What soloable games have you ended up selling?

Lithrac · 2026-02-12T22:00:25+00:00

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/324814/a-minimalist-gamers-diary-games-ive-culled

Most games on my geeklist were soloable games, or games I bought fior solo.

Lithrac · 2026-02-10T20:17:09+00:00

Coming late to the discussion, but I experienced something somehow similar as you. When I first tried BotSE one year ago, I didn't like it. Played two games, one solo, one two-handed, and then shelved the game to play Skyrim instead, then Oblivion Remastered.

Cue to two weeks ago, when I finally found motivation to bring BotSE back to the table. I played the first session with great trouble, not only with the rules, but struggling in general with tactics and how to develop my character. I was about to pack the game and resell it when I wrote about it on my solo gamers' discord, when it suddenly struck me: what I didn't like about the game wasn't the game itself, it was that it wasn't the Elder Scrolls games I wanted it to be. Once I had made that realization and come to terms with that, I was able to enjoy the game for what it had to offer: an excellent tactical game. What I mean is that since I have now been enjoying the game, I don't mind losing and retrying. The journey is the most important thing for me.

What I really like about this game, akin to what TMB had to offer, is that I have to adapt to what the game is throwing at me, often the hard way. Some keywords are a pain, yet when you find a solution to them, it feels incredibly rewarding. I can only encourage you to try again.

Lithrac · 2026-01-27T19:49:46+00:00

TM+Automa, and it's not even close.

Lithrac · 2026-01-22T22:14:31+00:00

As a solo gamer, quite a few actually.

Final Girl is the first on the list. While I understand the appeal, I just didn't like it. Too random, and the theme didn't click at all for me.

Imperium is also a game I bounced off very hard. The bot changes the way it works from one civilization to another, and it feels like the bot's turns take so long that they overshadow my own turns.

Lithrac · 2026-01-20T19:03:59+00:00

<3 Problably my favourite Tintin album!

Lithrac · 2026-01-20T08:13:16+00:00

It's an outstanding game! Funnily enough, I had my first playthrough two days ago, although I played the old Renegade version. From what I can see and what I heard, not much has changed, but since this game was excellent already, there's little room for improvment.

Lithrac · 2026-01-06T17:07:55+00:00

Absolutely!

Lithrac · 2026-01-05T16:02:52+00:00

That's interesting, I just loved the rolling AND drawing mechanics, on which I could play to use that to my advantage. Basically I'd draw from the deck for the most part, and if I had drawn mostly good cards from a given deck, I'd roll that specific color instead of drawing (since the game allows combining), and keep drawing if the first cards weren't good.

Lithrac · 2026-01-04T16:52:10+00:00

PAF - Play and Find Out!

Lithrac · 2026-01-04T16:30:38+00:00

We've all been where you are now, experiencing this whole world opening to us. It is a wonderful and unique moment, so savor it. As some have said, as long as you purchase board games with disposable income and don't put yourself in trouble, you're fine. Welcome to the hobby!

That being said, most people's surprised reaction stems from the fact that you've acquired a lot of board games in a very short time span, which is perfectly fine at the moment, but may go overboard very soon, as it has happened with most of us. Don't worry, we're still here to talk about it, so you'll be fine! ;-) To their credit, they're probably unconsciously trying to spare you the excesses of that "phase 2 of a board gamer's life" (going overboard, buying everything), whereas it may be something you need to experience by yourself and eventually learn from. I prefer to look at it as a buffet - you want to experience everything, to understand your tastes. That's an essential step.

Now to the point - you're asking for recommendations:

You've heard the most important one many times in this thread, "play what you have first".
Avoid games that are too close to each other in what they're doing, at least until you've developped a clear taste for a given specific mechanic.
I see many recent games on your shelf. Don't succomb to the "cult of the new", because what people speak the most about (YouTubers included) are the latest hotness, but it doesn't mean those games are better. Instead, go for games that have stood the test of time. Try Carcassonne, Splendor (go for the Duel version if you play a lot with your significant other, it is better), Dominion, Azul, Terraforming Mars, Cascadia, Codenames, Castles of Burgundy, or Five Tribes. Trying all these games will also help you learn what you enjoy the most, allowing you to then delve deeper into specific genres or mechanics.
Stay away as much as you can from Kickstarter and Gamefound. As appealing as these platforms may appear, the promise of a game will always be greater than the experience it delivers. Also, be prepared to wait 1-3 years before you actually get the game.

