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in Dreams - a Slightly Surreal Storytelling Game for one Player (14+) | $17.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Just One Party Game (White Box) | Cooperative Board Game for Adults and Kids | Fun Games for Family... | $16.69 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 3 |
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Bag of Dungeon - A Popular Fantasy Crawler Adventure Board Game | Enter The Dragon's Lair | 1-4... | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
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Final Girl Core Box – Board Game by Van Ryder Games 1 Player – Board Games for Solo Play –... | $18.16 | Buy on Amazon | |
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AEG Tiny Towns - Award-Winning Board Game, Base Set, 1-6 Players, 45-60 min Play Time, Strategy... | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 6 |
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Operation Electronic Board Game, Family Games for Kids Ages 6+, Kids Board Games for 1+ Players,... | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Clue Board Game Treachery at Tudor Mansion, Murder Mystery Escape Room Games, Cooperative Family... | $16.22 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 8 |
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Lynnvander Studios Minotaur - Lynnvander Studios, Work Together to Break The Minotaur's Curse &... | $17.79 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 9 |
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Choose Your Own Adventure House of Danger Board/ Strategy Game | Cooperative Adventure Game for... | $16.81 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 10 |
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Bristol 1350 Board Game of Strategy, Deceit, and Luck for 1-9 Players | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Contents
Exploring the Best One Player Board Games on Amazon in 2024
The world of board gaming has evolved significantly over the years, and the best one player board games are at the forefront of this revolution. If you’re someone who enjoys immersive experiences alone or simply needs a break from multiplayer chaos, 2024 offers an exciting range of options to explore. In this article, we will delve into the top 10 one-player board games available on Amazon, providing detailed reviews and insights to help you select the best game for your needs.
1. Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition
Released in 2021, Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition is a streamlined card game that retains the beloved mechanics of the original Terraforming Mars but removes the complexity for solo play. As the head of a corporation, you take on the task of transforming the Martian landscape into a habitable environment.
In the solo variant, you face specific challenges that ramp up the difficulty, pushing you to optimize your actions effectively. The game is rich in strategy, offering a unique blend of resource management and engine building. The artistic elements are beautifully done, providing an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
This game appeals to both veteran gamers and newcomers, making it one of the best one player board games available today. For solo enthusiasts, the satisfying sense of progress as you terraform Mars is immensely rewarding.
- Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition is a faster version of the original with an optional co-op mode
- For 1-4 players
- Ages 14+
- Game Time: 45-60 min
- English (Publication Language)
2. Spirit Island
Spirit Island, first released in 2017, is a cooperative land-defense game where you’re a spirit protecting your island from colonization. The solo variant allows you to embody one or more spirits, giving you the opportunity to engage in strategic depth and complex decision-making.
The game showcases a variety of spirits, each with unique powers and abilities, which means no two games are the same. In 2024, this game stands out for its environmental themes and strong narrative elements. It’s perfect for players seeking to immerse themselves in a deeply thematic experience that also requires strategic thinking.
What makes Spirit Island one of the best one player board games is how it naturally escalates in complexity and difficulty, providing a satisfying challenge that rewards strategic foresight and planning.
- DEFEND THE LAND: Colonizers are trying to take and blight the island wherever they explore. As Spirits of the island, you can defend your home from the invading forces!
- COOPERATIVE GAMEPLAY: You and your friends are working together to fight against the terrible invaders! Or, you can opt to play alone with special single player rules.
- HIGHLY THEMATIC: Not only do the invaders have an engine all their own, each Spirit is highly themed to reflect what they're special at. Lightning's Swift Strife acts fast, while Vital Strength of the Earth takes longer to move.
- THRILLING ADVERSARIES: Not only can you play with just the ambiguous invaders, you can opt for two different adversaries to make replaying the game all the more fun!
- CHALLENGING SPIRITS: From low to moderate to high, there's a Spirit for everyone! Play those challenging Spirits along with adversaries to make it all that much harder. Will you be able to defend the island?
