Zee's Top 10 Solo Games

[@timluc0428]

1:40 - 10 - The Game 3:07 - 9 - S.O.S Titanic 4:43 - 8 - Sylvion 5:58 - 7 - Race for the Galaxy (with expansion) 7:54 - 6 - Gem Rush 9:38 - 5 - Castellion 11:50 - 4 - Freedom: The Underground Railroad 13:22 - 3 - Robinson Crusoe 15:17 - 2 - Friday 17:20 - 1 - Onirim

[@John-yy1oy]

Tim Lucas this should be in every description of every list they do. I like channels that do that.

[@jasonharris1636]

thx, mate⚽🐢🇳🇿⚽🐢

[@Milk-rx6zn]

good person you are

[@212om]

Thankyou Tim Lucas

[@jomiran1000]

This needs an update since solo games have exploded lately.

[@Zaloomination]

is there a newer list of games you'd recommend? Any suggestions for an 8 yr old gamer?

[@cloud2018]

It's funny you get so much crap from the other two for playing solo games. The irony is not lost on me that you had to do this video yourself. Good list, as few of these have been on my list for awhile. One reason I like co-op games is because they naturally adapt very well to solo play. My kids are far too young to play a lot of these games with me and my wife and I work and if we have time for a game at all we choose smaller shorter games. I like games that tell a story and give me a lot to manage so I've enjoyed Pandemic, Defenders of the Realm, Dead Men Tell No Tales, Elder Sign, Ghost Stories, etc. depends on what I'm in the mood for and what I feel like setting up after the kids go to bed. I've found some of those solo games are really therapeutic and a really great way to unwind after a long work day or a day chasing down two toddlers.

[@TheFilipFonky]

"so much crap"? It's called banter, dude

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

Really happy to see a solo top 10. Zee's list is solid, but my #1 go to solo game is still Mage Knight. Never get tired of playing it.

[@NinoMit87]

Same here. So many games of Mage Knight i even lost count.

[@nicolasfredette8564]

Couple years late to add to this reply but, check out the Mage Knight in-game organizer I completed a few months ago :D imgur.com/a/ds5iiC7

[@JacobMinger]

My favorite game to play solo is actually Marvel Legendary.

[@cthutu]

My favourite solo game (although plays more players) is 'Mice & Mystics'. It's like you're playing a story. It's fantastic.

[@sirphobos8494]

Love you Zee and its great to see some solo love from the dice tower. For those players not afraid of games bigger that Zee is scared of lol: Mage Knight, Warfighter, Darkest Night, Dawn of the Zeds, Viticulture, Legends of Andor, Galaxy Defenders, and Imperial Settlers with the official campaign variant.

[@Rogerio_FM]

This list is perfect man, I've been searching for top solo board games for a while, thanks.

[@clairvoyantmole8668]

There are some great solo games missing, like "Space Hulk: Death Angel - The Card game" for a thrilling Sci-Fi shooter kind of feeling, "Dungeon Roll" for a simple solitaire Push your luck experience, "Yggdrasil" or "Ghost Stories" for a hard to beat fighting-enemies-back-game, "Lord of the Rings LCG" or "Arkham Horror: The Card Game" for a collectible card game, "Flash Point: Fire Rescue" or "Pandemic" if you don't mind to play with 2 characters or "Mage Knight" if you want to get the full monty fantasy puzzle with huge complexity.

[@JamieMaltmanTube]

It was pretty cool to watch this after chatting about part of this topic last week at Snakes & Lattes! And it's cool that the Oniverse games are some of my 4 year old son's favourites to play with me, and you're the one who tipped us off to them. Thanks again!

[@studleygamer]

Wonderful, solid list. All of your choices are favorites of mine and would have been in my top 20. It was great to see you do this list, Zee. Thank you.

[@natelinhart114]

I always thought it was interesting that a lot of Zee's favorite games are from Z-Man games.

