Top 10 Essential Mind Blowing Solo Games: 2024 Edition - Straight Up Solo with John LaRuffa

[@mickysukiyaki]

Cheers John, but I have two young kids. Now I have to tell them they won't get new shoes this month. But they can and will enjoy a lengthy game of Voidfall.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@@mickysukiyaki uh oh… 😉

[@rob4433]

They got socks though right?

[@justinr1037]

John your enthusiasm is contagious! I fear that if I met you in a games store you would convince me to spend all my money. In fact I think I would even buy a used car if you and smile while I am doing it! Keep being an awesome, positive content creator for this industry we all love!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thank you so very much for the kind words! I appreciate it!

[@davidturczi5713]

Imperium... Tekhenu.... Nucleum.... Voidfall.... You honour me good sir.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Credit where credit is due sir! Thanks again for watching my channel! You have done so much for my enjoyment of gaming. I hope this video helps you to gain the sales your games deserve!

[@dennissvitak5475]

Imperium is remarkable. Top three game (I own all three).

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@dennissvitak5475 Indeed it is!

[@brandonphilander661]

Just stumbled upon this video and I'm putting down the Xbox controller and ordering a couple of these games.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@brandonphilander661 cool! Which ones did you get?

[@ronjapoes]

Wonderful video John, thank you. (I also really enjoyed reading through all the comments)

[@CimmerianIron]

I loved this video, thanks so much John. Appreciate all your content and hope to support you for years to come. Great top 10

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thank you very much! I hope to keep doing this and as long as people keep watching, I will.

[@coyoteludo1875]

Thanks John, great selection !

[@justinraper494]

You put together an excellent list. Thanks!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@letzgoterps]

First time seeing your channel. Fantastic stuff here. I loved everything, the pacing, storytelling, and explanations. Add in a clear pathway for games to buy and this was damn near perfect for an informative video. Thanks!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thank you very much for watching and for the kind feedback!

[@johnmarcgreen]

Really good video with a lot of great suggestions of games I haven't seen before and most haven't played. A friend introduced me to Feast for Odin once, and I think that was pre-Covid. Appreciate your enthusiasm and the well rounded selection of heavier solo friendly options. Worth watching.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thanks for checking it all out!

[@ginovilleneuve6557]

very nice video Jhon, an energetic and engaging presentation of classics! thanks for the quality content

[@JohnLaRuffa]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@thenewamericanunderground3149]

Thanks again! Really appreciate your content and positive way if presenting and sharing.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I appreciate your comment a lot. Thank you!

[@sondrehirth]

This was a very interesting list that inspired me a lot. Your channel is a great asset to all solo players ❤

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thank you so very much for watching and for the comment!

[@Filthyanimal9]

Thx for sharing- love your enthusiasm… almost made me want to pick up one of these euro greats!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have solo review videos of all of these games, so if you ever want more information on a specific title, just browse through my channel. Thanks for watching!

[@halforange1]

Glad to hear love for Twilight Inscription. I view it as a euro game that was implemented with roll/flip and write mechanics. It really is a great game that was mismarketed to the TI crowd and to the x and write crowd. Haven’t played the Arkham board games, but the LCG is my favorite game solo or otherwise. It’s so good of constructing decks offline sounds like a fun puzzle.

[@paulo9450]

Great video John! Its great to see Agricola still on your list. I also think its a masterpiece as a solo game, so interesting and tight

[@przemekg.1870]

Yes, especially with an app "Agricola Solo Bot" ❤

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have never played the Agricola Solo Bot, but I have the App so I play that when I don’t want to play the official solo mode. Agricola will always have a special place in my heart!

[@TheDarktater]

Such a great list! Voidfall, Nucleum, Imperium, Tekhenu, and A Feast for Odin are all tops for me solo.

[@BirdsOnBoard112]

Great list! Looking forward to streaming some of these once I can get my hands on them 🥰

[@sedlonarime1]

There's one or two I haven't heard of, but the rest are all in my top 10 or top 20 games of all time. Great list.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thank you!

[@smigmo]

Love your channel and taste in games, thank you!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@rmclean101]

Great video, thank you! Learned about some to look into and have experienced a few of those and totally agree. I would add Outer Rim as another surprising great solo. Trying out Voidfall today...wish me luck 😉

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Good luck with Voidfall. Remember that the tutorial is weird when trying to learn the game solo. It gets much more clear when you play your first solo game. You almost need to play the tutorial 2 handed.

[@clvrswine]

Excellent selections. I've play a lot of Nusfjord, solo. My favorite ___ and Write is Fliptown. A Feast of Odin is my favorite of all time.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Nusfjord is really fun! Fliptown is also good!

