Top 10 "Next Step" Solo Board Games for New Gamers

[@Manny0Calavera]

Great list, I'd love to see more Top 10 Solo Games videos! Perhaps the next one could focus on medium complexity games and then one after that could cover the really juicy ones :).

[@TotallyTabled]

That is the plan, Manny. But in June I plan to release my Top 50 Solo Games of all time. That will have a bunch of those games as well. Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@sheldonwong12]

There are many things I like about your list videos, but the number one thing is how immersed I am in the game in just the few minutes that you’re talking about it. I can put myself in the shoes of someone playing it even if I haven’t played it before-how the mechanics work, the gaming mindset, the hook of the game. Heat, Resist, and Rove stand out to me here. Thanks for the great video, Shaggi!

[@TotallyTabled]

That is very kind of you to say, Sheldon. I really appreciate your kindness. I'd definitely check out my full solo playthroughs of Heat, Resist and Rove if you haven't. That should help you decide if those look like games you would enjoy. Thanks again!

[@lisahasegawa2674]

These are such great picks! I got Resist! for my fiancé for Christmas and he LOVES it. Coffee Roasters is one of my favorites as well. So many good ones on this list. Thank you!

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm glad you liked the list, Lisa! I hope you find something else on the list you enjoy. I've made playthroughs of most of these on the channel. Thanks so much for watching!

[@notboardatall-yw6vh]

Great list. Just ordered Heat and Coffe Roaster is the first solo game I bought and it is still one of my favorites. Really looking forward too your "Next Next Step" list!

[@TotallyTabled]

Ha, ha. I might have to call it that! 🤣 The hardest part of these lists is coming up with a name that makes sense. I bet you will really enjoy Heat. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@mikehall9240]

Loved this video. I am a new subscriber (from a couple of weeks back) and I love that you show the games as you are describing them. That really helps me decide if I want to get the game and try it out according to my style, etc. Thank you! Keep making the solo videos as well, I love those!

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for the sub, Mike! I'm really happy you enjoy the channel. The b-roll for each game definitely takes more time, but it is nice to hear you find it helpful. Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@jamesmorgan1967]

I've been playing a bit of Maquis over the winter and I agree that there is a feeling of tension that builds throughout the game. Added bonuses: games are quick and there are different scnearios to try and beat. I've been curious about Bullet Heart for some time now; when it comes time to purchase some new games, I might just pick that one up! You're the first person I've heard talk about the solo version of Heat. Sounds really fun. This is a very solid list! Thanks for posting. (P.S. I never win when I play Friday. It's still a good game.) 😄

[@28paws70]

Great suggestions! I'm fairly new to gaming and just added a few of these to my wish list. ❤

[@TotallyTabled]

Awesome! I hope you find something you really love. Thank you for checking out the list!

[@MrZgorzi]

Great list! I do have Horrified & Heat waiting on the shelf to finally play them for the first time, now I feel more motivated to do so :) Regarding Marvel United - I do have two base boxes, while the MU was a little bleak & easier, MU: X-Men really pumped up my score of the game. It's such a simple mechanism, but it leaves the room for all the different villains to shine & force you to adapt to yet another way of beating them. Really recommend!

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for checking out the video! I have so much stuff for Marvel United that I cannot remember what goes with what, but the X-Men are my favorite heroes. I hope you enjoy Horrified and Heat. Both are great solo or multiplayer. Thanks again!

[@davidwhiteman714]

Very helpful video for someone who is looking to start adding games to a small collection. Thank you 😀

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm glad you found the video helpful, David. That is wonderful to hear. Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@tracieperez2629]

What a great list! I love the selections you made. I recently picked picked up Maquis and look forward to playing it soon! I now plan to add a few more to my list to try thanks to you! Glad I found your channel.

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm happy you liked the video and found the channel, Tracie! I hope you discover games that you'll enjoy. Thanks so much for watching!

[@branboom3342]

Marvel United is my favourite game of all time and I love Bullet❤ too! I would also submit Warp's Edge to the list :) (Edit: I just saw you included Warp's Edge on the next list lol)

[@DumiduSurasinghe]

Great list. HEAT is so much fun solo. I would love to get a copy of Coffee Roaster, specifically the version you show in the video, the artwork is so charming, done by the design's wife if I recall. Unfortunately the version that's around now is lacking in art department, at least to me.

[@TotallyTabled]

I completely agree with you. It is a shame about the reprint of Coffee Roaster. I was hoping the other version might be available elsewhere in the world, but I'm not certain. I would hunt that edition down, but the gameplay is good enough to not really matter. Thanks so much for watching!

[@hatsoffgames]

Agreed, this version is great. Not only the art but also the feel of the pieces. The tokens have a smooth/soft feeling to them. Very unique. I was lucky enough to win my version from Gabby during a Board Game Snobs podcast giveaway. The reason he gave it away is because he plays on the digital version. Which is good and certainly less finicky, but loses the charm. Board gaming is better when it is a tactile experience. Don't get me wrong, I love that digital play can be an option, but it's just not the same.