[@Patronux]

+Nate Linhart Not a coincidence! they have quirky games, japanese games, and just great games overall. I also like Zee-Man Games

[@natelinhart114]

+Patronux Haha I know. It's like they were designed for him. I like the company as well. Almost finally tried Onirim this weekend .... but fate didn't let it happen.

[@SharlzG]

I love, love, love, Hostage Negotiator. By no means easy, but makes winning it (if you win it) such joy. Love it.

[@tomhannah3825]

Been out of the hobby so long that ALL of these are new to me... But I'm back, and I like your presentation, you're not as boring as some guys, and you've made me really interested in some of these! Thanks!

[@SoloPlayGamer]

Thanks for making a top ten solo board games video. I had to make one a month ago because no one had made an updated one for years. Great video.

[@Carbone14GN]

I recommend Terraforming Mars. Even if the game is designed for up to 5 players, the solo variant ask you to complete the terraformation in 14 turns, which is not as easy as it seems ! The 12 corporations offer a variety of different gameplay and new strategies :)

[@ProdigyGameWorks]

Thanks Zee for the ideas. I'm not terribly intrigued by solo play but knowing that I have a couple now makes me want to try it sometime.

[@coryway6951]

Lord of the Rings LCG by Fantasy Flight Games

[@rossjaax]

Amazing Zee! Not one of these titles were familiar to me before. Looking forward to checking them out. I appreciate the recommendations.

[@AnimalMkIV]

Great to see a list of solo games :) I have a regular game night once a week but I want to play more and solo games are a great way to unwind after work. My top 10 at the moment is: 10. Hostage Negotiator 9. Clacks 8. Tiny Epic Galaxies 7. Secrets of the Lost Tomb 6. Pandemic (with expansions) 5. Tiny Epic Kingdoms: Heroes Call 4. Robinson Crusoe 3. Dungeon Crawler 2. Rallyman 1. Snowdonia

[@AhJong0]

Awesome list ,this is a great topic to see finally covered in some real depth. I am somewhat heartbroken at no mention of The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game. It is a wonderful solo experience - hard as anything but a rewarding experience.

[@davidpepin3017]

If you like Friday, might I suggest you try Goblivion. It is similar in the way that you fight different kind of goblins and when you win, you flip them over and add the cards to your deck, giving you a special card, different depending on the goblin you killed. The goal is to defend your castle and you start with a deck containing bad cards, neutral ones and few good ones. You have money (health) and between fights, you can train one of your citizen (removing it from the game), to grab a new card from the advance units. This way, you upgrade your deck, try to win some money or not lose to much because you will have to fight the big bad bosses at the end. It is like a upgraded Friday, more fun. I have both games and I prefer Goblivion. I still play friday some times because games are a bit faster. Thank you for the video!

[@juliebggeek6545]

Been waiting for this for ages!!!

[@stevepruneau6561]

I thought this would never be done, according to Tom and Sam. Thanks for this list Zee. :D

[@dgmonteavaro]

you speak very clear... easy to understand!! Thanks for this video!!

[@johchadow]

Onirim is my top solitaire game also. I learned about it originally from Zee also!

[@Patronux]

+johchadow Same here. I want to collet all the Omniverse games soon :)

[@johchadow]

I have Sylvion too, need to get Castellion soon.

[@zesuper]

Great! Your #’s 1 & 2 and the exact games in my shopping cart. Thanks for the unexpected confirmation!!

[@zmikers]

Scythe: Automa is an amazing solo experience. It definitely should crack this list

[@DiscoCokkroach]

Michael Brookhart I’m not totally sure, but I think Scythe had not come out yet when this video was made. And even then, from what Zee said in this video, it might not be up his alley as a solo game (is more involved and takes longer).

[@daemnoc]

Zee definitely plays less complex solo games and board games in general, but hey, it's a solo games list from Dice Tower, which I did not think would ever happen. I consider this a major stride forward for the Dice Tower and expect a lot more like this from them in the future, because I believe that board gaming is essentially a solo activity for each player involved, insomuch as each player must be fully invested in learning the rules and playing well, in addition to the most literal sense of solo play presented in this video. I haven't played the other Oniverse games, but I do find that Onirim is essentially a solo game that they pasted a two-player option onto. I imagine it having spawned from a passerby seeing someone playing Onirim, asking about the game, and the solo player dealing them some cards they can play as well, and it developed from there.