[@tubekahuna1]

Great list. I’ll definitely be checking some of those out. A suggestion for a series could be to cover (even if only briefly) all of the games you enjoy solo. No need to rank them. You could split up the videos by genre or heaviness. I’m always looking for more games to check out that are fun to play solo and I like the way you describe games. You sell them very well. Like you, I can not find other players to play with as often as I like to play games.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

So, I have been making solo videos for almost 6 years. I have covered a ton of different solo games in that time. I have also made a lot of videos about selling games that no longer need to stay in my collection. Feel free to browse through my 750+ videos to look for content that can help you find the solo games you are looking for. Thanks for watching!

[@mattandcathferguson4494]

Another excellent video, John! I was coasting along in agreement having all the games in my collection - until you mentioned Mistwind. Thanks to your recommendation - and our aligned taste in solo games - Mistwind is now in my collection! Keep up the great work John, I value your reviews and playthroughs!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Cool! I just published a review and a how to play solo video on Mistwind if you need help in learning the game! I’m planning on playing it again today!

[@Marky-by4zv]

We have nearly identical taste sir. Thank you for sharing. Your videos are also an essential resource for games.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Nice! Glad to hear it and thanks for watching!

[@charlesnye6193]

Thanks for sharing this great list! I have quite a few of them and think your opinions are right in line with my taste. I have debated getting Brass since I hear great things, but I have also been hearing A LOT about Nucleum. Sounds like a winner!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I love Brass Lancshire, Brass Birmingham and Age of Industry! However, they don’t have an official solo mode AND they do get a bit linear after a while. Nucleum with its excellent solo mode, varying goals and contacts and R&D track is just hands down a better game in my opinion. Now with the expansions, it is getting even better!

[@3838jeroen]

I fully agree on Voidfall

[@FamilyMcManus]

Solid list. Anachrony with all the expansions and new solo mode is in my top 3 heavier solo games along with Voidfall and Age of Innovation.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have a do like Anachrony with the expansions. I need to play that one more!

[@jamessullivan5168]

Thanks for the recommendations.

[@TheFencejummper]

This was a really great list. Awesome picks and explanations for the picks.

[@samirjafri191]

18:07 Hi John, great video especially because you can never go wrong with the mime-in-a-box...😅

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@@samirjafri191 That’s funny. I didn’t even realize I did that. Sure looks like I boxed myself in!

[@pincao]

Thanks John. Love this video. I need to get my recently acquired copies of Voidfall, Nucleum and Age of Innovation to the table.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

You are sitting on a gold mine 😝

[@pincao]

@@JohnLaRuffa That would make you my gold dealer 😊

[@hermanturnip3984]

Great list! Oddly enough my copy of Mistwind arrives on Monday. You got me hyped for it.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

It greatly exceeded my expectations. But, I have been on the prowl for a great pick up and deliver solo game.

[@Cheko222]

Great list! I trust your opinion!

[@Stefaniello88]

just found your channel man. really impressed! well done! subscribed! ;)

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Great! Thanks for watching. Feel free to dig deep into my other videos because I have covered a ton of solo games in the last 6 years.

[@krittapastt.95]

Great list, thank you!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

My pleasure!

[@didierj3836]

Nice list of solo games that i have too, except 2 or 3 of them . Speaking of playing Agricola solo i strongly advice you to test the "Amelia" automa you can find on bgg , which allows you to play solo but like a multi player game. Amelia is a set of 12 cards to print with specific but simple rules and with which you will really feel the full tension of a 4 players game. I mainly play Agricola with this excellent bot.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

That is very cool! I have never tried it. However, since I have the iOS App, I usually play that when I want to play the non-solo mode.

[@XelsGirl]

+1 for Voidfall. I bought it a few weeks back and was finally able to sit down and play it this week. It looks intimidating, but it's so worth it! Definitely my new top game to play solo.

[@pipsinspaaace5282]

Just got Nucleum today' Really looking forward to getting it to the table. Another Board and Dice game I really want to try solo is Windmill Valley.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have teaching videos on both of those games if you need help. Also I have a full solo play through for Nucleum. Enjoy!

[@citruesilver]

Solid list. Mine would be: 1. Robinson Crusoe 2. Fire in the lake 3. Mage Knight 4. Voidfall 5. Dawn of the Zeds 6. Xia 7. Fields of Fire 8. Fields of Arle 9. Dune Imperium 10. X-Odus

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I owned Fire in the Lake a while back, but it was a bit too hard to handle solo for me. I eventually bought Ghandi to replace it as I found the card driven system to be easier to manage with the bots.

