Hey there, solo gamers! It’s time for my annual roundup of the best solo board games 2024. This year’s list is packed with everything from quick card games to sprawling civilizations, from compact VHS box games to table-filling epics.
Before we dive in, a quick note: these aren’t necessarily games that came out in 2024 – they’re the games that have hit my table most often and impressed me the most during my solo gaming sessions this year. You’ll find a mix of dedicated solo games, games with great solo modes, and even some surprising entries that might make you look at certain titles differently.
I’ve played all these games extensively throughout the year, both for my content creation work and my own enjoyment. Some are returning favorites that have earned their spots through consistent excellence, while others are new discoveries that have blown me away. Whether you’re a seasoned solo gamer or just getting started, I think you’ll find something interesting here.
Let’s start with number 20 and work our way up to my absolute favorite solo game of 2024…
20. Fantastic Factories
Coming in at number 20 is Fantastic Factories, which is a dice placement and engine building game that I think really packs a lot of game into a relatively small package. You’re building up your factory, using your dice, and there are so many ways to combine things and have fun with all the combinations. One of my favorite strategies is chaining metal production buildings with refineries – it’s so satisfying when it all clicks together! The game takes about 30 minutes solo, and setup is super quick, making it perfect for a lunch break gaming session. It’s easy to pull out, really offers a challenge, and I think it’s just a great game overall.
19. Paladins of the West Kingdom
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know this game has been everywhere on my lists – it’s been number one, number two, you name it. It’s fallen off a bit for me simply because I haven’t had time to play it as much, but it’s still a fantastic worker placement game with a great solo mode. It’s definitely on the heavier side – expect about 90 minutes for a full game, and you’ll want a good-sized table for this one. The AI opponent, while straightforward to run, does offer a nice challenging opponent. It’s easy to play but really provides a challenge. I still think it’s a great game – it’s just something I get to a little bit less these days.
18. Aeon’s End
Number 18 is Aeon’s End – and I mean any Aeon’s End really. I have Legacy, I have New Age, I have the original. It’s a deck building game where you’re mages with powerful abilities, and the unique thing is that you never shuffle your discard pile – you just flip it over and use it. This creates such interesting decisions – do you use that powerful spell now, knowing it’ll be a while before you see it again? Each game runs about 45-60 minutes, and while setup takes a bit of time with all the market cards, the payoff is worth it. If you enjoy other deck builders but want something more strategic, this is definitely worth checking out. There’s a lot to think about, and I’ve come to realize I love deck building, so this is a great one for me. It does need a bit more investment to get into, I think. I’ve completely reset the Legacy version and plan to play that in the coming year.
17. Legacy of Yu
At number 17 we have Legacy of Yu, where you’re placing workers and managing your resources to stay ahead of the flood. The game really shines in how it creates tension – every decision feels important because you’re always racing against the flood timer. A full game takes about 45 minutes, and the campaign adds an amazing sense of progression without getting too rules-heavy. It’s a great solo-only game with a campaign that’s pretty replayable because you’re drawing cards and adding and subtracting from the total. There are snippets to read, and I think overall it just really gives that worker placement heavy Eurogame feeling without being too heavy and intense. Since it’s specifically meant for solo play, it just works perfectly for that purpose.
16. Unconscious Mind
Number 16 is Unconscious Mind, a relatively new game with a psychological theme. You’re trying to help people overcome things using dreams and combining different elements together. The theme really comes through in the mechanics – each patient’s story unfolds through the cards you play, and it feels less like you’re just moving cubes around and more like you’re actually helping someone. You’ll want to set aside about 60-75 minutes for a full session, and I’d recommend your first play when you’re not tired – there’s a lot to take in. I know games with lots of elements can be hit or miss, but for me, this one is definitely a hit. The solo mode works great, though it is a bit involved – so know what you’re getting into. The game looks fantastic, the theme is really interesting, and I feel like I can really dive into it and get my money’s worth.
