10 Best Solo Board Games (Review) In 2021

Scythe from Stonemaier games is our best choice for the best solo board games available. Set in alternative 1920s, it’s ideal for history buffs, as well as anyone who devours speculative fiction like their life depends on it. The 115-minute playtime means you can move through it swiftly enough while still staying engaged, while the two available options, Base and Modular Board, give you the chance to upgrade if you see fit. It’s suitable for ages 14 and up, making it a great Christmas or birthday present for your son, nephew, or cousin, but you will also find plenty to love about it, too.

The engine-building aspect means you are consistently engaged as you attempt to conquer the land, while there are enough random elements that keep more experienced players from whitewashing opponents if you play it with friends (it can accommodate up to 5 players if you want). Despite this, it’s arguably the finest solo board game around, so if you don’t want to share it, then we don’t blame you. If you like playing by yourself, check out our list of the best remote control airplanes on the market.

Friday is, arguably, perhaps the quintessential solo board game, and it’s certainly one unlike anything that we’ve ever seen before. Developed by Rio Grande Games, this solo adventure drops you on a desert island to control Robinson as he tries to overcome the variety of hazards he faces.

On the surface, it doesn’t sound like much, but as you battle, win, and lose you’ll watch Robinson evolve from someone who doesn’t know what they are doing into a self-sufficient savant who can tackle even the most challenging remote island demands. The 30 minute playtime means it doesn’t drag, and you can always squeeze another game in if you are waiting around. It’s not a simple game to win, and this is where the replayability comes from. As you optimize your deck, you help Robinson improve his abilities and shed his worst habits, transforming this island of horrors into a treasure that you will keep coming back to.

The perfect antidote when you can’t get to your Dungeons and Dragons nights and have exhausted all the dungeon-delve video games in your arsenal, One Deck Dungeon from Asmadi Games will keep you entertained time and again.

You can play it by yourself or work with someone else as a cooperative campaign, although the real meat and enjoyment come from beating the game all by yourself. It takes between 30 to 45 minutes to overcome, if you’re successful and don’t get gobbled up by the ever-lurking dragon, that is. It’s easy to pick up and learn, even if you’re not someone who necessarily enjoys these types of games, and as it’s suitable for ages 14 and up, it’s mature enough to be challenging without feeling like the game is rigged against you. Once you’ve mastered it, don’t be afraid to go back to the dungeon and add more players with the available expansion sets to test your skills and mettle all over again. If you are in the mood for a bit more intense entertainment, check out our list of the top nerf guns.

Who doesn’t love a quick trip to Middle Earth? Lord of the Rings: The Card Game, introduced by the iconic Fantasy Flight Games (the same who brought you Warhammer and Star Wars: The Card Game) will transport you to your favorite fantasy land complete with elves, dwarves, hobbits, and even orcs.

It promotes itself as the first cooperative LCG (Living Card Game), and the deck building design is easy to get to grips with even if you’re not familiar with Tolkien’s work, although we should stress that it definitely helps if you’re looking for immersion. Even so, there is a slight learning curve when you get started. The playtime is anywhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, and it’s suitable for ages 13 years and above. Because of the mechanics of the game, you will find almost unlimited replayability, and even more, once you expand from the core deck. For those days when a board game just isn’t enough, here is our list of the best laser tag sets than guarantee hours of fun!

Onirim is our best value pick of the best board games for solo play. It’s fast and efficient, with a rapid 15-minute playtime whether you’re playing by yourself or with someone else, and this keeps you engaged while also challenging you to work out exactly where you need to go as you’re lost in a dank and spooky labyrinth.

Despite the spooky aspect, it’s still suitable for ages 10 years and above, which means it’s relatively simple to pick up for beginners. Furthermore, if you’ve ever played this before, all the intricacies of the game will come flooding back as soon as you draw the first card. This is also an updated version of the popular game, and therefore it comes with an appendix and seven expansions to keep you engaged even further. Through this, you maximize replayability, and before you know it, you’ll spend all night wandering the halls and trying your luck, and maybe this will pay off.

If you’ve ever dreamed of leaving everything behind and starting a vineyard in Tuscany, Viticulture Essential Edition by Stonemaier games is the board game for you. On the surface, it certainly doesn’t sound as engaging as the sword and shield alternatives so far, but it doesn’t need to be. In fact, this is all part of the charm.

Within the game, you work through the different seasons one at a time, tasking your workers with keeping everything running smoothly. The better they perform, the faster your vineyard expands, and if you play your card right, you’ll find yourself with the finest wine in all the land. It takes up to 90 minutes to complete the game, and unlike your typical board games, it’s relaxing, and if any board game offers an excuse to crack open your favorite vintage alongside it, this is definitely the one.

If you’re looking for a swashbuckling adventure, Robinson Crusoe Adventures on the Cursed Island by Portal Games is just what you’ve been looking for. Its reputation certainly precedes it, and this Game of the Year edition is sure to captivate you just as much as it has others all over the world.

The premise is simple: survive on the cursed island, but it wouldn’t be much of a game if it was so simple. There are a range of missions to complete, while the comprehensive parts, including 12 custom dice and over 250 cards, means that there is always something to look out for. With a maximum playtime of 120 minutes, it’s an immersive way to spend an afternoon, and if you survive, you’ll feel like you’ve earned it, but we really need to emphasize the if.

Our premium choice for the top solo board games is the versatile and endlessly impressive Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition. It combines elements of RPG, deck building, and traditional board games, meaning it appeals to everybody, and it includes all three expansions.

You can play with up to 5 players, and it’s just as enjoyable by yourself as it is with an entire group. It also may not seem it, but it’s suitable for ages 12 and above, so you can enjoy it with the whole family once you’ve gotten your fill. It’s easy enough to pick up thanks to the tutorial book, and even when you’ve beaten it one hundred times, you’ll still find that there are other ways to win, providing superb replay value.

This War of Mine: The Board Game is unlike any other solo board game we’ve come across. Here, you find yourself as a civilian trapped in a war-torn city, which isn’t the sunshine and rainbows you expect from a board game experience, but it’s no less enjoyable. The story driven style keeps you engaged throughout as you battle for survival in a war that is both blind and merciless. With no one safe, there is no telling what could happen next, and this adds to the harrowing immersion that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

It also stands out because it features a learn-as-you-play set up. This allows you to dive straight into the horror without spending hours skimming through a rule book. It may not be family-friendly, but it’s one of the closest real-life game experiences we have ever seen.

Our final pick of the best solo board games takes you away from this world and transports you to the year 2400. Terraforming Mars Board Game from Indie Boards and Cards asks you to do exactly what you would expect: make the Red Planet livable.

Sure, Matt Damon has been there already, but this goes much further than growing potatoes. The accurate map of Mars is the closest many of us will get to stepping on its surface, while the vast range of projects keep you working throughout, meaning no down time for anybody involved. The pieces are sturdy and well-made and these include Player Markers, Resource Markers, and Game Board Markers, as well as over 230 cards and 80 tiles to place as you do everything you can to earn Victory Points and make Mars habitable for humankind as our Blue Planet fails to sustain us.