[@TheMokio23]

I ordered Feast for Odin based on your recommendation and it is such a great game!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I am so glad to hear you are enjoying it!

[@davidt4233]

Thank John. Glad to be a subscriber. Will pickup Voidfall. The rest of your list is to euro focused for my taste. Would have liked to seen more stuff like adventure, exploitation, dungeon crawl, and war games. I've owned a few games on the list and they were fine, but I prefer coop's and not beat your own score games like Feast for Odin. My list would include Mage Knight, Marvel Champions & Arkham LCG's, 7th citadel, TMB Undertow, Shadows of Brimstone, Dune Uprising, Ark Nova with Marine World. Would you recommend Voidfall over ISS Vangaurd based on the preferences i shared with you? I want a sci-fi game. Thanks again.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have a lot of those games on your list and enjoy them as well! ISS Vanguard is probably more to your liking than Voidfall since you said my list is too Euro for your taste. Now, if you already know you will like Voidfall, then don’t let me talk you out of it. ISS Vanguard is much more of a campaign adventure. If you have ever played or know the X-Com games, it is very much like that!

[@tobyr21]

Hi, I really like the original way you structured this video. It's much more useful than 10,9,8,...1 rankings. I play strictly solo, and my favorite games have been Sleeping Gods, Harakiri Blades of Honor, Oathsworn and Euthia. As you can see, my tastes differ a lot from yours, and you are certainly more euro-oriented than I am. Nonetheless, you gave me a number of excellent recommendations, serious food for thought. Thanks! -toby

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thanks! I wanted to try something new and I think each of these games gives you a different feel, so why not. On your list I really want to try Euthia but the price tag is just too much!

[@eastwoodk]

For pick up and deliver, my favorite is Emperyl Spells and Steam. Just amazing to play

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@eastwoodk I never played it due to lack of a solo mode…

[@eastwoodk]

The expansion "as above so below" has the solo mode included in it. I do wish that was offered with the base game.

[@Biodelic]

Yes! Nothing beats Voidfall for me! This game hasn't left one of my tables ever since it arrived and it gets played every week in some mode. I am looking forward to the expansion campaign.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

There is an expansion campaign coming out for it!?!?!?!?!!!!!!

[@Biodelic]

@@JohnLaRuffa It's still a good strech ahead of us. From the Mindclash website: Voidfall expansion: We began working on a Voidfall expansion a few months ago and given how enthusiastic Nigel and David are about working on this game again, we have made a lot of progress already. We’ve been keeping an eye on community feedback, and I can already say that the expansion will be more than “just” additional content. We cannot wait to reveal more as we are getting closer to the estimated campaign date in 2025 Q1/Q2. There is an other game coming too, set in the same universe: ""Jump" (working title): Project Jump has been on the Upcoming Projects chart since last July, and we have made a lot of progress on it since, as we are building up to its 2024 Q4 campaign launch. “Jump” is a game set in the Voidfall universe, but with a much more “zoomed in” perspective and a very different play style. We will be gradually sharing more info on this one, including some of the artwork that Ian O’Toole is working on, as we are getting closer to the official announcement date."

[@Biodelic]

@@JohnLaRuffa From Mindclash back in February: Voidfall expansion: We began working on a Voidfall expansion a few months ago and given how enthusiastic Nigel and David are about working on this game again, we have made a lot of progress already. We’ve been keeping an eye on community feedback, and I can already say that the expansion will be more than “just” additional content. We cannot wait to reveal more as we are getting closer to the estimated campaign date in 2025 Q1/Q2.

[@Biodelic]

@@JohnLaRuffa Also: "Jump" (working title): Project Jump has been on the Upcoming Projects chart since last July, and we have made a lot of progress on it since, as we are building up to its 2024 Q4 campaign launch. “Jump” is a game set in the Voidfall universe, but with a much more “zoomed in” perspective and a very different play style. We will be gradually sharing more info on this one, including some of the artwork that Ian O’Toole is working on, as we are getting closer to the official announcement date.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@Biodelic Awesome! Thank you for the heads up!!!

[@ironartur]

I would never have thought about playing Voidfall two handed, my brain would melt trying to planning the turns 😅 I'm the r&w section i really LOVE Hadrian's wall, I want so bad to play the anarchy when it comes...

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I cannot wait for Anacrchy!

