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Episode 7: Top 10 solo games!
17 Plays4 days ago
That's right, the Aussie Solo Gamer is here to count down his favourite solo games, and Steve is doing it too.
If you are in Brisbane, it is not too late to get yourself to Briscon! Come along and play loads of games over 2 days with Shane and other great members of the community.
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Structure
00:00:09
Speaker
Welcome, welcome to Mate Let's Play. How are you doing Shane? I'm fantastic, thank you Steve. How are you Yes, very good. It's been so long since we caught up. It feels like forever.
00:00:20
Speaker
Feels like forever, Steve.
00:00:23
Speaker
ah Today on our pod, we're going to do our usual chatting about a couple of games we played, anything in the news that has piqued our interest, and then we're going to get to what I can only call as Shane's Wheelhouse as the top 10 solo games.
00:00:37
Speaker
I will divert all of the um knowledge to Shane on that one, as I am not much of a solo gamer, and Shane is officially the Aussie solo gamer. So, yes.
Spotlight on Solo Games
00:00:50
Speaker
Yeah, i'll try and bring a few I'll try and bring a few new games that you may not have heard of to the list. But, look, to be honest with you, I think most of my top ten you would know. um and ah I'm looking forward to it.
00:01:04
Speaker
Looking forward to it. I am too, and I think I'm actually moving into more solo games lately. I'd be interested to hear some games that I haven't heard of or looked into before. so yes i've got i've got a I've got a really good one that I'll mention you'll hear, and I'll bring it up because I think it will be right in your wheelhouse.
00:01:24
Speaker
ah Sounds good. But before we get to that, let's talk about some games.
Experience with 'Last Light'
00:01:29
Speaker
I'm going to kick off because I had some experience last weekend, and that was I played an eight-player game of Last Light.
00:01:37
Speaker
So i got Last Light in the past and then four days later, i the first time I used my own copy of Last Light, I hosted an eight player game of which only three people, which was myself, my wife and my son had ever played the game before, which I didn't know at the time. I thought two others had, but nope.
00:01:54
Speaker
So it was a big teach. ah One player in particular, it was the first time she'd ever played any real hobby board game except for Flip 7. Oh, wow. Welcome to the hobby. Yeah, yeah. But I mean, the great thing about Last Light is it's not too heavy. It looks way harder than it is. no it's not. Yeah.
00:02:12
Speaker
Yeah. So it it it went it actually went really well. The game went for a lot longer than, you know, what's written on the box, but that's a lot to do with the five new players and the one out and out new to hobby player.
00:02:24
Speaker
went for about two hours, just over two hours, which is not too bad when you consider what goes on in that game and It was, my street stays alive. I've never won that game. I've never come close to winning that game. And that still stands.
00:02:36
Speaker
Because Christy was every and again, she's like, what should I do here? And I'm like, look, I'm probably the wrong person to ask. but Seriously. can tell you what your cards do, but I can't help you with strategy because I've got none.
00:02:49
Speaker
ah But it was it was actually it was a really good game. Everyone had a great time. a couple of people that were there, a couple, they have it coming in the post. They backed their second Kickstarter as well. Yes. And they were just so happy with their decision. They're like, oh, can't wait to get this. So that was really cool because it could have gone the other way and that would have been sad.
00:03:08
Speaker
And another the guy that I play games with a lot since I've been up here, he was wrapped. He just was like, this is an excellent game. So, ah yeah, hit really well. It's a fantastic design.
00:03:20
Speaker
Plays really quick. And one day I'll learn how to play it. It might be my new quacks, mate. I'll just keep playing it and never win. So, yeah, kudos to Roy. It's a great game.
00:03:32
Speaker
It is a great game. And what I like about it is when you walk in the room and see it all set up on the table, wow. Wow. Yes, 100%. hundred percent And the eight-player, like going from a four to an eight-player game was super easy. You just put these four little extra pieces on the board and that's it.
00:03:50
Speaker
You just give everyone their components and off they go. Like there's this, it's very easy to scale. And it just, i guess, extends the map so that way, you know, there's more space to, you know, look it look into. But in a four-player game, it shrinks it. So it seems like it would play well at any player count as well. So.
00:04:07
Speaker
Yes. yeah I've never played the physical copy. Yeah. I played a stack of it with Roy in the early very early on ah look of the game and then I think the last time I played it was with Christian and Roy.
00:04:23
Speaker
We played a five-player game and we knocked it off under an hour because we all knew it. ye And um the the yeah I think it was Christian that ended up winning the game by think it was one or two light but it was like 24 light versus 22 light, you know, and I think I came second in it.
00:04:42
Speaker
And it was good. It was really good. And so um I'm looking forward to playing the physical game. I've seen it set up and it does look stunning. Like the production on that game and the lazy Susan is brilliant. So.
00:04:53
Speaker
Yeah. We, and I guess the thing is with the new players, with new players is that there are only six actions. And one of those actions is bring all your cards back. So it's really only five actions.
00:05:06
Speaker
And it's pretty self-explanatory. Like yeah you want to move. This is how you move. You want to get resources. This is how you get resources. You want to trade those resources. This is how trade resources. is You want to do tech. This is how do tech.
00:05:17
Speaker
The end. You don't know how to play the game. Let's go. And we'll play it right now. Go. Make a move. Yeah. And then. the the ah The only downside with eight players is that we had to come up with a hand-on-head system for when you'd chosen your card so we could all see who was ready to go before you reveal your card of what you're doing.
00:05:37
Speaker
yeah So we all had the hand-on-head. And Christy, who was the new player, she was putting her card on her forehead. And I'm like, yeah I'm going to have to get you to not do that. She's not quiet. I'm like, I don't want my card to have your oils.
00:05:51
Speaker
LAUGHTER
00:05:55
Speaker
Hey, new player problems. It's fine. lovely me i thought It was As long you didn't lick the card and then put it on the head. No, no, no. Or I did my dad's trick and pick his teeth with the card. oh That's why that's why i only play his games with him now. That's good.
