8 Best Solo Play Board Games to Try in 2025
Looking for solo play board games? We’ve tested the best, from brain-burning puzzles to epic adventures. Here’s our top recommendations!
Looking for the best solo play board games? You’re in the right place! We’ve tested heaps of games (yes, our friends ditched us for a weekend) to find the solo gems. We focused on games that are fun, easy to set up, and keep you on your toes. A good solo play board game should give you a challenge without making you want to flip the table. Whether you love puzzles, wild adventures, or saving the world—there’s something here for you. Get comfy, because these solo play board games are about to make you forget you even have friends!
On this list:
8 Friday
We picked ‘Friday’ because this game is made just for solo play board gamers. You’re Robinson Crusoe’s helpful pal, Friday, trying to survive on a deserted island. We love how it makes you sweat as danger piles up and the deck gets meaner. Don’t be fooled by its small box—this game packs a punch. The quick play time lets you sneak in a round anytime, like when you’re waiting for the pizza guy. If you want a solo play board game that’s portable and full of tough choices, Friday is a top pick.
7 Warp’s Edge
Warp’s Edge fired up our engines for solo play board games. You’re a rookie pilot, stuck in a space battle, facing off against nasty alien ships. We enjoyed the bag-building and token-drawing, which gave us that “just one more run” feeling. Every play is a bit different, and it’s fast enough that you can finish a game before your cat finds something else to knock over. There’s also a cool choose-your-path storybook for extra replay value, perfect for lone captains everywhere.
6 One Deck Dungeon
One Deck Dungeon keeps us coming back with its brilliant blend of dice rolling and dungeon crawling. We love that you only need one deck of cards and some dice, making it easy to set up and get rolling. The game is tough, and the room for luck means each run feels fresh. Solo play board games can sometimes lack excitement, but here you’ll never feel alone when you’re struggling to beat a giant spider with nothing but a rusty shield and wishful thinking.
5 Cascadia
Cascadia wowed us with its chill solo play and beautiful art. You’re building habitats in North America, matching tiles and scoring points for clever patterns. It’s one of those solo play board games you can play while sipping tea and humming to yourself. We found it relaxing—unless you mess up your bear corridor, then it’s all tears. It’s easy to learn, so it’s great for new solo players who want a peaceful puzzle without feeling rushed.
4 Under Falling Skies
Under Falling Skies thrilled us with its space invader vibe and clever decisions. Every turn, you roll dice to defend your city against an alien onslaught. The campaign mode meant we always had something to work toward—plus, we got to save the world in our pajamas. This solo play board game is all about managing dice, resources, and keeping your city from getting turned into cosmic dust. The puzzle changes each game, so it never gets boring.
3 Final Girl
Final Girl stole the show for us horror fans. You’re the last survivor, facing a slasher villain in classic horror movie style. The modular setup makes every game feel like a new scary movie. We found it tense and nerve-racking, sweating over every card flip. For solo play board games, it nails the feeling of running, hiding, and fighting for your life. Plus, the storytelling kept us hooked till the bitter end—sometimes literally. Don’t play with the lights off. Trust us.
2 Spirit Island
Spirit Island is a solo play board games powerhouse. You play as a spirit protecting your island from invaders. The game is deep, strategic, and will make you think so hard smoke might come out of your ears. We love choosing different spirits, each with wild powers. Beating the game feels like a real achievement. It can be a bit much for beginners, but if you want a solo challenge that rewards careful planning, Spirit Island is a must-try.
1 Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars takes the spot as our top solo play board game because it made us feel like real space tycoons. You take on Mars, growing forests and dropping oceans while racing to make the planet liveable. It’s crunchy but never confusing, thanks to great cards and plenty of options. The solo mode adds pressure with a turn limit, so there’s no time to nap. We keep coming back because no two games feel alike, and it’s super rewarding to see Mars turn green under your expert touch. If you want a solo play board game that’s brilliant, deep, and fun, this one’s king.