[@roberts5647]

I'm both glad there are so many great games but also jealous that I've not tried any on your list! My favorite solo games are Castles of Burgundy, Arkham LCG, Everdell, Final Girl, Too Many Bones, Dwellings of Eldervale, Foundations of Rome... curious if there is one game you'd recommend that can be setup in less than 10 mins and not too large a box that would complement what I have? Thanks so much for the great infornation!!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thanks for watching. So…based on what you have listed, hmmm. My favorite Stephan Feld game is actually Bonfire. It set’s up in less than 10 min and is a lot of fun. One thing though about it is that you will probably never beat the solo player. However, I just play it as a beat your own score. If you have not checked out Roll and Write games and are interested, there are so many that can be played solo and almost all of them setup in 2 minutes. I think Twilight Inscription is the best and it has a 5 minute setup. Let me know what you think. Thanks for watching!

[@Darthcarp]

Great list. Really need to get a few of those at some point

[@JohnLaRuffa]

They are worth seeking out. I should have reviews on just about all of them in my channel somewhere so check them out if you want to know more about a specific one.

[@Darthcarp]

@@JohnLaRuffa Thanks John I definitely will

[@yusufismail1311]

Really great list. Whatever I expected you to mention, you did. One game I did notice that you haven't mentioned before is Mage Knight. Is it something that was never a hit for you? The game from a solo standpoint is outstanding which is often compared to Voidfall. Voidfall you can do a potential of over 20 actions in a round and its sequence is critical to doing well. In Mage Knight you still have some flexibility but are limited to what your hand of cards dictate. I also see many other fan favourites didn't make the cut such as Lost Ruins of Arnak, Dune: Imperium and Spirit Island.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

So I sold Mage Knight about 12 years ago and replaced it with the Star Trek version. I like that one a little better, but one problem I have with both of those games is that I forget how to play them and then it is hard for me to learn them again. That is the only reason I ended up selling Mage Knight. Lost Ruins of Arnak is pretty good, but it doesn’t make my Top 50. Dune: Imperium is also pretty good, but I am toying with selling it because I am not sure I really enjoy it solo, even with all of the expansions. Spirit Island with the expansions is in my Top 20.

[@Filip_eF]

Great material, thanks

[@martink5124]

Waiting for Voidfall reprint. Should arrive in autumn.

[@jamessherman7797]

While the games you showed may be a bit heavy for me, and large in box size, storage space and price, I appreciated the review. If I can get deeper into solo games, I may try one or two…probably starting with A Feast For Odin. So many fantastic reviews of that game. Or maybe start with Agricola, I’d likely enjoy it. I appreciate your passion for solo games. Wondering how you got into the hobby of solo games?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I would certainly start with an Uwe Rosenberg. I have a whole video devoted to my Top 10 favorite solo games of his. I got into the hobby about 23 years ago when someone introduced me to Settlers of Catan. I played that constantly for about 3 years until I finally burned out on it. Then, because of this game, a friend of mine told me about Puerto Rico. I bought it for my wife as a Christmas gift back in 2005 and then my love for the hobby exploded. Eventually, I started wanting to play games more than I could find others who wanted to learn new ones. Then came the game Pandemic which was the first game I could play solo since it was a coop! That blew my mind. Slow but surely, Uwe Rosenberg started to release Agricola, Le Havre, The Gates of Loyang, etc. and I began my lean into solo games. However, the pandemic in 2020 seemed to drive almost all games into offering a solo mode and at that point, I turned almost exclusively in that direction. Ever since then, I won’t even look at a game that cannot be played solo and I have sold off most of my non-solo compatible collection. Perhaps more than you wanted to know, but that is the story of my solo saga :)!

[@jamessherman7797]

@@JohnLaRuffaThanks for sharing your interesting story! Appreciated! I agree, it can be difficult at times to find players for games I’m in the mood for at the right time. So, solo is an option. When purchasing a new game, I do consider if they offer a solo play mode. Hopefully, I make more time for solo in the future.

[@BlueMammoth2024]

Great list!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thanks!

[@lanceb247Upload]

I loved this video! I am hoping you see this comment and are able to give your opinion… I am relatively new to solo board gaming, but find I really enjoy it. Games I’ve played solo: Gloomhaven Everdell Scythe Earth Ark Nova Wingspan Presently I’m really enjoying Ark Nova, but also loved Gloomhaven and Scythe. Based on those 3, which of your recommendations do you think I’d enjoy? Voidfall sounds like something I want to try, but not sure if it would be too complex for me… I do love complex though lol. I’ll throw in that bonus points for a game that makes a great multi-player experience as well. 😊

[@JohnLaRuffa]

So I don’t like to make this kind of leap because everyone’s tastes are different. However, I would give Tekhenu a shot after you check out my review of it and see if it looks like something you would enjoy. It is very much a Euro which is what you seem to like a lot, but is unlike anything you have played yet.