15. Rome: Fate of an Empire
Coming in at 15 is something really different – Rome: Fate of an Empire, one of those solo-of-the-month games that comes in a VHS tape box. I think this really shows how great solo games can be, even in a smaller package. The genius of this game is how it fits a civilization-building experience into something you can play in 20-30 minutes. The footprint is pretty small too! You’re building up your empire by adding and flipping cards in your grid, managing resources and different symbols. It just packs so much into such a small game! I’ve actually brought this to work conventions and played it in my hotel room – it doesn’t take up much space but makes me feel like I’m really playing a substantial game.
14. It’s a Wonderful World
It’s a Wonderful World has been on my list pretty much every year, and for good reason. It’s a card drafting engine building game that shows how much you can do with such a simple concept. The solo mode really captures the tension of the multiplayer game – you’re constantly making tough choices about which cards to keep and which to recycle for resources. A game takes about 30 minutes, and setup is minimal – just shuffle and deal. What I love is how different each game feels depending on your starting empire card. You have your cards, you put cubes on them when you collect resources, and you’re building up your little engine. The more cards you have, the more symbols you have, so the more you can build – you just try to keep that going. The different campaigns and expansions really add to the game. If I want to have a fun solo session, I can just grab this and start playing. I can make it as easy or difficult as I want, and it’s just so versatile.
13. The White Castle
The White Castle was kind of a surprise for me because the theme didn’t really appeal to me at first, but when you put it out on the table, it looks great! It plays in about 45 minutes, and the variable setup adds great replayability. If you enjoy games like Castles of Burgundy solo, you’ll probably love this one too. You’re using dice to manipulate actions on the board, trying to build up your whole castle engine with economy and military aspects to manage. It works great, it’s fun, and it comes in a small box. I think this is the kind of game you can show to anyone, and they’d be really interested in playing it. And as a solo game, it just works perfectly.
12. Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall has been on my list pretty much every year too. It’s a flip and write where you have to manage resources and try to fill all the different tracks you have. What makes this game stand out is how interconnected everything is – choosing to build a wall section might give you resources for your military, which could then fuel your economy. Each game takes about 45-60 minutes once you know what you’re doing, and you can easily pause between rounds if needed. It’s fallen down a bit for me because I’ve caught myself using the same strategies over and over, so the replayability sometimes feels a bit less. But when I put it away for a while and come back to it, I can pick it up right away and still have fun. I think it deserves this spot because it’s still a great game, even after playing it so many times.
11. Wayfarers of the South Tigris
At number 11 we have Wayfarers of the South Tigris, and I’ve played this both multiplayer and solo – I like it both ways! The game really shines in how it handles resource conversion – you’re constantly navigating these interesting decisions about when to convert resources versus when to use them. A full game takes about 60-75 minutes, and while there is some setup involved with the journaling spaces and all of the cards, the gameplay makes it worth it. The way you have to build up your tableau on all sides while combining all the symbols and really thinking about your strategy adds so much fun. I think this is one of the better Garfo games, in my opinion.
10. Dieson Crusoe
Kicking off our top 10 is Dieson Crusoe, another brilliant VHS tape solo-of-the-month game. If you’ve played Robinson Crusoe and thought “I wish I could get this experience in 30 minutes,” this is exactly what you’re looking for. The game creates that same survival tension but in a much more approachable package. The dice manipulation gives you just enough control while still maintaining the feeling that you’re struggling against the elements. It reminds me of Robinson Crusoe, but in a smaller package and shorter game time. The solo-only design really shows in how smoothly everything works together.
9. Conservas
Coming in at number 9 is Conservas, and I know what you’re thinking – a game about canning fish? Really? But trust me on this one! The bag-building mechanism is so clever – you’re constantly balancing between adding better fishing tokens to your bag and maintaining the ecosystem. A typical game runs about 45-60 minutes, and the campaign adds these great narrative moments that really make you care about your little fishing operation. What’s particularly cool is how different strategies can work – you might focus on efficient canning one game and conservation bonuses in another.
8. Darwin’s Journey
This is a game that might seem overwhelming at first glance – there’s a lot going on – but everything works together beautifully. What makes it special is the worker placement system where you’re not just choosing spaces, but actually creating them. There’s a lot going on, but it does all work together really well. I think as a solo game it also works really well, and I enjoy it. I have the physical game, which I enjoy, but I also play it a lot on Board Game Arena, and both ways are great. The brilliance is in how you can approach the worker placement spots in different ways – each game feels like a new puzzle as you decide where to invest first and how to build your engine. A full game takes about 90 minutes, but the decisions are so engaging that the time flies by.
