BEST BOARD GAMES FOR SOLO PLAYERS
Why play board games as a single player?
Finding moments for yourself can be very rewarding in the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Enter solo board gaming — a therapeutic escape from daily stresses
or when you just want some time for yourself.
The best one player board games can transport you to a completely different world,
allowing a break from everyday worries. Or they can offer you the joy of the ultimate challenge!
THE BEST SOLO
SINGLE PLAYER BOARD GAMES
(when we just don’t have the time to look at every single review!)
1. Gloomhaven
42 points
2. Spirit Island
41 points
3. Terraforming Mars
34 points
4. Robinson Crusoe
31 points
BEST SOLO BOARD GAME – How they were scored
Points were awarded for the games ranking on the best board game review sites.
For example, if 10 games were listed,
10 points were given to the top game and 1 point for the 10th best game.
Websites used – credit and links below.
Boardgamegeek, TabletopGaming, IGN, TheSoloGamer, MeepleShelter, Boardgameswizard
| Ranking | Best Solo Board Game | Total Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gloomhaven | 42 |
| 2 | Spirit Island | 41 |
| 3 | Terraforming Mars | 34 |
| 4 | Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island | 31 |
| 5 | Mage Knight | 25 |
| 6 | Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective | 19 |
| 7 | Friday | 19 |
| 8 | Glass Road | 18 |
| 9 | The 7th Continent | 18 |
| 10 | Wingspan | 17 |
| 11 | Teotihuacan: City of Gods | 16 |
| 12 | Marvel Champions | 16 |
| 13 | Arkham Horror: The Card Game | 15 |
| 14 | Race for the Galaxy (with The Gathering Storm expansion) | 15 |
| 15 | Onirim | 14 |
| 16 | A Feast for Odin | 13 |
| 17 | Lord of the Rings: The Card Game | 13 |
| 18 | Under Falling Skies | 12 |
| 19 | Dune: Imperium | 12 |
| 20 | Viticulture Essential Edition | 10 |
Best Board Game for Solo / One Player
See it on your computer for the full tableMYTHWIND – ONE TO WATCH
LOOK OUT FOR MYTHWIND BY OPEN OWL STUDIOS.
It is currently red hot on ‘Exploding Topics’ and Kickstarter.
where 11,040 backers pledged CA$ 1,341,391 to help bring it to life.
1-4 players, 30-60 mins playing time
GLOOMHAVEN – BEST GAME FOR SOLO PLAYERS
Gloomhaven is an award-winning strategy board game
with currently over 6,600 ratings on Amazon : 90% 5 star ratings averaging 4.8 out of 5.
Described as a game of Euro-inspired tactical combat in a persistent world of shifting motives.
You are a wandering adventurer with special skills and your own reason for traveling to this dark corner of the world!
Both solo & group play is highly recommended.
I like the fact that players must work together using their special cards to fight through dungeons and forgotten ruins.
Each decision taken expands the ever changing story with new locations.
With similarities to Dungeons & Dragons, there is a steep learning curve at the beginning, and rules heavy, so watching some tutorials like those below is recommended.
It has now been launched as a tactical RPG PS4 & PS5 game. The sequel Frosthaven has now been released as a stand alone campaign in the Gloomhaven world with 16 new characters.
1-4 players, 60-120 mins playing time
Recommended YouTube videos
on solo board games
About Geoff
I spent over 20 years at GIbsons Games – the 104 year old games company based in London, becoming their
Director of Product Development & IT.
One of my very first jobs at Gibsons was to help develop the game 221b Baker Street, and it is still very successful today.
Many more games followed including Pass the Bomb, Mind the Gap, Civilization, Diplomacy & my favourite – Hare & Tortoise.
My website brings you the best reviews of the best board games
all in one place.