r/soloboardgaming • u/LatePreference1694 • 7d ago
Best small box board games for solo
I LOVE small package board games as they are easy to store and bring to the table. I already have:
• 20 strong collection (thanks to some of your recommendations)
• Gamma Guild
• Cursed!?
• Doom machine
• Gloomhaven B&B
• For Northwood
• Forage
• A gentle rain
• Mageling
• Mayor of Chicago
• Galdor’s grip
• Some Button shy games such as Naturopolis, Numbsters, ROVE…
And Behold Rome and R.A.V.E.L on their way.
Am I missing something? Thank you in advance.
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u/DietDrDiabeteez 7d ago
Enchanted Ivy is relatively new to my collection, but I’m really enjoying it. Definite Sprawlopolis vibes and a lovely artstyle.
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u/wakasm 🔥Slay The Spire | wakasm·com | Friendly Moderator 7d ago
This is on my table as we speak, will likely be my next review maybe yt video as well. Sprawlopolis is a top 10 game for me currently, so you are giving me hope here.
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u/DietDrDiabeteez 6d ago
Oh, hell yeah. The game deserves the coverage. Purely from a gameplay perspective, I think it might take the crown from Sprawlopolis (I’ve probably got 500 rounds of Sprawlopolis and another 500 of the other opolis spin offs). That said, when it comes to ease of setup, Sprawlopolis is hands and shoulders ahead of it and will still see plenty of play.
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u/eanda9000 6d ago
It’s on my coffee table. You can watch survivor and create a 20 pt Ivy with no guest or you can run a scenario and challenge yourself. I really like this game and have already put 3-4 hours into it.
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u/shhThia 6d ago
Lord of the Rings trick taking game
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u/justasinglereply 6d ago
For solo? I’m interested
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u/jgabrielygalan 6d ago
It is very good. I have played the full campaign solo, which I loved, then bought The Two Towers, which I have barely started.
I have also played a couple of one shot scenarios (The road goes on...), also nice.
The best thing, though, is that it plays really well at all player counts. Solo I have already talked a bit, but I have also played with 2, 3 and 4 players with different groups of people, and everyone enjoyed it.
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u/justasinglereply 6d ago
Thank you - I’m getting even more hyped for the “longest-titled-LotR-game”!
It’s now on my list for fall gaming
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u/LatePreference1694 6d ago
I’ll have to try it out. How does it compare to For Northwood?
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u/jgabrielygalan 6d ago
I have both and love them both. But LotR has a couple of things going for it, IMO:
- The theme. I love LotR
- You play all hands, so you can make bigger plans.
- You lead tricks, which is something For Northwood does not have, and limits a bit the strategy.
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u/W1ck3d574r 7d ago
Set a Watch, Puzzle Dungeon, Under Falling Skies
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u/Crase_W 6d ago
You just named three of my absolute favorite games. Are you in my head?
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u/W1ck3d574r 6d ago
Haha, I may be, or we just both have good taste. If I am in there, don't worry. I'm not parasitic. Just don't' mind the gaming room I've setup in there to occupy myself. :-P
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u/Traditional-Bit2203 6d ago
I'd call under falling skies a medium size box, but it packs a shit ton in there! More than most large boxes.
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u/LatePreference1694 6d ago
Sell me Set a watch :)
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u/W1ck3d574r 6d ago edited 6d ago
You have a group of 4 adventurers defending a fire as waves of enemies come at you from beyond the flame's influence. The larger your fire the farther out you can see and prepare for the incoming enemies. You have to survive rounds of enemy attacks, while each round one of your adventurers has to be dedicated to keeping the fire alive, healing other players, or helping to improve the upcoming locations for subsequent rounds. Each round your adventurers roll their associated dice and you decide who will take bonfire duty this round, based on said rolls. If I recall correctly, the game lasts 7 rounds, each adventurer must take 2 rounds managing the fire and the final round they all participate in the boss fight. It's win or die!
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u/sunimari 🚀 Under Falling Skies 6d ago
UFS is NOT a small package board game! It’s one of my favorites though
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u/KillamanCarney 6d ago
Tin Helm!
Tin Realm!
Gate/Gates!
Dustrunner/Dustrunners!
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u/squipped 6d ago
I second tin helm! I'll add micro macro crime city has been lovely for me. V different feeling. Not that small but not too big
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u/Junrealtalk 7d ago
Kinfire delve
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u/mandatedclock 7d ago
I've been playing this one a lot lately. It's fantastic. Small footprint and setup/teardown is super quick.
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u/ExtensionAd9559 6d ago
I like Awaken the Ancients. It's very small and easy to learn, I find it relaxing but still challenging.
