Playing board games with friends and family is a well-loved pastime, but what about enjoying these games on your own? It might seem unusual at first, but many modern board games are designed specifically for solo play or feature engaging single-player modes. Whether you're into strategy games, roll-and-write experiences, or anything in between, there's a wealth of options for those looking to spend some quality time alone with a board game. Let's explore some of the best solo board games that not only help you relax and unwind but also keep your mind actively engaged.

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

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Editor's Note: Although every board game on this list can be played alone, most of them can be played with up to four players. The only exception to this is Final Girl, which was designed to be a single-player game only.

War Story: Occupied France

War Story: Occupied France

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-6 Play Time: 45-60 mins

War Story: Occupied France seamlessly blends the narrative of a choose-your-own-adventure with the tactical depth of a wargame. You lead a team of secret agents on covert missions during World War II. The game guides you through compelling text narratives, punctuated by crucial choices that affect the storyline. Simultaneously, these decisions translate into action on miniature maps, where your agents can set up thrilling ambushes against enemy forces. The game offers substantial replay value with its intricate decision trees and the possibility to link scenarios into a campaign. While it supports up to six players cooperatively, the game truly shines in solo mode, where the weight of command is felt most profoundly.

Invincible: The Hero-Building Game

Invincible: The Hero-Building Game

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 45-90 mins

Inspired by the popular comic book and animated TV series, Invincible: The Hero-Building Game offers a fresh take on superheroism with elements of danger and intensity. In this game, you guide young heroes learning to harness their powers, searching your hand for potent combinations to empower them while balancing the need to combat villains and protect civilians. Each scenario connects to significant plotlines from the series, allowing fans to relive their favorite moments. The game can be played as standalone missions or as a complete campaign, offering a deep and engaging experience.

Legacy of Yu

Legacy of Yu

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 12+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 60 mins

Set in mythical China, Legacy of Yu challenges you to combat barbarian threats and save the kingdom from devastating floods as the legendary Yu the Great. This game brilliantly combines resource management and worker placement with narrative elements and military strategy. You'll build canals, manage resources, and fend off invasions, all while navigating moral dilemmas. It's a rich, strategic experience steeped in historical flavor, offering a compelling solo challenge.

Final Girl

Final Girl

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1 Play Time: 20-60 mins

Horror-themed games are particularly well-suited for solo play, and Final Girl excels in this genre. Designed as a modular game, you embody the last survivor in a horror story, managing time between actions and card plays. The game's tension and strategic depth come from these choices. However, to play, you need both the core box and a Film Box, each offering scenarios inspired by classic horror movies. This game delivers a thrilling, narrative-driven experience that can be tailored to your favorite horror themes.

Dune: Imperium

Dune Imperium

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 60-120 mins

Dune: Imperium, a standout strategy game, offers a robust solo experience despite being designed for multiple players. The game includes an automated opponent, House Hagal, which adds a challenging and interactive element to solo play. Facing two of these opponents at varying difficulty levels, you can enjoy the game's strategic depth without needing other players. This feature makes Dune: Imperium an excellent choice for solo gamers looking to engage with a highly acclaimed game.

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian's Wall

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 12+ Players: 1-6 Play Time: 60 mins

Hadrian's Wall is a flip-and-write game where players, as Roman generals, use resources depicted on cards to build fortifications and repel Pictish invasions. Its solo mode is particularly engaging, enhanced by a downloadable campaign. The game offers dynamic gameplay, strategic depth through various combinations, and a commitment to resource management, setting it apart in its genre and immersing you in the world of Roman Britain.

Imperium: Horizons

Imperium: Horizons

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 40 mins/player

Imperium: Horizons brings the deck-building mechanic to the civilization-building genre, making it exceptionally suitable for solo play. You choose a civilization with a unique deck and set of cards, leveraging complex mechanisms like trading and economics to grow your empire without overextending. The game's depth and the unique strategies required for each of its fourteen civilizations ensure high replay value and a challenging solo experience.

Frosthaven / Gloomhaven

Frosthaven

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 60-120 mins

Frosthaven is a massive, legacy-style game that invites you on a grand fantasy adventure. With card-driven tactical combat and a persistent world, each decision you make as an adventurer carries significant weight. The game's scale and depth make it ideal for those seeking a long-term solo experience. For those who find it too large, consider the more compact but equally engaging Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion.

Mage Knight

Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-5 Play Time: 60+ mins

Mage Knight is synonymous with solo gaming, offering a sprawling fantasy epic that shines in solitary play. Designed by Vlaada Chvátil, the game involves fighting monsters, upgrading your character, and exploring a rich fantasy world. Be prepared for long sessions, as each turn presents a puzzle-like challenge requiring careful optimization.

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-8 Play Time: 90 mins

Step into the shoes of Sherlock Holmes in this mystery-solving board game. Each scenario comes with engaging props, including a map of London and a newspaper, providing clues and suspects to investigate. The game challenges you to solve intricate mysteries with minimal guidance, offering a deeply immersive detective experience.

Under Falling Skies

Under Falling Skies

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 12+ Players: 1+ Play Time: 20-40 mins

Under Falling Skies is a solo-only game inspired by Space Invaders, where you manage a base under attack from descending alien ships. Balancing a limited pool of dice between shooting, building, and researching a solution, the game's mechanics create strategic tension. Its variety of scenarios and campaign mode offer extended play and lasting appeal.

Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 90-180 mins

Robinson Crusoe casts you as a shipwreck survivor on a hostile island. With multiple characters to choose from, you'll scavenge for resources, build shelters, and explore dangerous locales. The game's solo variant is rewarding, though many find it easier to control multiple characters. Its depth and complexity make it a compelling adventure game with plenty of replay value.

Dinosaur Island: Rawr N’ Write

Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 10+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 30-45 mins

Dinosaur Island: Rawr N’ Write elevates the roll-and-write genre with a deeper, more complex solo experience. You manage a Jurassic World-style theme park, balancing resources to build attractions and ensure safety. The game's strategic depth and engaging mechanics make it a standout choice for solo play.

Arkham Horror: the Card Game

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 60-120 mins

Arkham Horror: The Card Game offers a thrilling solo experience as you face cosmic horrors. With customizable decks and scenarios that advance a narrative campaign, the game combines thematic depth with strategic gameplay. It's a tense and immersive experience that stands out in the horror genre.

Cascadia

Cascadia

0See it at Walmart Age Range: 10+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 30-45 mins

Cascadia is not just for families; it's also an excellent solo game. Its wildlife theme and simple yet addictive gameplay are enhanced by a list of solo achievements, challenging you to meet specific scoring goals with varied setups. This adds layers of complexity and satisfaction to the game.

Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 12+ Players: 1-5 Play Time: 120 mins

Terraforming Mars challenges you to make Mars habitable through resource management and tableau building. As a mega corporation, you race against time to meet end-game parameters. The solo mode offers a rich, optimization-focused experience, further expanded by various scenarios, making it one of the best solo board games available.

Spirit Island

Spirit Island

0See it at Amazon Age Range: 14+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 90-120 mins

Spirit Island is a cooperative game that translates beautifully to solo play. As island spirits, you defend your land from colonizers using powerful cards. Its strong theme and strategic depth make it an engaging solo experience, offering one of the most robust cooperative experiences available.

Solo Board Game FAQs

Is it weird to play board games alone?

Not at all! Solo board gaming has a long history, with evidence dating back centuries. Enjoying a board game alone is no different from playing video games or doing puzzles. The pleasure comes from mastering the game's challenges and appreciating its visual and tactile elements.