[@lanceb247Upload]

@@JohnLaRuffa thank you! I’ll definitely take a look at your review.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@lanceb247Upload Good deal. Please feel free to comment with any questions you have. I read them all and respond to most all of them. Thanks for watching!

[@saintpumpkin]

I need to check Mistwind since I own almost every game on your list 😂

[@stormburns]

The retail version of Voidfall is the most bang for buck out there. While the minis are nice they do really add a bunch of time to set up. Highly recomend the retail! I'm still on the fence on if I should get Nucleum for solo. The more hands on automas from David have not had a high success rate with me.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

This solo mode is fairly hands on for Nucleum. You may want to watch my solo play through on this one to see if it would be for you.

[@stormburns]

@@JohnLaRuffa oh I've done just that. Still can't decide haha

[@JohnLaRuffa]

😆 Well, you know how much I like it…so I am probably no help!

[@stormburns]

@@JohnLaRuffa any list with Voidfall is a high praise for all other games named along side it!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@stormburns it’s just the best!

[@thefirstgenesis4280]

Your videos keep getting better and better. That is a great list of solo games you have. Just one question. If you own and have played Caverna, is it necessary to buy and own Agricola? Several others have stated that if you own Caverna, you don't need Agricola. Just wanted to get your opinion.

[@Izinaima]

In my opinion Agricola is both more challenging and more variable in terms of variability (in terms of expansions and cards already in the game.) Caverna is more sandboxy.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I think you hit the correctly Izinaima. I think you could enjoy both of them or have one or the other and be just fine. I actually sold my copy of Agricola after getting Caverna but ended up buying the new edition of it because I started to miss it so much. I like them both. Agricola is much less forgiving and the campaign play for solo is better than what Caverna has to offer. However, if you get the Forgotten Folk expansion for Caverna, there is more to explore in that game if you are good with a sandbox feel.

[@Deltium5683]

A good list, especially with Voidfall, but you didn’t include Mage Knight which is truly superb ! You could also include some solo adventure / dungeon crawler games like Oathsworn, Frosthaven, HexploreIt, Tanares Adventures, Tainted Grail, Kings of Ruin, and perhaps if you want some boss battlers, three excellent games that you can solo are Kingdom Death Monster, Aeon Trespass Odyssey, and Primal: the Awakening.

[@SmokinKipper]

This guy solo games.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have Gloomhaven and have not even gotten through 25% of it, so it hold me back from some other dungeon crawler games. I think that I don’t like dungeon crawlers as much as most as I have had several but ended selling them off. Now a game I really want to try is Euthia, but it is soooooo expensive!

[@1stbridge]

Mage Knight is not a dungeon crawler, deckbuilder/strategy. If you haven’t played it, you’re not really a professional solo gamer…

[@Deltium5683]

@@1stbridge it’s a solo game of course. I never said it was a dungeon crawler. I have played it countless times.

[@TheTintinjb]

Any honorable mention for mage knight or spirit island. I am putting Nucleum, feast for odin and Gaia Planet/Age innovation in the future list. Hope to get Twillight inscription in 2 weeks (got it recently on sale). Thank you for your videos! (PS: leaving Voidfall for when I have more time and space 😂)

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I love Spirit Island and it is definitely in my Top 20. I prefer the Star Trek version of Mage Knight to Mage Knight itself. My only complaint about both games is that they are hard to remember how to play if you put them away for a while. As for Voidfall, it is an investment in both time and space, but it is so worth it! Enjoy Twilight Inscription!

[@whiskeygamesnerdstuff789]

Great Video, solid List.

[@lemilfy]

You are an amazing salesman! haha I already own Voidfall KS to play solo, but I'm jonsing to get another copy becuase you convinced me

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Ha! It’s easy to sell what you are passionate about I guess!

[@stormburns]

lol!

[@fyrnice25]

Really like your content… curious if you’ve played or reviewed Raiders of Scythia? The solo game is so smooth, under appreciated it seems. Plays a lot like the multiplayer game. Worker placement, crew building and loss. Game has a win loss outcome.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I never have actually. I played Raiders of the North Sea, but ended up selling it because it was a bit too linear for me. Since I sold that one, I have been hesitant to try its rethemed version.

[@matje2096]

A lot of people are mentioning Mage Knight, but there is one game to rule them all: Magic Realm by Richard Hamblen.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have never played Magic Realm. As for Mage Knight, I sold it years back and picked up the Star Trek version of it. I think it is more fun and a little better solo.