Exploring 'Molly House'
00:06:14
Speaker
Anyway, that was that that was definitely the standout game for me over the last period of time. um good I'm gonna i going to really force myself into a game of that. next Next game day I go to and I see that set up, I'm going to just see if I can jump in and play play the actual physical copy and because I really enjoyed playing it on Tabletop Simulator and then learning it.
00:06:34
Speaker
and Cool. I have been playing nothing, but I have had a new game arrive that I'm really keen on playing. now i think I've mentioned it in the previous pod where...
00:06:47
Speaker
I've watched, I reckon I've watched six hours of how to play videos of this already just so I can jump in and just play.
00:06:58
Speaker
I'm not one to sit there and read rules.
00:07:02
Speaker
I'll learn it from a video and then use the rules, you know, as a bit of a guide. Okay, wait I'm stuck on this. Go through the rules and try and find it. um But yes, I've watched a solo play through which ended up being four videos each, probably around about an hour each,
00:07:23
Speaker
um on through Ricky Royal. And then I've watched heavy cardboard four-player play of this game. And that's Molly House.
00:07:35
Speaker
So Molly House um by Cole Whirly, and it's it's in that same realm of Pax Premier, John Company, and now he has Molly House. I thought I'd read... the front page of Molly House.
00:07:47
Speaker
Okay. Just indulge me, Philippe. it's It's quite good. So in the early 18th century, London was rapidly becoming one of the largest cities in Europe. Vibrant and scar discussions about new ways of living were being hosted at coffee houses across the city.
00:08:02
Speaker
And in the back rooms of certain establishments, a community was being born. This was the thriving underground world of the Mollies, pioneering explorers of gender and sexuality who built a common and community during this period of possibility a possibility and change.
00:08:19
Speaker
Bawdy songs rang out and bedrock mollies emerged in masquerades. The nights were filled with unsanctioned weddings and gin-soaked christenings. Molly House celebrates this community by inviting players to take the roles of these mollies as they navigate the desires and dodge the watchful eyes of the society for the re reformation of Manners, a citizen group that sought to stamp out this type of behaviour deemed as deviant.
00:08:46
Speaker
During the game, players try to accumulate joy, throwing and participating in fat festivities. In preparation, they move around the board to collect vice cards to play at these festivities.
00:08:59
Speaker
Certain sites on the board let players use cards in their hands to build their reputations, which can improve later actions, but also expose them to risk. Other sites allow you shop and other items that possibly ah give you a variety of benefits throughout the game.
00:09:15
Speaker
At festivities, players will also score joy for their community, and this is a crucial element of the game. In order for the community survive, players must help the community pass its joy threshold. So you're actually bringing the community into the festivities, so you're trying to build the momentum of your of your um movement. and right so And then basically each week, but so of course the collaboration comes at a price, ah staging festivities and taking some actions will gradually increase the size of the gossip pile.
00:09:49
Speaker
So there's this this little community of gossips that are, what's going on in these what's going on in these houses? And each week this pile will be inspected. and possibly generating evidence against these houses.
00:10:01
Speaker
And with enough evidence, the society will raid the Molly house and indict those players with the highest reputation there. So you're gaining reputation in each one of the houses. And if it ever gets raided, you know, it negatively impacts you because you you seem to have a high reputation in that Molly house as a you know as a Molly.
00:10:21
Speaker
The game looks really cool. And yeah I just love the theme. What a theme, yeah. Yeah, that's why I thought I'd read it out. It's, you know, it's borning the the the Sydney Mardi Gras, right? It's it all about that movement and that change back in the 18th century. So for me, I cannot wait to play it.
00:10:41
Speaker
I am going to solo it before the next podcast. And the solo rules were designed by Ricky Royal. And hes he's called it the rookery. um And so I'm going to watch his playthrough again.
00:10:55
Speaker
So another... A few hours of time going to be dedicated before I jump in and play the live game of it. But I cannot wait. I've been hanging out to play this game. And given I've invested so much time in watching videos, Molly House by Cole Whirly.
00:11:09
Speaker
I'm going to get my masquerade kit on and play it. Nice. I like it. That's not what I thought that game was going to be about, but that's okay. Especially since his last two games are kind of political, but that's that's all good.
00:11:22
Speaker
Yep. Well, not his last two, but I guess, that yeah, John Company. Oh, Jump Gun. Yeah, John Company. Yeah. So haven't really got much else to talk about ah like of what I played, but I did want to mention on one of our previous episodes, you clued me in on artistry.
00:11:40
Speaker
I did. And you you said, Helen, this one again, Helen is interested And it did spawn a lot of conversation between Helen and I and, For a moment there, I thought, this is it. Helen's going to back her first Kickstarter.
00:11:53
Speaker
And I made it very clear that I'm like, do you want to back this, Helen? Not I'll back it and we'll have it. I was like, do you want to do this? And in the end, we didn't. And the reason we didn't is because the gameplay just seems really, really basic. I know. That's the downside, isn't it? It just, it looked so good. And, and, and she kept on going through all the cards and all the, like the pieces. And she's like, this, it looks really good. And then she's, and then, and I'm like, and I'm all for it.
00:12:23
Speaker
You I'm just like, yeah, this is, let's do it. Let's do it. Let's do it. And then she's like, how does it play? And I've read through the, how to play. And she's like, is that I'm like, I think so. i don't I don't know. I'll read it again. and like, it was one of those moments where I didn't think I understood how to play the game because I understood fully how to play the game. I felt like I'd missed something.
00:12:43
Speaker
And I kept looking and I'm like, no, it's it's literally just the card has a pattern. they're They're the pieces you can take. You take those pieces and you spend them to fill contracts on those cards.
00:12:54
Speaker
And that's cause you the renown. And once someone gets a 20 renown, the game's over. She's like, it doesn't sound that interesting. I'm like, yeah, you're right. So we didn't actually end up backing it, which is a shame, but also probably smart.
00:13:09
Speaker
But because we played Botany before, which is by the same same designing company. yeah And it was fine. um we We liked it. We didn't love it, but we we liked it. But it's it was a much more involved game than this one.
00:13:20
Speaker
ah So um I was a bit surprised that they went for something so light. So, yeah, no, we we decided not to back it in
Kickstarter Game Surprises
00:13:29
Speaker
the end. But it was it was an interesting week where we nearly backed our first ever Kickstarter. it's um ah did I did delve into it a little bit deeper as well after that podcast and had a bit look. And I thought myself, yeah, that's too simple.
