10. Arkham Horror 3rd Edition - 1:05 9. Kanban EV - 3:02 8. Gaia Project - 4:43 7. Tekhenu - 6:53 6. Spirit Island - 8:19 5. Marvel Champios - 10:10 4. Imperium Legends - 12:31 3. 1862 - 13:58 2. Fields of Arle - 16:08 1. A Feast for Odin - 18:30

John, you deserve more subscribers, my friend. I really appreciate what you bring to the community, and hope that you continue to do what you do. Thank you.

This is a great framework to think about solo gaming. I haven't seen a list designed this way before, thinking of it in terms of different types/experiences. Several on here that haven't been on my radar that I will now add to my wishlist. Glad the youtube algorithm led me to your channel. My first encounter and I'm now subscribed. Nice work!

John, based on the above, I dipped my toe into Imperium: Classics. Played 4 games, won 2, lost 2. Although the mechanics look complicated, I though they were a lot easier than expected. The AI works smoothly, but I still haven't bottomed out the deck management. I thought I was doing well in my 2nd outing and got hammered, the wins have been close whilst I thought I was hammering the bot. Probably well balanced then. Have fun, stay safe

#1 and #2 are spot on and definitely in my Top 10 solo games. Newton would be in there for me. 🙂

Thanks for taking the time to do this. With your extensive playlist of games, I'm sure it was difficult. I've added a few of the games to my "wishlist" to check out.

Beautiful list. I'm more convinced now to invest on some of the title that I kind of doubt or was super surprised that they cater well for brilliant solo gaming such as 1862, Spirit Island, Tekhenu and Gaia Project. Also, I think Vital Lacerda programmed his games best at 3 players, the sweetest spot mostly for his titles, but what Kanban EV shines foe soloing is thanks ro David Turczi himself. I'm even glad he did the solo version for Weather Machine. No surprisw there other David Turczi titles in your list too 😄. Larely I've been very conscious of buying board games. I always ensure that they have solo experience as my back up plan because I can't always invite people to play. I'm glad you felt the same for Fields of Arle. That game just had a special place in my heart. I still have yet to get A Feast for Odin though 😅. Mage Knigt still is the best, but I wouldn't label as "essential" solo board game in my collection. LOTR LCG is behind it as well but then again not essential. Marvel Champions is way accessible, hence essential for anyone ensuring a solo board gaming experience. Thanks for the list! Subscribed ❤.

1862 Railway Mania is so good. I've played it 6 times so far, and my highest score was $8787 - so close to the 'winning' $9k, and yet so far! It's one of the few games where I can play for 3-4 hours and just don't feel the time going by at all. Excellent, under-appreciated gem in my opinion.

I started playing Kindom Death: Monster solo and I can't stop. I'm already on the fourth consecutive campaign.

A very solid list of robust games that can be played solo. Thank you for the recommendations.

Great list. I still need to try A Feast for Odin. Robinson Crusoe is still my favorite solo game, as well as Paleo. Paleo feels very different then many you covered here. This one gets missed as a solo game because the publishers list it as 2-4p even though there are solo rules and it's fantastic. Thanks for the video!

Here’s my top solo list: 1. Lord of the Rings LCG 2. Star Trek Frontiers 3. Dune Imperium 4. X-Men United/Marvel United 5. Marvel Legendary 6. This War of Mine 7. Marvel Champions 8. Imperial Assault 9. Outer Rim 10. Gloomhaven/JOTL

Great video man, subscribed

For Flip&Write type games, you might like Hadrian's Wall. If you like a sandbox game that allows for different strategies on each play-through.

Great video! I am coming back from payed unplugged and wish I saw this video before hand to make some purchases. Keep making these awesome videos!

Solving approach to 1862 sounds like solving Frostpunk.

