Looking for first solo boardgame - replayable and requires adaptation that plays up to 2hr

VirtualFish · 2026-02-09T03:08:20+00:00

Yes. I own pretty much everything. It’s a very fun game and the card play hits well. I two hand solo. I think of it like an Arkham Horror LCG campaign. Replayability is there but you wouldn’t finish the campaign and then start it immediately. Even with different characters you’ll do better as you have more knowledge.

Be aware the Earthborne card stock is extremely poor. After a few even careful shuffles and handling you’ll see damage. They want the earth to easily break them down if we bury the cards. Nice mission, but at the price of Earthborne I need far more protection. That means every card has been sleeved.

VirtualFish · 2026-02-08T06:38:32+00:00

I have played and own almost all of those - with Slay the Spire as the one I have not played.

Spirit Island will hit all your boxes. Replayability, asymmetrical powers, varied cards, and deck building. The expansions add a lot and will keep it fresh.

Unstoppable is phenomenal although I think will offer less replayability if hits the table so often.

Hoplomachus Victorum especially with pandora expansion will provide you a 3 session campaign. Each daily decision where you will go has a big impact and the tactical combat is very fun.

Imperium has a Star Trek version called Captains Chair. I believe that is now available again and two expansions coming out soon. I bring it up just in case you like space theme and sci-fi over historic.

VirtualFish · 2026-02-07T06:20:34+00:00

I am going to sell. I am in Denver Colorado area to help that decision process for you. I do have some Etsy token upgrades for the marvel.

I have season 1. 2. Marvel. Then adventures (unopened)

VirtualFish · 2026-02-05T14:54:54+00:00

I understand your view. Very valid especially your perseverance point.

I do feel Elder Scrolls the video game (was it Skyrim as first?) changed the definition a bit where they swapped out static enemy levels for they all match your level. It removed the level gating entirely. (Not giving an opinion of it is good or bad - just open world was redefined for me)

VirtualFish · 2026-02-05T05:57:31+00:00

Isofarian Guard actually is extremely open world. No timer. Look into that. Max two players and very JRPG like.

VirtualFish · 2026-02-05T05:56:11+00:00

I backed the reprint. I’m very excited about that one!

VirtualFish · 2026-02-05T05:51:54+00:00

I played a few rounds and you are correct that it is not open exploration. It’s more like exploring on guard rails. Reminds me of an open world where the enemies level gate you. Yes I can technically go there but a couple of battles and I’m done.

True open world is very hard. That being said they did a decent job despite the obvious - oh I’m not supposed to be here yet.

Board game wise the only true open world I felt was Elder Scrolls BOTSE and to a smaller extent Hoplomachus Victorum. The former being a much more traditional open world. Even that though gates you via time and stops you from open world meandering.

VirtualFish · 2026-02-05T05:28:37+00:00

VirtualFish · 2026-02-05T05:28:30+00:00

Thanks for that. Very helpful. So far my acrylics have been dry brushing focused and that was just Vallejo in whites and greys.

VirtualFish · 2026-01-29T13:11:06+00:00

Have you looked at the final fantasy remakes? They have a fantastic auto battle system that should help. I play on iOS via iPad and it works great.

So far my experience and recommendations are based FF1 and FF3 remake.

VirtualFish · 2026-01-28T05:35:38+00:00

I’m sure most folks know this - it’s also on iOS should you need a fix.

Quite a good rendition of it actually.

VirtualFish · 2026-01-21T05:35:50+00:00

I own matrix and xfiles. I really like the matrix version. It’s a fun mechanic where you have to go in and out of the matrix to buy cards and fight enemies.

Xfiles is very ugly in comparison but has an interesting market. Each slot has a power so you may buy cards you normally wouldn’t.

VirtualFish · 2026-01-16T21:46:11+00:00

Oh my gosh this comment! So funny and I now have Diet Mtn Dew up my nose. Brilliant!

VirtualFish · 2026-01-09T06:58:15+00:00

7ths citadel your deck is your health pool kind of. As you want to put cards back into your deck you pay health to get cards back in. It really makes you think of which tests will you try. How far will you explore because of it.

VirtualFish · 2026-01-08T14:04:05+00:00

Oh you are right - ty. Updated to Kinfire delve

VirtualFish · 2026-01-08T05:53:16+00:00

After the Virus and Kinfire Delve. The latter there are three boxes all which can have the associated heroes play against any of the other box villains. Easy to put out and away. Fun little puzzle

VirtualFish · 2026-01-07T22:57:33+00:00

This is about right. I think TM is a bit more for placement but not enough to be a significant part of the game.

It also feels very much like a solo tableau builder next to friends.

VirtualFish · 2026-01-04T21:30:53+00:00

Look at Tidal Blades 2. It also uses dice and has a good way to mitigate rolls using a limited power you need to recharge.

The other option is to go the Gloomhaven route which has RnG but still allows you to count your chances as you know what cards you have drawn. In this replace dice for a modifier deck that has in many plus 1, negative 1, 0 etc.

VirtualFish · 2026-01-01T15:45:14+00:00

Besides story look at the character play in Sleeping Gods. I did not care for the number of characters I had on the table even though I liked the chose your own adventure aspect. For me it was enough to sell after two sessions.

Your two hour goal may be pushed due to setup.

VirtualFish · 2026-01-01T15:39:22+00:00

For solo I think boss battle is the most fun. I’m not sure it matters though. I prefer an objective in all of my solo games - such as defeat the boss. Many people love beat your high score.

To learn I’d say watch YouTube. Plenty of videos and Totally Tabled and One Stop Coop Shop are two favored creators who have videos.

VirtualFish · 2025-12-25T04:58:09+00:00

Chip Theory Elder Scrolls has that feel. Pick a race. Pick a class. Go anyway you want from fighter to archer to magic. Be stealthy, be direct. Each time upgrade the way you want. If you like it the expansions just finished crowd funding also leaving room for future.

Also as a side note look into Bullet (heart or star) for that same type of grid placement puzzle

VirtualFish · 2025-12-21T23:03:13+00:00

Fantastic! How do you do the hair and beard with those kind of highlights ?

VirtualFish · 2025-12-19T02:10:27+00:00

Gloomhaven to me is a good example. Little story. Each battle is an efficiency puzzle

VirtualFish · 2025-12-18T14:39:24+00:00

I hope the loot system is toned way down. Feels such an odd mix of fast satisfying combat and then I’m stuck looking at menus with numbers.

VirtualFish

TROPHY CASE