Our Favorite Solo Board Games RANKED I Best Solo Board Games

The more games we get, the more kids we get and the older we get. We get to play more solo games. Which ones do we think are the best ones? Watch the video to find out!
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In this video:
0:00 Intro
0:36 Games
9:54 Results
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#SoloGaming #soloboardgames #BoardGameHangover

[@RamyASMR]

0:35 Card Game 1:01 Heavier Game 1:28 Deck Building Quick & Push your luck 2:52 Story Game 3:40 Pure Solo Campaign 4:39 Worker Placement, Deck Builder, Campaign Story 5:55 Dungeon Crawler 6:43 Resource Management & Combos 7:56 easier card game 8:33 deduction game

[@RamyASMR]

YES 🥳🥳 Always wanted an updated Solo List from you 😊 can‘t wait to watch it in the evening 🙏🙏

[@jordanhannah9553]

Great video as always guys! Really appreciate the solo recommendations! would definitely be keen for more solo game reviews in the future :)

[@BoardGameHangover]

We're planning to do a review for "Resist!" and some other games might be coming up soon as well :)

[@dannyanderson4723]

Love this list. I've been playing Cascadia solo, using the scoring campaigns in the rulebook. It's super relaxing.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Cascadia in general is a really relaxing and nice game! Love it!

[@sherlockhomeless7138]

I understood zero from what they were trying to tell on those two pages.

Great video. 👍 And the Patreon is well worth it. 😁

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thanks for supporting us! You're awesome Michal!

[@danacoleman4007]

You guys are hilarious! And your English is excellent! I'm always jealous of multilingual people. Thanks for the cool video!

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thank you! To be honest our language skills mostly comes from watching a lot of cartoons when we where kids :D

[@IllBuythePopcorn]

So many good looking recommendations. I have been eye balling Hadrian's Wall for a long time. It is shooting to the top of the list now knowing it's great solo. Legacy of Yu looks really nice.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Have you had a chance to play any other roll(flip) & write games like Clever? If you enjoy them in general then Hadrians wall is a must-have for sure

[@danacoleman4007]

0:46 " instigator"?!?!! Yeah, that sounds about right 😁

[@BoardGameHangover]

Well, yeah. Monsters and bad guys are having the time of their life and then you come along and instigate the whole confrontation.

[@Wrycon-Inc]

Great list! I’m presently playing Roll Player Adventures solo and digging it a lot. Also enjoy smaller solos like Tin Helm and Gate. Also - gorgeous singing. Kate Bush - eat your heart out. 😊

[@BoardGameHangover]

Will have to try the smaller games out! And thank you, Jānis been working on his vocal cords... 🤣

[@browe]

Recent solo games (or solo-able) at my table include: HexPlore It - Domain of Mirza Noctis, Undaunted w/Reinforcements solo rules, Cthulhu Death May Die: Season 1, Paupers' Ladder w/Moon Towers, Pax Pamir 2nd Ed. vs. Wakhan, and John Company 2nd Ed. vs. The Crown. Upcoming (as soon as it arrives in the mail) is GMT's new Skies Above Britain.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Great list! Looks like we'll have our hands full till the update video. So which one's where your favorites from these ones?

[@browe]

@@BoardGameHangover For ease of getting set up & just having silly fun: C:DmD or Paupers' are great. Of the heavier / longer games, Pax Pamir is the one I know best and so is quicker to get into. John Co. is one I'm still getting to know, but that solo mode is very clever.

[@ThiagoSilva-dv3ri]

Great video, as usual

[@BoardGameHangover]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@filippomaradei6328]

Awesome list, played/loved almost any of these gems. What about Friday? Have you ever played it or heard about it? It's a bit dated but a perfect solitairish/deck-building experience, with a great learning curve and progression. Plus, it's pretty small, cheap, portable and easy to setup! Also Cascadia is fantastic solo, with increasingly difficult multiple scenarios providing even a campaign feeling.

[@BoardGameHangover]

I used to play quite a bit of Friday, but that was so looooong ago. And darn, we borrowed Cascadia for a review, but never got to playing it solo.

