Going Analog

Where video game industry veterans introduce great board games to video gamers

Podcast #70: Solo games -- here to stay? Plus tons of great recs! (guest: Jeremy Howard)

Jeremy Howard, solo game expert from Man vs. Meeple, joins Christina and Shoe to talk about the trend toward gaming by yourself...and which games still NEED more players!

"But does it have a solo mode?" Christina and Shoe usually have no idea! But with the increase of single-player games and modes in modern board games, they turned to the expert, Jeremy Howard of Man vs. Meeple. We noticed a spike in one-person gaming over the pandemic, but is it here to stay? Jeremy makes some recommendations like he owns a solo board game store, and we all ponder what why we still need multiplayer.

Topics for this episode:

  • Shoe (producer): What are some good solo games we should check out? (10:31)
  • Jeremy (guest): Solo gaming during the pandemic...here to stay or no? (32:01)
  • Christina (host): What do we look for in multiplayer games that solo gaming can’t scratch the itch for? (39:48)

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Games mentioned in this episode:

Intro:

  • On Mars
  • Tapple
  • Exit: The Sacred Temple

Shoe's topic: Jeremy recommends some solo games!

  • Sky Towers
  • Sprawlopolis
  • Agropolis
  • Coffee Roaster
  • Warp Speed
  • Bullet♥︎
  • BattleCON
  • Pixel Tactics
  • Argent: The Consortium
  • Dawn of the Zeds
  • Tainted Grail
  • A Gentle Rain
  • Caverna
  • Terra Mystica
  • The Pursuit of Happiness
  • Tiny Towns
  • Villagers
  • Smartphone, Inc.
  • Chronicles of Crimes

Jeremy's topic: Is solo gaming here to stay?

  • Terraforming Mars
  • Agricola
  • Caverna
  • A Feast for Odin
  • Merchants Cove
  • Mr. Cabbagehead's Garden
  • Shahrazad
  • Folklore
  • Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Christina's topic: What do we look for in multiplayer games that solo gaming can't provide?

  • Snowdonia
  • Alubari: A Nice Cup of Tea
  • The Pursuit of Happiness
  • Anachrony
  • Atlantis Rising
  • Cthulhu: Death May Die