[@1stbridge]

Ah Magic Realm…..the best of the best

[@wzuchetto]

Fantastic Video

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thank you so much!

[@olehansen3775]

Great List, i have to try the Imperium Series! You should try Legends of Void in you can get your hands on! It is such a Great Game . I just got my copy and am blown away. Sadly its not very popular because it was the first Game of twoid Games but hell, it is a blast

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I will look into Legends of Void. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@jotobaja]

Great list! It would be interesting to know which of the expansions you mention are considered essential for the solo experience. For example, is Australia from Nucleum a must have to enjoy the game from a solo stand point? Thanks! And greetings from Chile

[@JohnLaRuffa]

So, I actually have a Top 10 Essential Expansions video where I mark out the 10 solo games that I think have expansions that you must get if you want the best experience. On this video in particular, I don’t think that any of these games cannot be enjoyed fully without their expansions. However, probably my favorite expansion out of the 10 would be The Norwegian Expansion for A Feast for Odin. It just opened up so much for the solo game. The next one in line would be Time of Seth for Tekhenu. The rest of the games that have expansions are also good, but don’t add as much as these two did.

[@jotobaja]

​@@JohnLaRuffa thanks for the reply! From the list I only have AFFO, and I love the Norwegian expansion, it's great! I was thinking on getting Brass Birmingham mainly bc I'm curious about the "bgg number one board game" but I'm not sure about the solo variant. Now after your video, I'm really interested in Nucleum, it seems like a lot of fun. Thanks! Best regards from Chile!

[@robertdobbs-d4b]

Wondering why you chose Agricola over Caverna or are they interchangeable.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I give the edge to Agricola because of its solo campaign mode but both games are amazing and I think you can easily own both with expansions.

[@NosActivated420]

Nucleum for me arrives today

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Nice! I have several videos on it including a rules video to learn how to play it I think. Check them out if you need help learning the game!

[@BenetTribble]

I bought Imperium on your suggestion, and while I have no regrets because I think you are absolutely spot on, for my life circumstances it runs too long. After numerous plays I couldn't get a practice game under 90 minutes playing with the simplest civs. It honestly made me give LotR: tCG another try just to compel a comparison, and I have since gotten very much into Lord of the Rings. If you've not tried it, then I would encourage you to give it a shot. The game state changes every turn, posing unique puzzles on every turn, and you can wrap up games in far less time with significantly less setup.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I used to be HUGE into LotR LCG. I don’t play it much anymore, but that is a me problem. Very fun game!

[@BenetTribble]

​​@@JohnLaRuffa I think Bond of Friendship Contract breathes new life into LotR for me as I believe the extra hero decreases the difficulty, enabling more One Decking, which allows me to play more scenarios without having to build decks for each one. I have up to Darrowdelf and I'm taking one deck through all of the scenarios

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@BenetTribble I am so out of touch with this game having not played it in probably 8 years…

[@a-c-m]

Awesome list with a really broad selection ! Maybe I should finally get “Imperium: Horizons” after all… Only game which is missing in my opinion because it also blows your mind and offers a totally different gaming experience is “Spirit Island”. I am also delighted to see “Mistwind” on the list !! I am eagerly waiting for my copy, the Kickstarter fulfilment to Europe got delayed to end of September… I also love “Nucleum” as a solo game, in particular since “Brass” doesn’t have a solo mode and the solo mode in “Barrage” is just rubbish. Small side note: the “Nucleum: Australia” expansion doesn’t really work well for solo. The Automa often struggles to build any uranium mines but more importantly it doesn’t build enough/all of the government buildings which are really important for that map as the ships massively increase the networks. So the Automa is too easy to beat…

[@JohnLaRuffa]

So Spirit Island would be in my Top 20 when you include the expansions. Interesting comment about the Australian expansion for Nucleum. I did find it easier to contend with solo than the original game but thought it might have just been a little bit of a fluke. Perhaps it was just hitting the tip of the iceberg…

[@SardonicArtery]

I’m waiting on the Star Trek version of imperium.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@@SardonicArtery you and me both! I cannot wait to try that one out!

[@a-c-m]

@@JohnLaRuffa Yeah, two of the cities with uranium mines in Nucleum Australia require two rail tiles to connect, so the Automa rarely connects to those given its action waterfall. Also, you basically have to build all three government buildings because of the much larger network on this map and hence the larger potential point haul for those. The Automa mostly only builds one and sometimes even that in an unconnected inland city rather than a coastal city with a much larger network. It also normally places only three ships which often leaves a gap in their network for that. But for a competitive multiplayer game the expansion is great !

