Looking for a solo, heavy strategy game that rewards players who are willing to learn the complex ruleset and decision space? Here are our recommendations.
Less Complexity:
More Players:
⭐️ Top Picks
Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition
🟢 Ryan’s #5 All-Time 🔴 Daniel’s #3 All-Time
Summary: Build your hero’s spells, abilities, and artifacts as you explore and conquer through strategic deck-building and card play.
You Might Like If… you enjoy deck-building games and a strong sense of “leveling up” over time, and are looking for an epic experience with a lot of variability from session that plays best solo, or cooperatively with 2-3 players.
👍 Honorable Mentions
Spirit Island
Summary: Take on the role of Island Spirits joining forces to use their elemental powers to defend their home from invaders.
You Might Like If… you enjoy cooperative games with low amounts of luck, and like the idea of a complex puzzle where the interest comes less from surprises from the opposition and more from how you can combo your cards and abilities together to best clear invaders and manage the board state.
Gaia Project
🟢 Ryan’s #17 All-Time 🔴 Daniel’s #15 All-Time
Summary: Expand, research, upgrade, and settle the galaxy as you strategically allocate the resources and abilities of your unique alien race.
You Might Like If… you enjoy deep strategic games with no random elements after setup, and are looking for a game with satisfying engine-building with variable setup that makes each game unique.
👀 Worth a Look
Too Many Bones
Summary: Work as a team and manage your the dice of your unique character as you adventure towards an epic boss showdown.
You Might Like If… you enjoy cooperative games with a lot of strategic customization, and want an epic experience with a lot of progression that plays best with 1-3 players.