[@MrScrawnjuan]

Good list. I've been loving Lands of Galzyr solo lately. Quick setup and gameplay.

[@BoardGameHangover]

I have heard mixed reviews. Would I enjoy it with my kids?

[@ratguy69]

You’ve got another great solo game or two on the wall behind you. Obsession is a lot of fun to play solo, and quite easy to run the bot.

[@BoardGameHangover]

JG is really obsessed with Obsession. The other Janis has to try it out and we're planning to do a review on it at one point

[@Teeps12]

Great list! Love AH:lcg and Spirit Island, increasingly interested in trying Resist!, also really enjoy Marvel Champs. Eila and Something Shiny is one I'd recommend (if you can find it), easily my highest rated new-to-me solo this year, also really enjoyed Warp's Edge on the lighter/quicker side

[@BoardGameHangover]

Will try to get our hands on that one! Thanks for the suggestion

[@reginaldcarlisle9829]

I think my most played solo game is probably Dune:Imperium.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Love that game so much! We usually play it with 2 or 3 players so didn't add it to this list

[@RamyASMR]

For me it‘s (in order) 1. Eiyo 2. Fuse 3. Cartographers 4. Capital Lux 2: Generations 5. Bullet❤ 6. Coffee Roaster Games I really want to play but don‘t have yet: Final Girl A Gentle Rain

[@BoardGameHangover]

Same with Final Girl. Need to get it!!!

[@kevinbriar]

thank you for the list

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thank you for watching.

[@gergototh7615]

Hi, I just wanted to say congratulations on reaching 10k subscribers, keep the Janis train going!

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thanks so much Gergő! It's an amazing feeling! Thanks again for the support and kind words :)

[@jimalexander687]

I generally shy away from solo games, as I prefer interaction with other players, but one I can recommend (which can also be played co-op) is DVG's "Warfighter". There is also a WWII variant (which I don't like as much) and a "Shadow War" version (night time, stealth missions, which arguably is the best version). The rule book is very convoluted, and it is difficult to win even on the easiest mode, but it's a good simulation of special forces, squad level missions in a card game. While the game's base set has American forces, there are a multitude of expansions where you can play as British, Russian, Israeli and several other nationalities. There are also opponent expansions (drug cartel, terrorists, enemy military, etc.)

[@dadtier564]

Have you guys had the chance to play Too Many Bones?? LOVE the game, plays great solo it with a group

[@ryanbartlett672]

Thanks guys. I need to get more of these but I do love Hadrian's Wall. Planet X could be my next one - my familily likes deduction. On that topic, an amazing deduction game in a small package...Antidote...that comes down to the big reveal every time with hoots and hollers!

[@BoardGameHangover]

Haven't tried Antidote! Will have to check it out

[@mirkosrndovic]

I enjoy soloing Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition, very much.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Yes! Can't go wrong with Ares Expedition

[@quentinlaloux3203]

Mage knight is my favourite solo game. Now the setup is not easy but man, what a game!

[@BoardGameHangover]

It's on so many solo tops, but we still haven't gotten to try it out. Have to get to it till next time!

[@quentinlaloux3203]

@@BoardGameHangover Take the ultimate edition if you can ;)

[@browe]

"You see what I need to work with? This guy..." 😄💙

[@tonybowers9490]

Great list. Thanks for sharing. Oathsworn (I can leave it set up.) and MC:LCG are in my Top Ten. I backed Legacy of Yu, but don't have it yet. It may very well be in my Top Ten.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Ah, lucky people who can leave games set up ;)

[@simpelton524]

Hadrian's Wall is the only game I've been able to get into playing solo. I could play it every day.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Yes! It's such an amazing game

[@simpelton524]

@@BoardGameHangover it's so perfect solo. All you get when you add players is the thrill of waiting for everyone else to finish the round so you can keep playing.