Hi John. Chris of Carpo Farm here. I am collecting a set of games to play for the remainder of my retirement, which may be 25 years! I seem to like heavier games, and solo at least optional is a must. Space/scifi is nearly a must. So far: Gaia Project, Anachrony, This War of Mine, ISS Vanguard, Stars of Akarios, Frostpunk, Hadrians Wall, Warp's Edge, Under Falling Skies, Star Wars: Outer Rim, Pulsar 2849. Solar 175, and Leaving Earth. I have come close to my limit, and all games include the expansions with only a few KS components missing. Rubble Die. as an example. I have room for one more and future expansions for the games I have. Suggestion? Note that I looked at Stellar Horizons and High Frontier 4 All but the rulebooks sound iffy.

Hi, John! First time viewer. I really connected with your thoughts and opinions here so I subscribed! I now how half a dozen more board games to dive deep into research over. Can't wait to start watching your game reviews. Happy gaming!

First time on the channel. Appreciate your list as I delve into solo gaming more. Thank you!

Not gonna lie. I watched the whole thing only because you have one of my favorite games right next to your head. Runebound. Love that game. Also thanks for the recommendations!

Great video and solid list. You touched on many of my favorites in your list. I would have slotted in Mage Knight over Spirit Island and Glass Road or Nusfjord over Arle to mix up the play time for a Rosenberg since you have Odin in there already. Hard to argue with your list much though. Awesome picks. I would like to try 1862 sometime and your recommendation nudges it up my wishlist. Thanks for the list!

Another terrific no nonsense video. Great insight into the solo options. I totally agree on A Feast for Odin. Also would recommend Great Austria Hotel, Clans of Caledonia, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Viticulture (with Tuscany) and Lisboa. Also like the look of the new Shem Phillips solo, Legacy of Yu.

First time watcher of the channel here. I enjoyed you list very much. In terms of my collection there is some similarity although you are more on the euro-y part of the spectrum with limited dice (my favourite games are Too Many Bones and Core Space). For example I have Eldritch Horror rather than Arkham, my Turczi is Excavation Earth, my LCG is LotR:LCG, Spirit Island and Gaia Project are much played, and 1862 sits on the shelf. I would note that almost all of your essentials are longer games (although I haven't played Tekhenu), and it would be great to get a top 10 games played in less than an hour.

Next time, just go ahead and give us your Top 20 or Top 25. I loved your passion for all the near misses at the end, but some viewers might have missed your rapid fire also-rans. 😊

This was the first video of yours that I have seen and it was well done. You should offer your services to Dice tower, that should give you pretty good publicity. I liked this list because most "solo games" lists I see are solo only games or 15 minutes games. This list is full of very deep games and I love that. Gaia is my favorite solo game ever, but not a lot of people recognize that.

Great list! You definitely like the heavier side of games. Fields of Arle is one of my favorite games. I have the expansion, but have not used it yet. Thanks for doing the video!

One more from me as well. Thanks for the video.

First time watcher, and your 899th sub. Keep it up John! Loved the vid!

Next can you do,the most complex and depth board games you have play.

Solid list, I’ll be checking these out

Nice video!

First time I've watched you and loved it. Great choices. I'm now a subscriber 👍

Great list, John. The games I think are missing are Anachrony, and a adventure game like Nemo’s War.

What i would appreciate is a statement on each of the game's expected duration. Time is an important factor to consider when shopping for games.

Hi! Visiting your channel for the first time. Took the time to read the comments as well, as you probably noticed. Great video, nice list. I really like all the games you are talking about here (except 1862, haven't experienced that one yet. In my defence, I'm not that into train themed games and I wouldn't even know where to buy this game where I live). You're making a lot of great points. How many hours I've spend hovering over the board of Fields of Arle. Many of the Rosenberg Euro games. If I had to choose between Agricola, Caverna, Fields of Arle, Nusfjord, Glass Road, Hallertau, A Feast For Odin, Le Havre... all those tasty Rosenberg Euros sitting on the shelves behind me.... I'd probably choose Agricola for the sentimental value. Was my first Rosenberg. If I had to make a list like that, the first three would probably be Mage Knight, Mage Knight and.... Mage Knight. ;) And Robinson Crusoe would definitely be on my list, as it was the first heavier game I learned to play solo before I played it with others. A lot of hours some years ago went into that game. Spirit Island and Imperium (Legends/Classics) are games one could play solo for a year and still learn and discover new things, combinations, winning tactics... Just amazing to me, how a designer can come up with a game like that. Btw, the game you were looking for, the predecessor to Gaia Project: Terra Mystica. And good news for you, in case you didn't know yet: There is an Automa Solo Box out now for Terra Mystica. It's quite expensive but it's said to be really well made and really good.