3. Frosthaven
Frosthaven, the much-anticipated sequel to Gloomhaven, is a massive campaign-style game that supports solo play. Released in 2021, this game continues the legacy of its predecessor by combining role-playing elements with tactical dungeon-crawling that allows players to explore a vast world filled with unique challenges.
Playing solo, you take control of multiple characters, enabling you to strategize your moves more effectively. The narrative aspect is rich, allowing you to forge connections and make meaningful choices throughout the campaign. The extensive content available makes Frosthaven arguably one of the best one player board games, as each session feels fresh and engaging.
Fans of adventure and strategy will undoubtedly fall in love with the deep lore and interactive mechanics that Frosthaven has to offer, solidifying its place in the solo gaming community.
- Frosthaven is a standalone adventure board game from the designer and publisher of Gloomhaven.
- All Characters and items from Gloomhaven will be usable in Frosthaven, and vice versa.
- In addition to having the well-known combat mechanisms of Gloomhaven, Frosthaven features much more to do outside of combat.
- In Frosthaven, experience new game mechanics such as solving numerous mysteries, a seasonal event system to live through, and player control over how this ramshackle village expands. With each new building offering new ways to progress.
- Frosthaven is a cooperative campaign game of tactical combat and branching narratives in a unique fantasy world.
4. The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a trick-taking card game that focuses on communication and teamwork, but its solo variant embraces a challenge where players must complete missions independently. Released in 2019, this game has won several awards and is recognized for its innovative gameplay.
As you complete various missions, your strategy improves, making each game feel rewarding. The game’s unique design makes it one of the best one player board games for fans of puzzles and challenges who also enjoy narrative-driven gameplay. The simple yet captivating graphics add to the overall charm and appeal.
This game is particularly great for solitary thinkers who enjoy overcoming obstacles through careful planning and execution.
- Cooperative strategy game--win or lose together!
- A new twist on classic trick-taking card games
- Difficulty increases as the game progresses, making it a good choice for players of all skill levels
- Uses common card game mechanics like tricks and following suit
- The game spans 50 different missions across the solar system, each mission takes 5-10 minutes
5. Onirim
Onirim, originally published in 2010 and widely recognized for its engaging mechanics, is a solo card game where you navigate a mystical labyrinth to discover doors that lead to freedom. In 2024, it continues to be popular due to its simplicity and captivating artwork.
The game combines elements of strategy and luck as players draw cards and make decisions on how to utilize their limited resources. The atmospheric art and music create an enchanting experience, making it soothing while also mentally stimulating.
Onirim is perfect for those looking for quick gameplay that can be finished in about 30 minutes, ensuring you can enjoy an engaging experience without a lengthy commitment.
- EXPLORE A WOLRD OF DREAMS: Wander through a mysterious labyrinth as you search for the doors of dreams. Will you linger in the same space or will you rely on chance and the powerful Prophecies? Whatever you choose, time is short, and you are not alone in the labyrinth.
- SOLO OR COOPERATIVE TWO-PLAYER STRATEGY CARD GAME: Players navigate the landscape of dreams. By playing or discarding Location cards, players search for oneiric doors that will lead them through the dream labyrinth. Playing three Location cards of the same color in a row reveals a door.
- CHALLENGING EXPLORATION GAME: Using the power of Prophecy, players can re-order the top five cards of the deck. Terrifying nightmares slither through its corridors to thwart players’ quest by any means possible. If players get all eight Door cards into play before the deck runs out, they escape the labyrinth and win the game!
- HIGHLY VARIABLE: Onirim contains the base game plus seven expansions that can alter your journey through the labyrinth in new and mysterious ways by adding new cards and new challenges. Each expansion can be played on its own and all are compatible with one another.
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This game is designed for 1 to 2 players and is suitable for ages 10 and older. Average playtime is approximately 15 minutes.
6. Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a cooperative living card game that immerses players in a Lovecraftian universe. Released in 2016, this game provides a unique solo mode where players can embark on gloomy, mysterious narratives as investigators trying to thwart eldritch horrors.
The game excels in storytelling, allowing you to shape the narrative as you progress through scenarios. As a solo player, you’ll often find yourself faced with tough decisions that impact the game’s outcome. This rich tapestry of choices and consequences makes Arkham Horror one of the best one player board games for narrative enthusiasts.
The depth of the game’s mechanics, combined with its engaging atmosphere and artwork, establishes it as a must-try for any solo gamer looking for an immersive experience.
- A LIVING CARD GAME OF ELDRITCH MYSTERY: In the sleepy town of Arkham, Massachusetts, a small band of intrepid investigators seeks to uncover the nature of a sinister menace that threatens humanity. But beware! The arcane realm holds countless terrors, and the investigators must take care to maintain a tenuous grip upon their very sanity, and survive.
- REVISED VERSION OF THE CLASSIC HORROR GAME: With a single copy of the Revised Core Set, players have everything they need to start playing with one to four players—just by picking a pre-built investigator deck and leaping into the first scenario of the Night of the Zealot campaign included in this Core Set.
- COOPERATIVE GAME: You and your friends become investigators within the quiet New England town of Arkham, Massachusetts. No matter what compels you or haunts you, you'll find both your strengths and weaknesses reflected in your custom deck of cards. These cards will be your resources as you work with your friends to unravel the world's most terrifying mysteries.
- HIGHLY VARIABLE: New players can get their first taste of the horrors of the Mythos with the included Night of the Zealot three-part campaign. Once you’ve completed these three scenarios, there are plenty of options for the next campaign. The Revised Core Set is fully compatible with all previously released Arkham Horror: The Card Game products.
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: These scary games are designed for 1 to 4 players and are suitable for ages 14 and older. Average game time is approximately 1 to 2 hours.
7. Chronicles of Crime
Chronicles of Crime is a unique blend of board game and app-based gameplay that revolves around detective work. Released in 2018, the game allows for solo play where you become an investigator seeking to solve various crimes in Victorian London.
The integration of VR and scanning technology enhances the experience, making investigations feel compelling and technologically advanced. Players gather clues, interrogate suspects, and build a case against criminals based on gathered evidence. This innovative approach sets Chronicles of Crime apart from typical detective games, establishing it as one of the best one player board games in 2024.
It’s an excellent choice for players who enjoy puzzle-solving and narratively rich experiences.
- IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A MYSTERY: Solve gripping crimes and mysteries in this thrilling board game that blends detective work with cutting-edge technology.
- INNOVATIVE GAMEPLAY: Utlizie the free smartphone app to examine crime scenes, question suspects, and follow leads in virtual reality.
- COOPERATIVE EXPERIENCE: Collaborate with friends to crack the case as you piece together clues and work against the clock.
- MULTIPLE SCENARIOS: Explore a variety of intriguing cases with unique storylines, ensuring endless hours of engaging gameplay.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY: Dynamic storytelling and randomized elements make each playthrough a fresh and exciting challenge.
8. Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale
Cartographers, released in 2019, is a unique roll-and-write game that has proven to be an excellent solo option. In this game, players take on the role of royal cartographers tasked with mapping uncharted territories.
The game cleverly utilizes a grid to allow players to sketch out their own maps based on resources rolled each round. The strategic depth lies in how you choose to place terrain on your map to maximize scores, making it one of the best one player board games for anyone who enjoys spatial puzzles. The presentation is charming, and the gameplay is both engaging and relaxing, ideal for solo sessions.
Its accessibility and replayability solidify Cartographers as a staple in the solo gaming community.
- EXPLORE THE WILDERNESS: The Queen has tasked you with scouting new territories in the World of Ulos, first introduced in the hit game Roll Player!
- DRAW YOUR MAP: 100 double-sided map sheets challenge players to draw unique terrain shapes on their maps over the course of four “seasons.”
