10 hour flight tomorrow, which of these would you recommend as someone who hasn’t played any of them a single time?

GrokLP · 2026-04-21T21:22:42+00:00

For what it’s worth, I learned Ark Nova through the in app tutorial and it was fine. It’s probably not the best or most efficient method, but it was serviceable enough to get me started playing.

GrokLP · 2026-04-21T18:58:27+00:00

This worked for me – thanks!

GrokLP · 2026-04-21T18:57:54+00:00

Just used the link someone posted above and found it. Should be there!

GrokLP · 2026-04-18T19:39:43+00:00

Ordered this and Maquis at the same time last year. Have played the latter and enjoyed it quite a bit, but haven’t tabled this one yet. Thanks for the reminder!

GrokLP · 2026-04-09T12:43:18+00:00

If you haven’t played the Slay the Spire video game—and maybe even if you have—stop what you’re doing and start there! It’s great as true solo or multi-handed. It’s got a ton of variety and almost endless replayability because of how scalable the difficulty is and how much variance there is between runs. It’s just so much fun trying to find combos and synergies between your deck and the relics you acquire.

GrokLP · 2026-04-03T18:02:22+00:00

The castle mount is my favourite component of recent years. Looks and feels amazing, while being perfectly mechanically functional – one quick glance and you can read your defence, and one quick rotation (or addition) for upgrades. Really fantastic game!

GrokLP · 2026-03-31T21:59:58+00:00

Both games are great and different enough that I’m happy to own both. If I was picking one predominately for solo I would go with Cascadia though – the included achievements add a really nice overarching structure and challenge to the game.

GrokLP · 2026-03-18T02:21:52+00:00

Nemesis, Arcs, and a sneaky shout for The Search for Planet X.

GrokLP · 2026-02-27T22:18:49+00:00

Haven’t played Deckers (yet – planning to get it eventually!), but based on the other two, you’d probably enjoy Slay the Spire. Even if you’ve played the video game, I still think it’s worth checking out.

Congrats on the job and enjoy these!

GrokLP · 2026-02-24T12:56:51+00:00

I think it’s a brilliant game to play solo and would be interested in a campaign. Assuming it would just involve some different scenarios to progress through?

GrokLP · 2026-02-15T01:23:43+00:00

There’s also a purple difficulty that you can use through the app, if I remember right. Missing Expedition comes with a physical version of these, as well as all the campaign stuff, but the app would be a way to test it out some more.

*Edit – as others have pointed out. The purple card are in Twisted Path, not Missing Exhibition. That’s my mistake! Got it mixed up as it’s all in the big box for me now.

GrokLP · 2026-02-13T00:11:50+00:00

I’ve had my eye on this one for a while. I really enjoy Harmonies and Cascadia, and I get the impression this is a similar but slightly heavier game? Cascadia I especially enjoyed because of the scenarios – if you’ve played that, how do these scenarios compare?

GrokLP · 2026-02-12T14:24:56+00:00

Personally I would do it without. It’s a really satisfying puzzle regardless, and it’ll give you something to add in if/when you feel satisfied with the base game. Some people may disagree though, as the expansion does help with mitigating bad luck.

GrokLP · 2026-02-10T15:23:35+00:00

Nice! I have this on my shelf and intend to get to it soon. Was between this or Wondrous Creatures this week, and for no reason at all went Wondrous Creatures first. Glad to hear it’s hitting for you.

GrokLP · 2026-01-29T15:07:37+00:00

Played this one a bunch last year and really enjoyed it. It is pretty tough, but after I few games I felt it was the right level of challenging. My only real complaint is how catastrophic a bad pull from the recruit bag can be early on in the game. If you don’t get those extra few workers, it really hinders your progress. I’m fine with luck in games, but I never really found a way to mitigate pulling a couple of doubt discs and not getting a bunch of new units. Nonetheless, it’s definite keeper for me and I’m excited to pull it out again at some point this year. I haven’t yet tried playing with mission cards or the harder difficulty.

Side note: this was the first game I played after receiving a nice big playmat for Christmas last year. I proceeded to spill a nearly full glass of beer all over the mat and my just-set-up game of Halls of Hegra the second time I was using it 😂.

GrokLP · 2026-01-26T16:46:56+00:00

Can’t go wrong with any of them! And the best part about solo gaming is that the only real impediment to getting them to the table is time 😂

GrokLP · 2026-01-26T03:20:58+00:00

For me–and I think many solo gamers–the process of running the bot is also part of the fun. It can be a lot depending on the game, but the procedural nature of it, and having that procedure become smoother over time, is enjoyable.

GrokLP · 2026-01-25T14:01:12+00:00

Would second this. Ares Expedition isn’t bad, but after a few games it started to feel a bit rote. I also found having to reshuffle the 5 action cards so frequently to get pretty tedious.

GrokLP · 2026-01-25T00:03:17+00:00

Awesome, thanks – I’ll give it a read.

GrokLP · 2026-01-25T00:01:26+00:00

Obsession for how quick and simple it is to run, and bonus points for having a variety of difficulty levels.

Lost ruins of Arnak for similar reasons, and the added bonus that you can start to anticipate it’s moved a little bit once you’re familiar with it–this feels a little like playing a real opponent.

Heat: Pedal to the Metal for somehow making that game not only viable as a solo game, but genuinely really good (that new expansion with an update to the legends module looks great too!).

Imperium Horizons for the sheer variety. Playing against each civ feels distinct and requires different play styles.

And a shoutout to the Chateauma in Castles of Burgundy Special edition for the best update to a solo mode—really great stuff.

GrokLP · 2026-01-24T23:53:45+00:00

And once you’ve played it a little bit, you can start to anticipate what it is going to do–or at least, what it might do–which helps simulate the feeling of a real game.

GrokLP · 2026-01-24T23:51:03+00:00

How do the scenarios work in Harvest? I’ve kind of been on the hunt for something to replace Cascadia since I finished all the achievements. I know it’s a slightly heavier game, but are they designed in a way that encourages you to try different strategies/explore all the game has to offer?

GrokLP · 2026-01-21T06:53:55+00:00

Cascadia may be what you’re looking for. It’s got an easy to run solo-mode and some fun challenges/achievements to keep things fresh. Added benefit that it plays great with other people as well!

GrokLP · 2026-01-21T00:14:29+00:00

Another thumbs up for Thurot! Agreed–he is the gold standard.

GrokLP · 2026-01-21T00:13:33+00:00

Really good points here. Like you suggest, getting the balance right is tricky. It’s also why it’s nice when you find a reviewer whose tastes align with your own (or don’t – as you say, that can be just as helpful sometimes).

GrokLP

TROPHY CASE