[@ValorantRivals]

Best list ever

[@jeremyanderson3545]

Very exciting for Resist to come out next year. Im becoming a huge fan of 25th Century Games. Three Sisters might be my favorite solo game so far and Motor City should be coming soon.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Resist! caught us by a suprise. Didn't expect anything from it really and been enjoying it tremendously

[@draphsor]

Under Falling Skies, Spires End: Hildegard, Undaunted with Reinforcements, Set a Watch, Friday. Oh, and totally love Resist! as well.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Under Falling Skies is a great game as well. We have played it just few times, but had a blast with it!

[@iphatbass]

Playing board game solo is kinda crazy idea for me xD Let me explain it, in my native language we don't call them "board games", we call them "social games" or "društvene igre" in my native language, so playing "social" game alone is kinda oxymoron :D Great video as always guys!

[@iansutton7416]

Yes, board gaming for me is very much a social experience, and on the occasions I've played solo, it feels inconsequential - why does it matter what I do? The only solo gaming scenario I'm ok with, is playing a game 'multi-handed solo', to learn the rules / gameplay so that I can teach it to others. i.e. there's a point / benefit to doing it.

[@khiarastales2091]

Finding about solo boardgaming is such a big relief for me. Looking for people to play game with is hard, especially when you don't live near to a boardgame store/cafe/community. Not to mention if your preference on games differs from others. You want to play a game but others don't because they find it boring or too complicated. That's a bummer for me.

[@luccaharaway3973]

Dude, this why they're called bored games.

[@BoardGameHangover]

That's a cool fact that we didn't know. In Latvian their just called "table games" so not a problem :D

[@davidellis920]

Thanks for the video. I would love it if you also mentioned approximate time for gameplay, as this is one of the heaviest influences on my decision to buy a game

[@BoardGameHangover]

Noted!

[@lostfanatic6]

Arkham Horror and Marvel Champions are two of my favourite solo games. For another great solo-euro, check out A Feast For Odin. Plays really well solo, but is immensely strategic since there is nothing random in what spaces are blocked on your turns. Dune: Imperium has a surprisingly mode, as well. The app makes it easy to draw cards and tells you exactly what you need to do for each NPC turn. Can't wait for Immortality!

[@BoardGameHangover]

Dune: Imperium has a fantastic AI! Not sure about Janis G., but I haven't yet tried A feast for Odin, but it's on my priority list! /JT

[@hansaugustsson7288]

I play these games solo. They are all good. 1. SuperHot. 2. Lost Expedition. 3. Nova Luna. 4. RailRoad Ink. 5. Regicide. Thanks for your suggestions!

[@Chevalerezk]

A fast card game is always my go to when I solo anything. Regicide, Shards of Infinty, Star Realms etc. Had I had time to set up heavier games more frequently I would, but you know... Life.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Yeah, I totally know! Second time someone mentions Regicide.

[@KarimTheilgaard]

Most recent game I played solo was Oathsworn. Other solo only games I play are Maquis, Unbroken and Under Falling Skies. Next game I’m going to try solo is Waterloo 1815: Scum of The Earth.

[@BoardGameHangover]

How far are you in the Oathsworn campaign? Great picks all around!

[@jursinha]

I love to play Noctiluca solo, you should try it :)! The Isle of Cats is interesting too

[@BoardGameHangover]

We love other games from Shem Philips, but haven't had a chance to play Noctiluca just yet! Will try to get our hands on a copy

[@jeremyanderson3545]

The LOOP is another great solo/coop game if you're looking for a lighter Spirit Island

[@BoardGameHangover]

You got us intrigued!

[@ratguy69]

Have you guys played the West Kingdom Games? They've also got great solo modes, and terrific multiplayer as well. Considering how much you like Hadrian's Wall and Legacy of Yu, you'd probably love them. Also check out Circadians: First Light. It's one of my favourite solo modes of all the Garphill games.

[@BoardGameHangover]

No, we haven't played West Kingdom games. We actually recently received a review copy of First light! Need to get trough the rules and test it out.

[@ratguy69]

@@BoardGameHangover First Light is another favourite of mine, both multiplayer and solo. The bot in it is fantastic and is very good at messing up your plans.

