Top Solo Board Games to Enjoy Alone in 2025

Most of us cherish the joy of playing the best board games with friends and family, but what about those times when you're alone and looking for a way to spend your free time? It might seem unusual at first, but many modern board games are designed with solo play in mind or feature engaging single-player modes. From strategy games to roll-and-write experiences, there's a rich variety of options for those looking to enjoy board games solo. Let's explore some of the best board games you can enjoy alone, providing a perfect way to relax and engage your mind.

TL;DR: These are the Best Solo Board Games

### War Story: Occupied France

0See it at Amazon### Invincible: The Hero-Building Game

0See it at Amazon### Legacy of Yu

0See it at Amazon### Final Girl

0See it at Amazon### Dune Imperium

0See it at Amazon### Hadrian's Wall

0See it at Amazon### Imperium: Horizons

0See it at Amazon### Frosthaven

0See it at Amazon### Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition

0See it at Amazon### Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

0See it at Amazon### Under Falling Skies

0See it at Amazon### Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

0See it at Amazon### Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

0See it at Amazon### Cascadia

0See it at Walmart### Terraforming Mars

0See it at Amazon### Spirit Island

0See it at AmazonEditor's Note: Although every board game on this list can be enjoyed alone, most of them can also be played with up to four players. The only exception is Final Girl, which is designed exclusively for single-player gameplay.

War Story: Occupied France

### War Story: Occupied France

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-6Play Time: 45-60 minsWar Story: Occupied France masterfully blends choose-your-own-adventure storytelling with tactical wargaming. As the leader of a secret agent team during World War II, you navigate through well-crafted narrative passages and make critical choices that influence the outcome. These decisions are brought to life on miniature maps where you orchestrate ambushes against enemy forces. The game offers significant replay value through its varied decision trees and the option to link scenarios into a comprehensive campaign. While it supports up to six players cooperatively, the solo experience amplifies the thrill of command.

Invincible: The Hero-Building Game

### Invincible: The Hero-Building Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 45-90 minsDrawing inspiration from the acclaimed comic book and animated series, Invincible: The Hero-Building Game offers a fresh take on superheroism, complete with genuine peril and intense action. Players guide young heroes learning to harness their powers, searching for powerful combinations in their hands to enhance their abilities while battling villains and saving civilians. Each scenario ties into the show's major storylines, allowing fans to relive their favorite episodes. The game can be played as a standalone experience or as part of a full campaign, immersing players in a world of heroism and danger.

Legacy of Yu

### Legacy of Yu

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60 minsIn Legacy of Yu, players travel to mythic China to aid Yu the Great in saving the kingdom from floods and barbarian invasions. This game skillfully merges resource management and worker placement with narrative-driven military elements. You'll strategize to build canals and fend off invaders, experiencing a rich tapestry of historical strategy, moral dilemmas, and compelling storytelling. Despite its eclectic mix, the game delivers a deeply engaging and strategic solo experience.

Final Girl

### Final Girl

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1Play Time: 20-60 minsFinal Girl taps into the suspense and thrill of horror movies, perfectly suited for solo play. As the sole survivor, you manage time and resources, balancing actions and card plays to navigate through terrifying scenarios inspired by classic horror films. The core game requires a Film Box to play, each containing two unique scenarios that cater to different fears and movie themes. It's an intense, narrative-driven experience that offers a thrilling ride through the world of horror.

Dune: Imperium

### Dune Imperium

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsDune: Imperium stands out as a top strategy game, and its solo mode is surprisingly robust. An automated opponent, House Hagal, simulates the presence of other players, challenging you to outmaneuver and outthink them. In solo play, you face two such opponents, adding depth and satisfaction beyond mere score-chasing. This feature allows you to enjoy the game's excellent mechanics and thematic richness even when playing alone.

Hadrian’s Wall

### Hadrian's Wall

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-6Play Time: 60 minsHadrian’s Wall is a flip-and-write game where players, as Roman generals, construct defenses against Pictish invaders. Its solo mode is particularly compelling, especially with the addition of a downloadable campaign. The game's dynamic nature, combined with strategic resource management and satisfying combos, elevates it above typical flip-and-write games. It offers a deep, immersive experience rooted in history.