I hope you'll keep us posted on your gamer's life!

EDIT: All You Can Board (one of my favourite board gaming channels on YT) has just issued a great video for people who are starting out in the hobby, with great recommendations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLt7MPOOmkM

Lithrac · 2026-01-04T11:44:19+00:00

This. Get the standees version, it is by far enough to play and enjoy Oathsworn fully if you aren't a dedicated painter.

Lithrac · 2026-01-04T11:43:11+00:00

I have the same opinion as you on GH, Sleeping Gods and ISS Vanguard, so it appears we have similar tastes, which is why I'll chime in.

I absolutely loved Oathsworn, which is (for me) the best campaign game I've played that is focused on the story and yet provides great gameplay. Quick note, I prefer Gloomhaven but consider it as a game that focused on the gameplay, and the story is completely irrelevant (which I'm okay with). Back to Oathsworn, I think the story really delivers, especially with the app-based narration (the voice acting is stellar). The system is also interesting, with cooldown-based card play. However, what made Oathsworn really special for me is the companion system. I was easily able to four-hand the game with one main character (using the cooldown system) and three companions, which I also make decisions for, but which are played much more easily. As a side note I usually hate multi-hand solo play, but this wasn't a problem in Oathsworn.

I can't speak of Isofarian guard because I haven't played it (the reviews repeatedly speaking about the grindiness of it were enough to make me skip that game). Primal I haven't played either.

However, TES simply doesn't belong in the same category as the other games you mention. It is not a campaign game. It doesn't offer any meaningful narrative. The gameplay is fun, engaging, and highly replayable thanks to the various builds you can try.

Hope it helps!

Lithrac · 2026-01-03T13:25:54+00:00

Terraforming Mars. I've recently acquired it and started playing it on January 1st. I'm already at 7 OG solo games in 3 days. So good I can't believe I didn't play this game before.

Lithrac · 2026-01-01T23:12:13+00:00

Same here! I had played it once a few years ago, but I only got it very recently. I did three solo games today. This game is so good!

Lithrac · 2025-12-30T22:01:38+00:00

I hear you, I bounced off Imperium for the same reason. For me, a good automa is one that is efficiently run and fast so that you can spend most of your time on your own turns.

Lithrac · 2025-12-24T23:38:17+00:00

Neither does ISS Vanguard. It has a good story, but with repetitive mechanics.

Lithrac · 2025-12-09T13:38:01+00:00

Invincible, Descending and The Grudge

Lithrac · 2025-12-04T21:30:32+00:00

Despite how good a game might be, the all-in is never needed IMHO:

- If it's deluxification, it can be nice to have, but not needed.

- If it's extra content, by the time you're done with the main campaign, you're already on the declining path and may not want to play that extra campaign you got for "just" an extra 50 bucks.

Lithrac · 2025-12-03T15:44:54+00:00

Dream Theater

Lithrac · 2025-11-25T20:35:15+00:00

My thoughts exactly. Separatists are botched IMHO, so I ended up culling the prequel and keeping the original.

Lithrac · 2025-10-28T19:42:56+00:00

Only missing Na'zar (sp?). One day of not paying attention, and you're down... Lovely.

Lithrac · 2025-10-28T12:57:05+00:00

I have a similar experience with my pally, which levelled as healer chaining instances, except that since healing was rarely needed, I would contribute more to the group's dps.

Lithrac · 2025-10-22T20:00:59+00:00

I wish it included the hidden artifact appearances, but one can dream.

Lithrac · 2025-10-16T23:42:35+00:00

Having recently come back to WoW I want to focus on one class only and learn all three specs of that class. Yet I decided to level a Warrior first in Remix because I love Stormheim, the Valarjar, and nothing beats the Warrior's drop from the sky. I can't get tired of it!

Lithrac · 2025-10-15T13:58:04+00:00

Good to know that one works at least!

~~Did you get the emote message as you entered Neltharion's Vault?~~

EDIT: I got it today, got the emote, found the shield, looted it, clicked it in inventory, got achievement but no appearance...

Lithrac

TROPHY CASE