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@a-c-m that makes sense!

[@kevincragun5853]

Which you had varied games that are not 2+ hrs long and not $120 cost games. What do you recommend?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have some other Top 10 videos that I would cover off on that. However, a couple of good ones that you can try that fit the bill are Pirates of Maracaibo, Newton, Lacrimosa, Atiwa and pretty much any solo Roll and Write like Welcome to, Railroad Ink and Joan of Arc Draw and Write.

[@EbbonieWI]

Yaaassssd I’m a so board gamer keep it coming

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Sure thing. I have 5 years of videos for you to check out if you want more solo only content. Just dig into my channel. Enjoy!

[@stormburns]

By the way no garphil games?! Didn't see that one coming! Would have expected a South Tigris or Ezra&N!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@@stormburns I know! I wanted to put Scholars of the South Tigris in there but I needed to branch out to different genres.

[@tyrussleightholme7261]

The way you pronounce Agricola and tekhenu is toughhhh 😂 Awesome list tho!!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Nobody’s perfect. 👍

[@WendyGa]

I enjoyed the video. Thanks for the list. I don't own many of those, but I have to agree with Mistwind being the best example of pick up and deliver with simple automated players. I'm enjoying it a lot. I'm curious about Arkham Horror as your more thematic game. I have only played Eldritch Horror and like it a lot. But how does it compare to the Arkham Horror Card Game for you? I find that one thematic and replayable. I was wondering how you feel about it?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I like the card game a lot too, but have a hard time recommending it on a Top 10 list because of the amount of cash outlay as well as LCG’s being their own thing in general. So, I decided Arkham Horror would fit the bill best for someone who has none of those types of games.

[@WendyGa]

@@JohnLaRuffa Makes sense. The cash outlay is a big downside to me. It prevents me from recommending people do more than take a cautious plunge at first too.

[@kosterix123]

Recommend to make another in half a year and also recommend to include dead cells. great solo. as for 15:30 you failed to mention how much table space voidfall requires. Non-US houses don't have the space to set it up. Was the same issue with Sleeping gods, while manageable, on a smaller table it just became distractingly tedious.

[@Existencial03]

Spirit Island should really be considered. One of the best, if not the best, co-op solo games you can play. Other than that, great list!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Definitely in my Top 20. It was very hard reduce the list to just 10.

[@realdealastrology9]

Out of all those, I hated A Feast for Odin, as you know. I should get Agricola and see how it plays. There’s an unofficial automa or two that really look great. Other than that, all other games you featured are total gems and keepers for life.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Agricola is so different. You could try it for free on BGA if you wanted to get the feel first.

[@darrylpardon8013]

Would you add Men Nefer to this list?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Absolutely!

[@IskandarStrategist1689]

What is the best top 5 deduction game?.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

That is great question. I have only played a couple, but I like Search for Planet X and ArcheOlogic a lot. I also liked Turing Machine.

[@shaike82]

Wait one more month or so till the new Gaia Project Expansion is out, and then I dare you to test it and tell us if you still think it is less rewarding than Age of Innovation 🙂

[@JohnLaRuffa]

So…I probably screwed up when I sold Gaia Project because I had the app. Hopefully, the expansion will come out for iOS so I can try it.

[@jjschm20]

Does base game and expansion all fit in the base Tekhenu box?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Yes, but just barely!

[@lostinsim]

Agricola is the GOAT.

[@wardenakfiles]

Voidfall is too much for what it is. Between voidfall and on mars I kept on mars and sold voidfall. On Mars is teachable to a new person on a first day...... Voidfall is for you and your poor partner that has to sit through teaching of voidfall. Kudos for Age of Inovation. Great game.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I would never try and teach someone Voidfall. I ended up selling On Mars because I found the solo just frustratingly hard. That could be a me problem.

[@Viljanne]

Great list John!!! I must demand a follow up video though, in which you put the top part of the game boxes aligned with the bottom part. I won’t be able to sleep or even mentally rest knowing they’re almost all upside down! I can only imagine the manuals inside are also placed perpendicularly 🫣🤯. I am absolutely horrified…🙃

[@JohnLaRuffa]

😆 I had to laugh because as I flipped them over, it was like every box was backwards!!!

[@Camay1500]

Darwin's journey is it a good solo game?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Yes. It is one of my favorites! I play it exclusively solo and love it!

