Posts from '2026'
Solo RPG Recommendations
I am not an expert on solo RPGs, but I have played a quite a few. These are some I have especially enjoyed.
World-building
Some solo RPGs are focused on building a world, rather than role playing within one. It's the genre I have most enjoyed. They're especially easy to put down and come back to, and the results are useful for other TTRPGs. Like, I made a history for my Blades in the Dark character's dagger with Artefact. I didn't share that with anyone really, but it helped my play a bit. And I enjoyed it!
These are especially recommended if you enjoy The Quiet Year and want something like that to play solo.
Artefact
You're a thing.
In Artefact you create the history of a magical item. From its origin, to the numerous people its been owned by, to the stretches of time where it was lost and forgotten. There's also a mini-game where you can do the history of a group of critters who live among the object in one of its fallow periods. (Like a colony of mice who use a shield as the roof to a community center.)
I, The Land
You're geography.
In I, The Land you really do role-play as a piece of land. You got flora and fauna, there's big and little things that happen upon you, and you react (or don't). I've been surprised by twists and unexpected events more in this than any of the others in this section. This is a really neat game!
It uses playing cards for randomness, and the one complaint I have is that the deal is weird. First you draw four cards from a fully shuffled deck, then you need to draw four cards from each suit. It's awkward to do live. Luckily, I can make websites and I made one to do the deal for you.
Lineage
You're a royal historian.
In Lineage you write the history of a royal family. From its bare beginnings through its rise to a golden age or two, to its inevitable collapse. This one can go a very very long time. I've never actually reached the ultimate end of a family. You'll amass quite a collection of flawed ancestors for a royal character.
Traditional
I only have one entry for a solo RPG that plays like a traditional TTRPG, but it's so good maybe it's all you need.
Ironsworn / Starforged
Ironsworn and Starforged share a system, which is a bit unforgiving, but impressively put together for running a traditional TTRPG game by yourself. There's a bit of set-up before you get to play, but the play is really, really good.
Two things stand out for me in how well it works:
- Not having to roll for enemies during combat or deal with enemy stat sheets saves a lot of headaches.
- You get to role-play a lot. I was worried that it would be too dice-dependent, but no!
Ironsworn is low-magic, high-peril fantasy. Starforged is in space. Pick your setting.
IRL
There are some solo RPGs that are less sit at a table with dice and paper and more you're doing stuff in the world. If you can not feel weird about it, here are two (or one and a collection, rather).
Tend
You're a world-weary knight who needs to eat. Make yourself something. Eat it. Yum.
Variations on Your Body
Made by The Quiet Year's brilliant author, Avery, these are four games that you play in your mind as you go about the world, no paper or pen needed. These are the farthest removed from normal RPGs on this list, and more contemplative than "fun". But if it's your cup of tea, drink deep.