00:13:44
Speaker
o But then I thought, well, maybe if you're playing at ah at the full play account, it's a little bit more competitive versus it being more simple because other people might be trying to go for that same card you're trying to go for.
00:13:55
Speaker
Possibly, yeah. But still, that's not enough for me to back up. Yeah, and the money that it was, like, you know, if you talk about the deluxe edition, you're talking $120, $130 before shipping yeah for a game that probably takes 20 minutes, 25 minutes. It just didn't seem like it was was right. So I'd like to play it one day when I see it somewhere, but...
00:14:17
Speaker
um also um yeah I'm yeah, I'm not bothered. It's it's one that i'll I'll happily let go by the wayside, but I just thought I'd give you the update because you did spawn a lot of fun conversation about board games and Kickstarter, which was great. And she even watched the ah Dice Towers crowdfunding segment that they talked about that game. And she's like, that's what I said when they said it was a pretty basic game.
00:14:37
Speaker
So it was good. good I got to watch in the Dice Tower. So there's still good outcomes. Yeah, that's a great outcome. And, yeah, it does it does look really simple.
00:14:50
Speaker
And but I watched that Dice Tower too, their crowdfunding episode, and the amount of people that have backed it already, it's like over 600,000. Yeah, yeah. And 500 people had bought that $199 version. jewellery box version.
00:15:05
Speaker
The jewellery box version. I was like, wow. Wow.
00:15:09
Speaker
Money to burn. Money to burn. I say that having, having backed, um, you know, the Godzilla pledge on Cthulhu Death, May, Die season five. So I should probably keep quiet on that one. like Five installments are more expensive than that jewelry box each.
00:15:25
Speaker
Well, you just, you just prompted me to quickly mention something to you. And ah this may end by the time the podcast goes out, but, um, just for you to quickly check if you that game found is the um Rise of Myths, Cthulhu deck building game.
00:15:41
Speaker
don't know you've that. have look at that, Yeah, I did. But again, it's expensive. That's it, yeah. it's it's It looks sounds good, but I think I just need to put that into the need to play it first.
00:15:53
Speaker
Like I mentioned last time when we talked about Champions of Midgard, there's this thing called a house that we're trying to buy. Yeah. and you can't You can't build them with cardboard and miniatures, apparently.
00:16:04
Speaker
No, when you when you get around to buying that house, I might know someone that might be able to help you there, mate. Very good. Fair enough.
BrizzCon Event Preview
00:16:15
Speaker
Well, I think that's pretty much – I think we could just go straight into the top 10, yeah?
00:16:19
Speaker
No, just before we do, I wouldn't mind questioning mentioning BrizzCon, which is coming closer. course, yeah. um the board game weekend here in Brisbane. It's always an event that everyone looks forward to um They've got lots of things going on.
00:16:35
Speaker
and There's lots of tabletops events that you can register for. um And there's an awesome ah ah bring and section that they always pack out with board games that if you want to bring any games along to sell,
00:16:51
Speaker
um totally recommend but more importantly to to Joe and Stu who are putting together the board game hall this week, this year. um So on May the 17th and 18th which is the Saturday and Sunday, tickets are on Eventbrite.
00:17:07
Speaker
um It's a great event. ah Come along, buy your tickets, come in and play board games in the board game hall. um Use the games in the library or bring your own. um As you've mentioned previously, you know it's always good to to sit around and and play games with people in the community.
00:17:22
Speaker
It's such a great event where two days you can sit there and just play with your friends and enjoy what is this wonderful hobby and community. And thanks to Joe and Stu for putting it on this year at Mount Cravat Showgrounds.
00:17:37
Speaker
And also to a special mention for supporting us once again in ah VR games who are providing all the giveaways, demo games for the demo table.
00:17:48
Speaker
um So thank you very much to VR. You're such a strong supporter of our community. And big shout-outs to the Southside Board Gaming Group and also to the North Brisbane Board Gamers Guild who are really coming together as a community and hosting what is a regular and fun Brisbane event.
00:18:08
Speaker
Yeah. Thought I'd just give that little plug, mate. Yeah, absolutely. It's another event that I wish I could get to. One year, I will get that. One year. I don't know what year, but one year.
00:18:21
Speaker
I'm looking forward to it. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there with bells on. And I know we've got some designers that are coming along as well. So... and Are you involved in the organisation at all? Are you volunteering or are you just there to experience the event this year?
00:18:37
Speaker
I'm going to just experience the event this year. I'm involved from a sponsorship point of view and, and you know, organising the the supporting with VR. ah and But Joe and Stu are putting it all together.
00:18:48
Speaker
um and But I'll certainly be there from a helping out in know in a way if anyone wants to learn a game. and I'll see what demo games come along and, you know, I'll maybe learn one of those and be able to teach a demo table.
00:19:00
Speaker
But yeah this year, I'm actually going to play some games. So the last two years, i hadn't even got a game to the table.
00:19:09
Speaker
Cool. Sounds excellent. All right, let's get into it. Top 10 solo games.
Top 10 Solo Games Discussion
00:19:16
Speaker
Now, for this list, yes, the Aussie solo gamer will be the one to go to. for if you're If you're a solo gamer looking for good solo games, I would listen to him before you'd listen to me Solo games, I do play some games solo, but my list is mostly made up of games.
00:19:34
Speaker
There's probably, what is there? just have a quick look. One, two. There's two solo games on my list. Okay. My top six games are games I would prefer to play solo, and my seven to 10 are games that I like to play solo.
00:19:52
Speaker
but I would happily play with players, as with others as well. So where I'm assuming your list is like the who's who of solo board gaming. so Not necessarily. like You know, I'll preface it.
00:20:03
Speaker
Whilst games might come out and say they are solo only, doesn't mean they're good. Yep. um One thing about solo games I go go with is are they difficult to win?
00:20:20
Speaker
They're difficult to win. They're a good solo game, a.k.a. Friday. not um If they're too easy, me, you know.