[@TheTrendz24]

Love your videos as always. I would like to shamelessly plug a couple great games here in this category: Unbroken is a great next step solo revenge game, as well as Ratcatcher. Maybe I’ll do some cool coverage of those two when I launch my KZbin channel.

[@TotallyTabled]

I've never played either one, so I'll definitely have to research them more. If you make videos about them, let me know and I'll check them out. I always enjoy learning about new games. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@grizzzzlies7208]

I just got Maquis and Friday today. Can’t wait to dive in.

[@TotallyTabled]

I really hope you enjoy the games. Let us know. Thanks for watching!

[@mariebrule3512]

great list but transmission game is excellent in solo and parks , and flourish and mini rogue and flamecraft, gutenberg, stroganov and the red cathedral :)

[@petergross7235]

Really nice list! Many of them I like to play myself. Cartographer is really fun and relaxing.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks Peter! Cartographers seems to be the roll/flip and write that I come back to the most. I think it has something to do with that relaxing vibe.

[@TheRASDEL83]

Great video! Really surprised about HEAT, I would love to try it... I wonder what happened to "The Bloody Inn" your playthrough was amazing on that one by the way

[@TotallyTabled]

Ah, Bloody Inn will be on the next list. I know it is pretty light, but it was a judgement call and I don't think I would give it to a new gamer who had only played light games. Warp's Edge was another that just missed for the same reason. Thanks for watching!

[@ZombieLoyalist]

I'm pretty sure in Friday you aren't playing as Robinson Crusoe. I think you are playing as Friday helping the somewhat inept Robinson Crusoe survive the island. Great game, one of my favorite solos.

[@TotallyTabled]

Yeah, you are right. It's a funny theme and I really like it. Good game too! Thanks for watching!

[@raquellee8985]

Another great list, thanks!

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for watching!

[@snake_plant]

For anyone wondering as I was, the thumbnail is the game Photograph or "wind the film!"

[@TotallyTabled]

That's right, from artist Takako Takarai. I speak more about her artwork in my Top 10 Board Game Artists video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5Oop4h8h7eJf6s. Thanks for watching!

[@denycast]

Oh Friday! I have it in my collection. It is actual beatable. But I did it a long time ago. But I guess I could try again👍

[@TotallyTabled]

Yeah, I've definitely beat it before, but usually I come up short against those pirates. Apparently there's a magical strategy that wins most of the time, but I don't know it, I don't want to know it, and I doubt I'll ever figure it out on my own. :) Thanks for watching!

[@jamesbrazeal3847]

Great list. I need to get Maqui

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks, James. I'm glad you enjoyed the list. Thanks for watching!

[@schululalala6212]

I have been trying to get my hands on a copy of Resist! for weeks now. All the reviews of this game have really hooked me, but damn it seems to be really hard to get in Central Europe if you want the English version.

[@TotallyTabled]

That is too bad. Hopefully it will be easy to aquire soon. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@mmillecamps5060]

Great list. I love Horrified, the theme is also really beautiful. I got coffee roaster because of you. Made Maquis PnP. I love some not too difficult but quick games without tons of pieces or a huge board. I also like Verdant. It’s beautiful. Just wondering about Marvel united. Thinking of gifting it to a 15 yr old who is a Marvel fan. He is not a boardgamer at all. But he’s extremely good and obsessed with and at chess. Do you think it would be a good gift? (He’s not English speaking, we do learn some English at secundary school here and he’s pretty smart.) If he likes it he can get some expansions 😊.

[@TotallyTabled]

I still need to get Verdant to the table. I've loved the previous games from the design team, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it as well. As for Marvel United, there is definitely a bit of English text to read. You can check out my playthrough to get a sense of how much text and if it would be workable. That is hard for me to judge. Other than that, the game would work great for a 15 year old, especially if they are interested Marvel and co-op games that also play great solo. Definitely nothing like Chess, of course. Thanks so much for watching!

[@mmillecamps5060]

@@TotallyTabled Thanks, I noticed on a site they will release a Dutch version later this year. So that’s really cool.

[@nyghost9991]

Great video

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks! 🙂

[@devonsmith5113]

I am suprised that Marvel Champions hasn't showed up on any of your lists & I dont see any review of it by you either. Have you not played it yet?

[@TotallyTabled]

Yeah, I have a weird relationship with Marvel Champions. I know I should like it more -- and maybe with more plays I would like it more -- but it leaves me feeling a bit cold. I think it is getting squeezed out by the combo of Arkham Horror LCG and Doomtown Reloaded. Also, I am not into Marvel or comic books or superhero movies, so the theme is not really doing much for me. Lots of clever stuff going on and I understand why it is so popular. Maybe one day I'll see the light. :) Thanks Devon!

[@bev542]

Say the names of the designers, please.

[@TotallyTabled]

I heard you the first time.

[@christianmorson3945]

I love your reviews, but please - for the love of god - don't copy what other board game reviews do and show slow-mo's of pieces being randomly chucked all over a board. Most us gamers like things neat and it really does my OCD head in.