Best Solo Board Games 2024: Top 10 Picks Reviewed

Searching for great solo board games? We’ve tested many and compiled the top 10 solo-themed gems from BoardGameGeek.
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On Mars coverSpirit Island coverFriday cover

Top 10 Solo Board Games to Dive Into Alone: Ever had one of those nights where you want to play a board game but your friends are all MIA? Worry not! Solo board games are here to save the day. When we pick the best solo games, we focus on engaging gameplay, replay value, and how well the game holds up without a group. We’ve gone through countless hours of playing games alone to bring you this list. So, gear up for thrilling adventures, tactical decisions, and, most importantly, lots of fun!

On this list:

10 On Mars

On Mars cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 90-150 minutes

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On Mars has a similar Mars colonization theme and complex strategy. It offers rich gameplay for solo players with deep mechanics.

9 Spirit Island

Spirit Island cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 90-120 min

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Spirit Island lets you be a nature spirit defending your island from colonizers. It’s a tough game but very rewarding. The solo play is just as intense as playing with friends. Every spirit has unique abilities, making each game a new challenge.

8 Friday

Friday cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 1
  • Play Time: 25 min

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This one is a solo-only game. You help Robinson Crusoe survive on a deserted island. It’s a deck-building game, and each playthrough is different. It’s small, easy to learn, and very portable. Great for travel.

7 Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 30-120 min

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Gloomhaven is a huge game, and Jaws of the Lion brings that same experience in a smaller, more manageable package. The solo play is deeply satisfying. You control multiple characters, which makes you feel like a tactical genius. Plus, who doesn’t love slaying monsters?

6 Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 min

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This game is tough. Surviving on a cursed island while managing resources and completing missions is no joke. The solo mode makes you feel like you’re really struggling to survive. It’s challenging but very immersive, like being in a survival movie.

5 Under Falling Skies

Under Falling Skies cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1
  • Play Time: 20-40 min

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Under Falling Skies is a solo-only game where you defend the Earth from an alien invasion. The mechanics are easy to learn but hard to master. It has a campaign mode, which keeps you coming back for more. The tension builds as the aliens get closer.

4 Mage Knight

Mage Knight cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 150 min

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Mage Knight is epic. It’s a mix of RPG and board game, and the solo mode is incredibly engaging. You explore, fight, and level up your knight. It’s complex and takes time to learn, but once you do, it feels like a grand adventure. We spent hours and never got bored.

3 Hostage Negotiator

Hostage Negotiator cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 1
  • Play Time: 20-30 min

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In Hostage Negotiator, you are, well, a hostage negotiator. This solo-only game is all about strategy and luck. Each scenario is different, keeping the gameplay fresh. It’s intense, and the stakes feel very high. You’ll find yourself talking to the cards.

2 Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 45-90 min

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This game offers a rich solo experience. You build your empire and manage resources. The solo scenarios are challenging but fun. You get to try different strategies with different clans. It’s a mix of relaxation and brain workout.

1 Too Many Bones

Too Many Bones cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60-150 min

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This is the best of the best for solo play. You’re a Gearloc, battling through a campaign full of tough decisions and epic battles. The components are top-notch, and the gameplay is deep and rich. We couldn’t stop playing. It’s like a high-stakes RPG in board game form.

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.