[@daniellet702]

I recommend Under Falling Skies!

[@BoardGameHangover]

That's on our short list to try out!

[@emmahunneyball2990]

Great list, I love solo games and Spirit Island is a real favourite. I keep seeing Hadrian’s Wall being highly rated but it just hasn’t appealed to me. Maybe I need to take another look at it!

[@BoardGameHangover]

It is a niche game and also it doesn't look like tons of fun. Have you played any other roll&write games like Clever or Welcome to?

[@emmahunneyball2990]

@@BoardGameHangover No I haven’t. To be honest I’ve thought roll and writes aren’t for me because they look so luck-driven, particularly the dice ones like Roll Player, and I like to do strategic thinking. I have tried Cartographers though and I really like that.

[@krisjaniszviedrans9871]

Under falling skies was a grate experience for me.

[@BoardGameHangover]

We unfortunately have played it once or twice so couldn't add it to the list. But have heard tons of good things about it

[@Semicolon42]

Regicide is a great solo game with any deck of playing cards! Use the numbers cards to overthrow the face cards. It's not pattern matching solitaire, it's number crunching puzzle fight. It's not a deck builder, but reminds me of them. Otherwise I love Arkham Horror LCG and Spirit Island! And the deduction in The Search For Planet X is so good.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thanks for the recommendation. Will have to give Regicide a go.

[@piprdakota]

I want to see more about Resist, looks interesting

[@BoardGameHangover]

We're hoping to do a review on in relatively soon. So stay tuned!

[@Grimscribe732]

Have recently played quite a bit of solo. Mostly Onirim and Samurai Spirit - enjoy both a lot and both are easy to bring to the table and rather quick. Samurai Spirit is up there with Spirit Island in terms of difficulty, but a lot faster. Alternatively, if I really want to torture myself, Ghost Stories is always willing to kick my ass ^^

[@wesleysMineCraft]

Although hard to get in Europe "The Ratcatcher" is also pretty fun and surprisingly difficult. Use the new rulebook on their site though cause the one that comes with the box is pretty rough.

[@wbeytel]

Thanks for mentioning that there is a new rulebook. I was about to get rid of it.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Jānis T. has played it. He actually drafted it in this video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5uQZaKZqM53aqs

[@H2G24life]

I love you polar bear and Be nice to the planet shirt, where do you get them?

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thanks so much. I got them at www.wwf.com

[@haloslippin6894]

Under Falling Skies! Must check it out.

[@slimk3836]

To me Legacy of Yu is just a better version of Hadrian's Wall which became too samey after the fourth play or so... Legacy of Yu is fantastically designed, even though it's a campaign style - you can come back to it months in between plays, simply read what cards are in the "history" area of the organiser to come back to speed and just keep on playing. For solo euro feeling resource conversion and hand management style games there is no better, quick to learn, quick to set up, quick too play but with complex choices and scaleable difficulty

[@drewmeister05]

Arkham Horror LCG

[@danielhorton9929]

Just in time for Christmas for lonely ol’ me lol

[@BoardGameHangover]

Oh. Whad do you enjoy playing solo?

[@danielhorton9929]

@@BoardGameHangover right now marvel champions is my jam. I have bought a few of the hero expansion’s as well to change up the play. Currently learning the Arkham horror card game but for some reason the rules seem overwhelming to me.

[@marcprobin1659]

Mage Knight is the best solo game for me

[@KPiccolo89]

I've never played a solo game before. I still need to try Terraforming Mars solo, the problem is that it became a favorite game for me and my partner. She would probably kill me if I said I played it alone. 🙂

[@BoardGameHangover]

Hah, you could say you are "researching" some rules.

[@Zaloomination]

Surprised Robinson Crusoe didn't make the list! Theres no whiteboard big enough for all the great tabletop experiences out there 🙂

[@BoardGameHangover]

That's true. There's so many good games that our top 10 can't cover everything. Also we usually have played Robinson as a multiplayer game, will have to give it a go as a solo

[@RAPHBENOIT]

Hadrians wall is fantastic, and I highly recommend the fan-made solo campaign (found on BGG)! On a personal note, Id rate AH TCG and Spirit Island higher than Hadrians, but overall they re all amazing solo games!

