Top 10 SOLO Board Games Of 2023! | My 10 favourite games I played solo this past year!

Hey friends! It is that time! Time to talk all about the games I most enjoyed in 2023 solo! In total I think I played about 70-80 different games solo in 2023 and these are the ones I found myself coming back to time and time again. Hope you all enjoy the video!
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Game Table - The Jasper Table by BoardGameTables.com
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[@rossnorthstar]

Glad you enjoyed Eila so much! We're definitely discussing future content.

[@MattHarropActor]

Wish I could buy this in the uk!

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

WOOHOO! Exciting! 😊

[@caseyslaughter6614]

My board game library has definitely grown the way it has because of your content and it appears that it will do so again. I hadn't heard of Eila and Something Shiny and am now super intrigued. I love playing solo games and glean alot from your solo videos. The games I have been playing alot solo lately are Three Sisters (which was difficult for me to find for awhile), My City roll and write, Hadrian's Wall has become my favorite lately, and I also like the solo of Ark Nova and Wingspan but they're a little more difficult to get to the table. I've been looking through the button shy games and may actually get Rove now thanks to this video but looking forward to the release of The Last Lighthouse.

[@dqbrewer]

Thank you for the great recommendations. During covid, I started trying some of my games solo. My current favorite is Antiquity (Splotter). I hadn't discovered the official solo rules, but played it three times with no rules changes and different patron saints each time. Each game was a real squeaker, for different reasons. You convinced me to get Concordia Solitaria. Concordia is one of my all time favorites. Eila and Something Shiny looks promising, also. Again, thank you for making these videos.

[@Crimsonboardgames]

I bought Paperback Adventures because of your stream and I love that game so much!!

[@botanyandboard]

Love the video, but ALSO those nails girl!! 🤩 Gorgeous!! I was literally just telling some of my friends that I really need to go get my nails done I'm always showing up hand painted and chipped all over the place. You have inspired me to just go get them done! 😁

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Awh thank you so much Baley! 😊 I've been obsessed with getting different press ons. If I'm lucky they stay on for a solid 2 weeks! It's great.

[@crapuchettes]

Thanks for covering Eila! It captured by heart too. I have never been emotionally moved by a game before. This one had me in tears.

[@Tablenauts]

I wholeheartedly agree with the Guild of Merchant Explorers love! Its super chill and fun just exploring and getting as much points as possible. If I can find For Northwood soon, I will be grabbing it. Great video friend! - Doolin

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Yesss! I feel like it doesn't get enough love! It's a great game! 😊 Thanks for watching Doolin! Hope you are doing well!

[@jjrathkamp9021]

No surprise, you share my top solo game of 2023 in Legacy of Yu. So much fun with that game. Wayfarers is probably my second favorite, simply for the fact that it plays with more than one. But that game captivated me so much, it cracked my top 3 ever. Number 3 is probably For Northwood, followed by Under Falling Skies, which I bought and played for the first time as of last year. Can’r wait to see what you play and enjoy solo this year! 😊

[@BelleAim]

Thanks for another great video Jenna! Def going to be looking into Eila and something shiny after hearing your opinion on it. Sending best wishes your way! 😊🌟

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

So glad you enjoyed Belle! 😊 I definitely recommend! It is wonderful! ❤ thank you! You too!

[@hecate9659]

I'm still waiting for My City R & W (and Final Girl BTW) that I ordered I don't remember when! ^^ I take note of Mind Space, I'll certainly buy it when it comes into stores here. Eila is an innovative game, I love it too! Will you play it again? For Northwood is very good, they managed to create a solo trick game, that's awesome. Weren't it so expensive, I'd like to play Marrakesh with the solo expansion. Did you try it? Thanks a lot for the video Jenna! Have an extraordinary Easter week end!

[@DioxzPro]

OMG I love your sweater !!! ☕️

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Thank you so much! Fun fact, I was wearing matching sweatpants too! 🥰☕️👏🏻 they are from my friends brand called Carmico! It’s part of a new collection called Sugar & Spice, coming soon!