00:20:33
Speaker
It's like a one and done kind of deal. One and done, right, because, you know, it's yeah then ah you know you don't want to go back to them and go back to them and go back to them. So when when I hear that, oh, I just i just can't win in this solo game, I don't like it.
00:20:47
Speaker
Now, that's the good thing about it. Yeah, it's challenge. If you can't win it keep going. You will eventually win. If I gave up on Friday, i still wouldn't have had what was one of my best experiences in board gaming. So I think it's probably sensible that I go first seeing as though my list is probably not going to be as strong. So we finish strong with your list.
00:21:05
Speaker
That's cool, isn't it? Some pressure. Throw some pressure your way. ah So my number 10 is actually my favorite game, which is a Feast for Odin. A Feast for Odin has a great solo mode where you use two different colors. you in the when you' In the first round, you put out one color and you leave it on the board which then in the second round with your second color, you actually block yourself from those spots in the second round. So you can't go to the spots that you've already been to. And then at the end of the second round, you pull the colors you use in your first round back. And now the second round blocks your third round, so on and so forth for the rest of the game. So it doesn't doesn't have an automa of any kind of anything like that. It's just literally a get your best score you can while also blocking yourself, which does make it interesting because in that game, you kind of want to chain your strategy
00:21:52
Speaker
but it forces you to think about, okay, well, if I want to do this, then I can't do it next round. So that's not going to help with my overall. So kind of forces you to use other parts of the board that you might not use in a multiplayer game. So yeah, Feast for Odin is my number 10.
00:22:07
Speaker
Good choice. And that's often in most people's top 10 lists when they talk solo board gaming. Not mine, only because I still want to physically try playing the physical game just so I can and learn it.
00:22:23
Speaker
Good choice, mate. My number 10, and this is where the one I was mentioning before I think you might like, and and if not Raph. Okay. And that's a series of books by a gentleman by the name of Mike Lambeau. Okay.
00:22:40
Speaker
And he's bought out these books which are solo-based um war game scenarios. and Okay. And you basically open up a page and you're doing a mission.
00:22:53
Speaker
And all you need is a set of dice. And maybe even i I get a couple of cubes out of different colours that are going to represent different armies. And so you turn the page and you're actually playing the the solo game on this page. There's stacks of missions in each book.
00:23:08
Speaker
um So one of the books is called Battle of me Medieval Britain and another one's called The Fields of Normandy. And you can get them through Amazon. They're around $23 a book.
00:23:20
Speaker
ah But Mike's done a great job of putting together what are really tough solo campaigns for you to be able to win. um And so that book generally gets packed in my suitcase when I'm traveling interstate with a set of dice and a few cubes, which is nice and easy. So my number 10 is any of the books by Mike Lambeau. There's two more, I think.
00:23:46
Speaker
One's called um Ghosts of the Jungle, I think it's called. And there's another one called The Sherman. ah Something The Sherman. But anyway, if you go go on Amazon, put in Mike Lambeau, and you'd bring up those books.
00:24:04
Speaker
They go between $23 and $35 around that. Yeah, already written them down. one One that you you know many people wouldn't know about, but they are fantastic.
00:24:16
Speaker
Really good solo campaigns, really good solo books. um and you're literally putting your cubes on the book itself and rolling the dice.
00:24:26
Speaker
That sounds perfect for journeys on planes and things like that. Yeah, yeah in a motel room somewhere. That sounds awesome. Yep. My number nine is Gloomhaven.
00:24:38
Speaker
Specifically, I'm talking about the the digital version of Gloomhaven here. I wouldn't probably pull out the physical version to play solo, although G-Money did the whole campaign Frosthaven solo.
00:24:50
Speaker
ah But what I love about Gloomhaven is you can just choose two characters, three characters, four characters if you want, or even one, but... It's better with two. And just go and play Gloomhaven. It's just Gloomhaven, except you're controlling two characters. It's a cooperative game. So I guess that's true for any cooperative game.
00:25:08
Speaker
You can do that. But I really like Gloomhaven itself is a great system, but it cuts down on arguments if it's just you arguing with yourself. Yeah. It doesn't get rid of them, doesn't eradicate them, but definitely cuts down them. Gloomhaven's a fantastic game and ill quite often I'll just fire up the Steam app and play a scenario or two on Guildmaster just by myself. So, yeah, it had to be on the list.
00:25:32
Speaker
Good choice. Good choice. um I haven't gotten back to Gloomhaven for a very long time. I do own it and maybe one one month where I can just set it up and leave it there for that whole month and every night come home and play a campaign.
00:25:47
Speaker
I might give that a shot. um My number nine is a 18-card game, Buttonshire. This should be on your list, I believe.
00:26:00
Speaker
um Again, I can chuck it in my jacket pocket, pull it out at lunch break, and have a quick game of Sprawlopolis. um Awesome little card game and... um I've spoken about it before.
00:26:16
Speaker
It's just brilliant. So cheap too. $18, $20 and gives you so much enjoyment. And you can have a, I think during the lunch break you can play, you can pretty much play four or five games of it if you wanted to.
00:26:30
Speaker
But I generally get a couple of then put it back in the pocket and maybe move on to my um number eight game for a quick game during my lunch break as well, but I won't talk about that just yet. Fair enough. It didn't actually make my list, even though I do have a copy of it sitting in my drawer at work.
00:26:44
Speaker
And the reason I did it didn't make my list. There's nothing against the game. It's just that um and the the other game that is also not on my list, which might have been an oversight, it sits on top of it at work and gets played a lot more, which is Regicide.
00:26:56
Speaker
ah That one didn't make my list only because it isn't technically a solo game and I like playing other solo games more. It's just that I play it more because it's at work and I can't.
00:27:08
Speaker
a bit of a random one. But yes, I do quite like Sprawlopolis. I probably should have put that on my list. But I'm still in my games that I like to play with other people, but I still like to play solo. And that is number eight.
00:27:20
Speaker
ah Similar to Gloomhaven here. Grab a couple of characters, grab a boss and go at it. And that's Marvel Champions. The majority of Marvel Champions I have played is solo, ah two-handed solo.