- BEWARE OF MONSTERS: It’s an Ambush! Draw these beastly attackers, but be sure to surround them swiftly before they cost you dearly…
- UNIQUE SCORING: Goals are randomly selected each game, creating different scoring challenges and combos each time you play.
- English (Publication Language)
9. Escape: The Curse of the Temple
Escape: The Curse of the Temple is a real-time adventure game that immerses players in a frantic race against time. Released in 2012, the game includes a solo variant where you face the same tense challenges alone.
The game captures the feeling of urgency as players navigate a temple filled with traps and treasures. The unique real-time element combined with the theme of exploration makes Escape one of the best one player board games still thrilling in 2024. The stress and excitement while managing chaos create an exceptional solo experience that is hard to replicate.
This game is perfect for those who thrive under pressure and love puzzle-solving within a strict timeframe.
- Roll & write version of the popular Escape: The Curse of the Temple board game
- 2-4 players
- 45 minute playtime
10. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a more accessible version of the titan Gloomhaven, released in 2020. It maintains the essence of immersive strategy and storytelling in a format suitable for solo players in shorter play sessions.
You assume the role of a mercenary in a fantastical world and engage in grid-based tactical battles all while following a narrative arc. The solo experience is effective and engaging, making it easy to set up and play at your own pace. This streamlined version is lauded as one of the best one player board games, particularly for those who want deep gameplay without the lengthy commitment of Gloomhaven.
It offers a brilliant combination of strategy, narrative depth, and tactical thinking, ensuring every session is uniquely compelling.
- Playable as a stand-alone game or as an expansion to Gloomhaven
- Cooperative campaign game of tactical combat set in the Gloomhaven universe
- Players will assume the roles of 4 new hardened mercenaries and work together to fight through a new prequel campaign full of choices, challenges, and twists.
- New built in tutorials, learn-to-play guide, and play-surface scenario books allow players to jump into the action more quickly and easily than ever before.
- English (Publication Language)
Buying Guide for the Best One Player Board Games
Choosing the best one player board games requires considering several factors to ensure a fulfilling gaming experience. Let’s explore some key considerations when shopping for a solo board game in 2024.
1. Game Complexity
Understanding the complexity of a game is vital. Some solo board games may have straightforward mechanics, while others are deeply strategic. Consider whether you prefer a quick game that can be completed in under an hour or one that involves a multi-session campaign.
2. Theme and Story
The thematic experience can heavily influence your enjoyment. If you’re drawn to specific genres like sci-fi, fantasy, or mystery, look for games that resonate with those. A compelling narrative can enhance gameplay, making the experience more immersive.
3. Replayability
Look for games that offer variability in gameplay, whether through multiple scenarios, different paths, or random setups. High replayability ensures you won’t tire of the game quickly, making your investment worth it.
4. Player Reviews
Always check customer reviews on platforms like Amazon. Insights from other players can help gauge the game’s quality and determine whether it meets your expectations for solo play.
5. Game Duration
Consider how much time you’re willing to dedicate to each gaming session. Some games may require quick 30-minute playthroughs, while others can stretch into several hours. Adjust your choice to fit your schedule.
6. Components and Quality
The physical components of a game can impact the experience. Games with high-quality materials and art tend to enhance immersion. Pay attention to the components and reviews regarding their quality before purchasing.
Conclusion
In 2024, the landscape of solo board gaming is vibrant and diverse, offering numerous exciting options for single players. The best one player board games listed above reflect a range of themes and mechanics that cater to various preferences. Whether you’re tackling strategic challenges alone in Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition or unraveling mysteries in Chronicles of Crime, the selection provides something for everyone.
As you embark on your solo gaming adventures, remember to consider the factors outlined in our buying guide to ensure you choose a game that perfectly aligns with your gaming style. Happy gaming!
Last update on 2024-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API | votechriscarrillo.com is a participant in the Amazon Associate program and will earn from qualifying purchases.