Notable New Solo Board Game Crowdfunding Campaigns: 10/26/24

Welcome back, solo adventurers and champions of the tabletop! Once again, we’re diving into the wild world of board game crowdfunding, where dreams meet dice, and hope hangs on a Kickstarter refresh button. This week, I’ve rounded up a selection of campaigns that promise to bring fresh challenges, unique mechanics, and enough solo-friendly content to keep us all blissfully occupied (and socially distant).

These are campaigns that caught my eye–not an exhaustive list, mind you, but rather a curated blend of titles that feel like they could make a real impact in the solo board gaming space. Each week I will also call out my “Pick of the Week”–the one solo board game that truly stole the show for me. We’re talking clever mechanics, immersive themes, and a few out-there ideas that could be pure genius…or gloriously chaotic. These are the projects that might just be worth your backing. So, let’s dive in!

The Maniac

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The Maniac is a survival horror game where one player becomes the Maniac over the course of the game and the other players must survive. This sounds similar to Betrayal at House on the Hill with its one versus many mechanic which I enjoy. I also like the cult horror movie theme on this game. The part that is a turn off from me is that the solo mode consists of the player controlling two survivors and the game controls the Maniac. A big part of the appeal in a game like Betrayal is being able to paly both sides of the one versus many and in The Maniac you can’t play the Mania in solo.

Current Status: Funded!
Pledge Amount: €59+
Check it out on Gamefound!

CastleScape - 2nd Edition and Expansion

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CastleScape sounds like an interesting mix of deck-building and area control This is a second printing of the game with a new expansion and deluxe components being made available. Keep in mind that the solo mode for this game is an add-on that you must purchase separately.

Current Status: Funded!
Pledge Amount: $59+
Check it out on Gamefound!

Raising Robots: Friends

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Raising Robots: Friends is an expansion for the well-received Raising Robots. The base game is also being reprinted and available through this campaign. *Raising Robots is an engine builder with a simultaneous action selection mechanic similar to Race for the Galaxy. In this game you are assembling and upgrading robots build build up your activation engine. The big part of the appeal of this game is the fun, cute robot theme and each card in the game has unique artwork featuring its adorable style.

Current Status: Funded!
Pledge Amount: $25+
Check it out on Kickstarter!

Bardsung: Tale of the Forsaken Glade

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Bardsung: Tale of the Forsaken Glade is a remaster of the original Bardsung. This is a campaign-based dungeon-crawler that does look like improves and streamlines parts of the original that received mixed reviews. This game will not go to retail and is only available in this crowdfunding campaign. For solo, this game can be played multi-handed or true solo.

Current Status: Funded!
Pledge Amount: £108+
Check it out on Gamefound!

Pick of the Week: Galen’s Games Mint Tin Series

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This campaign looks like a smart campaign with a selection of nice looking small games. You get your choice of two different bundles: Battle or Strategy. The Battle bundle includes Dice Clash a competitive dice-rolling, battling game with a solo mode and Mint-Tin Monster Mash-Up where you mash up your own monster creation and use it to battle. The Strategy bundle includes Heritage Farms where you’re a farmer and you have to load boats to take your goods to market. This looks similar to the shipping mechanic in the game Imhotep. The other game in the bundle is Verdant Arizona, a tableau-builder where you’re drafting cactii to build your own cactus display.

Current Status: Funded!
Pledge Amount: $24+
Check it out on Kickstarter!