00:27:32
Speaker
I think I played it about 50 or 60 times, and I would say 40 of those would be by myself. So ah it's actually a really good travel game, even though you probably wouldn't think that because there's so many expansions and bits and pieces. But you can literally grab a handful of heroes, couple of baddies, put them in a deck box, and That's all you need for the game.
00:27:51
Speaker
can use that You can use an app to carry itt to take care of all the tokens and stuff, how many of each thing you've got if you need. yeah So you can take it anywhere. So Marvel Champions is my number eight. Brilliant.
00:28:03
Speaker
My number eight is Regicide. There you go. You're fixing all the problems with my list already. Regicide is awesome solo game. When you talk about card games being hard,
00:28:17
Speaker
yeah this is a hard game to win when you are playing solo 100% and it doesn't matter how many jokers you've got there they do not help you in this game whatsoever and so recommend yes Regicide is meant to be played cooperative with more players it is best solo yeah okay well I've never played with others so I don't have that to judge on but that's good to know so my number 8 Regicide The worst thing I did with Regicide was I won the first time I played it
00:28:53
Speaker
And you thought it was too easy. And then I think I've won once since.
00:29:00
Speaker
So, yes, I keep thinking I'm stupid, but no, the game is hard. It's fine. So then so then you then you actually start questioning, oh, did I actually win or did I, you know? Oh, probably done something wrong. Yeah, most likely. so Sorry to dampen your win, but. Yeah.
00:29:16
Speaker
ah My number seven is the last of the games that I would happily play with people or solo. The rest of my games are either solo games or games I would much prefer to play solo.
00:29:27
Speaker
And this one is funny because it's a seven player game ah that plays just as well at one that it does at seven.
00:29:39
Speaker
And that's Heat, Pedal to the Metal. like the The AI system in this is super quick, but also super competitive. Like I played, Raph and I just, Raph Helen and I played a game of this two nights ago where we came, i think, third, fourth and sixth out of seven cars. So the AI system,
00:30:00
Speaker
I've played this game so many times, but sometimes you just can't beat the AI or sometimes you make one bad decision and it costs you the race. And so it is a really tight system. And when you're playing solo, I still play with seven cars, ah six AIs and me, and it's it's a blast.
00:30:16
Speaker
It's so good at all play accounts, including one. So Heat Pedal the Metal is my number seven
00:30:24
Speaker
choice. Six, seven. That's another game I want to play the actual physical copy of and learn it. haven't done it yet. My number seven is it's ah another card game and very well known, and it's you know you've got Star Realms and Hero Realms, so that system.
00:30:45
Speaker
But like Star Realms came out with an edition called Frontiers, which is purely solo. And you are going up against some big ships and ah campaigns that you've got to complete to actually win the game.
00:31:03
Speaker
It's hard. It is very hard to win these campaigns when you're playing it solo. ah But it is brilliant. if you're If you like Star Realms where you're doing those combo-tastic moves, I really recommend getting the Frontiers version so that you can play Star Realms solo.
00:31:23
Speaker
My number seven. I didn't know that existed. There you My number six is a solo game. And I quite like this game having only got two of the boxes plus the core box, and that's Final Girl.
00:31:37
Speaker
I think it would be a lot higher if I was more into horror movies because I don't get a lot of the references because I i didn't grow up watching horror movies. I grew up watching random Peter Jackson movies instead. I don't think i don't think they're making a bad taste set anytime soon.
00:31:53
Speaker
ah So, um yeah, Final Girl is a great system. plug-and-play nature of it is excellent. And it's it's like every now and again someone will put up a set ah Just recently, actually, on the ah the Pay It Forward board game chain, no, the Australian Chain Generosity on BGG, someone put up the entire season one.
00:32:14
Speaker
And I'm like, yes, please. And so many people um wanted to go in the draw for that one. And I got to the point where I actually withdrew because already own two of the six that were being offered. So I'm like, well, someone else wants the whole set, makes more sense.
00:32:29
Speaker
But, yeah, I will get more of it eventually and I will ah to delve deeper. But what I've got so far is suitable. I still get it out every now and again. So Final Girl is my number six. Good choice. um I enjoy Hostage Negotiator as a solo game. Didn't make my list. um But that's the same system as Final Girl.
00:32:50
Speaker
um So i have all of season one of Final Girl still in shrink. Oh, wow. Has not made my list yet. I've got all the play mats. I've got all the minis. I've got everything for it.
00:33:04
Speaker
um Really keen to get it out and start playing it. um i I am an 80s horror film buff. Used to love my Nightmare on Elm Streets. Yeah, was about to say you're bit of movie buff, yeah. Used love my Nightmare on Elm Streets and Halloween series and...
00:33:20
Speaker
you know all those werewolves in London, all those all those great you know horror films of the 80s. So, ah yeah, good choice, mate. um My number six is a solo-only game, and you can still get this. I've seen this in stores available for around about $49 $50.
00:33:41
Speaker
forty nine to fifty dollars Okay. to um and it's ah deep space d six where have've seen this yeah it's kind of like Space Invaders, almost like Space Invaders.
00:33:57
Speaker
But you've you've you're in a spaceship and you've got all these threats coming at you and you've got to roll your dice and then manipulate your dice to you take care of those threats and all those other ships that are trying to attack you.
00:34:11
Speaker
ah plus also to manage what's going on with your ship. So you're losing shields um and your weaponry, you lose your weaponry. And so you're actually trying to manipulate those dice and then manage your way through, think it's like 23 or 24 rounds of being attacked.
00:34:31
Speaker
And the first few rounds going quite easy, but then as those rounds build up, there's more and more ships coming at you and, you know At one stage, I think there's one game there. i i was said i've never finished I've never finished the whole 23 rounds yet.
00:34:43
Speaker
Haven't been able to do it. Okay. Which is good because eventually I will be able to do it. I think I got to round 17 and I had about five ships coming at me and and I had nothing left.
00:34:55
Speaker
I just completely died in that round. um You can get an app version of this as well. Okay. And the app version is the way I like to play it. Okay. I generally play it a lot on my iPad.
00:35:06
Speaker
um So awesome solo game, Deep Space D6 is my number six, and that's not coincidental at all. You had Flip 7 on your list the other week. Honestly, this is pure flake.
