Introduction #
Essen Spiel 2024 is just around the corner, and for solo board gamers, it’s like Christmas came early–if Christmas involved dice, cards, cardboard, and intricate puzzle-solving. The good news? This year’s lineup is bursting with promising solo experiences that will have you questioning whether you really need a board game group after all. If worker placement is your jam, I think you will be very happy with the lineup this year. Here are my 20 most anticipated new and upcoming solo board games to check out at Essen Spiel or keep an eye out for news and updates.
Pax Hispanica #
Pax Hispanica is the newest addition to the ever-complex Pax series, brought to us from the mind of Phil Eklund. Lately, I’ve been on a bit of a nautical kick, so the blend of Spanish colonial power plays, piracy, and high-seas drama is calling my name. And did someone say asymmetry? Yes, please! From what I’ve seen, you get to choose between different careers, and each one plays out in its own unique way.
Age of Comics: The Golden Years #
Age of Comics: The Golden Years transports players back to one of the most prolific eras of comic book publishing, a time of capes, cowls, and crackling creativity. This looks like a game for solo players who love worker placement mechanics with a theme that pops. You’ll be managing your own comic book company, choosing which genres to publish, recruiting the best artists, and growing your fan-base. This looks like a wonderful simulation and gives me GameDev Tycoon vibes.
Dungeon Legends #
Dungeon Legends has really piqued my interest for a couple of compelling reasons. First off, it’s a dungeon crawler that promises not to swallow an entire Saturday–its five-chapter campaign is designed for replayability, which is music to my ears. Secondly, the fact that each hero boasts a unique deck tailored to individual play styles adds a delightful layer of personalization that I always appreciate and hearkens back to Gloomhaven.
Behemoth: Rise of Shadow #
Behemoth: Rise of Shadow immediately caught my attention with its mix of epic storytelling and strategic gameplay. You’re riding a massive magical rhino through a corrupted, post-apocalyptic Earth–what’s not to love? I’m a sucker for games with exploration and deck-building, and this one throws in adaptive AI that evolves with your decisions. That means every game could feel like a fresh challenge, and that’s my kind of solo adventure. Plus, the art reminds me of Shadow of the Colossus and the idea of leading a team of rangers and magical beasts against an ancient shadow goddess just sounds like the perfect blend of strategy, tension, and sheer coolness.
Ironwood #
Ironwood has me hooked with its fierce struggle between the Ironclad and Woodwalkers and its art style really appeals to me! The dynamic between these two asymmetric factions feels like a masterclass in tactical gameplay–each side with its own distinct strategies, goals, and even terrain access. I love the idea of using faction-specific cards to drive combat and resource extraction; it sounds like a thrilling balance of strategy and unpredictability. Plus, the lore surrounding the Larimor Crystals and the quest for ancient totems adds an enticing narrative layer to the mechanics. The low-upkeep solo mode is a cherry on top suggesting that the designers have put some thought and love into the solo mode.
Valheim: The Board Game #
Valheim’s is yet another video game turned board game and the survival-crafting genre is one I thoroughly enjoy. I’m looking forward to exploring a richly detailed world, crafting powerful gear, and facing off against the Forsaken in what sounds like an epic adventure waiting to unfold. I’m curious to learn more about the solo mode here.
Mini Rogue: The Council #
Mini Rogue: The Council is a minimalist dungeon crawler with dice rolling and push your luck mechanics. I know that Mini Rogue is well-loved by solo board gamers, but I have not been able to give it a try yet. I think Mini Rogue: The Council may be a good time for me to finally jump in.
Ascendancy #
I’m absolutely buzzing about Ascendancy, a game that promises to blend the thrill of worker placement with the expansive strategies of 4X gameplay! The allure of leading an asymmetric house through multiple generations, each with its unique traits and ambitions, has me itching to reclaim my family’s glory–hopefully as a hero, not a villain (though let’s be honest, both paths sound tempting). The potential for crafting a sprawling empire that grows skyward while also reaching outward is a tantalizing challenge.
Luthier #
As a board gamer who appreciates the elegance of strategy and as a musician, Luthier strikes a perfect chord with me. The blend of hidden bidding and worker placement sounds like a melody ripe for strategic improvisation, allowing me to conduct my own symphony of choices. Plus, the thematic depth sounds like it gives every decision a dramatic flair. Whether I end up with a Stradivarius or a kazoo, I can’t wait to see how this symphony unfolds!
Wandering Galaxy: A Crossroads Game #
Plaid Hat Games has a knack for spinning narrative adventures packed with meaningful choices, and Wandering Galaxy: A Crossroads Game promises to be no different. I can already feel the excitement of soaring through the cosmos alongside a quirky crew on an epic campaign! Taking on thrilling jobs and crafting my own space saga? Count me in! Buckle up; this galactic adventure is about to take off!
Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game #
As a fan of the video game and Antoine Bauza, I have to check out Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game. It promises a whirlwind of exploration, combat, and that ever-sweet taste of progression, all wrapped up in a dungeon-crawling adventure.
The loop of dying and mutating is not just a mechanic; it’s a philosophy that resonates with the relentless grind of roguelikes and seeing more board games adopt this mechanic is exciting to me. I can already envision those intense sessions, sweating bullets as I dodge traps and enemy attacks, all while plotting my revenge in the next loop. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good “I’m gonna get you this time” moment? It sounds like a chaotic, but ultimately rewarding ride!
