The Best Solo Board Games Worth Playing Alone in 2025

Most of us know that playing board games with friends and family can be a delightful way to spend your free time. But have you considered the joy of diving into a board game when you're alone? It's not as unusual as it might sound. Many modern board games are crafted with solo play in mind, or feature engaging single-player modes. Whether you're into strategic challenges, roll-and-write games, or anything in between, there's a plethora of options for enjoying board games solo. Below, we explore some of the best board games designed for solo play, offering you a chance to relax and unwind while keeping your mind sharp.

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: While all the board games listed here can be enjoyed solo, most can also accommodate up to four players. The exception is Final Girl, 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, placing you in command of a team of secret agents during World War II. Through engaging narrative segments, you make crucial decisions that affect the outcome of your mission, navigating through text-driven scenarios that lead to thrilling ambushes on miniature maps. The game offers substantial replayability with its branching decision trees and the option to link scenarios into a comprehensive campaign. Though playable with up to six players cooperatively, it shines brightest in solo mode, intensifying the weight of your command.

Invincible: The Hero-Building Game

### Invincible: The Hero-Building Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 45-90 minsBased on the acclaimed comic series and animated TV show, Invincible: The Hero-Building Game offers a fresh take on superhero narratives, filled with peril and action. You'll guide young heroes as they master their powers, strategically combining cards to enhance their abilities while battling villains and saving civilians. Each scenario connects to key storylines from the show, allowing fans to relive their favorite moments. The game can also be enjoyed as a full campaign, adding depth and continuity to your solo play.

Legacy of Yu

### Legacy of Yu

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60 minsEmbark on a journey to ancient China in Legacy of Yu, where you must protect the kingdom from floods as the legendary Yu the Great. This game uniquely combines resource management and worker placement with narrative-driven military elements. As you build canals and fend off barbarian tribes, you'll face strategic challenges and moral dilemmas, offering a rich and immersive solo experience.

Final Girl

### Final Girl

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1Play Time: 20-60 minsFinal Girl taps into the chilling potential of solo horror gaming, where you take on the role of the last survivor in a horror movie. The game's modular design allows you to choose from various expansion sets, each inspired by classic horror films. Balancing actions, playing cards, and drawing new ones adds tension and strategic depth to your solo experience. To fully enjoy Final Girl, you'll need both the core box and a Film Box, each providing unique scenarios that promise an intense and thrilling ride.

Dune: Imperium

### Dune Imperium

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsDune: Imperium, while renowned for its multiplayer strategy, also excels in solo play. The inclusion of an automated opponent, House Hagal, ensures a challenging and interactive experience. In solo mode, you face two AI opponents at varying difficulty levels, providing a satisfying challenge without needing to recruit friends. For more insights, check out our comprehensive review of Dune: Imperium.

Hadrian’s Wall

### Hadrian's Wall

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-6Play Time: 60 minsHadrian’s Wall is a captivating flip-and-write game where you, as a Roman general, build fortifications to fend off Pictish invaders. The game's solo mode is enhanced by a downloadable campaign, adding a dynamic layer to the experience. Its strategic depth, resource management, and historical context make it stand out in the genre, offering a deeply engaging solo play experience.

Imperium: Horizons

### Imperium: Horizons

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 40 mins/playerImperium: Horizons redefines civilization building with a deck-building mechanic, making it exceptionally suitable for solo play. Each civilization you choose comes with a unique deck and strategic challenges, requiring you to balance growth with the risk of revolt. With fourteen civilizations to explore, each demanding a unique approach, Imperium: Horizons offers immense replay value and depth in solo mode.

For a detailed look, check out our hands-on review of Imperium: Horizons.

Frosthaven / Gloomhaven

### Frosthaven

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsFrosthaven is an expansive legacy-style game perfect for those seeking a grand fantasy adventure. Guide your adventurer through a world filled with dungeons and monsters, engaging in tactical card-driven combat. The game's persistent world and the potential for permanent card loss add weight to every decision. If Frosthaven's scale and cost are too much, consider the more accessible but equally engaging Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion. Read our review of Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion for more details.

Mage Knight

### Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 60+ minsMage Knight has become a staple for solo gamers since its 2011 release. Designed by Vlaada Chvátil, this fantasy epic offers a rich, solitary experience. Prepare for extended sessions as you battle monsters, upgrade your character, and explore a vast fantasy world. Each turn presents a puzzle-like challenge, making Mage Knight a rewarding choice for solo adventurers.

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

### Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-8Play Time: 90 minsImmerse yourself in the world of Sherlock Holmes with this detective-themed board game. Solve mysteries using a map of London, an address directory, and a newspaper filled with clues. The game challenges you to think like Holmes, with minimal guidance, making each scenario a test of your deductive skills. For more mystery games, explore our list of the best mystery board games.

Under Falling Skies

### Under Falling Skies

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1+Play Time: 20-40 minsUnder Falling Skies offers a unique solo experience inspired by Space Invaders. Defend your base from descending alien ships, managing a limited pool of dice to shoot, build, and research. The game's mechanics force you to balance risk and reward, with higher dice rolls offering better effects but accelerating the alien descent. With multiple scenarios and campaign options, Under Falling Skies provides a deep and engaging solo challenge.

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 minsIn Robinson Crusoe, you're a shipwreck survivor on a perilous island. Choose from various characters with unique abilities as you scavenge for resources, build shelters, and explore dangerous locations. The game's solo variant is highly rewarding, though it may be easier to control multiple characters. With ample content and expansions, Robinson Crusoe offers a rich adventure that beckons for repeated play.

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 elevates the roll-and-write genre with its depth and complexity. Manage resources to build and operate a Jurassic-themed park, drawing buildings on a grid and running tours. Balance your security measures to prevent dinosaur escapes and ensure a successful solo experience. For more insights, read our review of Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write.

Arkham Horror: the Card Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsFace cosmic horrors in Arkham Horror: The Card Game, a thrilling solo experience. Navigate scenarios as an investigator, using custom decks to search for clues and thwart the Mythos deck's threats. Your choices and the damage you sustain carry over, enhancing the game's thematic depth and making it one of the best horror board games for solo play.

Cascadia

### Cascadia

0See it at WalmartAge Range: 10+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-45 minsCascadia, renowned for its family-friendly appeal, also offers a compelling solo mode. Build a nature reserve by selecting terrain tiles and animal tokens, aiming to meet scoring patterns. The game's solo achievements list challenges you to approach the game differently, providing varied and satisfying challenges. For a deeper dive, read our review of Cascadia.

Terraforming Mars

### Terraforming Mars

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-5Play Time: 120 minsTerraforming Mars is a heavy Euro-style game where you work to make Mars habitable. Manage resources and build a tableau of action cards to raise oxygen levels, increase temperature, and create oceans. In solo mode, you race against time to optimize the three end-game parameters. With numerous expansion scenarios, Terraforming Mars offers a challenging and rewarding solo experience, perfect for fans of optimization puzzles.

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, you use power cards to defend your land from colonizers, repairing and protecting your territory. The game's strong theme and strategic depth make it one of the most engaging cooperative experiences, ideal for solo gamers seeking a robust challenge.

Solo Board Game FAQs

Is it weird to play board games alone?

Not at all! Solo board gaming has a long history, dating back centuries. From the 1697 French engraving depicting a woman playing peg solitaire to the popular solitaire card game from the late 1700s, solo gaming has always been a part of our culture. Just like playing video games alone, enjoying a board game by yourself is a normal and enjoyable way to challenge yourself and engage with a game's tactile and visual elements.

For more gaming options, explore our picks for the best party board games and the best deck-building card games.