I only review games or products that I have personally played or used. My budget is very limited, and older games are typically cheaper, so don't expect the newest releases. My lighting setup and camera isn't great, but I'm slowly spending money to improve it. Until then, it should be good enough to get my points across.
My reviews aren't rules explanations. I only focus on the most important aspects, and the general feel of the game. Always check out several different reviews, so you can make informed purchasing decisions.
Boardgames
Flip & Write
Cartographers - Highly Recommended
Hadrian's Wall - Highly Recommended
Print & Play
Pocket Landship - Recommended
Roleplaying Games
Coming Soon
Miniature Wargames
Coming Soon
Tabletop Terrain
Coming Soon
First Impressions
These are not full reviews.
My Solo Gaming Preferences
It's very important to look at my reviews through the lens of my personal preferences. You might hate a game I recommend. You might love a game I hate. Some game mechanics can be very polarizing, so here is a general list of things I like and dislike in my solo games.
Overall Likes
Crunch
I love complex games that take time to master. It's always easier to ignore a rule than it is to make one up on the spot.
Theme
A well executed theme can carry a game a long way. I can forgive many things, if the game makes it easy to immerse myself into its world.
Accessibility
I'm color-blind, so color/icon choice is always something I'm looking out for. Equally, I find it important that the rules are clearly written, and that it's relatively easy to pick the game up again after a longer break. Good rule books are especially important for complex games.
Historical Context
By no means a must, but it's always nice to have a "real" backdrop for a game. I love to research these events before and/or after a game, and have probably learned more about history that way than in all my school days.
Finished Products
I prefer older versions of games, where I can be sure that everything has been released and that nothing is going to change after my purchase. The same goes for preview versions or half-baked demo releases.
Overall Dislikes
Ultra Rules-Lite Games
There are many good games that make do with a few paragraphs of rules, but MANY more that just absolutely fail as a game. I want a game to provide me with more than just a cool concept or a general idea. If I have to provide 90% of the content, why am I even bothering to "play" that game?
Illusion of Choice or Choices Barely Matter
If I find out that my choices don't really have an impact on the game, it instantly ruins my enjoyment. Equally, it is really discouraging if my choices barely matter. What's the point of fighting for that +1 modifier if you roll a d100? What's the point of fighting against an ancient dragon, if their stats are just 5% better than that of a human soldier?
Low Production Quality
Physical games are getting more and more expensive, which leads me to expect a certain amount of quality control. Nothing ruins my excitement for a game more than opening a box or book to find cheap looking and feeling material.
Boardgame Likes
Randomness & Replayability
For me, the most important aspect of solo gaming is unpredictability. I don't want to be able to figure the game out after only a couple of plays. Give me asymmetric abilities, random victory conditions, random starting setup, different scenarios, etc.
Long Playtime
Modern boardgames take a long time to set up and tear down, and I want that time to be worth it. Time management is the biggest advantage of solo play, so I prefer games that take several hours to complete. Three to four hours is typically my sweet spot, but I also like longer games that I can leave on the table for several days.
Boardgame Dislikes
Abstract Games
I don't need much, but I need something, when it comes to the theme. Game mechanics for the sake of game mechanics just don't grab me the same way.
Braindead Automa/AI
Solo play has seen a huge rise in popularity, since the pandemic, but there were a few years when many games added a solo mode that felt tacked-on. Don't give me a solo mode if the game isn't designed for it. Just because the bot can make some moves, doesn't mean it's satisfying to play against. I'd much rather have an automa with a lot of upkeep than a simple one that does truly random moves.
Roleplaying Game Likes
Clearly Defined Intent
What kind of story does this game want me to explore? (You are X, and do Y) Does it do a good job of communication that intention? Do the game mechanics support that play style? It's counterintuitive, if the game expects me to play deep political intrigue, while most of the rules are about fighting monsters.
Generic rulesets are an exception, because you can typically customize them enough to fit your campaign.
Grimdark
I love movies and books that make me break down in a pool of my own tears and make me question my own existence for a week after finishing them. The same goes for my tabletop games. I guess I'm a sucker for dark and depressing settings. Obviously, I like other lighter settings as well, but generally, I tend to gravitate to the (almost satirically) darker stuff.
Roleplaying Game Dislikes
Journaling Games
Creatively writing out your game notes is always an option for solo games. Why would I want to remove the rest of the game and reduce it to a number of creative writing prompts? Yes, that's an overly reductive view of an entire genre of games, but it accurately describes my first impression for 99% of them.
Constantly Retreading Familiar Ground
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the "classic" heroic fantasy setting, but please stop recreating things we already have a hundred versions of. Nobody needs another generic fantasy game with Dwarves, Elves, and Goblins. We already have more of those than a single person could ever read, let alone play, in their lifetime.
Miniature Wargaming Likes
Large Stat Variance
Please give me a noticeable difference between a peasant and a giant. I want more than just +1 or +3 on a D6. Give me bigger dice AND a large variety of stat blocks. One or the other doesn't work. I want to be able to look at a stat block and get a general idea of what type of creature/character/etc. it is.
Asymmetric Scenarios
Most competitive wargames are highly focused on balancing. For solo games, that isn't really necessary. As the only player, you can always change things, if they feel wrong. With that in mind, I like to see games with asymmetric (or even unbalanced) scenarios. The most obvious example would be a Last Stand against overwhelming enemies.
Small Footprint
I live in a small apartment and don't have the space for a big 6'x6' wargaming table. Anything over 4'x4' becomes impossible. 3'x3' is the sweet spot for my setup, and it definitely plays a large role in the enjoyment of my games.
Miniature Wargaming Dislikes
Squishy Units
I spend countless hours painting my minis, so it feels bad to just remove them in the dozens, during the first round of shooting. I prefer smaller battles with units that can take more of a punch.
Constant Releases
If the new book for my army comes out before I had the chance to buy, build, and paint my planned army project, then you're not going to keep me around as a customer.
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