Solo board games are games designed, or with rules, for one player. The best one for you depends on how much time and table space you have, how much rules reading you can enjoy, and whether you want puzzle, story or strategy. This page gives you eight criteria and six game types, not a ranking, so you can choose a game you will actually play.
Two kinds of solo games
- Games designed for one. The rules assume a single player, and the game is built around a puzzle, a story or a score to beat.
- Games with a solo mode. A multiplayer game includes a set of rules for playing against a simple automated opponent or against the game itself. The depth varies a lot.
Card and dice games, tile-laying games, cooperative games and puzzle boxes can all fit one or both kinds. Check the box, the publisher's page or the rulebook for "solo" or "1 player" before you buy, and see whether the solo rules are a short appendix or a full design.
1. Check how long a game takes
Solo games can run from ten minutes to several hours. Be honest about your evenings. A game that takes two hours to set up and play only works if you have a regular long slot. Short games let you start and stop easily.
2. Check setup and cleanup time
A game with many components might be fun but exhausting to prepare each time. If you play on a dining table that you need back for dinner, you want a game that packs away quickly or one you can leave out. Setup time is the most common reason solo players stop playing.
3. Check rules weight
Some games have a single page of rules; others have a thick book. Rules reading is a hobby of its own. If you enjoy learning systems, a heavier game can be satisfying. If you want to play tonight, a light one is better. Watching a rules video on the publisher's channel often shows you quickly how heavy a game is.
4. Check the table space
Measure the free space on your table. Some games spread over a very large area, others fit on a tray. A small footprint makes it easier to play on a sofa or on a trip.
5. Check your tolerance for luck
Solo games can be luck-heavy or skill-heavy. If a loss from a bad shuffle will bother you, look for games with more decisions and less randomness. If you enjoy surprises, luck can make each game different.
6. Check the theme
You will spend hours with the artwork and story, so choose a theme you like: fantasy, nature, exploration, mystery, trains, space. A theme that interests you will keep you reading flavour text and retelling the story afterwards.
7. Check replayability
Ask how different games feel from each other. Some solo games have many scenarios or difficulty levels; others have a single fixed setup. For one-player play, a game that scales with difficulty gives you room to grow.
8. Check the quiet factor
If you play at night or in a shared flat, check whether the game is quiet. Dice rolling and tile shuffling are fine for most people; a game that needs you to read aloud is less so.
Game types at a glance
| Type | What it feels like | Good if you like | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puzzle or deduction | A logic challenge, often short | Solving problems | Can feel repetitive |
| Engine building | Small choices that add up over turns | Planning and optimising | Setup time |
| Card-driven story | Choose-your-path with cards | Narrative | Needs a few hours to enjoy |
| Dungeon or adventure | Fighting and exploring | Fantasy and variety | Often long and rules-heavy |
| Cooperative game with solo mode | Play against the game itself | Familiar designs | Solo rules may feel bolted on |
| Tile-laying or nature games | Calm, spatial puzzles | Relaxing play | Less tension |
Pick a type first, then look at specific games on publishers' own pages and in reviews you trust. This page does not name individual products because availability and quality change, and the right pick is personal.
How to try before you buy
- Borrow. Some libraries lend games; check your library's own page.
- Visit a board game cafe or shop. Some let you play a game on site. Rules and fees differ, so check their own page.
- Watch a playthrough. A video shows how a solo game flows.
- Print and play. Some designers publish free print-and-play games on their own pages. Read the licence and instructions.
- Start small. A tiny card game costs less in money and in table space than a big box.
A first-night routine
For your first solo game, set yourself up for success.
- Read the rules once, then play the first turn with the rulebook open.
- Choose the easiest difficulty.
- Set a timer for your first session. When it ends, stop and write down what you liked.
- Do not worry about winning. Learning the system is the first goal.
- Play the same game three times before you decide whether you like it. The second game is usually better than the first.
When a solo game works as a break
A solo game suits an evening after work, a rainy afternoon (see more in rainy day things to do alone) or a quiet weekend. It asks for attention without asking for conversation, which many people find restful. It also fits among the things to do alone at home, and it is a comfortable way to practise being on your own, which links to the idea of solitude.
For some, the games are the whole point. For others, the next step is play with people.
Moving from solo to group (optional)
If you enjoy a game and want to try it with others, there are gentle steps:
- Teach one friend a short game.
- Look at local board game cafes or shops that host game nights, on their own pages.
- Read how to find a board game group, which explains how to pick a group and what to say at your first night.
- Bring a game you know well. It gives you something to do with your hands and a topic to talk about.
You can keep playing alone forever. It is not a step on a ladder; it is a choice.
Solo Era for iPhone
Turn a quiet evening into a small solo practice
Solo Era's solitude category is about spending time on your own in small steps; one beginner mission is "Build something with LEGO bricks." The app has no board game mission, but you can write a custom mission and rate how it felt in your journal. Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility.
FAQ
What makes a good solo board game?
One you enjoy setting up and can finish in the time you have. Length, rules weight, theme and tolerance for luck matter more than brand or popularity.
Can I play regular board games alone?
Some come with official solo rules. Check the rulebook or the publisher's page. Some fans also write solo variants, but read them critically.
Are solo board games expensive?
It varies widely. Check the publisher's or shop's page for current prices. Borrowing, print-and-play games and small card games cost less.
Is playing board games alone sad?
No. It is a hobby like solo puzzles or reading. Some people prefer it, some alternate with group play.
How long does a solo game take?
From 10 minutes to several hours. Look at the box or the publisher's page for the play time, and remember that your first game takes longer than later ones.
Where can I find other solo players?
Board game cafes, library groups and online communities of the game's fans may have people who play solo. Use each group's own page and rules, and take the usual care when meeting strangers.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
