Best Solo Board Games
Excellent tabletop challenges when game night is just you.
The complete ranking
20 games to consider
Ranked solo board games with meaningful decisions, strong replay value, and verified support for one player.
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01
2017
Gloomhaven
Why it made the listChoose cards for tactical dungeon fights and long-term character growth.
8.6 rating 1–4 players 60–120 min 3.9/5 weightView game details -
02
2021
Ark Nova
Why it made the listDraft cards to grow habitats, sponsor projects, and advance conservation.
8.5 rating 1–4 players 90–150 min 3.7/5 weightView game details -
03
2023
Dune: Imperium – Uprising
Why it made the listBuild a sharper deck, place agents across Arrakis, and turn spies, contracts, and sandworms into a political or military victory.
8.7 rating 1–6 players 60–120 min 3.5/5 weightView game details -
04
2016
Terraforming Mars
Why it made the listPlay project cards to build engines and reshape Mars for scoring.
8.4 rating 1–5 players 3.3/5 weightView game details -
05
Board game
Dune: Imperium
Why it made the listBlend deck-building and worker placement to gain influence across Arrakis.
8.4 rating 1–4 players 60–120 min 3.0/5 weightView game details -
06
2020
Gloomhaven: Jaws Of The Lion
Why it made the listLearn a streamlined campaign through tactical card combat and scenario choices.
8.5 rating 1–4 players 30–120 min 3.6/5 weightView game details -
07
Board game
Spirit Island
Why it made the listCombine spirit powers to repel invaders and protect the island.
8.4 rating 1–4 players 90–120 min 4.1/5 weightView game details -
08
2017
Gaia Project
Why it made the listTerraform planets, upgrade technology, and expand a faction network.
8.4 rating 1–4 players 60–150 min 4.4/5 weightView game details -
09
2016
Scythe
Why it made the listBalance production, movement, combat threats, and faction upgrades in alternate-history Europa.
8.2 rating 1–5 players 90–115 min 3.4/5 weightView game details -
10
2018
Nemesis
Why it made the listSurvive hidden objectives, ship failures, and alien threats with uncertain allies.
8.3 rating 1–5 players 90–180 min 3.5/5 weightView game details -
11
2016
A Feast For Odin
Why it made the listPlace workers across a huge action board to grow a Viking livelihood.
8.2 rating 1–4 players 30–120 min 3.9/5 weightView game details -
12
Board game
Wingspan
Why it made the listBuild bird habitats and chain card powers into efficient scoring engines.
8.1 rating 1–5 players 40–70 min 2.5/5 weightView game details -
13
2016
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Why it made the listBuild investigator decks and resolve branching Lovecraftian scenarios.
8.1 rating 1–2 players 60–120 min 3.5/5 weightView game details -
14
2020
Lost Ruins Of Arnak
Why it made the listBlend deck-building and worker placement to uncover temples and artifacts.
8.1 rating 1–4 players 30–120 min 2.9/5 weightView game details -
15
2021
Great Western Trail: Second Edition
Why it made the listManage cattle, buildings, and rail progress along a looping trail.
8.4 rating 1–4 players 75–150 min 3.7/5 weightView game details -
16
2018
Everdell
Why it made the listPlace workers and play tableau cards to grow a woodland city.
8.0 rating 1–4 players 40–80 min 2.8/5 weightView game details -
17
2011
Mage Knight Board Game
Why it made the listBuild a hand of actions to explore, battle, and conquer a fantasy map.
8.1 rating 1–4 players 60–240 min 4.4/5 weightView game details -
18
2019
Barrage
Why it made the listRoute water through shared infrastructure to power a ruthless hydro economy.
8.2 rating 1–4 players 60–120 min 4.1/5 weightView game details -
19
2015
Viticulture Essential Edition
Why it made the listAssign seasonal workers to make wine and fulfill visitor plans.
8.0 rating 1–6 players 45–90 min 2.9/5 weightView game details -
20
2017
Too Many Bones
Why it made the listBuild dice-driven characters through tactical encounters and branching adventures.
8.4 rating 1–4 players 60–120 min 3.9/5 weightView game details
Buying advice
What makes a strong pick?
Solo gaming works best when the one-player mode feels deliberately designed rather than merely possible. This guide brings together compact puzzles, sprawling adventures, campaign games, and strategic sandboxes that give a single player worthwhile decisions.
Who this list is for
Players looking for a quiet puzzle, a campaign to own, or a strategic game that does not depend on assembling a group.
What stands out
The strongest picks create pressure and variety without asking one person to simulate several competing players.
What to consider
Solo modes vary widely in setup, upkeep, and reliance on automa rules; check the game page before choosing a heavier title.
Our methodology
How this guide is built
Games must support one player in the catalog. Ranking then favors established overall rank, Bayesian rating, rating depth, and the quality of the solo experience described by the game data.
Ratings and rank are useful signals, not the whole recommendation. ABG keeps the URL stable and refreshes the ordering as its catalog evidence improves.
Questions, answered
About this list
How were the games on this list chosen?
Games must support one player in the catalog. Ranking then favors established overall rank, Bayesian rating, rating depth, and the quality of the solo experience described by the game data.
Who is this list most useful for?
Players looking for a quiet puzzle, a campaign to own, or a strategic game that does not depend on assembling a group.
How often is this list updated?
ABG refreshes official lists as catalog rankings, ratings, specifications, and classifications improve. The URL stays stable when the order changes.