00:35:19
Speaker
like it's not There's no shenanigans going on here. ah All I'm saying is if that box one game is number one, I'm calling shenanigans.
00:35:30
Speaker
Okay, number five. So this game, I don't actually own it anymore, but when I thought of solo games, this one came to mind. It's not actually a dedicated solo, but I only ever played it at solo.
00:35:42
Speaker
And that's Seventh Continent. And I don't want to play Seventh Continent with other people. And I don't mean that in a harsh way. i mean that in, I don't know if you've played Seventh Continent, but a lot of the time spent in Seventh Continent is just looking around, hoping to find things that are of importance.
00:35:59
Speaker
And it would frustrate the hell out of me if someone else was looking at stuff that I'd already looked at and I know is useless. Yeah. just be like don't go over there over here like there's nothing over there i promise and then it'd frustrate me even more if they found something over there that i missed and i'd be like oh good job so i'm happy to fail on my own when it comes to seventh continent because succeeding is not really an option uh so yeah one of my one of my favorites to play solo even though i don't know it anymore i have some fond memories of Finishing that first bloody scenario, my gosh.
00:36:34
Speaker
Talk about the most difficult first-time scenario. It's definitely Seventh Continent. It got to the second star, I'm like, oh, this is easy. Should have just started here. Anyway, that's my number five. No?
00:36:45
Speaker
Five, yes. Seventh Continent. Yeah, good choice. I've not played it, but I do here in the you know solo community. It's a very good game. My number five is a Shem game.
00:37:01
Speaker
There is a Shem game on my list. Yeah, we got got one in there. Got one in there. um I don't think we had one on our last episode. That could be a first. Surely not. I don't think we did.
00:37:16
Speaker
I'll have to edit some in. My number five, it's not known as a solo game, but the solo deck slash AI in this is brilliant, and that is Raiders of the North Sea.
00:37:33
Speaker
I will only ever play this game solo. like ah I don't mind teaching it. i don't mind teaching it, but if I'm ever going to pull pull the game out, it'll be solo game for me just to sit there and play.
00:37:44
Speaker
i have the actual ah deck of cards, which is is's rare to get, but I know that Garfield Games just did a Kickstarter and re-released it from memory. Yeah. yep um So you might be able to jump on it and and and get it.
00:37:57
Speaker
But playing with that little deck of cards, it blocks me every time. It's frustrating. um and it's And it's not easy to win. It's not easy to win solo.
00:38:08
Speaker
um You can download the Raiders of the North Sea app through Garfield Games as well, and you can play it solo through that. You play it on a set of difficulty at least around the medium to high, so it's a little bit more challenging.
00:38:23
Speaker
and But even even on high level, it's it's really difficult to win. Yeah. So my number five, Raiders of the North Sea. I did not expect that. I've actually got, because you can get the Raiders the North Sea app, you can also get the solo deck as an app as well.
00:38:37
Speaker
Yes. So I've got the solo deck, but I've never used it. I've never actually played it solo. So I might have to that because I quite like that game with players. But maybe I should try it solo. It's ah a super simple game to teach someone worker placement. right That's you kind of everyone's go-to, that and Architects the West Kingdom.
00:38:53
Speaker
is to teach someone and how to play a worker placement game. But for me, if I want to play Raiders of the North Sea, it's i I'll play it solo.
00:39:03
Speaker
Well, my number four will shock you.
00:39:07
Speaker
Not really. Not really. That's what you said when you mentioned this game last time, and that is Too Many Bones is my number four. And yes, I do prefer to play this by myself. I've played it with groups and I've had fun,
00:39:20
Speaker
but It's because of the type of game it is. and the length of time it takes to play. And I like to play against those bigger monsters, the the bigger baddies. ah So they'll go for longer. They'll go for seven or eight rounds. And I don't want to interrupt other people's time. I don't want to sit there and feel like we need to stop and pause. I'm just happy to sit there for four or five hours and smash it out with a few characters.
00:39:44
Speaker
And that's how I enjoy Too Many Bones now. So it's ah it's deservedly on this list and it it it will always be a solo game for me. So... Too many bones.
00:39:55
Speaker
number And again, I don't actually play the solo mode. I play two-handed. Two-handed solo. Yeah. yeah Yeah. So that's my number four. The solo mode is a good way of learning the game.
00:40:07
Speaker
Similar to similar to you know when you played the legacy of a certain other game that's probably going to be on this list, I would suggest. um Or not the the campaign mode. of another game, of Hadrian's Wall, let's just call it, where it taught you certain things about the game. So it's that's the same as the solo mode in Too Many Bones.
00:40:27
Speaker
But I'm the same as you, mate. I'll play two-handed solo.
00:40:32
Speaker
My number four is also a chip theory game, and that is Cloud Spire. Oh, yeah. Cloud Spire is...
00:40:43
Speaker
It's a massive setup. It's a behemoth setup. But once you've got it set up and you play solo in that, it's fantastic. um So much going on. There's so many campaigns you can do, so many missions.
00:40:58
Speaker
and I could probably play that religiously every every time. I would never play that with anyone. Whilst it is meant to be played with other people, no thanks.
00:41:09
Speaker
Cloud Spies solo for me is the way to go. Hmm. There we go. Chip Theory, two in a row. Two in a row Chip Theory. We'll jump back to our good friends at Garfield for my number three, which is Legacy of You.
00:41:23
Speaker
it is Yeah, good one. The other only solo game on my list. And really enjoy this one. i haven't actually finished it yet. I got about ah think I'm about up to the seventh scenario, I think.
00:41:36
Speaker
ah But yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed my time and it's got to the point where I've left it so long now that, and after recently just playing through the Hadrian's Wall campaign, I'm just going to go back and start it fresh. I'm not going to worry about where I was before. I'm just going to go again.
00:41:49
Speaker
ah So yeah, Legacy View is really good. It gives you that gives you that big box feel of some of their other games in a solo only, you know, smaller, I guess, um space, which I really appreciate. So yeah, Legacy View is great.