[@NoNameC68]

"I believe that board gaming is essentially a solo activity for each player involved, insomuch as each player must be fully invested in learning the rules and playing well" Sorry to nitpick, but that statement seems somewhat redundant. It's like saying baseball is a single person sport insomuch that each player must be aware of the rules and try hard to win.

[@Jonathan-rl8vv]

Great list! The only one I hadn't heard of was Gem Rush. I have to check it out! I recommend Zulus on the Ramparts also from Victory Point Games. Here's my top 10 for comparison (mine's pretty close to yours): 1. Onirim 2. Tiny Epic Galaxies 3. Freedom: the Underground Railroad 4. Star Realms (with Gambit expansion) 5. Nautillion 6. Urbion 7. Hostage Negotiator 8. The Game 9. Zulus on the Ramparts 10. Rolling America Honorable mentions: OctoDice, Castellion, Forbidden Island, Deep Space D6, Mad City, Sylvion, Space Hulk: Death Angel

[@1truechic271]

Thank you Zee for doing this list

[@BoxofDelights]

good work fella !

[@TapCat]

In my view, Ricky, your list is also required viewing for anyone who is interested in solo games. You and Zee come at it from very different angles and that makes both really valuable to watch as between the two there should be something almost anyone can enjoy.

[@BoxofDelights]

thanks !

[@SoA2k6]

Came here from your own Top list which I've actually watched a few times. Love your videos man and you sold me on Robinson Crusoe and Mage Knight which actually got my little board game nights started with friends. So thanks!

[@BoxofDelights]

that's great ! getting friends together to game is a wonderful thing :)

[@vectordream121]

Love your channel as well Ricky! Your the reason I discovered Mage Knight and other games. Keep up the good work!

[@joeldalangin2427]

I love the choices and a couple I have not heard of I need to get. Great job Zee

[@malcomchase9777]

Great job Zee! I'm kinda regretting getting Onirim as my first solitaire. The next ones I got later couldn't compare to it haha. I should try to play with all expansions some time, though.

[@pragyatfutela]

I didnt get you..do you like onirim than others or not?

[@malcomchase9777]

Pragyat Futela Well, yeah, after playing Onirim, other experiences with gaming Solo didn't really compare. It's just so simple and cool. But, since I wrote that message, I changed my mind a bit. Now my main Solo game is Hostage Negotiator. Which is a bit more complex, sure. But has theme, has dice, and I really like it.

[@mikeo.4924]

Thanks Zee! I've just ordered Onirim from Amazon (wasn't available from any local game store, sadly). Also, great to know that about Race for the Galaxy! I have that already, love the game, don't get many opportunities to play it, but nice to know the solo game works. I'd just presumed it wasn't very good. Cheers!

[@jasonperez5732]

Shadi pronounces it 'OH-knee-rim.' It's also my favorite. And I disagree with not mixing in all 7 expansions. If you have 45 mins and some table space, it's really, really fun! Thanks for the list, Zee.

[@davedogge2280]

Thanks for this list .. for solo most people just list Mage Knight, D&D Castle Ravenslofs (or the other two), Path Finder the card game etc all good games but your list is quite alternative.

[@pezcow23]

I like the video n also the rditing. I like how the name is on bottom for a long time and the cuts of Number 10! Number 9! Like the regular 1 hour long top 10. 😄 good job

[@errolwilde1656]

no pandemic zee?! I love playing that solo.

[@mewmew2006]

thanks for the list, Zee! enjoyed this one

[@jesot]

This is a great list. I love games, but don't have a lot of people to play with consistently. I think I'll definitely be picking up Friday (it has that "I have to beat this game" frustration level about it). Thanks, Zee.