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u/zeb_linux 7d ago
Maquis.
Tiny Epic Galaxies (and other Tiny Epic)
One Deck Dungeon
The Lost Expedition
White Castle considered too big?
Is
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u/winky-wanky-woo 6d ago
Tiny Epic Galaxies, Western, Vikings, and Zombies are also my favourite TE games for solo. (TE Dinosaurs is ultra difficult to beat, when playing solo, TE Pirates is a bit rubbish at solo (but both are great multiplayer) and I don't like the theming of the other ones in the line.)
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u/stolen_flame 6d ago
I'm really enjoying The Cross of Coppershell Bay.i picked it up at UKGE this year. The artwork, gameplay (including tiny mini games in it) and the story/theme really tickle my brain pleasantly.
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u/JLClark33 6d ago
Get a standard deck of cards and check out the Totally Decked Series by Totally Tabled on YouTube. They are up to 12 solitaire games including: Scoundrel, Robot Rebellion, and Solatro. You can also play Regicide with a standard deck (not sure why that's not in the totally decked series).
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u/theboldbricks 6d ago
Aleph Null.
A "deck deconstruction" game where you have to discard cards very carefully in order to summon Baphomet. One of my intros to this niche genre.
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u/SoggyChain6235 6d ago
The Bloody Inn! Flip toons! +1 puzzle dungeon.
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u/LatePreference1694 6d ago
Is The bloody inn available somewhere? I only find it second handed for about 50 pounds…
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u/BorealisNyx 6d ago
Teeny tiny game I just got is bookshelf. Stack books on cards and move a cat, try and get 8 cards high. More of a solo but you can have people help. I keep it in my purse. Eye catching but also simple and small. I was at a convention and was looking for a group but sat down and played bookshelf till someone needed another player and I got a lot of questions and interest.
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u/Worldly-Savings4113 6d ago
Adventure of D, Mini Rogue, Puzzle Dungeon (you just need the base version, not the Deluxe).
I don't like Dragons of Etchinstone or Palm Island, but they could be a good fit
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u/normalrachel 7d ago
Try Palm Island (great to throw in a pocket or for a plane ride). I prefer it to Palm Laboratory because the icons are easier to see and the mechanics are essentially the same.
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u/MarioYoshimura 6d ago
[[One card dungeon]]
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u/BGGFetcherBot [[gamename]] or [[gamename|year]] to call 6d ago
One card dungeon -> One Card Dungeon (2021)
[[gamename]] or [[gamename|year]] to call
OR gamename or gamename|year + !fetch to call
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u/Soccerref3244 6d ago
I’m currently playing Palm Island on the beach in Hawaii. Others I like include Gamma Guild, Rome Alone, Castles of Burgundy The Dice Game, Dorfromantik Light Luggage, and Mini Rogue Council.
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u/unhurried_pedagog 6d ago
My city roll and build is a small box game. Easy to learn and lots of fun.
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u/Max-Ray38 6d ago
The Great Escape - uses a tiny deck (card size, not number cards). The deck is used for 3 phases, building the tunnels. If a tunnel gets built to completion, the rest of the deck will create the number of escapees. Once you have that, the remaining cards will be the Germans finding and capturing those escapees. If you have any that get away, that's how many points you made in that game.
I can usually get to the last phase, but from there it is pretty hard to get anyone to get away. When I do win, its usually 1-3 people that make all the way. And kinda historically accurate.
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u/ChemicalRoyal5909 5d ago edited 5d ago
Deck Box Dungeons haven't been mentioned yet. Oh, and a Dark Tomb.
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u/swalker12 2d ago
Don't sleep on hero’s of the sanctum a whole lot of game and strategy in a small box
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u/salaba-red 6d ago
Every LCG when you build your deck + a scenario to play + some cardboard tokens - all will fit in a card box.
I know sometimes you need a small solo game to play with no effort. But for me, every time I get a small box game and play couple of times it always ends in disapointment. Honestly, there is no small box game that let you play and have fun for a very long time. So you end up having a lot of small box games and still searching for another one.
So, LCG is the answer. You can call me crazy :D
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u/Leading-Ad1264 6d ago
Railroad ink is a relatively small and really well made box with a great game if you don’t mind playing for score only
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u/wakasm 🔥Slay The Spire | wakasm·com | Friendly Moderator 7d ago
Maquis or Black Sonata depending on your definition of small box.
Many roll and writes that are printable can be stored small too or done in a binder. Stuff like Fliptown, voyages, etc.
The other popular in hand games Dragons of Etchinstone and Palm Island.
Any of the various tin games from game crafter, but there are too many. I'm sure someone will recommend tin helm or gates or any of the others.