Solo horror / fantasy card games?

April 4, 2017 11:47 AM

I've been kicking around buying Dungeoneer: Tomb of the Lich Lord to play solo when the gaming urge hits and my Arkham Horror group can't get together. Looking for feedback from folks that have played on their own, and also suggestions of other (maybe better) games of this type for solo play.

Looking, ideally for a standalone game or one with a few expansions - not interested in getting enmeshed in an MTG-style long term investment.

posted by ryanshepard to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

Elder Sign isn't a card game per se, but it might scratch a similar itch. I've played a couple times and enjoyed it quite a bit.
posted by Alensin at 12:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]

I can recommend "Warhammer Quest: The Adventure Card Game" (link). When you play solo, you control 2-4 characters (but you can also play it with other real people, where everyone gets one or two characters - nice for when only half the role-playing group can make it). It has an extension pack with two new characters, but the basic version is good fun already.
posted by CompanionCube at 12:33 PM on April 4, 2017

If you have some slighty beefy scratch to lay on a boardgame budget, I highly recommend the 2nd Edition (*specifically* 2nd) of Mansions of Madness. Same campaign world as AH, requires a laptop or tablet, plays solo as easily as group. The laptop/tablet runs the entire 'DM' portion of the scenario, handles map setup and reveal much smoother than anything in 1st Ed, and even has sound effects and NPCs. It's 1000% improved over the original, has the option of including any 1st Ed pieces (maps, monsters, characters) that you've bought already, and is just a great addition to your BG collection.
posted by FatherDagon at 12:46 PM on April 4, 2017

Response by poster: A few additional caveats:

1. I'm looking for something outside the AH / Lovecraft universe for a little variety.

2. Something with good art that has the look and atmosphere of early D&D (broadly defined). 1970s/80s RPG nostalgia is sort of a factor here.

3. Preferably $30 and under, since some AH expansions recently ate up my gaming budget.
posted by ryanshepard at 1:05 PM on April 4, 2017

Space Hulk: Death Angel is a solo or multiplayer space horror game that is an absolute blast.

I've played it by myself quite a bit and have had a lot of fun. Warning: there are some dice rolls so it's not a straight up card game, but the luck element makes for some great narrative arcs (that usually ends with your marines dying horribly/hilariously).
posted by Tevin at 1:30 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]

Hero Realms

They're dice-based instead of card-based, but the Dicemasters line has a similar flow: Battle of Faerun, Faerun Under Seige.

I know you're looking for something outside the theme, but Arkham Horror: The Card Game has gotten rave reviews from the internet and my friends, and it supports solo play.
posted by mkultra at 1:34 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]

Descent with the newish app allows solo play! It's basically simplified D&D in a box. A friend and I are currently really enjoying the free campaign included with the free app.

Also, you can solo Gloomhaven, and the 2nd edition reprint is currently being Kickstarted for 99$usd. It seems like an incredible bargain for the content included. At least I sure think so, as I have pledged even though the Canadian dollar is super-weak against usd right now.

Oh I just saw the price limit. Yeah, these are both way over 30$. Oops.
posted by joelhunt at 11:05 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]