00:42:05
Speaker
Absolutely agree with you. um um Again, I haven't played the physical copy yet. I've got it. Because I playtested the poo out of it back with Garfield Games,
00:42:17
Speaker
sir it's um I haven't actually got the physical copy to the table, but it is on the to-do list this year to play it. Good choice.
00:42:29
Speaker
My number three is kind of a mishmash of two games. um Again, you can play them cooperative with people. However, it's it's best solo. It's known best in the solo community as one of the best solo games going around, and that is Mage Knight.
00:42:49
Speaker
expected this to be on the list. Yes, it's on the list. However, I have sold my copy of Mage Knight because I have Star Trek Frontiers. Okay.
00:43:00
Speaker
It's exactly the same game, but set in the Star Trek universe. Okay. Love Star Trek. I'm a nerd in that respect. um So ah thought I'm not going to own both.
00:43:13
Speaker
And it's a game. Again, when you set them up, you set them up and leave it set up for a couple of weeks so you can just continually, continually play it. um But the Star Trek frontiers, you've got these really nice metal, you know, enterprise ships and and so on, and you you you are playing the Mage Knight system, but in the Star Trek universe.
00:43:34
Speaker
um And it's awesome. So my number three, Mage Knight slash Star Trek Frontiers. right, well, my number two is a game that I ah came across not thinking, oh, this will be a good solo game, but it has turned into not just a solo game, but almost almost like a bit of a wordle game um for me, and that's because it has a daily challenge that it can set you, and quite i mean I don't do it all the time, but every now every time every time I do play this game, I start with a daily challenge, and then I might play other games of it later.
00:44:07
Speaker
Any idea what it is yet? I'm going to say wordle, but no, it's not that. No, it's Turing Machine. Okay. So Turing Machine is great. It's a game where basically youre you're using analog computers to solve puzzles. So it'll be a situation where you've got to choose like three numbers and each number attributed to a color. So I think it's yellow, purple, and blue.
00:44:31
Speaker
And you' what you'll do is you'll say like yellows are three, purples are four, and blues are two. And then you'll put it behind this screen based on um what one of the clues is. that It might be the might say yellow is greater than purple and blue.
00:44:47
Speaker
So if in that example, yellow was three, purple was four. So if I put that slip in behind my my digits, it'll show me across because I'm wrong because my yellow isn't bigger than purple blue.
00:44:59
Speaker
go So then I'll know that that i know that That's wrong. So then, okay, well, purple will put, yeah, so you've got to try and, it's it's hard to explain without seeing it, but there's all these different little code things that you've got to work out based on the number that you put into this Turing machine that will let you know, give you an exact idea of what the number is. And it usually takes about two or three rounds of three three tests each before you figure out what the number is.
00:45:25
Speaker
And so it only takes like five minutes to play, like five to 10 minutes max. And You can play it competitively, but I don't give a shit about how long it takes someone else to solve the puzzle. I just want to solve the puzzle.
00:45:37
Speaker
Yeah. And the worst thing that could happen is that someone solves the puzzle and they say, I solved the puzzle. It's this. And I'm sitting there going, really dead. Like I don't want to know that. yeah So I much prefer this solo. um The daily challenge is there and that's great. But sometimes if I pull this out, I'll play 15 games in a row.
00:45:58
Speaker
You just change up. there's there's There's infinity number of combinations on there. You can get an app that just gives you a random number generator and says these are the cards you need for this round.
00:46:10
Speaker
You can play the physical version, but it's a little bit more convoluted. I haven't played the physical version in ages. It's on BGA. it's it's There's a Turing Machine app that shows you the numbers that you can put in. It's great. So Turing Machine, if you haven't played it, I recommend it. And if you have, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's just...
00:46:26
Speaker
It's like Search for Planet X in five minutes. Okay. I've never never played it. So I am going I've written it down. I'm going to explore it.
00:46:40
Speaker
Good choice. My number two is another Garfield game. Okay. Do you want have a punt and have a guess what you think it might be? I'm guessing it's to legacy of you.
00:46:51
Speaker
No. Oh, okay. So it's another one that you used a solo for. Yeah.
00:46:59
Speaker
i' guess Paladins. It is Paladins of the West Kingdom. Yeah, it does. And look, let's face it, it is a solo game. So i don't care how many people you're playing with, you're not concentrating on what they're doing whatsoever.
00:47:12
Speaker
So ah you're more worried about your own board. Yes, you can do some blocking in it, but Paladins of the West Kingdom is just, as far as I'm concerned, the best solo game that Garfield Games have brought out so Thank um It is fantastic.
00:47:29
Speaker
Enough said, I think. yeah it's been It's been around long a long time. Everyone knows what Paladins does. so I wholeheartedly agree. I nearly put Paladins and Viscounts on my list because I really like their solo systems, but I would prefer to play them with people. So that's why i left them off. Like, it's just they are great solo modes, but...
00:47:48
Speaker
i Even though Paladins, you're right, it's very much multiplayer solo, I still prefer to play it at two-player. It's my favourite player count for that game. yeah so yeah But yeah, I can can't disagree. It's fantastic.
00:47:59
Speaker
and I just like it when you're pulling off those really cool moves, but you're just sitting on your own and you're going, yeah, that was a good move. You tell yourself, what a good move this is. Yeah.
00:48:11
Speaker
I recently played Endless Winter solo. It didn't make my list, but it's a very good solo too. And um the computer made a great move and I'm like, oh, well done.
00:48:22
Speaker
It was just because the way they go up the two tracks in Endless Winter, I was like, oh, I've got them covered easy. I don't have to worry about them. And then in the last round, they move up so many spaces on that track. And I'm like, I can't catch you.
00:48:34
Speaker
What are you doing to me? And i was so i was I was applauding the Automa. So anyway. or to auto turn anyway scar All right, number one, unfortunately, is no surprise. It would have been great to get to this list and have a have a game that you'd be like, oh, wow.
00:48:50
Speaker
But no, number one is Hadrian's Wall. it's It's one of my favorite games of all time. I've just gone through the solo campaign. But much before, I was actually, what I did to help me find this list of games is I actually went into BGStats and I chose my name and only my name. So it only showed me games I've played solo.