Fliptown #
Fliptown has officially lassoed my interest with its wild west theme and clever use of a poker deck in a flip-and-write game! Poker is such a natural fit for the wild west theme and I’m intrigued because it’s not just using a poker deck, but each round you’re building a poker hand. With 14 unique characters to choose from, I’m hoping to have plenty of opportunities to shake up my strategy each game.
Speakeasy #
Speakeasy has me at “roaring 1920s,” because who wouldn’t want to dive into a world of mobsters, illicit liquor, and a dash of danger?
I can already imagine the thrill of outsmarting rival mobsters while cleverly managing my resources and workers. Plus, the idea of hiring goons and launching daring heists to take over Manhattan adds a deliciously naughty layer to the strategy. I love the tension that comes from balancing risk and reward that comes so naturally with this Prohibition era theme? With its mix of cunning, resource management, and a gloriously decadent theme, this game promises an intoxicating evening of fun and strategic chaos that’s hard to resist!
Andromeda’s Edge: Escalation Expansion #
Andromeda’s Edge: Escalation Expansion introduces solo play to Andromeda’s Edge. This is a game that I have been eyeing for a while. It looks like a fantastic worker placement game and it’s critically acclaimed. I missed the crowdfunding campaign for Andromeda’s Edge which included this expansion so I’m hoping to get my hands on the retail version of the base game and Andromeda’s Edge: Escalation Expansion.
House of Fado #
House of Fado strikes me as a beautiful blend of strategy and cultural immersion, and I’m a sucker for games that let me experience a unique slice of life while still scratching my strategic itch. Vital Lacerda’s latest design will have you managing a restaurant while curating the perfect fado experience for diners. It sounds like wonderful mix of logistics and art.
I’m also really enjoy worker placement mechanics, especially with the bump action like in The Gallerist, which adds a level of tactical decision-making I really enjoy. The idea of moving staff to ensure your restaurant thrives, while also nurturing talented fadistas and musicians to build prestige, sounds like the kind of balancing act that keeps me coming back for more. Plus, the evocative theme–Portuguese guitars, mournful tunes, and the slow, deliberate pace of an evening spent in a Casa de Fado–makes this a game that will not only challenge my brain but tug at my heartstrings too.
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence #
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence appeals to the part of me that loves science, space, and making big, cosmic discoveries. The idea of leading a team of scientists to search for alien life is just plain cool, but what really grabs me is the mix of euro-style mechanics with a thematic focus on real-world space exploration. Launching probes, surveying planets, and upgrading your telescopes all sound like the perfect mix of strategy and sci-fi nerdiness.
The shifting planetary positions and the decision-making between landing or orbiting add a layer of tension to every turn. And with over 200 cards depicting real-life technologies and discoveries, there’s a sense of educational value wrapped in the fun.
Civolution #
Stefan Feld’s latest game, Civolution, immediately caught my eye with its blend of deity-level civilization building and tongue-in-cheek cosmic faculty vibes. Who wouldn’t want to pass their final exam by evolving wings instead of inventing the wheel? It’s like the game takes the typical civ-building experience and cranks it up with a divine twist. It sounds like Civilization, Black & White, and Ender’s Game all blended together for my solo board gaming pleasures.
What really excites me is the dice selection mechanism tied to a tech-tree structure. I love games that give you flexibility in how you evolve your strategy over time, and the idea that each playthrough only scratches the surface of the game’s possibilities feels like the kind of replayability I crave.
Mutagen #
Mutagen checks a lot of boxes for me: custom worker placement, biopunk universe, and enough strategic depth to make my brain happily melt. The idea of playing as a mutated industrialist vying for control of some mystical element while navigating a twisted 1920s setting? Yeah, that’s my kind of weird.
What really grabs me is the way each worker interacts differently with the locations. I love games where your strategy has to constantly shift based on the unique abilities of your pieces. Plus, the customization options for upgrading workers with biogenetic enhancements sound like they’ll add a whole new layer of depth to the worker placement mechanic.
Shifters #
Shifters piqued my interest immediately with its mix of time-traveling, universe-saving shenanigans. The premise? You’re hopping between worlds and eras to stop a mysterious menace–no pressure, right? As someone who enjoys solo play, the “Die and Retry” mechanic is especially appealing. Failing, learning, and coming back stronger feels like the right kind of challenge for a strategy-minded gamer.
The “Shift” mechanism sounds particularly clever. The idea of placing cards on a line, triggering effects as they move through, adds a layer of strategic timing that could make each turn feel like a puzzle. I love the idea of carefully crafting each move, knowing that one misstep could throw off your entire plan. Plus, who doesn’t love the thrill of saving the universe, one well-timed card at a time?
Anno 1800: Die Erweiterung #
Anno 1800: The Board Game is one of my all-time favorite engine builders, especially when I’m in solo mode. Martin Wallace truly hit it out of the park with the base game, featuring a sprawling tech tree and a wealth of production combos that provide endless variability and exploration. Now, Anno 1800: Die Erweiterung promises to elevate the experience even further with new mechanics and fresh paths to victory! I’m excited to dive into this expansion and see how it enhances the intricate world I already love. It’s time to roll up my sleeves and dig deeper into the ever-evolving strategies of Anno!
Conclusion #
There you have it–20 solo board games to keep an eye out at Essen and for more information as it is released. Whether you’re into sprawling strategy games or bite-sized dungeon crawls, Essen Spiel 2024 has something for everyone. I, for one, can’t wait to dive into these worlds and see how they challenge and delight me in the months to come. So clear some shelf space, solo gamers, because the future is looking bright!