[@phillip2863]

Good video, Onirim is also my favorite solo game although I play the digital version. Unfortunately digital Onirim only has the Crossroads expansion and the Glyphs expansion. I love Glyphs, not a fan of Crossroads really. The cards are beautiful and the dream theme and goal of opening the doors gives it a mysterious feel. However while it's my favorite it's also a very stressful game so I don't play it as much as others. The nightmares really are a nightmare, it's worrisome every time you go to draw a card. Like you said this game always feels like you just barely scraped by with a win. Edit: forgot it also has the Door to the Oniverse expansion as well.

[@arenkai]

The Arkham Horror LCG is clearly in my Top3 solo games !

[@DCice13]

Dang it! I lost the game when you mentioned number 10.

[@cudavis78]

Solid list Zee. I would add Hoplomachus, Legendary-Alien Encounters, Mage Knight and Arkham Horror as great solo play games. Ricky Royal recommended ones that are all solo winners.

[@Ardnightian]

I strongly recommend Lord of the Rings the Card Game from FF

[@nickeleye841]

Been meaning to try that out

[@JohnLudlow]

Yup, though I've only played it with 2.

[@Garethadvertiser]

Agreed, but there are so many cards and expansions it's really tough to keep up with. I've got a huge amount of content for it and all I've achieved is to put myself off playing

[@JohnLudlow]

+Gareth Davies The main issue with it is that to get the characters you want to play with often requires more than just an adventure pack - you often have to buy the expansions too. For example, I don't mind which characters I play, but my GF prefers elves. To get some decent elves she probably needs the Ringmaker cycle. To make that work you need The Voice of Isengard. And that;'s tough for new players because of all the Doomed effects.

[@AndyVandercoy]

Great Great list. My #1 is Friday and #2 is Onirim while#3 is Mage Knight and #4 is Robinson Crusoe. Others I love are: Death Angel (OMG this game!), Warhammer Quest (solid solo I think), Quinto, Samurai Spirit, Star Trek Next Generation Deck Building game variant, Five Tribes with new solo variant and I HOPE to obtain Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective soon for solo.

[@horoshiHT]

I like how the gem rush logo reads the same upside-down

[@yacoubhs]

Thank you for the list Zee

[@Grejam53]

Only thing I would add is Hostage Negotiator. Outstanding themed solitaire game! Would love to see you review it Zee.

[@clumsydad7158]

Thanks Zee, I'm stomping thru Onirim currently, AWESOME! Thinking about going for Nautilion next, or else Sylvion, yeah !

[@heylittlerobby13]

As an only child, I thank you for this!

[@andresm377]

Thank you for doing this list! I always thought the Dice Tower was missing a list on solo board games (I even asked Tom last year, but he was not interested at all).

[@jcamjcam]

Thanks as ever for the recommendations

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

I just ordered Friday because of this review.

[@douglaspearson1647]

My number 1 is Mage Knight. Two games from the old days from Avalon Hill Raid on St. Narzaire and Lodon's Burning.

[@boardgameman6298]

Just found Friday at Goodwill for $2! Thanks Zee!

[@bookaddict777]

Nice list, Zee. No surprise at your number 1. I also enjoy Friday a lot, although I prefer Robinson Crusoe.

[@KabukiKid]

+Stasia Doster Yeah, I'd put Robinson Crusoe at #1 if I was making the list. That game plays amazingly well solo. Really looking forward to the new Mars game coming this year. :-)

[@bookaddict777]

KabukiKid Oh yeah! I am looking forward to the new Mars game too.

[@ArsenicDrone]

My guess was Onirim at #3 and Friday at #1, but Zee's actual ranking matches mine. Those two games are excellent.

[@PaciciKume]

My go-to game is Ghost Stories. I love to play it solo!!!

[@EsperanzaDMV]

No Mage Knight on that list...?

[@dorpth]

Scythe's solo variant is surprisingly decent. B17 Queen of the Skies- An oldie where you and your B17 crew ran bombing runs. Think Oregon Trail with a bomber crew instead of settlers. That Captain Nemo game I can't remember the name of... Unicornus Knights- A strategic fantasy warfare game that almost plays out like a puzzle. Just ignore the cutesy anime artwork.