00:49:09
Speaker
Yep. and i've played hadrian's maul more than double any other game solo so and and and i still play it now i always have a game of this going so i had to have it on there as my number one it's such a great solo game um hi I don't care if I play this solo or with others. I think it's harder solo than it is with others because resources affect you when you get attacked and you don't obviously get any resources from people.
00:49:37
Speaker
But it's still just... it's just It's good. It's like a fast food meal. You just go, going to play head of his wall, sit down, bang, bang, bang, bang. I love it. Simple, easy. I shouldn't really compare it to fast food meal. That sounds like it's a bad thing.
00:49:49
Speaker
But what I mean is it's easily easy to get sorted, get into your groove. You know exactly what you're going to get. You just try and smash out and just try and beat your best score. And then sometimes randomly you score 106 after never yeah never ever scoring anything in the 90s, which was what happened to me. But I have now scored in the 90s, so that's great.
00:50:08
Speaker
but have not caught over 100 ever since that one random game. So there is my number one favourite solo game. Good choice. And my number one ah is another chip theory game.
00:50:25
Speaker
um Okay. And I have mentioned it before, and that's the 20-strong solo series and card system that they've brought out. Yeah. So Too Many Bones, Solar Sentinels, and also Two Victorum or Hoplomarcus Victorum.
00:50:44
Speaker
and Awesome games. And the system itself works really well. You know, if you've if you've played games where they're basically boss battlers, and so if you've played card games that are boss battlers like um Unbroken,
00:51:01
Speaker
for those people that actually got their copy of Unbroken, which I which i do have a copy. Sorry about those re-opened wounds, people. um And Space Hulk Death Angel, you know, where you've just got you're just throwing down cards, to to and but also too trying to build your hand. And 20 strong, you have that little bit extra thing where you are rolling dice as well, so rolling some bones.
00:51:23
Speaker
um is brilliant and the system itself works so well. ah the They've brought out another three more, which i think you can get through the Chip Theory Game Store now. I think they've just just been released.
00:51:37
Speaker
um And so you can just build a collection of really cool card games off of a system of cards and dice and that is it. So 20 strong card game system is my number one. i love it.
00:51:52
Speaker
and Jump on Chip Theory if you do want to get the get the games. um They're quite well priced too. So,
00:52:00
Speaker
recommend it. So, there it is. The top 10 solo games. There's so many that are missing. ah from this list. It's only because I haven't played them.
00:52:12
Speaker
Spirit Island is known as one of the best solo games out there, but I don't play that enough to even make a list. um Robinson Crusoe, where you basically die even opening the box.
00:52:30
Speaker
I know.
00:52:32
Speaker
Well, you didn't mention Nemo's War, which I expected to be on. Correct. Nemo's War. First Martian, which is basically Robinson Crusoe in space. um There's so many. lot of people play Sleeping Gods solo as well, which I can't fathom because there's nine characters and that's a bit much for me to maintain.
00:52:51
Speaker
But it's apparently it's an excellent solo game. a Coffee Roaster is another really good solo game. There's so many out there that could make the list.
00:53:02
Speaker
and But look this is just know yours and my list. of They're my go-to. If I've got some spare time um and it's just me, I will pull out one of those games and give and of late it's been 20 strong because it's just so simple. I've 3D printed a box that holds all the games and all the dice now. and I just pull that out and which one do I want to play and off I go.
00:53:26
Speaker
um at The most played is definitely Solar Sentinels. um And so they're they're the're the top 10 that I would always go to now currently in the solar space. But that's it.
00:53:44
Speaker
Awesome. There's definitely some on your list that I'm going to check out and I really should check out 20 Strong. 20 Strong's fantastic. Yes. Really, really good. But I recommend that for anyone that likes War Games, the Mike Lambeau series on Amazon.
00:54:01
Speaker
Yes, I've written that one down for sure. I think the Fields of Normandy will be the one that Raph will gravitate towards. So, yeah. Yeah. Well, that's ah that's it for
Holiday Plans and Board Game Adventures
00:54:11
Speaker
another episode. ah You won't know this in podcast land, but Shane and I are taking a couple of weeks off as I am away from my computer for the next few weeks on holidays.
00:54:20
Speaker
And, know, being the school holidays, I'm sure you'll be doing lots of family stuff as well. Well, one would hope. um Yeah. But so I am taking some time off on Easter break, and during that time I'm teeing up a stack of board games so with with friends.
00:54:34
Speaker
Yeah. Well, I'm just hoping to play some of the games that I've packed and I'm going to go check out the Wicked Goblin, which is the first ever actual physical board game store I ever walked into since being part of the hobby.
00:54:48
Speaker
and it's where I bought Lords of Waterdeep from. Fantastic. That was the last time I went there because ah that was the last time I was in Cairns. So I'm looking forward to going back to the Goblin and just seeing whether they're hopefully not like every other board game store and have turned to ah Magic and like Digimon and all that, and I they've still got board games.
00:55:10
Speaker
So fingers crossed. Nice. The Facebook page is maybe telling me something different, but I'm hoping. Fingers crossed. I'm looking forward to hearing hearing how your trip goes in Cairns and and the fun that you have, especially all ballgames you're playing, and recommend ah trying the crystallised chilli, mate, if you ever do get to the Coranda Markets.
00:55:27
Speaker
It's funny because my Coranda Markets story was far less interesting, which is why I didn't share it when you were telling about yours, and that was that there's all this amazing stuff to look at, right? And Helen hellle and the kids were just lapping it up.
00:55:39
Speaker
And then I found down this little corner, there's this Bratwurst stand. yeah And every husband was at the Bratwurst stand. It was like 30 men and not a single woman. And I'm like, this is where we can, this is where we go to another Another flashback to a home episode, Bratwurst. Oh, I've never felt more like such a Bogan Aussie in my life as standing by the Bratwurst stand while the wife goes and spends money Bratwurst stand.
00:56:12
Speaker
Well, mate, enjoy the time with the family and have fun. Will do, mate. And same to you. Have a happy holiday. Happy Easter to you and all the listeners or end the listener, whichever one works, if you have more than one.
00:56:24
Speaker
Yes, if not, just the listener. Happy Easter. Thanks, mate. Take everyone. Have nice day. Until next time. See you.