Best Solo Board Games of 2025: Top 9 Picks
Need some alone time? These nine solo board games guarantee a thrilling experience. Perfect for when friends are busy!
The 9 Best Solo Board Games: When searching for the best solo board games, we look for gripping narratives, engaging mechanics, and enough replayability to avoid dusting off the ol’ cobwebs. The joy of playing solo is finding an experience that challenges and entertains, whether you’re sipping coffee or saving the world. So grab a comfy chair and prepare for our top solo picks. We’ve gathered games that promise hours of thrilling fun, whether you’re unraveling a mystery, building a city, or embarking on an epic quest. Now, let’s explore these solo treasures and see which one captures your heart.
On this list:
9 Friday
If you’re like us, and you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live like Robinson Crusoe, Friday is your ticket. You’re playing as Friday (hence the name), helping Mr. Crusoe survive on a desert island. The solo gameplay is addictive, as you deck-build your way to victory, battling hazards that would rather see you fail. With its strategic elements and easy-to-pick-up rules, this game keeps us coming back. Also, we have a soft spot for quirky artwork that makes losing almost as fun as winning.
8 Onirim
Ever had a night where your dreams just wouldn’t cooperate? Onirim takes that frustration and turns it into a captivating solo card game. You’re tasked with uncovering all the doors in a labyrinthine dream world before time runs out. It’s like being stuck in an endless IKEA with no exit in sight. The randomness of the cards keeps each game fresh, mixed with the tactical decisions that make us feel clever—or at least luckier than usual.
7 Hostage Negotiator
If you think the closest you’ll get to being a hostage negotiator is talking your dog out of stealing the remote, think again. This game gives you the chance to sweat it out as you try to save hostages from a cunning abductor. The solo play heightens the tension, and the variable scenarios keep the replayability high. It’s not just a game; it’s a stress tester. But hey, at least you only lose cardboard lives here.
6 The Lost Expedition
Ah, the great outdoors! Or, if you’re like some of us, the not-so-great outdoors. This solo adventure game sends you trekking through the Amazon, trying not to end up lunch for a jaguar. It combines survival, exploration, and luck, letting you play it straight or coop with friends. The artwork’s a treat, and the gameplay makes you feel like Indiana Jones, if Indy mostly got bitten by mosquitoes.
5 Star Realms: Frontiers
For the solo player with dreams of conquering the stars, Star Realms: Frontiers takes deck-building to a whole new galaxy. It’s like Space Invaders on steroids, where you start with a small fleet and aim to build an armada that can blow enemies out of the sky. The solo mode is fiercely competitive, and the card combinations keep the strategy fresh. Plus, who doesn’t love a good laser battle? Pew pew!
4 Coffee Roaster
If you love solo games and your coffee strong enough to stand a spoon, Coffee Roaster is your jam. This game is an aromatic solo journey where you perfect roasting beans to create the perfect cup. It combines bag-building mechanics with push-your-luck elements, and each game leaves you craving a real-life brew. It’s like running your own coffee shop, minus the lousy tippers.
3 Sprawlopolis
Sprawlopolis offers a solo gaming experience that feels like a puzzle wrapped in a city-planning task. With its tiny deck of cards, it packs a challenging punch as you work to build a thriving city, balancing roads, parks, and buildings. The game’s ever-changing objectives keep you on your toes, and it’s perfect for a quick brain workout. When city planners need a break, they play Sprawlopolis.
2 Under Falling Skies
Remember Space Invaders? Under Falling Skies is like that but on your table, with a solo twist. You defend your city from descending UFOs, managing resources and dice rolls for survival. It’s the perfect blend of strategy and timing, with a campaign mode that keeps things fresh. Every turn feels like the Earth’s fate depends on you. No pressure, right?
1 Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Saving the best for last, Arkham Horror: The Card Game tops our solo list because it delivers a cinematic experience every time. It’s a living card game where you fight unspeakable horrors from H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos. The campaign mode is immersive, with rich storytelling and endless combinations of cards. Each playthrough feels like a new episode of a spine-tingling series, and we never tire of its surprises. The tension is real, and the stakes couldn’t be higher—and that’s why it’s our number one solo pick.
