Solo Playthroughs' Top Solo Games!!: 2023 Edition

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

AHHHHHHHHH! :) Happy Gaming! Greg

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

@@moo2k4 Thanks, Mike!

[@kevinfitzgerald9319]

Congrats on 5000. Definitely my favorite board gaming KZbin channel. I love that you ~actually~ play your favorite games rather than just whatever the flavor of the month game is

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks, Kevin! I really appreciate this comment. I have tried hard to strike a balance of featuring new games while never straying too far from my favorites, and cycling through my faves will continue to be something tjhat drives what I want to do with the channel. :)

[@Nemesis-Games]

we're honored to be up there

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Looking forward to it!!!

[@slayking2378]

Mage knight really is the pinnacle of solo gaming content glad to see it at the top

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Well said, SlayKing!

[@KingNothing1st]

You wouldn't believe how much money you've cost me with your coverage of such excellent games 😤 keep up the good content

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Ha! And thanks, Brett! And also sorry...maybe... :)

[@robertdascoli949]

Congratulations on 5000 subs!

[@Sajatzsiraf]

Naah, youtube will purge some and he will have to climb again XD

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks, Robert! And I seem to be purge free so far, Sajat! :)

[@Sajatzsiraf]

I *think* we have to give some credit to the Scouts for bringing you to your senses. Finally. FINALLY!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

It's hilarious to me that I came really close to recruiting a Scout and defeating a Manticore literally two days after publishing this video. :) And it's only fitting that the Manticore survived to tell the tale!

[@Deltium5683]

Thanks for this list; a lot of these are new to me which is great to get exposure to !

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Great to hear, Richard! Thanks for the comment. :)

[@mageknight84]

Under Failling Skies? 😂 Congrats to your first and not last 5k! Well done!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks, 84! UFS is good. It just never really grabbed me personally, but I get why people love it; I sold my copy after a couple dozen plays. :)

[@pauldelguidice8063]

Another great dive into Greg's gaming life. You did, indeed, bring me to MageKnight (Way back during the beginning of the pandemic). I was looking for solo games to while away the time on lock down. Greg's playthrough videos were intriguing. Even with the glare. The uneven lighting and sound. But your personality and the GAME kept me coming back. Zeds is a fantastic game also, and it was Solo Playthroughs once again that introduced me to a favorite game. Unlike many (many!) others Spirit Island just doesn't.... grab me? Other's on the list seem good to me, but my limited time (and funds) precludes obtaining and learning them. I do love Set A Watch and Warp's Edge. The Baseball Highlights 2045 is also fun and I got it after seeing your video!. But Mage Knight is the number one for me. Greg's soliloquy on how that game starts/builds and ends is right on: You can become the bringer of doom: Throwing Powerful Artifacts and Spells against legions of city defenders and the entire game can still come down using a skill like Hot Swordsmanship (that you had to take when the only other choice was Dark Negotiation) and that +2 fire attack is the coup de gras for an ice column. Delicious! Of course, there is always the possibility of pulling the manticore and getting creamed! Keep up the great channel. Looking forward to many more years of overcoming terrible dice rolls and back-to-back Brains events!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks for this great comment, Paul! You're mention of back-to-back Brains Events at the end there literally gave me chills. :)

[@Sajatzsiraf]

Wonder how many WOOFS were said in making this video..

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

So many woofs! :)

[@HallOrNothingGames]

Lovely to see Gloom of Kilforth appear in another Top 20 list - thanks for sharing! :)

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks for making such an engaging game! I’m looking forward to more sagas in Kilforth in the upcoming months. 🙂

[@randothomas3733]

@@SoloPlaythroughs Fyi: There is an awesome set of fan made expansions (all made by one person), bosses, events, skills that fit perfectly into.

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

@@randothomas3733 Cool. I’ll look into it!

[@madprof666]

So glad to see a kilforth game on here. Been my number one solo game for years now🎉

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Awesome! I was definitely late to the Kilforth party but I'm really impressed with it. :)

[@ezmrcz]

🎉 Congrats on the 5k! 🤜🤛

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks, Ez!

[@cetustau]

Space Empires still getting some love! Hope to see the playthroughs with Close Encounters soon.

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey, Ed! Yeah - SE4X keeps getting pushed unfortunately. Hopefully in the next few months!

[@QLeong-xd5re]

Actually, as a ‘solo’/cooperative game, my wife and I have recently been enamoured to Micro macro crime city (and it’s sequel). Not sure if you’ve tried it-unfortunately by design it’s not replayable, and spoiler generating for anyone who hasn’t played it. But having shown it around a bunch with friends, it’s still a great time hosting and watching them have a crack at it-it may be a fun one to try on the channel (if only to demo/tease a few of the puzzles)

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey Q! Thanks for the rec. I have played MicroMacro and I did like it. I'm not sure it'd be the easiest to get on the channel with my set up but I'll keep it in my mind!

