping Gods? Blechhhhhhh 🤢🤮 Once the campaign is done, there is no interest in playing again, especially because it’s the same exact crew you play with.

[@BoardGameBadger]

That’s an interesting take on it. I’ve played a few campaigns now and I still find reasons to go back, mainly because I’ve not explored all of the content.

[@greygh0st21]

Thumbs Up for not including Gloomhaven in your top ten...

[@realdealastrology9]

I would not expect her to have Gloomhaven on her list anyway.