Be responsible - play alone

Have you been alone in the evenings during housesitting? Don't know what to do or just want to play games but don't have anything to play with? Don't worry! We've selected several great board games (and more) that you can play alone!

Board games that you can play alone are no longer a rarity these days.

It has become a common practice for a publisher to add a single-player variant to their games in order to make their game accessible to a wider audience and suitable for different life situations.

Single-player games are divided into three large groups :

• games that are designed specifically for one player;

• cooperative games with a single-player variant;

• games where you compete against a score limit or an opponent controlled by an algorithm.

Cooperative games with a single-player variant

One of the hottest games in the "Brain Games" store this fall is "War of Latvian Independence 1918 - 1920." . In this game, the events of the Latvian War of Independence are played out in one of three scenarios. Each of them reflects a separate stage of the war. Will you manage to win all three scenarios and win Latvia's independence on your table?

Although Nemo's War is officially considered a game for 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!

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 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.

In recent years, various investigative games in which players try to solve the most common crimes have gained great popularity. One of the most well-known games of this type is "Chronicles of Crime" , in which you, using a free application on your smartphone, scan QR codes on various playing cards, thus moving around the city, interrogating suspects and visiting crime scenes. The ingenious code scanning system allows a limited number of cards to be assigned almost unlimited possibilities, as one person can play a completely different role in each investigative case.

In addition, the game system also has a themed millennium series. In total, three separate basic games have been created, the actions of which take place in Paris in 1400 . in 1900 . and in 2400. Each of the games comes with its own theme and twist. For example, in the "1400" version, vision cards and the trusty helper dog help in the investigation. At the end of the series, an expansion is available where one of the crimes involves traveling through all three time periods of the game.

This game is especially exciting to play alone, because you can easily control all the actions with the help of your smartphone. In addition, viewing 3D images of crime scenes eliminates the need to share your phone and stand in line to wait your turn to view evidence.

Games that include a single player option

A game with a single-player variant does not necessarily have to be a co-op game. Simple family games like Tiny Towns and Aquatica can also have a single player option. Both of these games can be played single or multiplayer, competing for the highest score. In the single-player version, the player must try to get as many points as possible, at the end, adding them up and looking at the points in the table, he will see how well he did.

In the cute game "Tiny Towns", players compete to build the best town for the little beasts of the forest. In the standard version, the participants take turns determining what resources everyone will use, but in the single player game, it is determined by the deck of cards. You must be able to adapt your strategy to the specific situation, otherwise your city will quickly fill up with unusable resources.

Meanwhile, in Aquatica, you are the ruler of the underwater world who wants to gain fame and control over the vast depths of the ocean. Plan your moves carefully as time is limited. This game has a mind puzzle-like nature as you have to figure out when to play your cards and ray tokens to get the most out of them. It is clear that you will not be able to implement all the plans, so you should carefully evaluate the right moment to regroup and lose time.

One of the broadest genres of games with a single player option is roll and write type games. In these games, you roll the dice and write down your desired (and sometimes unwanted) results on your score sheet. Try to collect as many points as possible and compete with your score again.

One of the classics of this genre is "That's Pretty Clever" . Although the game's visuals may have turned off many board game fans, most who have tried it have no regrets! The game is extremely simple, but you want to play it again and again. The game also has sequels Twice as Clever and Clever Cubed, which are standalone base games.

Pure single player games

Finally, there are games that are originally designed to be played alone. Among them is also the card game "Arkham Noir". It is based on the stories of HP Lovecraft and played with stunning black and white art. As the game progresses, you draw new cards and try to get clues to solve puzzles. This game currently has two stories , Witch Cult Murders and Called Forth By Thunder , each playable multiple times. In addition, the Spanish publisher "Ludonova" has announced that a third story - "Infinite Gulfs of Darkness" - is coming soon .

In the adventure book "Gustekne" the story is combined with the game. In this intense plot , the reader assumes the role of the main character , whose choices determine the course of the story. Make decisions, follow comic panels and live your own unique "Gustekne" adventure! Both a keen eye to spot the hidden clues and a sharp mind to solve the puzzles will help in this game. As with any game, you can lose - and sometimes very badly!

Brainstorm with the brain teasers of Smart Games

The exciting series of brain teasers "Smart Games" allows not only to have fun solving various tasks, but also to develop logical thinking. Each Smart Games brainteaser contains dozens of addictive challenges, from simple challenges that teach the basics of the game to hard-hitting puzzles that can take hours or even days to solve.

In addition, the games are suitable for any age. For the youngest aspirants, we recommend trying 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.

Relaxing activities alone

A soothing and time-consuming procedure is definitely putting the pustules. People have known this exciting hobby since the 18th century, when John Spilsbury created the first puzzle by cutting out the outlines of countries from a wooden map. Over time, this hobby has developed so far that various puzzles have been created.

If you want to try an unconventional puzzle, it is worth looking at the "Wasgij" and "Exit Puzzle" series.

"Wasgij" puzzles are special in that you never know what the actual picture of the puzzle will be. This may seem confusing at first, because the picture is on the box cover, right? Not really! These puzzles have a special twist that differentiates between the images on the box cover and the puzzle itself. For example, the same image should be put together in a puzzle after a moment when the situation has already changed, or the event can be seen from another character's point of view. Only by assembling the puzzle will you discover its true picture!

On the other hand, "Exit Puzzle" includes elements of classic puzzles and breakout room games. You will have to put together a puzzle, find secrets and remember them. Also, this puzzle will be different from the one you see on the box cover!

If there is not enough space in your home for putting puzzles, then the alternative is "Metal Earth" constructors. It consists of one or more steel sheets. By following the instructions, 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.

Regardless of whether you're staying alone or with someone, you don't have to give up the fun of board games! Games for one can be found for every taste. What will be your home favorite single player games?