[@erikbergman5810]

Well deserved 5k subs Greg! Great list, and keep up the good work!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks, Erik! Much appreciated. :)

[@synthastro]

always awesome to watch! here's to many more years of Playthroughs, next stop 10k! Interested in your view of Etherfields!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks, David! Yeah - Etherfields is going to be backburnered for a bit but I'm super intrigued. :)

[@yerel_nimni_avni]

For years I was mad at you cause you choose to put spirit island before mage knight, and as far as I love both of them and consider them both my no. 1 games of all times I always leaned a little bit towards mk. This year for some reasons I've become slightly more fund of si so I've come to the video ready to finally agree with your top 2 order, but again we mismatch 😂😂😂 Great list, keep up, and go get some rest, you sure need it.

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks, Yerel! Funny that we flipped. We'll see what happens next year with these two games!! :)

[@thomaswillinger4824]

You are welcome, Greg.

[@Coliandro_]

I just start watching the video but I already know that you will make me buy some new ammmmmmmazing games!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Ha! (Sorry. Maybe. :) )

[@cristiandelaplaza7813]

hi greg, i remembered that you said that you would do a tutorials of spirit island or mage knight, will you do it some day? a hug and good gaming!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey, Cristian! Due to recent career changes, I’ve had to pull back pretty hard on the channel but doing a tutorial series is something I will certainly consider for the future. 🙂

[@cristiandelaplaza7813]

thanks! i will hope so, a hug!@@SoloPlaythroughs

[@garylaframboise2721]

Did I hear you mention Frostpunk. Definitely would enjoy you covering it! You should also try Hoplomachus Victorum. I enjoy this better than Too Many Bones. Take care

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey Gary! I'm excited to dig into both of those games in the upcoming months! :)

[@Wonderflonium]

Really enjoy your top solo games lists!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks, Blayne!!

[@gamehaus6386]

Mage Knight is a great game (it’s in my top 10, too) but I had to laugh while watching this (10 months later): it’s no longer complete and finished, with “The Apocalypse Dragon” announced as the next expansion. 😂

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Ha! Oh yeah - there are many instances of me saying exactly this. 🤣 It certainly won’t age well!!!

[@randothomas3733]

Just join our solo gaia monthly challenge at bgg. Its just nice to see, how each player engage each challenge in different ways and able to score.

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Yeah - I've been meaning to try this. Might start in the next couple months. :)

[@Thebrewgeek1]

Love the videos. Keep up the great work!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Appreciate the comment, Paul!

[@peterxu5043]

Still have Mage knight, Spirit Island, Jaw of the Lion, Ark Nova and the Elder Sign. Glad to see three of them on your list! Ark Nova good Euro game and more insteresting when compteting. Solo Ark Nova has advantage of saving downtime. The downtime of Ark Nova is very long is multipile player games

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

It’s a solid Top 5! Still need to try Elder Sign. Ark Nova I like enough but it never really got to that next level for me despite 5-6 plays - I should give it another go!

[@Sajatzsiraf]

1:18:35 what a tearjerker moment... I am besides myself with anticipation...

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Again, it was so close to happening!!!! :)

[@inwoolee4051]

hello greg! will you make a 2024 version soon? :) love your content!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey, Inwoo! Unfortunately, I don't have any plans for a Top Games list this year. I'm barely able to get the playthroughs on the channel with my current schedule so I really just don't have the time. Thanks for checking though!

[@andrewr6954]

Good to see some new entries, will have to take a look at your uprising play throughs to see if that is something I would like based on how high you rated it. Curious to see what you think of Hoplo, in my opinion it’s a better solo experience than too many bones

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks for the comment, Andrew! Yeah - I'm itching to break into Hoplo sooner rather than later. The way I work the channel, it's proving hard to keep three Chip Theory Games in the cycle at once, but I plan to find a way sooner rather than later!

[@pauls3585]

A great list. Thanks

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment, Paul. :)

[@nicolasarevalo6024]

Mage Knight for the win! haha. Spirit and Mage my number 1 and 2 or 2 and 1? 😅

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

I know this feeling all too well!

[@Boardgametherapist]

Just wondering if you have played Voidfall? I think you’d really like it. It’s my game of the year of 2023. Probably in my top 5 of all time

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey Nick! I have played one competitive game of Voidfall, so not enough to really have a full opinion. I thought it was fine, but I do think I’d like it more solo or cooperative. In the end, the sheer size, set up time, and cost keeps me away from investing in it when I already have so many games I love and want to play more…plus more that I am more excited to learn.