[@tracieperez2629]

Great list! I really want to play Mind Space, but hadn't heard of it until now. Also, feel your passion for the ease of the Orchard and For Northwood "boxes"! I secretly hope when I get a new card game this will be the type of box it's in, lol. A few solo games I enjoyed in 2023: For Northwood, Patchwork Doodle, Project L, and Maquis

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Yesss! More card games need the little drawer boxes! I still need to get a copy of Project L! I played it multiplayer a few times and I thought it would be my type of solo game. 😊

[@bryanscollick8305]

I really enjoyed both my plays of Legacy of Yu. I also really love Eila as well. I can’t wait for For Northwood’s next printing!

[@TomTom-gl6nc]

Hello. Excellent selection of solo games 😊Legacy of Yu is also my favorite of the year and I will try to play with “Rove”, “Elia” and “For Northwood” very soon… I also liked “Harrow County” (better 2 players than solo) and Unmatched Solo with Tales to amaze expansion. Thanks for your amazing videos !

[@skyelarsen8172]

Thanks for mentioning Paperback Adventures! I hadn't heard of Mind Space or TIOC Explore & Draw--I'm going to have to check those out!

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

No problem! 😊 I really need to get it back to the table! It was great! And yess definitely recommend those!

[@leom3642]

Thanks for the list Jenna, lots of good suggestions there Witchcraft! and Legacy of Yu are firmly on my wishlist - but being from Australia, I know that I have to be patient and just wait for them to become available (at a reasonable price)

[@jamesmorgan1967]

I love For Northwood! and Guild of Merchant Explorers. I've been waiting to find another person or two to go through My City: Roll and Build with me, but maybe I should just solo it. Mind Space, which I had forgotten about, looks really good. And you've reminded me that I still need to get Witchcraft! to the table.

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

I do recommend trying My City Roll & Build solo! You can always go back and play another campaign multiplayer as well! 😊👍🏻

[@Mysmi]

I really enjoy your insight and eclectic choice of games. A lot of ideas come from your channel. The store just restocked ROVE and I was lucky enough to get it before it sold out (Numbsters gone in hours!) Have you tried the ROVE expansion and if so do you think it’s worth adding or is the base game perfect enough? Keep up the great content!

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

I haven't tried the expansion! I feel like it would be nice eventually to get it and try it but as of right now I am happy playing the base game! Aqua Rove is also coming out soon which is exciting!

[@NatanelApfel]

Super jealous you got that jumper!!! I want mine nao!

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

THIS FRIDAY! WOOP WOOP! 🥰👏🏻

[@MerlinsManor]

I really enjoy Isle of Cats solo, but like you find Explore and Draw much easier to get to the table for solo play. I need to get For Northwood. I put it off because the idea of a solo trick-taking game didn't draw me in at first, but I keep hearing people talking about how great it is. I believe it is still between print-runs.

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Yeah both are great solo! I actually haven’t played either multiplayer yet surprisingly! I think The Isle of cats would be very enjoyable multiplayer! And yeah! I definitely recommend when you can! They did such a great job! 👏🏻

[@pandariafish9642]

I was so excited that I guessed it before you said the name of Eila and Something Shiny! I love this game, but sadly it seems there will not be more expansion in the future.

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Just saw a comment above that mentioned they are discussing future content! Exciting! 😊

[@aaronstark5060]

I’m generally not a fan of trick taking games, but for some reason, For Northwood really got its hooks into me.

[@pipsinspaaace5282]

A game I got recently and would recommend is Cursed!? It a small card game, plays really quickly. I've been having a lot of fun playing it

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Ohhhh I need to look into this! What publisher is it from?

[@bryansanda3724]

Where did Mythwind fall out? I watched your live stream as the Crafter while waiting for my copy to arrive, and I have been playing the heck out of it! It's a very enjoyable experience, and would like to hear what you think.