The Return to Dark Tower needs to make your list.

Thanks so much! I don't have ANY of the games from your list but have Final Girl and Too Many Bones on the way from crowd funding.

Pret-a-Porter, a 2 player game, has a five page ( approx. ) solo rules set created by Soloplay on BGG. It's one of the best solo experiences I've ever had. It's a bit of a table hog though. I haven't played 1862 but I'd wager the two games are similar. It's all about the business, fashion rather than railroads.

Great video! I just got Spirit Island and got crushed my first solo play. Good to know that it will just take some time for it to click. Lol

So glad i stumbled onto your channel John, already subscribed. You've sold Fields of Arle and Imperium: Legends to me. Although, I'm surprised you don't have any of the Garphil games (Circadians: first light and Viscounts of the west kingdom, being two of my favs) Cheers buddy.

I saw your number 10 and subscribed! Imho Arkham Third edition is heavily underrated and the best game in the Arkham Files line (besides the LCG).

Such a huge collection!

Great list! Many of these would be on mine and I just picked up Arle. May have to give Tekhenu a second look.

Solo player or the joy of playing with your self. 😉👍😆

Would love to see a video on Gaia Project!

Thoughts on Sabika and its ranking? Great list and channel thank you

Great list. Own few of of them and cannot agree more with spirit island or imperium. What I miss here is Mage Knight ;)

Thank you for sharing. I noticed we have very similar tastes.

Hey there, sorry, i know im a year late, heh!, but anyway... I enjoyed your video and noted down a few. One game i would go for is The Captain is Dead. I used toi have it on PC.

We share many similar tastes! I put 1862 on my list - let' see. Arkham Horror is not for me - my game group likes it a ton but I watched a many hour game and loss and...just didn't look as fun as I would want. Everything else you had I have - most of them played and enjoyed a ton!

My top 5 solo: 1. Gaia Project, 2. Great Western Trail 2, 3. Spirit Island, 4. Dune: Imperium, 5. Sprawlopolis

Great list. Thanks for sharing. MC:LCG is one of my favs too!

I’m also a fan of Uwe although I haven’t tried solo except for Hallertau. I’ve had a great time before with Oh my Goods (expansion required), Pathfinder ACG, Mage Knight, and the Oniverse games. I want to try Jaws of the Lion and Sleeping Gods but I’m having a hard time committing to such large, campaign games. Now I’m intrigued by 1862. Great list, thanks!

I really enjoy the following: Dune Imperium Trickerion Scythe Underwater Cities Maracaibo Mage Knight Gloom of Kilforth Barrage

JOHN READ ME These videos are cool but next time just Google image search what you're looking for and edit it into the video. Or at least edit out you searching through stuff until you find what you need. Also top ten is going to be your niche going forward, congrats on the 1k views well done. I just happen to see this on my feed and got curious about your channel. Ride this train big dawg, this is your rope upward

there are a few of my favourite games ( I have so many ! ) in your list, wow! my first lacerda was On Mars, its solo mode fell a little flat for me, though. got Lisboa recently, still need to get it to the table.. but already heard good things about Kanban, so probably should get that one (EV version!) as well, I guess.. :)

Forget to mention This War of Mine. I just could not get into it. Tried it many times and lost it every single time with no hope of winning. Just wasn’t doing it for me.