[@ratguy69]

FYI, it’s not fan made. It’s made by the designer and will be included in the next printing of the game.

[@RAPHBENOIT]

@@ratguy69 oh I didn't know! Great addition to the new printing!

[@ratguy69]

@@RAPHBENOIT They'll also be changing the meeple colours a bit, to help colour-blind people. As well as reducing the number of sheets included, from 200 down to 180 I think. This is because the box is already quite packed and some of the other components were getting squished. Helps to reduce the shipping weight also.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Already finished the campaign this summer. Had a blast with it! Hadrians wall will for sure be one of my most played games this year thanksto the campaign /JT

[@writerian]

Try Final Girl. It's great!

[@BoardGameHangover]

We want to so badly! Haven't gotten a chance yet

[@draphsor]

Have played Hadrian's Wall a few times but it just hasn't grabbed me.

[@BoardGameHangover]

It's a very niche game that for sure. Do you generaly like roll (flip) & write games like Clever, Welcome to etc.?

[@domme4218]

Thank you for your favorite games. Very interesting. Unfortunately the music in the background is distracting and annoying.

[@BoardGameHangover]

Noted!

[@nikosiik4406]

Have you tried Final girl?

[@RyanLangewisch]

Given that "Left Janis" really enjoys Eldritch Horror, I think there's a good chance he'd enjoy Final Girl as well. I've had a lot of fun with it so far.

[@BoardGameHangover]

It's on our radar for a really long time, but haven't played it just yet! Looking forward to do it soon!

[@CoachKim93]

Can you review Cthulhu Death may die? :D

[@BoardGameHangover]

Not sure when we'll be able to get to it, but we'd love to do it one day

[@BoardGameHangover]

Not sure when we'll be able to get to it, but we'd love to do it one day

[@Madgaar]

Twilight inscription and iss vanguard atm

[@BoardGameHangover]

Just played my first few Twilight Inscription games... I LOVE IT! It would for sure be on this list now. /JT

[@savvasgeorgiou7901]

Marvel Champions!!!

[@BoardGameHangover]

YEP!

[@iansutton7416]

FWIW I very much prefer This War of Mine played in the company of others. For such an emotional experience, it always feels better / more meaningful to me played in their company. I do however recognise that 'mechanically' it's more a solo game than a multiplayer game - all the extra players add are more voices / greater engagement. I'm lucky that at least 3 other gamers in our gaming group also enjoy the game, so we will get it to the table soon(ish). The big catch at the moment is the war in Ukraine, as the theme hits so close to what's happening there. Whilst the game gives an important voice to civilians caught up in war, it just feels a bit too uncomfortable at the moment.😥

[@BoardGameHangover]

For sure! It's great to share stories with friends. It's one of the best things about this hobby so I tottaly agree. :) True, while it might be uncomfortable topic it does help to jump start conversations and show how much war sucks for everyone caught up in it /JT

[@viesturskokarevics2427]

Apsveicu ar 10 000! The best solo games are digital versions of board games😄

[@BoardGameHangover]

Paldies! Much easier to setup and clean it up afterwards for sure! :D

[@carlobi]

Comment

[@BoardGameHangover]

Thank you for the comment!

[@gm08351]

two pieces of paper !?

[@BoardGameHangover]

M?

[@thesphyrth]

I classify solos between 2 main categories: 1. Travel (Quick and Very Replayable Fillers) 2. Sit-at-Home (No Time Constraints) Your list is for the Sit-at-Home. I hope you do another list for Travel Solos.

[@mabos555]

Marvel champions is the only great pick here the rest kind of suck... Have really different taste my top 3 at least are super hot the card game, bullet heart, and after the virus

[@BoardGameHangover]

Really good picks 👌

[@soulgoodman3008]

No mage knight in this list…. Ridiculous

[@BoardGameHangover]

Ahh, we have it on our shelf, but have not gotten to it yet.