Best Solo Games

[BoardNoremac]

Hello all,

I am probably going to resubscribe and mostly looking at fun solo games. Not sure if I just missed last time... but there seems to be a huge amount of solo games now.

The main reason I want to play solo games is because I can play for 10 minutes take a break etc. Turn based modes are a big miss for me with strangers. Sometimes the games are good, but sometimes the players take insane amount of time just playing the minimum amount of turns. I do really enjoy playing real time games when I have time to play.

My favorite games to play solo are Spirit Island and Aeon's End. This is mostly because they are built around coop/solo, so playing solo doesn't feel tacked on. Basically, looking for 1-2 games on here that are somewhat complicated with a lot of depth, variation and amazing to play solo, possibly even better than against opponents.

My favorite mechanics are...
-Engine Building
-Cards (deckbuilding, custom decks, hand management etc...)

With a quick filter of Engine Building and solo the most appealing options seem to be...
-Earth
-Gaia Project
These games both look great, but not sure how good they are playing solo compared to with other players.

Mostly just curious about everyone's favorite solo games. Even if they don't match my interests would love to hear any solo games other players enjoy.

[KeyZed]

Hi there,

I also like play solo a lot, but usually not here on BGA. I like heavy games, I don't have favorite mechanics or themes, although most of the games I own are science or history related.
Top 5 right now is
High Frontier 4 all
John Company (2nd edition)
Spirit Island
TM
Darwin's journey

I played both Earth and GP (IRL, solo and with other people): GP is tough but fun, and the bot is really good. Earth is almost a solo game even when you play with other players, so the feeling doesn't change so much.

[Ez0ah]

My favorite mechanics are...
-Engine Building
-Cards (deckbuilding, custom decks, hand management etc...)

With a quick filter of Engine Building and solo the most appealing options seem to be...
-Earth
-Gaia Project

From what you are describing, you should really like Daybreak. It’s a coop, centered around hand management. You play as a global faction, trying to reduce your gas emissions until you stop global warming. Of course, you have a lot of other things to care about, like keeping up with the power consumption or the impending crisis.
Solo, I would say it’s about 10-15 min.
There are some pretty interesting challenges you can add when you start to figure the game.

Personally, I also really like the solos of Burgle Bros, Regicide and Tranquility the Ascent. Regicide and Tranquility are pretty straightforward hand management, tranquility is more about strategy while Regicide is all about tactical decisions. Burgle Bros is basically a dungeon expiration, where you try to move around guards and find hidden loot.

[BoardNoremac]

Thanks for the info so far I will give those a look

[Meeplelowda]

Sometimes the games are good, but sometimes the players take insane amount of time just playing the minimum amount of turns.

Are you aware of the 24 moves/day turn-based setting? I can't see that taking an "insane amount of time" per move.

[BoardNoremac]

Are you aware of the 24 moves/day turn-based setting? I can't see that taking an "insane amount of time" per move.

It has been a while since I tried. Is it easy to find these games? I always thought most people prefer playing turn based in the 1-4 moves per day range. Some games 4 moves aren't much of the game... Might try it again someday.

[nccc]

https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=jumpdrive

[cigma]

Not sure if I just missed last time... but there seems to be a huge amount of solo games now.

That’s true! You can find the whole list here: https://boardgamearena.com/gamelist?players=1

As ncc suggested, I’d recommend Jump Drive to you, because it is very similar to Race for the Galaxy, which seems to be one of your favourites. Some other medium complex games I like are Welcome to... (flip and write), Sagani, Loco Momo (both tile placing).

If you want to play something more complex, I’d recommend It’s a Wonderful World (which is also a drafting and engine building game) or Ark Nova.

As coop solo I highly recommend Pandemic, where you can choose to play different characters with special abilities. So it has some similarities to Burgle Bros., but instead of robbing a bank you try to free the world from pandemics.

[Sjarmtrollet]

Agricola has a solo mode: https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=agricola.

It is a tight worker placement game, with optional drafting of cards that gives different opportunities.