A Beginner's Guide to Solo Role Playing (solo RPGs)

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In this video, we explore the world of solo role-playing games (RPGs), offering guidance for beginners looking to dive into this unique hobby. The host, Daniel, introduces various solo RPGs, highlighting the different styles, systems, and tools available. He categorizes these games along several spectrums, such as scripted versus sandbox, systems versus tools, simple versus complex, and journaling versus structured play.

Daniel provides examples across these categories, discussing the strengths and appeal of each type of game. He covers everything from game books like “Fighting Fantasy” to more complex systems like “Disciples of Bone and Shadow.” He also delves into tools that can enhance solo RPG experiences, including dice, decks of cards, and random encounter tables.

The video serves as a comprehensive guide to help viewers identify the type of solo RPG that best suits their preferences, whether they’re looking for something simple and guided or more open-ended and complex.

This video is a must-watch for anyone interested in solo role-playing games, offering a deep dive into the various options available and providing valuable insights to help you find the perfect game for your solo adventures.

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Found this little summary on the video comments, and thought it was worth re-posting.

Many thanks to @Genghis-Pawn

  • 0:00 - Explanation of the Categories

    • Overview of categories for solo RPGs.
    • Spectrums: Scripted vs. Sandbox, Systems vs. Tools, Simple vs. Complex, Journaling vs. Structured Play.
    • Introduction to the variety of solo RPG experiences available.

  • 05:40 - Simple and Scripted games

    • Fighting Fantasy gamebooks: Easy entry point, highly scripted adventures.
    • Fabled Lands gamebooks: More sandbox elements within the gamebook format.
    • Destiny Quest gamebooks: Hybrid of scripted narrative with more freedom of choice.

  • 07:26 - Systems (some Scripted & some Sandbox)

    • Radzone: Post-apocalyptic survival, complete system.
    • Four Against Darkness: Dungeon crawling, a mix of scripted and sandbox gameplay.
    • Alone Against Fear: Horror-themed, solo adventuring with one character.
    • D100 Dungeon: Advanced dungeon crawl with world-building elements.
    • Marching Order: Scripted dungeon crawling with structured play.
    • The Drifter: Complex, sandbox-style Wild West adventure.

  • 14:12 - More traditional RPGs (less Scripted, often need additional Tools)

    • MĂ–RK BORG + Sölitary Defilement: Dark fantasy RPG with solo play tools.
    • Cairn + Escape the City: Simple rules with solo adventure modules.
    • The Outcast: Simple, structured solo play with journaling elements.
    • Runecairn: Sandbox RPG with more complex rules.
    • Disciples of Bone & Shadow: Advanced sandbox game with hex-crawling.
    • Scarlet Heroes (+ e.g., White Box): Traditional RPG with solo rules integrated.

  • 27:00 - Journaling-focused games (usually lighter, creative-writing)

    • Broken Cask: Light role-playing as a fantasy innkeeper.
    • Colostle: Explore a massive castle, focused on creative writing and storytelling.

  • 29:30 - Skirmish Games with a focus on narrative

    • Five Leagues From the Borderlands (or 5 Parsecs from Home): Skirmish games with solo narrative campaigns.
    • Core Space: Skirmish game with strong narrative elements.
    • Rangers of Shadow Deep: Fantasy skirmish with a narrative-driven solo mode.

  • 31:42 - Indie Games that cross-cut categories

    • 6x6 Tales: Simple overland crawl, structured and scripted.
    • Ronin: Hybrid of journaling and structured solo play.
    • Fallen: Complex, self-contained system with tools for solo play.
    • Expedition to Skull Island: Simple hex crawl with structured, sandbox elements.

  • 37:20 onward - Tools

    • Dice and cards as essential tools for solo RPGs.
    • Variety of decks and random encounter tables to enhance solo play.
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