Enjoying board games isn't just for social gatherings; they're also a fantastic way to spend time alone. Many modern board games come with engaging solo modes or are specifically designed for solo play, offering a range of experiences from strategy to narrative-driven adventures. Whether you're looking to unwind or challenge your mind, these solo board games provide a great way to relax and enjoy your own company.
TL;DR: These are the Best Solo Board Games
### War Story: Occupied France
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### Invincible: The Hero-Building Game
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### Legacy of Yu
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### Final Girl
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### Dune Imperium
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### Hadrian's Wall
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### Imperium: Horizons
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### Frosthaven
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### Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition
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### Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
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### Under Falling Skies
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### Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
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### Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write
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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
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### Cascadia
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### Terraforming Mars
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### Spirit Island
0See it at AmazonEditor's Note: Although every board game on this list can be played alone, most of them can be enjoyed with up to four players. The only exception is Final Girl, which is designed exclusively for solo play.
War Story: Occupied France
### War Story: Occupied France
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-6Play Time: 45-60 minsWar Story: Occupied France blends choose-your-own-adventure storytelling with tactical wargaming, placing you in command of a secret agent team during World War II. Navigate through well-crafted text narratives and make strategic decisions on miniature maps to ambush enemy forces. With multiple scenarios and the option for a campaign mode, this game offers rich replayability, especially when played solo, enhancing the intensity of command.
Invincible: The Hero-Building Game
### Invincible: The Hero-Building Game
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 45-90 minsInspired by the acclaimed comic and animated series, Invincible: The Hero-Building Game offers a unique take on superheroism, complete with peril and intensity. Guide young heroes as they learn to control their powers, searching for power combinations to enhance their abilities while battling villains and saving civilians. The game's scenarios are tied to the show's major storylines, and it can be played as a full campaign, immersing fans in their favorite episodes.
Legacy of Yu
### Legacy of Yu
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60 minsStep into mythic China as Yu the Great, working to save the kingdom from floods while fending off barbarian tribes. Legacy of Yu combines resource management and worker placement with narrative elements and military strategy, offering a deep and engaging experience. Navigate strategic challenges and moral dilemmas in a campaign that blends historical richness with gameplay variety.
Final Girl
### Final Girl
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1Play Time: 20-60 minsHorror thrives in solo play, and Final Girl delivers a chilling experience. This modular game puts you in the shoes of the last survivor in a horror movie, managing time between actions, playing cards, and drawing new ones to create tension and strategy. With various expansion sets themed around classic horror films, you can tailor your thrill ride to your worst fears or favorite flicks. Note that the core box requires a Film Box to play.
Dune: Imperium
### Dune Imperium
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsDune: Imperium stands out as a top strategy game, even when played solo. While it shines with more players, the inclusion of an automated opponent, House Hagal, allows for a fulfilling solo experience. Compete against two AI-controlled opponents at varying difficulty levels, experiencing the game's depth without needing additional players. For more insights, read our Dune: Imperium review.
Hadrian’s Wall
### Hadrian's Wall
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-6Play Time: 60 minsHadrian’s Wall is a flip-and-write game where you play as a Roman general, using resources drawn from cards to construct defenses against Pictish invaders. This game excels in solo play, particularly with its downloadable campaign. Enjoy dynamic gameplay, strategic depth through combos, and long-term resource management, all set within a historical context that brings the game to life.
Imperium: Horizons
### Imperium: Horizons
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 40 mins/playerImperium: Horizons brings deck-building to civilization games, making it a standout choice for solo play. Choose a civilization with a unique starting deck and cards, and strategize to build your empire without overreaching and risking revolt. With fourteen civilizations, each requiring a distinct approach, this game offers immense replay value and depth. Check out our hands-on review of Imperium Horizons for more details.
Frosthaven / Gloomhaven
### Frosthaven
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsFrosthaven is a grand fantasy adventure perfect for solo players seeking an immersive experience. Guide your adventurer through a persistent world filled with dungeons and monsters, engaging in card-driven tactical combat. Each decision carries weight, and the evolving world ensures a unique journey. If the scale is daunting, consider Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, a more compact yet equally engaging option. Read our Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion review for more.
Mage Knight
### Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 60+ minsMage Knight has become a staple for solo gamers since its 2011 release. This fantasy epic offers a deep and rewarding experience, particularly when played alone. Prepare for long sessions filled with monster battles, character upgrades, and exploration, as each turn presents a puzzle to solve. Set aside ample time for this engaging game.
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
### Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-8Play Time: 90 minsStep into the world of Sherlock Holmes with this mystery-solving game. Explore London, gather clues from a map, address directory, and newspaper, and solve challenging cases. The game offers little guidance, allowing you to truly test your detective skills. For more mystery game options, check out our picks for the best mystery board games.
Under Falling Skies
### Under Falling Skies
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1+Play Time: 20-40 minsUnder Falling Skies is a solo-only game that echoes the tension of Space Invaders. Defend your base from descending alien ships while managing dice to shoot them down, build, and research. The game's mechanics create a compelling challenge that grows with each playthrough, offering a campaign-like experience. Enjoy this simple yet deep game for hours on end.
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
### Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 90-180 minsIn Robinson Crusoe, you're a shipwreck survivor facing the challenges of a hostile island. Choose from various characters, scavenge for resources, build shelters, and explore. The solo mode allows you to control multiple characters, adding depth to the experience. With ample content and expansions, this game offers a rich and rewarding adventure.
Dinosaur Island: Rawr N’ Write
### Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-45 minsDinosaur Island: Rawr N’ Write elevates the roll-and-write genre with its complexity and depth. Manage resources from your dice rolls to build and operate a theme park filled with dinosaurs. Draw your park on a grid and ensure its safety to keep tourists happy. For more details, check out our Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write review.
Arkham Horror: the Card Game
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsArkham Horror: The Card Game offers a thrilling solo experience as you face cosmic horrors. Use starter decks or customize your investigator's abilities to navigate scenarios, gather clues, and thwart the Mythos deck. The game's campaign mode adds thematic depth, making it one of the best horror board games for solo play.
Cascadia
### Cascadia
0See it at WalmartAge Range: 10+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-45 minsCascadia, a top family board game, shines in solo play with its list of achievements. Build your nature reserve by choosing terrain tiles and animal tokens to meet scoring patterns. The varied challenges and rule tweaks provide a satisfying solo experience. Read our review of Cascadia for more insights.
Terraforming Mars
### Terraforming Mars
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-5Play Time: 120 minsTerraforming Mars challenges you to make Mars habitable through resource management and tableau building. As a mega corporation, race against time to meet end-game parameters by playing cards and building action combos. This optimization puzzle offers a deep and rewarding solo experience, enhanced by available expansion scenarios.
Spirit Island
### Spirit Island
0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 90-120 minsSpirit Island, a standout cooperative game, excels in solo play. Control island spirits to protect your land from colonizers, using power cards to destroy settlements and restore the environment. The game's robust theme and strategic depth make it a top choice for solo gamers.
Solo Board Game FAQs
Is it weird to play board games alone?
Not at all! Solo board gaming has a rich history, dating back centuries. It's no stranger than playing video games alone, offering challenges and enjoyment through strategic play and tactile engagement. Whether you're tackling a puzzle or a board game, the pleasure comes from mastering the game's challenge and improving your performance.
For more gaming options, explore our picks for the best party board games and the best deck-building card games.