[@dayoltay]

Wow such opposite tastes, nice review of all though thanks 👍🏻

[@JohnLaRuffa]

It happens. What are some of the games you like to play solo? Perhaps I have played some of them.

[@dayoltay]

@@JohnLaRuffa generally I'm not a fan of soloing euros. Some of my favorites are too many bones, hoplomachus victorum, burncycle, cloudspire, dawn of the zeds, Nemo's war, Mage Knight, spirit island, d day at omaha beach, battle for britain RAF, Robinson crusoe

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@dayoltay Of those, I really enjoy Spirit Island and Robinson Crusoe. I had Hoplomchus (the original) and Too Many Bones, but I sold them both. Too Many Bones was just so brutal. Also had and sold Dawn of the Zeds 2nd Edition and Nemo’s War. Not bad games at all. I just played my fill of them. I have always been curious about Burncycle and Cloudspire, but hesitant because of my experience with the other Chip Theory Games. Thanks for sharing!

[@dayoltay]

@@JohnLaRuffa cloudspire is a beast. Hard to learn and get going but when you do it is a masterpiece. Burncycle is the most different. All other games can be "cousins" except for this one. More strategic than all except cloudspire because you see the grand scheme which can lead to analysis paralysis. For this reason I prefer it solo or with a very enthusiastic gamer. But because you tried other CTG games and somewhat disliked them, I wouldn't recommend burncycle. They are currently working on an Elder Scrolls game. I believe it would be the answer if you ever want to give another try with the company especially if you're into the theme.

[@782hrr]

I know this is euro games but I have discovered warfighter… card based doesn’t even need a board

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I tried that game for a while and many other DVG games, but I don’t think they are for me. I’m glad you enjoy them though!

[@markalexandermaron5531]

Wait... When did mistwind start fulfillment?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

It hit the US about 1-2 weeks ago.

[@steveg9939]

Tekhenu is a great game that I haven’t « solved » yet… I wonder I if I could handle the expansion in that regard?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I highly recommend the expansion because it fills out an area of the game that could use more. I have a solo review of it, so feel free to check it out if you are interested.

[@steveg9939]

@@JohnLaRuffa Thanks, I’ll watch your playthrough. All the best

[@_Game0ver_]

This War of Mine?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I had to sell that one and I replaced it with Frostpunk. This War of Mine just beat me over the head way too much for me to keep playing it. I never felt like I could survive. Frostpunk is hard, but I find it more fun. To each their own of course…

[@Rolgi]

Where mage knight?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Sold it 12 years ago. Just too hard for me to relearn after not playing it for a while. Bought the Star Trek version of it instead.

[@tfdtfdtfd]

No Mage Knight? 🤔🤔🤔

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I sold it about 12 years ago because I would forget how to play it and it was such a bear to relearn after not playing it for a while. I ended up getting the Star Trek version of it.

[@markwilliamson3043]

BLASPHEMER 😂

[@EbbonieWI]

Could you please link each game

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Feel free to search my KZbin channel for each of the games I mention as I have made solo reviews for each of them.

[@ichirofakename]

No abstract strategy? Sigh...

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Sorry, I don’t really have a solo abstract strategy that I can think of. What are some of your favorites?

[@ichirofakename]

@@JohnLaRuffa I got nuthin' . I was hoping you had some...

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@ichirofakename I have only played a couple of solo abstract strategy games and they never stayed in my collection for long.

[@w92viking64]

Arkham horror 2nd edition is the only one worth playing. 3rd Ed is horrible imho. EH is good but not as good as 2nd

[@eliezernachman]

👍🎲

[@noodlemans]

Not a single game on my list made your list. 👎 Mage Knight Frostpunk Marvel Champions Nemesis Heat Chronicles of Drunagor Gloom/Frosthaven/jotl Uprising curse of the last emperor Euthia The isofarian guard Terraforming mars w/ automa

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I do like Frostpunk and Marvel Champions and I would love to try Euthia, but it is so expensive!

[@noodlemans]

@@JohnLaRuffa Euthia really is fun. I was lucky enough to back the ks. Frostpunk is brutally hard but I love it.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@noodlemans I really like Frostpunk as well. I wish I could somehow try Euthia. It’s just such a cash outlay for one game…

[@noodlemans]

@@JohnLaRuffa yeah it’s a lot and it takes up a lot of shelf/table space. I recently culled my collection and I sold a bunch of stuff to make space for it. It was worth it.

[@mabos555]

So... Top big box euros like always Got it... Nothing new here to see 🤷

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I was waiting for your comment 😆. What can I say, I am consistent I guess.

[@Dianikes]

Arkham horror 2nd edition all day