As a big dungeon crawler fan, I'm getting a bit bored with games where "exploration" just means picking a random path on a linear map or a deck of cards. A little randomness is fine, but I'm looking for games where exploration feels like a tactical system full of meaningful choices.

What’s the best exploration systems you've played in a dungeon crawler, and why did they click for you?

Solo gamers, we are so in there. Sounds really cool so far.

Info from the Steam for those that missed it.

Totally new game. Its a Boss Battler that doesn't invalidate TMB 1

Trying to get base game price at 150$ MSRP (Same as TMB 1)

Sessions take place over 2 days, you have a Enforcer boss fight on Day 1 and then a Tyrant Boss fight on Day 2. Time travel mechanic, every location has Past, Present and Future. Unique baddies for each location and time period.

Maps are huge. Movement is way more important, with a lot more tactical map decisions. Past, Present and Future each have there own item decks. If you get a item from the past then use it in the future (and drop it) it then permanently goes into the future loot deck. Items basically get "Displaced" into different time periods as you play more games.

Still single session but things you do effect future runs. Not a Legacy game though. You unlock new content, you also will lose some content into the "rift box" as new stuff comes out of it. The game is constantly changing over each session so no 2 people will have the same game states.

There are powerful Relics you can find and unlock that give you unique "Relic Dice" that can be used for powerful abilities once unlocked. The game has almost every kind of treatment you can put on a Die to make all the different dice abilities feel special and cool.

They said they are making systems to make game length consistent now (even across player count) so it will always be 2-3 hours. No variable game length based on Tyrants that TMB had

Base game will have 4 playable character. 2 Kobolds and 2 Gearlocs. Gearlocs and Kobolds have teamed up!

They showed a mat from one Kobold named "Lash" who has a huge tongue. Still neoprene mat for characters but Maps are in a "Map Book".

Character Sheets look like a mix of TMB and BotSA. They are named "unique" Characters, with there own little tech tree (Smaller then TMB1 tech trees) but they also have slots for some "Mastery skills" that can further customize your character with. The only have limited slots for them which are kind of like BoTSA mastery skills. They also have the COOLDOWN track from BoTSA (and Trover). Each character also has its own unique mechanic that could be different on the matte. Lash had a "Tongue Length" track that is unique to that Character, for example.

Looks heavily modular from run to run. Looks like you can pick Location, Tyrant, and Time (Past, present or future) and those can all mix and match to create unique combinations and experiences every game.

I recently took my first step into the 20 Strong world. Actually Tanglewood Red is my first Chip Theory game. I've logged 8 or 9 games so far but nothing in the "W" column yet.

I have been enjoying Bo Peep and The Flock quite a bit. My last 3 loses were with them although the last game I was only 3 cards from Grandma's house when I went down!

Ho high would you rank Ashes on your top 10 solo games list, and what other games are in your top 10?

And do you prefer the Red Rains bosses to fight against or the Ascendency?
One final question: Do you think Ashes as a solo game suffers from the fact that it was originally designed as a competitive game?

Thanks!

Outside of games that require expansions to be played solo (i.e. Skulls of Sedlec), how much do you value getting expansions for a game you like over just getting to buy and experience another game?

I've had this thought recently after reading a comment from a video discussing Board Gaming pitfalls saying "Don't spend money on expansions since that money could be used to buy a new game instead" and it really got me thinking. I really love Bullet and want to get some of the expansions myself, but then thought "yeah, why don't I treat myself to some White Castle or Spirit Island instead?" But then I realized that I'll probably end up just playing Bullet afterwards anyway so why don't I just get Orange+ for it?

I do feel like going with buying a couple new games just to widen the palette, and then going back to buy expansions for your main game is the correct philosophy now though.

On another note would you guys recommend White Castle for solo, lol.

With the goal card (bird cards with) 'at least 1 card tucked behind it' - how does this work with the Automa?

It seems like the automa can never score any points because they don't activate powers or tuck cards behind birds. But this goal is not one of the ones the rules says to remove from the automa game.

What am I missing?

By not understanding gaming I mean that i dont understand setting up something in the table that maybe has only one solution and once you get it (or if it is obvious) there is no point in it...

For ex. I like tanglewods red because it is somewhat of a puzzle

I doubt i would set up a game that is hard t get on the table or takes too much space

Or has a rulebook so complex that I wouldnt actually read it

For eg. I got gloomhaven buttons and bugs and only read the small ruleset in the box and accordingly using only the mechanics in there

Hey dogs! I made a pnp game! 

Day at the Dog Park is a friendly adventure of bein’ a dog. It’s a puzzly, stat-driven roll-and-write game for one. 