[@Boardgametherapist]

@@SoloPlaythroughs the solo is so darn good! Hope you get to try it one day

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

@@Boardgametherapist Yeah - I definitely see the potential!

[@johnathankokoski]

The king is dead! Long live the king!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Well said, sir!

[@Copterman]

Great video. Subscribed. I agree with so much of what you said! 1) Seventh Continent is solid but not replayable. 2) Nemo's War falls flat. 3) Middara's art is unappealing. 4) Rise of Fenris is hot garbage. 5) The later card sets in Arkham feel overpowered. 6) Warp's Edge premium tokens are awesome. 7) Too Many Bones is better with multiple Gearlocs vs single. 8) YES, Cloudspire is better than TMB! 9) Gaia Project is so freaking good! 10) Dawn of the Zeds is the best VP game! More people should try it. 11) Mage Knight is the king!

[@Copterman]

Do you play with all the expansions in Dawn of the Zeds? Mostly wondering if I should include rails or rumors or both?

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Thanks for the comment, Copter! I’d be curious about your Top 11 things I said that you don’t agree with! 🤣

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

@@Copterman I do. The expansions do make the game slightly easier on average, but they add nice layers of depth and some fun characters. I strongly recommend all three, including Rumors and Rails.

[@conorleyden9201]

Will you be playing the Mage Knight fan made campaign "The Betrayal"?

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey Conor! I was thinking of doing it but the schedule got filled with other things for now. Maybe in the future but not likely for a long time.

[@미드미-v7k]

Have you tried Hoplomachus Victorum? I can’t decide between this and Cloudspire

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey! I have Hoplo but I have not tried it yet...and TBH it will likely be a while before I get around to it. I really like Cloudspire, and I expect that I'll like Hoplo, too. :)

[@QLeong-xd5re]

Whoop! Go Manticores for #1!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Ha! This was rather clairvoyant in light of how today's playthrough went, Q!

[@benja6902]

Have you played HEXplore It?

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Great question, Benja! I backed one of the installments in the most recent crowdfunding campaign. I’m looking forward to exploring it!

[@doooominic]

Spirit Island should be on the top 😉

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Ha! Know that part of me will always agree. ;)

[@johnathankokoski]

Woohoo let’s go!

[@dennisklang]

Hi, is Voidfall a game you will play for us?

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

I’ve played it once and I’m intrigued. But there are too many other big games I want to play more for me to consider adding Voidfall to the pile. It’s a solid game for sure but it’s just not *that game* for me.

[@XHuntinatorX]

"Filing Cabinet" the board game... Lmao

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Ha! Yeah - hat tip to Broken Meeple for that one. 😆

[@hechuan5075]

I basically bought all my solo games accordingly to what you play haha. One question tho, do you find 2 hand TMB to be better in terms of harder difficulty and more variance in gameplay? I find solo boring and easy😂😂😂. I want to like it but i would rather play burncycle more

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Hey He! I do think 2-handed TMB is better than 1, but I also like playing it true solo with a lot of matchups. But, yes, some matchups can be too easy true solo. In general, I like the variety but, when I'm not learning a new gearloc, I will be playing two gearlocs more often than not. As for Burncycle, I've only played it twice and the game was kind of a miss for me, but I'm definitely hoping to try it again at some point. :)

[@hechuan5075]

@@SoloPlaythroughs thanks for the reply, i have given tmb many tries even the new unbreakable. Havent felt the satisfying rewards after beating a hard encounter like i do in mage knight. Gonna try a bit more, other wise might sell it to get cloudspire haha

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

@@hechuan5075 I hear that. But, in fairness, I don't believe any game can regularly create the satisfaction of successful game of Mage Knight. :) I like the more complicated gearlocs v. some of the toughter tyrants true solo. For instance, my recent Dart v. Gendricks livestream was a ton of fun!

[@hechuan5075]

@@SoloPlaythroughs I'll give that a watch thanks again!

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Any time!

[@tajmahalfred]

If you want a solo game that's designed to hang on the wall, rather than sit on a shelf, check out Canvas...

[@tajmahalfred]

I may be going to an Orioles game next month--heading to Balmer for a conference and a few of us are planning a trip to see the O's/M's game

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

I've played Canvas at PAX Unplugged and I thought it was solid - I would definitely play it again! And awesome about the O's game! Camden Yards is amazing; grab a Boog's pit beef sandwich for me. :)

[@JayJayJason]

But....but....but Shroud....

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Ha! Shroud is good. I hope he doesn't descend upon me in anger. :)