Just stumbled upon your channel with this first video. Excellent presentation on all these games. I'm wondering if you might have a video or 2 that reviews games for 7+? My son and I are avid Carcassonne players. We have 3 expansions, and he really understands the depth and complexity. Carcassonne is by far the best find so far, and we enjoy it the most, but still wondering if there may be others out there I'm unaware of that he would understand and enjoy. Thank you.

Have you tried the game "Final Girl"? I'm new to getting into single player board games and recently saw it. I loved the theme but wanted to here some review on it before purchasing.

I tend to stay away from longer games, especially ones where a few poor early decisions means that you have 2-3 hours of minimising the size of your loss. I found that Spirit Island is a pure logic game which once you've unlocked the puzzle becomes routine. In my opinion you have to have the Branch and Claw expansion which adds variability to give the game replayability. I've played SI 10 times, I've played SI with B&C over 150 times solo. I've also ditched the physical version and do it via the app. Interested to try Imperium: Classics or Legends. Good suggestion, thanks, good job it is relatively cheap. I've tended to stay away from games that have a large footprint and/or have long setup times. Tried Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, can't understand what all the fuss is about, too long to setup and just plain boring as a solo experience. Would never want the overhead of it's bigger brother. Kanban EV looked at it but decided that the mechanics just looked like following a whole host of instructions. Have Friday but find it is too repetitive, once you have sussed the optimised win process it is just a card draw. So where do I spend my time in solo. Under Falling Skies, a campaign game that can easily be replayed and a monthly challenge on BGG. Century: Golem Edition, fan expansion solo game. Merchants Cove plays well solo but you need Secret Stash to give it longevity ( has a huge footprint but games packaging makes it easy to setup). Pandemic again does well solo, based on Forbidden Island which ironically I detest. Tiny Epic Galaxies - Blast Off works well with a small footprint and easy to carry around and easy as a multiplayer game. With a larger footprint Viscounts of the West Kingdom does well (has a specially designed solo AI), haven't found the need to add the expansions in yet, always a good sign for replayability. It's sibling Architects of the West Kingdom gets less love from me but still ok. 7 Wonder Duel with the official solo print and play expansion (it was free during Covid) gets a lot of love from me. In search of Planet X is a pure logic game that if I'm in the mood I'll play but I don't find it that engaging. It is better as a competitive experience. If I think I'm going to spend 30 minutes on my own somewhere I'll take 7 Wonders/ Tiny Epic Galaxies/ Century Golem just to setup and run through. As an off the wall and not really a board game but as a solo minaitures RPG, Five Parsecs from Home (Mordiphius) occupies a lot of my time. I have become invested on the crew of the Gillibrand (their ship) and their travels through the Ereran System as they work for various corporations picking up enemies on the way. Great game that needs standees or miniatures and some imagination. Needs space and time (two things I moaned about earlier but I found this is worth it!!) I'm interested if you do a short solo games top 10. Thanks for the vid

Great list. I still haven't gotten 1862 to the table yet. Imperium:Legends bounced off me hard but I see the potential though. Hallertau and Nusjford have become my favorite solo Uwe games just because of the shorter play time makes them fast but still gives you that nice brain crunch like AFFO and Fields of Arle give

Warp's Edge, Gloomhaven, Etherfields

Great video!

Thank you for making another great list. I was a little on the fence regarding "1862 Railway mania", but if it's in a top 10 solo games, I should convince me to play it. What about Warp's Edge as a bag builder essential ?

I actually think it gets easier as you add more expansions.

Love Gaeea project 😍

Great video

First time trying out the instant premier setting.

Thx. I would also add Anachrony and Barrage ;-)

Another brilliant video John! Glad that Kanban EV made the list, really, really, enjoying that one (actually just got my 100th play of it a few days ago (95 solo, 5 multiplayer)). 1862 is also a brilliant choice. I love the 18xx system but unfortunately not many support solo. Also, if you had to pick between Carneige and Tekhenu, and you already had Teotihuacan (which is fairly similar if I am not mistaken?) which would you choose and why?

Thanks now my brain won't explode whenever I open tNice tutorials

ALOHA 🤙🏝️ You don't know MAGE KNIGHT ??????????? Number one MAGE KNIGHT !!!