Imperium: Horizons

### Imperium: Horizons

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 40 mins/playerImperium: Horizons brings the deck-building mechanic to civilization-building games, making it well-suited for solo play. Each civilization comes with a unique deck and strategy, challenging you to build and manage your empire while avoiding collapse. The game's complex mechanisms, including trading and economics, offer significant replay value and strategic depth, making it a standout choice for solo gamers.

Frosthaven / Gloomhaven

### Frosthaven

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsFrosthaven is a vast and immersive legacy-style game set in a fantasy world filled with dungeons and monsters. Its card-driven combat system demands careful strategy, with each decision carrying weight due to the potential for permanent card loss. The game's persistent world ensures a unique experience with each playthrough. For those seeking a more manageable solo adventure, consider Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, which offers a similarly engaging experience in a more compact form.

Mage Knight

### Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 60+ minsMage Knight has earned its place as a hallmark of solo gaming. This fantasy epic, designed by Vlaada Chvátil, excels in solo play, offering a rich experience of exploration, combat, and character development. Be prepared for lengthy sessions, as the game's complex puzzles and strategic depth can easily consume hours.

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

### Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-8Play Time: 90 minsStep into the world of Sherlock Holmes with this mystery-solving game. Equipped with a map of London, an address directory, and a newspaper, you must piece together clues and interrogate suspects to solve complex cases. The game challenges you to match the detective prowess of Holmes himself, offering a deeply immersive and challenging solo experience.

Under Falling Skies

### Under Falling Skies

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1+Play Time: 20-40 minsUnder Falling Skies is a solo-only game inspired by Space Invaders. You manage a base under attack by descending alien ships, balancing dice rolls between defense, construction, and research. The game's mechanics create tension and strategic depth, offering a variety of scenarios that can be combined into a campaign, ensuring long-term engagement.

Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

### Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 90-180 minsRobinson Crusoe challenges players to survive on a hostile island. With various characters to choose from, you'll scavenge, build, and explore, facing numerous challenges. The solo variant allows you to control multiple characters, adding complexity and depth to the experience. The game's rich narrative and strategic elements make it a rewarding solo adventure.

Dinosaur Island: Rawr N’ Write

### Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-45 minsDinosaur Island: Rawr N’ Write offers a more complex roll-and-write experience. Players manage resources to build and operate a dinosaur theme park, balancing safety and attractions. The game's engaging mechanics and strategic depth make it an excellent choice for solo play, providing a satisfying and challenging experience.

Arkham Horror: the Card Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsArkham Horror: The Card Game immerses players in a world of cosmic horror. As an investigator, you'll navigate scenarios, gather clues, and battle eldritch forces. The game's campaign system allows your choices to affect future games, creating a deeply thematic and challenging solo experience that stands out among horror board games.

Cascadia

### Cascadia

0See it at WalmartAge Range: 10+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-45 minsCascadia, while excellent for family play, also offers a rewarding solo experience. Players build a nature reserve by choosing terrain tiles and animal tokens, aiming to meet various scoring goals. The game's achievement list in the rulebook adds depth and variety, challenging players to reach specific score thresholds with different setups, making it a versatile and engaging solo game.

Terraforming Mars

### Terraforming Mars

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-5Play Time: 120 minsTerraforming Mars is a heavy Euro-style game where players transform the Martian landscape to support human life. In solo mode, you race against time to maximize oxygen levels, temperature, and ocean coverage. The game's deep mechanics and tableau-building offer a rich optimization puzzle, making it one of the best solo experiences and a top choice for adult gamers.

Spirit Island

### Spirit Island

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 90-120 minsSpirit Island is a cooperative game that excels in solo play. As island spirits, players protect their land from colonizers using powerful cards to destroy settlements and restore the environment. The game's thematic depth and strategic card play make it a robust and engaging solo experience, perfect for those who enjoy cooperative challenges.

Solo Board Game FAQs

Is it weird to play board games alone?

Not at all! Playing board games solo is a time-honored tradition, with historical references dating back centuries. From the French nobility enjoying peg solitaire in the 17th century to modern players engaging in complex video game versions, solo play is a natural extension of the hobby. The enjoyment comes from tackling the game's challenges and striving to improve your performance. Just like video games, solo board games offer visual and tactile pleasures that make them as enjoyable as doing a jigsaw puzzle alone.