Gift Guide - Single Player Games

Looking for a gift for someone who loves board games but doesn't have company? Is there someone on your gift list who likes to spend time alone? We have a solution because you don't always need company to play board games!

The range of games available to single players is much wider than it might seem at first, because nowadays it has become a trend to add a solo option to board games, so that they can always be put on the table, even if it is not possible to arrange a company of friends that particular evening.

• Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
• Chronicles of Crime
• Arkham Horror
• EXIT
• Unlock!
• Clever
• Railroad Ink!
• Nemo's War
• Marvel Champions
• The winged ones
• Tiny Towns
• Adventure books
• Smart games
• Puzzles
• Metal Earth

One of the most popular genres of games that can be played alone is investigative games. These are mostly single player and multiplayer games.

Sherlock Holmes

Many different mysteries are hidden in the streets of London. The player can assume the role of the famous resident of 21B Baker Street and prove his investigative skills. In each version of the Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective investigation game, there are ten different crimes and mysteries that you must be able to solve. You can play this game both alone and with your Dr. Watson.

Chronicles of Crime

Who did not watch the crime investigation series "CSI" in the early 2000s? Now you too have the opportunity to test whether you can be as good an investigator as Horace Kane or Gil Grissom by playing "Chronicles of Crime" . It is an ingenious investigative game where players solve crimes with the help of a special free application. The cards have QR codes that can be scanned to reveal new clues, interview suspects and witnesses, and view crime scenes.

You might be wondering, couldn't this information be printed on, say, the back of a card or in some scenario book, so you don't have to replace the smart device? There is a very good reason why this particular solution was chosen! Each clue, each location, each person can play a drastically different role in different crimes. This means that different scenarios can be played out with the same cards.

Limited base game content is given almost unlimited possibilities. Fans of the game have already published their "crimes" on the Internet, which anyone interested can try in their own game.

The game also has thematic versions, such as "Chronicles Of Crime 1400" and "Chronicles Of Crime 1900" , in which players solve crimes in Paris of the relevant period.

Arkham Horror

It is possible to solve not only the mysteries of our world, but also amazing mysteries inspired by HP Lovecraft. Feel like an early 20th century investigator who encounters seemingly unimaginable dangers in Massachusetts. Various unclean creatures have begun to take over the local city, which the bravest heroes of "Arkham Horror: The Card Game" rush to stop .

The game can be played in pairs or alone. The player controls his investigator who tries to find clues, defeat various dangerous creatures and save the world. Moreover, all this is done while balancing on a knife edge and fighting for your life and sanity. While the game can be played with a single investigator without any problems, there are players who prefer to control two investigators, replacing the second human.

EXIT

Fans of breakout games will definitely love the EXIT board games, which are basically a breakout room in a game box that you can play without leaving your home. Whether trying to break out of an abandoned shack, escape from a pharaoh's tomb, get out of a secret laboratory, or find a killer on the Orient Express, the player (or players) will have to solve various puzzles and collect clues. You may have to bend, twist and tear the game components to find the answers to these addictive puzzles.

Four versions of the "EXIT" game are currently available in Latvian, but in English their range is even wider.

Unlock

Similar type of games are also "Unlock!" , where each box contains three such scenarios. They must be solved with the help of the application, which means that the game will not be broken and can be passed on to the next player. Both “EXIT” and “Unlock!” have their own merits, so it is impossible to say unequivocally which is the superior breakout game.

If you're still looking for a gift for someone who doesn't like crime, it's worth looking at one of the games that have a solo option. In such cases, "shoot and write down" type games, which can be played while competing with your results, come in very handy.

Clever

"Clever" , one of the most popular representatives of this genre, is available in Latvian . Roll the dice, choose the ones you like and try to collect the combinations that will give you the most points on your notepad. Clever may not be the most attractive game from the outside, but its popularity is due to its polished mechanics.

Railroad Ink

Another exciting draw-and-write game is Railraod Ink , where players use special dice to build their own network of roads and railways, trying to connect different endpoints and complete special tasks.

Nemo's War

If you need a gift for someone who is into "You" at games and who also likes to play alone, then "Nemo's War" is one of the best choices. Although it is officially considered to be playable with up to four players, many gaming experts have expressed that it is actually a single-player game, believing that it is best played alone. The game is based on Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Climb aboard the Nautilus and go on adventures with Captain Nemo!

Marvel Champions

Undoubtedly, one of the most popular comic and movie franchises is Marvel. Naturally, these superheroes have also gained popularity in the world of board games. One of the most popular superhero games of recent years is "Marvel Champions" , in which you fight with other heroes against one of the villains. The base game alone includes five heroes and three different villains, which opens up the possibilities for the most diverse battle combinations. However, if you want your superhero fight to be even more epic, you can purchase additional hero and villain cards for even more challenging adventures. "Marvel Champions" can be played both alone and with another character.

A single-player game doesn't have to be one that can't be played competitively.

The winged ones

There is also a solo version of the fabulously beautiful bird game "Winged" . In it, the player gets food, attracts birds with various bonuses and helps his birds lay eggs. One of the most popular board games of recent years, also available in Latvian!

Tiny Towns

There is also a single-player version of the cute little beast city-building game “Tiny Towns” . In addition, this game has an extremely exciting solo option that is challenging even for experienced city planners.

Adventure books

The adventure books "Knights" and "Gūstekne" have a unique solo game experience , in which game elements are combined with a graphic novel. In Gustekne, readers take on the role of the main character, and their choices determine the course of the story. Make decisions, follow comic panels and live your own unique adventure! In this game, both a keen eye to spot the hidden clues and a sharp mind to solve the puzzles will help. As with any game, you can lose - and sometimes very badly! But don't worry, you can always play again by choosing other adventure paths.

If you are looking for an adventure for younger players, then the younger brother of "Gūstekne" "Knights", in which players will embody one of the brothers who likes to become the bravest of the knights, will come in handy.

Smart games

One player will also benefit from one of the mind-developing brain teasers from Smart Games . They are available in different sizes and for different age groups. For the youngest aspirants, we recommend one of the thematic challenges with fairy-tale characters, beasts or cars, while the older ones can tackle the abstract challenges of the "IQ" series. Magnetic versions of the game are also available, which are convenient to play even while driving. They, just like the challenges of the "IQ" series, take up very little space in your bag.

Puzzles and Metal Earth

For a person who likes peace and quiet, we recommend one of the puzzles , which will allow him to relax and get a break from the daily rush.

If there is not a large enough space for placing the bricks, then the alternative is "Metal Earth" constructors. They consist of one or more steel sheets. By following the instructions and folding the parts into their designated places, you can prepare Star Wars battleships, various planes, cars and other models. Constructors are available in various themes and levels of difficulty.