Top Solo Board Games to Enjoy Alone in 2025

Engaging in board games is a cherished way to spend time with friends and family, but what about enjoying them solo? It's perfectly normal, and many modern board games are designed with solo play in mind, offering rich experiences for those looking to unwind alone. Whether you're into strategy, narrative-driven adventures, or roll-and-write games, there's a plethora of options that cater to solo gamers. Below, we explore some of the top board games that you can enjoy by yourself, providing both relaxation and mental stimulation.

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: Every board game listed here can be enjoyed solo, with most accommodating up to four players. The exception is Final Girl, designed exclusively for solo play.

War Story: Occupied France

### War Story: Occupied France

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-6Play Time: 45-60 minsWar Story: Occupied France brilliantly merges choose-your-own-adventure with tactical wargaming, immersing you in the role of a secret agent during World War II. Navigate through gripping text narratives and make critical decisions that unfold on detailed miniature maps. Engage in tense ambushes against enemy forces, with enough variety in difficulty and scenarios to offer substantial replay value. While it supports up to six players, the game shines brightest when played solo, enhancing the intensity 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 from the popular comic book and animated series, Invincible: The Hero-Building Game delivers a unique superhero experience filled with peril and action. As you guide young heroes mastering their powers, you'll search for strategic power combinations while managing the urgent need to combat villains and rescue civilians. Each scenario ties into the TV show's major storylines, offering fans a chance to relive their favorite episodes or embark on a full campaign.

Legacy of Yu

### Legacy of Yu

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60 minsJourney to ancient China in Legacy of Yu, where you battle barbarian tribes and strive to prevent a kingdom from flooding. This game masterfully blends resource management and worker placement with narrative elements and military strategy. As you build canals and fend off invaders, you'll encounter strategic challenges, historical richness, and moral quandaries that make for a deeply engaging solo experience.

Final Girl

### Final Girl

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1Play Time: 20-60 minsHorror thrives in solo play, and Final Girl captures this perfectly. As the lone survivor in a horror scenario, you'll manage time between actions, cards, and deck-building, creating a tense, strategic game. To fully enjoy Final Girl, you'll need a core box and a Film Box, each featuring scenarios inspired by classic horror films. Choose your theme and brace yourself for a thrilling, albeit unfair, narrative experience.

Dune: Imperium

### Dune Imperium

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsDespite its reputation as a multiplayer strategy game, Dune: Imperium offers a compelling solo mode with the automated opponent, House Hagal. This solo variant allows you to experience the game's depth and challenge without needing additional players. Face off against two AI opponents at varying difficulty levels, making your solo sessions as satisfying as multiplayer games.

Hadrian’s Wall

### Hadrian's Wall

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-6Play Time: 60 minsHadrian’s Wall elevates the flip-and-write genre with its solo-friendly design. As a Roman general, you'll construct defenses against Pictish invasions using resources drawn from flipped cards. The game's dynamic nature, strategic combos, and commitment to resource management set it apart, offering a rich historical experience that's perfect for solo play.

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 an excellent choice for solo play. Choose from fourteen civilizations, each with a unique deck, and navigate complex mechanisms like trading and economics. The challenge of building your civilization from scratch without collapsing into revolt offers deep replay value and strategic depth.

Frosthaven / Gloomhaven

### Frosthaven

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 minsFrosthaven is a grand, legacy-style fantasy adventure that's perfect for solo gamers seeking an extensive experience. Guide your adventurer through a vast world filled with dungeons and monsters, using card-driven tactical combat. The game's persistent world and permanent card loss add significant weight to each decision, making it a rewarding, multi-session journey. For a more manageable option, consider Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion.

Mage Knight

### Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 60+ minsMage Knight has become a staple in the solo gaming community since its 2011 release. This fantasy epic from Vlaada Chvátil offers a rich experience of combat, character development, and exploration. Plan to dedicate several hours as each turn presents complex decision-making and optimization challenges, making it a deeply engaging solo game.

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 immersive mystery game. With scenarios, maps, and props, you'll solve intricate mysteries across London. The game challenges you to navigate the city and gather clues with minimal guidance, offering a true test of detective skills. It's a challenging yet rewarding experience for solo players.

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 that captures the essence of Space Invaders. Defend your base from descending alien ships by managing dice to shoot them down, build your base, and research solutions. The game's mechanics, where higher dice yield better results but hasten the alien descent, create a compelling strategic challenge with ample replay value.

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 places you as a shipwreck survivor on a hostile island. Choose from various characters, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, to scavenge, build, and explore. The game's solo variant allows you to control multiple characters, adding depth to the experience. Despite its complexity, the game offers a rewarding adventure that encourages multiple playthroughs.

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 stands out in the roll-and-write genre with its deeper gameplay. Manage resources from dice rolls to build and operate a Jurassic World-style theme park. The game's complexity and strategic depth make it a satisfying solo experience, balancing park construction with security to keep your tourists safe.

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 offers a thrilling solo experience as you confront cosmic horrors. Navigate through scenarios, build custom decks, and search for clues to advance the story while managing the Mythos deck's threats. The game's campaign structure and thematic depth make it one of the most immersive horror experiences available.

Cascadia

### Cascadia

0See it at WalmartAge Range: 10+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-45 minsCascadia, while excellent for family play, also offers a compelling solo experience. Build your nature reserve with terrain tiles and animal tokens, aiming to meet various scoring patterns. The game's list of solo achievements challenges you to try different setups and rule tweaks, providing varied and satisfying solo challenges.

Terraforming Mars

### Terraforming Mars

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 1-5Play Time: 120 minsIn Terraforming Mars, transform the Martian landscape into a habitable environment through resource management and tableau building. As a mega-corporation, race against time to meet end-game conditions, growing your action cards into a sprawling tableau. The game's optimization puzzle and expansion scenarios make it a top choice for solo players seeking depth and replayability.

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, protect your land from colonizers using unique power cards to destroy settlements and restore damaged areas. The game's strong theme and strategic card play make it a robust and engaging solo experience.

Solo Board Game FAQs

Is it weird to play board games alone?

Not at all! Playing board games solo has a long history, dating back centuries. From peg solitaire in 1697 to the solitaire card games of the late 1700s, enjoying games alone is as normal as playing video games solo. The joy comes from tackling the game's challenges and improving your performance, along with the tactile and visual pleasures of the game itself. It's no different from enjoying a jigsaw puzzle on your own.