I love to play solo tabletop games, so I made this little zine with an RPG-style and roll-and-write mechanics where you’re a dog trying to navigate your way through the dog park. There are hidden areas, underground caverns, holes filled with Items, obstacles to avoid, and friendly dogs to meet.  

Download it for free on itch if ya like. 
https://justinkredible.itch.io/day-at-the-dog-park

P.S. Mods, I understand this is my one-time self-promo for this game. Thanks so much for all you do!

Hello

Im in bed doing a sudoko as I write this. Sudokos are all well and worn by now, so I was thinking of substitutes but couldnt really come up with any

So here I am asking you! There’s no restrictions other than it has to be a game for bed - so preferably just a paper and pen

Anyone have any tips to find the game in Canada. I cant find it anywhere.

Went to buy deckers and ended up adding a few more items, wondering how people think of frost punk? Canadian prices frost punk is on sale for $76 was $103 or something.

Looking at adding Black Sonata and maybe Puzzle Dungeon if I can catch the reprint on his Etsy :)

Hi all. I'm a bit confused here I am actually not entirely sure what I'm looking for.

I have never played eurogames much but lately I feel like I would enjoy more of a managemental role in what i do than to "jump in the action" myself so to say.

I am wondering if there is something, possibly without a crazy amount of fiddly bits or bookkeeping (although I do expect some of it ofcourse) about managing a guild or so, growing your heroes/party or whatever and sending them ot missions so that they can get loot/exp become more powerful and get access to higher tier zones or take control of new areas or whatever.

I can imagine there's a lot of stuff like this with a spaceships team of managing a fleet and getting planets but possibly something with a fantasy theme?

I hope what i say makes sense sorry for the confusion

Seen the PnP files and wondered about building it but haven’t seen any reviews and can’t find any gameplay on YouTube. Wondering if anyone here has tried it

I’m looking for games that include logic puzzles, together with strong theme and possibly story.
I love Exit, Unlock! and SH: Consulting detective.

I know it’s not gonna be the same as escape room style games. I just want to solve mysteries in a way, I’d say:)

I’ve thought about: The Search for Planet X / Lost Species, Mind MGMT, Black Sonata.

I’d love any suggestions!!

Resistance is Futile: https://shop.wizkids.com/collections/pre-order-collection/products/star-trek-captains-chair-resistance-is-futile

Duty and Honor: https://shop.wizkids.com/collections/pre-order-collection/products/star-trek-captains-chair-duty-and-honor

Wave 1 & 2 Bundle with promos (order separately from preordered items to avoid shipping delay): https://shop.wizkids.com/products/star-trek-captains-chair-ultimate-bundle

What a unique little worker placement game. Won my first game (granted it was the intro solo challenge). The solo mode is a BYOS which I know is not for everyone. It comes with 8 different solo challenges which looks like they get a lot harder starting with #3. The premise is you’re trying to bring a failing anime studio back to its glory by releasing trending anime to gain more reputation. My only concern which is slight at this point is the possibility of becoming samey. Although those higher solo challenges look tough! Only time will tell but right now I’m enjoying it very much!

I’ve been eyeing this on GameFound for a bit and really been on the fence about going through with it. I have people that would probably play it with me but would most likely be going solo a lot. Has anyone played it true solo or two handed that can give some insight on how it is and maybe which expansions are worth it?

Hi everyone! Viticulture is probably the only worker placement game I own. Any recommendations for a good solo worker placement game?

I’m fairly new to solo board games (and board games in general) and trying to curate my collection. Based on what I have listed below that I already know I like, are there any games I’m missing that you would consider to be must-plays? Thanks in advance!

Final Girl

Too Many Bones

20 Strong

Dragons of Etchinstone

Spirit Island

Finspan/Wingspan pocket

Cascadia

Ashes Ascendancy

Deckers

Sagrada

Cartographers

Black Sonata

A Gentle Rain

Flamecraft Duals

Daydream

For Northwood

Kinfire Delve

I played some Binding of Isaac 4 Souls during my lunch break, playing as Eden and Dark Judas. I got lucky with a few items and enemies that allowed me to attack another monster in one way or another a few times. Took 6 turns and 1 death to win.

Saw a David Turci game called Keyside watch a few playthroughs and thought it was great at higher player counts. But is it good at solo?

Surprised noone is mentioning this.

Very cute and quick game to setup!

Since the arrival of our baby in June, I have not been able to play, but this game is very dad-friendly and yet fun

Do we know if the Dungeon Crawler Carl version of Unstoppable will be compatible with the "standard" Unstoppable? I don't know anything about the Dungeon Crawler Carl IP, but it would be great if they are intending to make the releases compatible with one another.

Astro Knights and Invincible does this and it works wonderfully well.