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

I actually didn't include Mythwind because I didn't play it in 2023. I played it early 2024. Spoiler, it will probably be in my top solo games of 2024. I've been LOVING Mythwind. 😊

[@jasonv8516]

Hi friend!!!!🎉

[@christalynjeanne8919]

Where can I buy Witchcraft! if I am in the USA? I can't find it easily on the interwebs.

[@WiseWizardGames]

I love Eila so much - deb

[@hanslamal5632]

Rove is a wonderful game indeed! I think there's an Aqua Rove coming very soon 🙃🥳

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

I'm so excited for Aqua Rove! 😊👏🏻

[@eloblht]

Can you share where you buy your games here in Canada? I can’t seem to find Witchcraft! anywhere 😊

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

I usually purchase from Board Game Bliss, Board Game Bandit or 401 Games! Those are the online places. I also support my local game store called J&Js. 😊 I think Witchcraft is currently unavailable but should be coming back soon!

[@kitcarpo4745]

Thanks for the vid, and as someone with Isle of Cats who had declined Explore and Draw but has now changed his mind... EDIT: Rats! Legacy of Yu to. :D

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

HAHA Sorry! 😂 They are both great!

[@sorenjochens7952]

You should give Regicide a try :)

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

I've played that 2 player on BGA! It was fun! I should definitely try it solo soon!

[@albertolopes829]

Don't want to make you sad, but considering the setting of Witchcraft, the place the revealed witches are sent to is worse than prison.

[@mikeforner7797]

is that sweater a genuine " Theo Huxtable " ?

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

🤣👏🏻

[@stefanopaolini1345]

Resist! Has an amazing theme about fighting the fascist oppression in Spain... It's a bit more nuanced and heroic than "war"

[@ekurisona663]

hey jenna - i havent seen anyone talking about the mythwind 'all-in' price of $385 - what is going on with gamefound and kickstarters - this seems totally out of control to me - 1% of families would be able to pay that for a boardgame - im so confused by the business model and the silence from the bg community about it - am i crazy? 🙃

[@nihlify]

Most kickstarters aren't targeting families.

[@kigerspirit]

Ever since the pandemic, most people seem to have an endless supply of excess money to spend on extravagant things and experiences.

[@ghattem]

All in pledges are ridiculously expensive, but also unnecessary. I don’t need an art book or stationery. The base game pledge is only $85. I have the base game already. If I back anything from this it will be the new game play pledge for $40.

[@df15ch13]

1st!

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Woop woop! 🎉

[@df15ch13]

@@TheBoardGameGarden HAPPY! HAPPY! HAPPY! to see Ü enjoy Eila & it made the Top 3! WOOP! WOOP! 🙌🏼

[@mabos555]

What no cyberion? Boooo

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Nope! Haven't tried that one yet! I actually just recently picked up Onirim, Sylvion, Castellion and Nautilion! Excited to try them and eventually pick up Cyberion as well. I've heard great things. 👍🏻

[@adriang6259]

Love your content and you seem quite sweet but you could probably cut this down to about twenty minutes. Maybe I'm too impatient.

[@jenpants]

She added time stamps, you could have just skipped through them. She doesn't need to change anything.

[@adriang6259]

@@jenpants yeah ok you had to add your 2 cents worth.

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Thank you so much for the constructive criticism. 😊 I'm fully aware I talk a lot and honestly that is just how I am! I love talking about board games. HAHA. Feel free to play it on 1.5x speed or skip through. I totally understand the chattiness is not for everyone. Appreciate the support!

[@Allgloss312]

@@TheBoardGameGardeni for one love the chattiness. I feel like i waste my time watching a video where they are going over 10 games in 5 minutes and they barely give any details or thoughts. Love that you can take the criticism but especially love that you arent afraid to make the content you wanna make! I make book content on tiktok and my vids are like often over 5 minutes long and i know many people wont watch them cuz of that but idc because i love talking about the things i love and the people who like it like it and the people who dont dont. You just popped up in my recommended and this vid def earned a sub from me 👍