"GAMES RATED UNPLAYABLE SOLO - THAT YOU PLAYED SOLO!" Topic

Whilst browsing some old posts on this site I came across an amusing one from somebody lamenting that he couldn't play the boardgame 'Clue' ('Cluedo' in UK) solo.

This got me thinking – about games that are rated unplayable solo (past and present).

My own nomination is SPIs 'Dreadnought' which is a si-move notation log type game and therefore rated zero for solitaire playablilty.

I played this many times solo – scrupilously writing down the various moves in 'secret' then desperately trying to forget them when doing so for the 'other side'!

Any other similar experiences out there? In particular, has anybody actually played Clue (Cluedo) solo?!!

I've played the Piquet system solo, takes a bit of work but is definitely doable.

SPI's "Wolfpack" was an "unplayable game." Ugh.

battleship ?

I've played the Piquet system solo, takes a bit of work but is definitely doable.

I consistently see Piquet praised for its solitaire suitability, and I whole-heartedly agree after playing many games solo. I don't think that counts.

"scrupilously writing down the various moves in 'secret' then desperately trying to forget them when doing so for the 'other side'!"

Actually, I think that this technique makes any game solo playable. As I get older, it works even better .

Where there are large counter densitites, the orders can be orders of intent -- forces and missions rather than unit designations and exact hexes.

I too used to play Dreadnought solo, along with their sailing ship equivalent (can't recall the title).

"battleship"

I think you could pull it off with the Electronic Version. Although you would know the general location of the ships. And there is always the computer. :D

As a kid I was often sick in the winter and home from school for stretches at a time. I had my minis which I would set up all over the place and I would solo RISK guite a bit. But the craziest was Monopoly solo. How I would argue with myself over trades! Mom thought I needed a therapist.

Good old mom.
Neal

SPI's "Bastogne". This was back in the day when you had to mount your own counters, I think. Horrible game, that Dunnigan was oddly proud of, since he simulated traffic jams.
I tried to play solo. What a mistake.

***************

Neal, Mom is always right. Maybe you are a reincarnation of Braxton Bragg.

Why would you play a solo game unless it was a quest book where you read it? I've never understood solo games played with counters on a board OR with miniatures. I would rather play a computer game (which is something I rarely do – although I am playing with my son on the Wii now)

Monopoly? :)

I suppose one could play Never-Get-Started-Monopoly on one's own. Providing that is, one doesn't mind arguing with oneself.

I've played a online multiplayer game with no internet by myself.

Diplomacy

make up some THW type reaction tables for the other side and any game becomes solo playable very quick and easy.

so far I played warmachine, no limits, 2ed 40K, full thrust, space hulk, and 5150

How about "Tag"? After about an hour and a half of "Tag, I'm it" followed by "Tag, I'm it again" and finally "Tag, I'm still it" things get kinda boring. Seriously… I do most of my playing solo, both board and minis. I just try to use actual national tactics and actual historical situations. When something comes up iffy or on the fence I make a random die roll to keep it fair. I'd sooner play a good, fun game and "lose" than cheat for one side and "win."

Jovian1 wrote:

Why would you play a solo game unless it was a quest book where you read it? I've never understood solo games played with counters on a board OR with miniatures. I would rather play a computer game (which is something I rarely do – although I am playing with my son on the Wii now)

Lots of reasons. I'd much prefer to play a live opponent, but with my boys busy with school and heading off to college, my "regular" (most fun) opponents are scarce.

I also often find myself on the road, having no clue of where to pick up a game locally and bored at night, so I keep the ol' brain sharp with a game. It was only after doing this a few times that I realized that solo games can be fun in their own right, and certainly more interesting than the stuff on TV.

- Bob

Space Hulk is great solo. Roll for random blip entry and draw blips blind. Genestealers always attack.

I occasionally play BattleCry and BattleLore solo. I take the weaker general, deal the opponent his cards in a stack, and flip the top card for his move, adding to the bottom of the stack at the end. Enemy units must either move to attack if possible, or advance to the closest forward terrain. This works surprisingly well.

Monopoly is boring. I'd rather read a book.

I've done Risk solo; you just root for whichever color you happen to be at the moment. Works well.

Honestly, I figure almost any game works solo if you decide you don't care which side wins except the side you happen to be playing at the moment. Playing "in character" also makes things viable. (For example, play the Klingon side so they behave like Klingons…)

Parzival wrote:

[…] Honestly, I figure almost any game works solo if you decide you don't care which side wins except the side you happen to be playing at the moment.

On a technical level, that's true, but personally, I don't enjoy any game that requires me to pretend I don't know something. It's possible to play tic-tac-toe alone, but not exactly engaging!

The more "I" (the player) know that "my guys" (my figures on the table) don't, the less I tend to enjoy it. So for me, a LOT of games fall into the "unplayable for reasons of preference" category. That's not to say that those same games can't be made more enjoyable by reducing my complete control, introducing elements of chance, or surprises of various kinds. Technically, though, that's no longer the same game, right?

- Bob

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Here's the challenge: can anyone come up with a system to play Clue(Cluedo) solo, maintaining the basic premise of the game?

Thought not…

NL

I played this many times solo – scrupilously writing down the various moves in 'secret' then desperately trying to forget them when doing so for the 'other side'!

One way of making that work possibly,(If the game you are laying has simultaneous turns.) is that you write out a set of 3 different orders, all of which would make sensible options for the team you designate as your opponent. You then make your own move before rolling a die to decide which if the 3 sets of orders to follow.

This option gives a certain unpredictability to the game, but keeps the opponent making moves that are viable and not just random.

I guess it would depend on the type of game.?

Milton Bradley's Formula One. I even drew up tracks of my own and played entire racing fields of two to three dozen cars all by myself!

Hide and Seek…I'm sending this from the cupboard under the stairs but I haven't found myself yet….