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?

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@SharlzG]

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

[@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.

[@rossjaax]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@joeldalangin2427]

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

[@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!

[@douglaspearson1647]

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

[@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

[@zesuper]

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

[@tinaroo7469]

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

[@Grejam53]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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).

[@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 :)

[@dgmonteavaro]

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

[@mewmew2006]

thanks for the list, Zee! enjoyed this one

[@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.

[@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.

[@clumsydad7158]

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

[@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).

[@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".

[@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.

[@martinlauzon]

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

[@1truechic271]

Thank you Zee for doing this list

[@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!

[@beartoes2002]

Have you played Hostage Negotiator?

[@johnbyrne8128]

He did a review; didn't like it iirc.

[@beartoes2002]

+John Byrne Oh ok, I couldn't remember. I personally like the game.

[@KabukiKid]

+Ansley Freeman You aren't alone. I really liked Hostage Negotiator. I plan to continue buying any expansion packs they put out for it. :-) Fun game!

[@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

[@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.

[@stevepruneau6561]

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

[@coryway6951]

Lord of the Rings LCG by Fantasy Flight Games

[@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?

[@arenkai]

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

[@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.

[@juliebggeek6545]

Been waiting for this for ages!!!

[@ArsenicDrone]

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

[@yacoubhs]

Thank you for the list Zee

[@jcamjcam]

Thanks as ever for the recommendations

[@knivesthec10wn]

Do you guys have a micro games list??

[@kdhlkjhdlk]

+knivesthec10wn That's any list Zee does.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@boardgameman6298]

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

[@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.

[@PaciciKume]

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

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

I just ordered Friday because of this review.

[@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...

[@TheFilipFonky]

Race for the Galaxy is super heavy, how did it make this list?

[@TheFilipFonky]

@Robert Lowe Mage Knight is like fifty levels above Scythe in terms of complexity, let's be real.

[@TheFilipFonky]

@Robert Lowe Right right, I was talking more relatively to the other items on the list. There's ultra-light fillers and then all of a sudden the king of symbols pops up.

[@Ragelog]

I also enjoy Onirim, but there is so much shuffling...sometimes I'm just not willing to deal with it.

[@RockCh4lk]

+Alex Ansari I see what you did there...

[@1NaturalMystik1]

+Alex Ansari i believe several of the expansions for the game make it where you shuffle far less.

[@EsperanzaDMV]

No Mage Knight on that list...?

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@jmacc9876]

Tried Onirim (digital version) and it seems to be mostly luck of the draw with maybe a tiny bit of strategy when checking your discard pile. Maybe it's better with the expansions.

[@debsisaacs]

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

[@sofiaavgerinou1106]

Zee...I really value your opinion, I am mostly a solo player, would you update this for 2019 pleaaaaaase??? I enjoy arkham horror lcg as a solo or eldrich as well (yes I am a cultist) but when i want to release stress and meditate, Onirim gets on the table, very often, I love it.

[@juliebggeek6545]

Hey Zee have you ever tried the solo variant for Chrononauts? It's called Solonauts.

[@toddhunter123]

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

[@cal_laz]

Never knew about Onirim. Loving it on the app.

[@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.

[@christianbortolini1466]

Love your lists, but, what about Mage Knight?

[@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.

[@peteyandycreek]

Hey Zee, I really liked your list. I was wondering if Hostage Negotiator was a contender for this list at all?

[@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.

[@abel7519]

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

[@1NaturalMystik1]

Castellion and Friday, both great games i play pretty regularly.

[@christiankroner2965]

Really really good list!

[@bung1975]

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

[@normelder6624]

Dang, Zee. Though these look very good...most are some expensive games. And I would very much like to play the majority on this list, but few could I find for under $65. I finally found Onirim for $16 on miniature market. I'm assuming the price is due them being out oh print?

[@victorgonzalez2927]

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

[@guiomparsec1309]

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

[@alexandrelaguna2725]

No love for Elder Sign solitaire, Zee? Great list! Still trying to get those Oniverse games.

[@ZeeGarc]

This would have been my number 11.

[@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.

[@riopetty9201]

Definitely should check out One Deck Dungeon, one of my favorites with 1 or 2 players :)

[@TomasTiden]

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

[@errolwilde1656]

no pandemic zee?! I love playing that solo.

[@rinaldodelucca8073]

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

[@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. ;-)

[@TheGunslinger019]

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

[@issa6632]

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

[@bradlittman2761]

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

[@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

[@VideoGameTakeOut]

Have you Tried Hostage Negotiator? It looks like a lot of fun and it's solo only.

[@MunchhausenPL]

+VideoGameTakeOut He even made review. Basically, it's too lucky for him.

[@DeathTheTeen]

+VideoGameTakeOut In my opinion there is waaaaayyy too much dice rolling. You work hard just to get one good card but then you roll all fails and its all a waste. Then you do that severral more times.

[@jasonharris1636]

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