What...no fallen skies, no Friday????

Your thumbnail had connecting flights set up, but no mention of its solo experience. What are your thoughts on that game solo?

I have been reviewing the different Arkham Horror style games and it made my head spin. Especially when reading the requirement for additional expansions to add solid content. I will definitely will add the 3rd edition to my 2023 game list. Some of my favs Underwater City, Great Western Trail 2ED, I'm currently looking for that CDG political game but currently enjoying Flashpoint South China Sea. Hopefully the new Twilight Struggle will release end of year. May take the top spot. I'm also really liking Aeon's End and Legendary (over Champions). +1 FOA. I was really surprised by my play of Boonlake. I'm really enjoying it. Oh my long time favorite It's A Wonderful World. Nothing fancy but really enjoy the building and tension the game brings in the short gameplay. Thanks for sharing your top 10 essential games as it was a good list. For sure not a list for those just starting the hobby. Lol...

Hopefully, this helps people round out their solo collections

I will buy the new Imperium big 10 faction box. Thanks for the recommendation

Perfect I just purchased my first Lacerda - Kanban EV so nice to see it made it to the list.... Did you tried Paladins of west kingdom ? I really like that solo and make a challenge for myself to win 3 games in a row on medium level which I was not able to pull off :) was expected to own less games but I got Spirit Island, Gaia project, Marvel Champions which I played only solo for now and of course Kanban EV but I did not played it yet...

I have none of these. I'd have to save up or seriously go without something to buy any of these. So we're both nerds with no friends but you're a nerd with no friends but well off. I know you can forget the price because a game is an investment that kind of doubles in value every time you play it, or something like that. I mean you don't buy a game for one play but for the entertainment value over time but meeting that initial output is sometimes tough. Perhaps down here they're more expensive because of import taxes etc. I've been looking at getting Tekhenu. Maybe, you talked me into it.

Have you played Concordia Solitaria? I have it, but haven't even opened it yet. (so many games, so little time)

Great list! Instant sub :) But how about Mage Knight? Also, I would appreciate some Timestamps because I wanted to revisit some of your thoughts :)

What are your thoughts on Gugong solo?

what are your thoughts on Dragonfire solo?

great review with many new titles though i must say no 10 and 9 were not my favs. still prefer cards game version of AoH and just hate EVs lol

When you presented "Fields of Arle" I was thinking that I would have suggested "A Feast for Odin" instead for Uwe Rosenberg, of course I didn't know what was coming next :D I tried several times "The lord of the Ring The Card Game" and "Arkham Horror The Card Game" but it never worked for me (even if the second one felt much much better) mostly because of the exact reasons you gave, and yes, I honestly just felt scammed for so little content (not to mention the completely useless incomprehensible rulebooks). I keep hearing about how good Marvel Champion is though and it seems to address all the complains I have for those LCGs , unfortunately I really can't stand the theme no matter how good the mechanics are, it seems I'm doomed for this style of games ^^ I will still probably watch a video playthrough of it just to have a better idea of how it differs from the others.

Have you played Paladins of the West Kingdom?

Gaia has 7 bots, not 4 🙂

Subbed

Spirit Island is a wargame solo.

10. thru 1. Magic Realm

If I have Eldritch with a couple of expansions, would Arkham 3rd provide enough of a different experience?

Has anyone played one deck dungeon. Good for 1 to 2 players

I think you need to have some German blood to enjoy eurogames. They should be renamed krautgames.

Very interesting top. But I'm afraid I just hate solo Gaia. It's just unbearable

Which game is on the thumbnail of this video?

Except for the ffg ones all the others are just vp based long games, not everyone including me are about the long games or the euro games in general

This video should have chapters.

Eldritch Horror is better than AH and AH LCG is better than Marvel Champions

What? No Mageknight!? Unsubbed and thumbs down... ... ... ;-)

Champions is cool, but its a bad copy of Sentinels of the Multiverse