[@dregen77]

I like Onirim, I really do. My wife loves it also (playing two) but I think Zee makes it sound too good in this video. Maybe some people get a bit disappointed if they try it after having watched this (or maybe they don't!).

[@jasonharris1636]

4:22 "I also enjoy this with more players but not as much" hahahhahahahah

[@Therealchunion]

No mage Knight? Or castle panic? I'm glad Friday was on there tho!

[@Straddllw]

Mage Knight ... Zee Garcia? Ahahahahahaha. I guess if the Mage Knight game that you enjoy playing is called "setting up".

[@WanderingKumquat]

WE JUST GOT ZEE? I like this already

[@SuperWolfkin]

wow Onirim over Friday? High praise. I've been eyeing it for ages maybe I really will pick it up esp now t hat the 2nd ed is out.

[@christiankroner2965]

Really really good list!

[@toddhunter123]

Death Angel is the only game I think might deserve to be on a top 10 solo list. Otherwise amazing job, nailed it!

[@marcelp.7907]

When i saw Zee gave 51St State Master Set a 9.5/10 (!) i was quite sure Imperial Settlers would make the List. It is in my Top 3 for sure.

[@DavidGillen]

Will have to try out some of these. For me Legendary Encounters: an Alien Deck Building Game (which was in the background) is my favourite solo game. Could be slightly biased as I'm a huge Alien fan.

[@Zaloomination]

Looking for a good solo game to enthrall my 8 year old son. He loves Battlelore, 7 Wonders, Duel, monopoly, The Alpha, etc. Would you recommend Friday? Or something else?

[@terrywhite6223]

I know that Carcassonne does not much love recently, but I do like a random set of tiles that are arranged to come to if all features are completed (no scoring).

[@saiksaikatai594]

DAAAMN! NO MAGE KNIGHT?!!!

[@chunb]

My Favourite solo game now! Coffee Roaster! A solo-only hidden gem from Japan. The coffee roasting theme really comes through, from the bag building(roasting) mechanism to the Coffee test at the end of each roasting. It's the most innovative solo game I have played. The artwork is fantastic too that adds to this awesome game! Www.boardgamegeek.com/196526/coffee-roaster

[@Snyggrumpa29]

PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST!!!!! 2019

[@guiomparsec1309]

Haha i always ear "Robinson Caruso"....great video !

[@victorgonzalez2927]

"Burn some fire to stay warm!" Interesting choice of words. 14:17

[@tinaroo7469]

@The Dice Tower Will you guys do another video like this again soon?

[@TylerKinsherf]

For me I love Terraforming Mars SOLO, as well as Tiny Epic Galaxies SOLO!

[@issa6632]

I like how his number 1 and 2 are the only solo games I have.

[@apollonia6656]

Thank you so much.Just looked at Amazon and sure enough the front cover is different but when I tried to buy it, it shows the old cover !Hope to get a response from Amazon as I want the 2nd edition with the clearer rules.All the Best.

[@KabukiKid]

Zee, have you ever tried Infection: Humanity's Last Gasp? It is a purely solo game. I wonder if you would like it. There are also a lot of solo wargames out there... or games that have solo play in them, but I know that wouldn't be up Zee's alley. ;-)

[@mikeearle1499]

I find it frustrating when reviewers feature games that are fun to play and out of print and (almost) totally unavailable to get; e.g. SOS Titanic.

[@bung1975]

As usual, you're tastes are almost exactly like mine. Therefore, that is one fantastic list!

[@martinlauzon]

I like the onivers games too. What are your thoughts about Nautillion and the soon coming Aerion?

[@cal_laz]

Never knew about Onirim. Loving it on the app.

[@TheGunslinger019]

Didnt know that the roll for the galaxy dices have been made before the actual game!

[@dddmmm21]

It would be nice to see a list of top multiplier games that play well in solo mode... I would never buy an exclusively solo game (use an iPad instead), but it is nice to know some bigger games can also accommodate a solo version just in case you run out of friends that day...