7. Skytear Horde
This game took me completely by surprise – it’s a deck-building MOBA that actually works! Each session runs about 45 minutes, and the way it streamlines the MOBA experience for solo play is brilliant. The lane management creates this fantastic tension where you’re constantly deciding where to commit your resources. You’re building your deck and fighting monsters in different lanes, and you have to think about both your own strategy and what the opposing enemies are doing. I love how each hero plays differently, and the progression system gives you that same satisfying feeling of powering up that you get in video game MOBAs. I’ve been eyeing Monoliths, the standalone expansion, because I really enjoy this game and think more content would add even more fun ways to build decks and fight different enemies.
6. Shipwrights of the North Sea Redux
Don’t let the “Redux” in the title fool you – this isn’t just a simple remake. The game takes about 60 minutes to play, and while the box might seem big for what it is, every bit of space is used for meaningful decisions. You’re building your Viking ships, managing resources, and adding cards for more worker placement spots. The brilliance is in how you can shape your strategy – maybe you’re focusing on efficient resource conversion one game, or pushing for quick ship completion in another. The variable worker placement spots mean each game develops differently, and the solo mode really captures the essence of the multiplayer experience.
5. Saltfjord
Saltfjord is a game that proves that having a different approach is still possible in worker placement games. The grid activation system, where you’re using dice or board actions to trigger different combinations of actions, creates these fantastic puzzle-like turns. Each game runs about 45-60 minutes, and the solo mode’s mandatory goals add just the right amount of pressure to your decisions. The way you can build out your grid is different every time, which really affects how you approach your objectives. The beauty of the design is how it creates these moments where you realize you can chain actions together in clever ways – it’s like discovering a new combo in a card game, but with worker placement.
4. Halls of Hegra
This was a real surprise for me because I don’t typically play war games. It’s a fascinating piece of history wrapped in an accessible game system – you’re defending this Norwegian fortress through distinct phases: preparation and siege. Each game takes about 75-90 minutes, and while it’s challenging (I still haven’t won!), it never feels unfair. The way it handles resource management during the preparation phase creates real tension – every choice matters because you know the siege is coming. It’s a solo-only game that packs so much theme and strategy that it just flew up my rankings.
3. SETI
What makes SETI special is how it takes the familiar engine-building and adds a bunch of elements to be able to make more and better combo’s throughout the game. A typical game runs 45-60 minutes, but you’ll want to plan for longer your first few plays while you learn the combo system. The theme really comes through – you feel like you’re actually discovering and decoding something meaningful. The way that this game lets you make combos and create interesting interactions makes it so much more than a basic engine builder. Each new game feels like you’re discovering new combinations you hadn’t considered before.
2. Imperium (Horizons, Legends, Classics)
These games are like having an entire civilization-building experience in a deck of cards. Each session runs about 60-90 minutes, and while there’s some complexity to learn, it’s all in service of creating these really satisfying civilization arcs. Horizons, in particular, has these fantastic new solo rules that create a more streamlined experience without losing any depth. You’re building your civilization throughout the game, trying to make the best civilization you can while competing against different AI opponents. What’s particularly impressive is how each civilization feels distinct – playing as Romans feels notably different from playing as Atlanteans, both in mechanics and theme.
1. Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs
This is the perfect example of how to distill a bigger game’s essence into a more approachable package. It takes everything I love about Gloomhaven and Frosthaven – the tactical combat, the card management, the progression – and streamlines it into a 30-45 minute experience that doesn’t sacrifice what makes these games special. I love Gloomhaven and Frosthaven, and I played Gloomhaven solo for a long time. What’s brilliant about Buttons and Bugs is how it maintains that same tactical depth while being much easier to get to the table. The scenarios are cleverly designed to create interesting decisions with just a handful of components. It just works perfectly, and that’s why it’s my number one solo game of 2024.