[@falconashek8913]

Tiny Epic Galaxies is my go-to. I'm a little biased towards the game too. I helped fund it on kickstarter. But still a great game.

[@nicholas3073]

+FalconAshe K It's far too easy for me. I haven't lost once.

[@a1investigations433]

+Nicholas Cueto Not even against the Epic Rogue Galaxy?

[@nicholas3073]

Which one is that? Are they rated by difficulty?

[@a1investigations433]

+Nicholas Cueto Yeah. Each AI galaxy has a difficulty rating: beginner, easy, medium, hard, and epic. The Epic Galaxy is called Gamelyn (of course).

[@jackalope70]

Yeah to say you've never lost and don't know there are difficulties is funny. Kick up the level to hard and epic and lets hear about you being undefeated. lol I was disappointed to see no Gamelyn Games included.

[@AlexCachineroG]

star realms? blown away by how much variation you can get from playing solo cards and all of the many challenge scenarios ppl have designed up on bgg. I love watching some sci-fi (usually star trek) and playing some solo star realms all the while.

[@AlexCachineroG]

also have to say always appreciate zees artistic bent/creative side, there'd tons of love and intention and thought that goes into the seemingly simple looking games in the onirim series, even just thematically...so seeing someone honoring that is a true blessing. I'd rather play something w this kind of theme over raging werewolves on roids bashing each other in the face for 2 hours or any economic sim bc it is so rare to see something understated with integrity and vision in an industry which, like videogsmes, does not always reward lateral thinking.

[@mikejonesnoreally]

Okay so you never even mentioned it (very likely because it takes a *good* deal longer than 10 minutes) but what are your thoughts on MageKnight (often heralded as the *best* solo experience) or GalaxyDefenders (Often ignored and most people could care less if it died in a fire, breaks normal "cheese-o-meters") but *I* really love it.

[@TomasTiden]

Nice list. To it I'd add Legendary Encounters Alien, and to some extent Predator. Also Death Angel Space Hulk as mentioned.

[@debsisaacs]

Pls reply with names of those solitary complex campaign games or strategy... want something interesting enough.. pls

[@benkovacs2432]

Do you not like Sherlock Holmes consultant detective at all or you wouldn`t play it solo Zee? I recall you puting the game on one of your top 10 lists.

[@apollonia6656]

Great choices. Being in the UK, I have found it very difficult to get Robinson Crusoe,Cursed Island because the one on Amazon is over £200.00 !!!!!! I am a solo player and love Friday. However, I have hundreds of boardgames in my collection, some can be tweaked, others that can be played solo but as two plus players. Being physically unwell means no co-op boardgaming.......I really miss that. Great job, more please. Kind regards from the UK.

[@Arrow008]

You can get the 2nd edition on Amazon for less than £50. Artwork looks different than the one in the video but same game apparently

[@printrun5]

hundreds of games? wow that is impressive!

[@bradlittman2761]

Infection by John Gibson published by Victory Point Games is another good solitaire game though the game components are less than spectacular.

[@abel7519]

I can't find where to buy Sos Titanic anywhere :(

[@LHCper]

A good list, although we had only one cross over... I tend to like heavier games, so my cross over was Robinson Crusoe. I do like Race for the Galaxy, Onirim, Friday but non of those made top 10. Race for the Galaxy is #22 which is highest of your games. But I suppose I really should try the Freedom game; I think I will like it.

[@DocHollidayGames]

My list would include Tiny Epic Western, Tiny Epic Galaxies, Space Hulk Death Angel, Mice and Mystics, and March of the Ants. Maybe Castle Panic, Clank, and Apex Theropod.

[@DocHollidayGames]

Oh, and of course Mage Knight

[@TeddyMadison]

Interesting Urbion is not in your list. Did you not like it or just don't have it? Personally I think it's my #2 of the four.

[@rinaldodelucca8073]

Famiglia is an excellent two player game with a great official solo variant.