No convenient time stamps, but I was curious and listed the tools section out: Tools: Books - Untold Encounters of the Random Kind - Loke Battle Mats - Table Fables I & II - Tome of Adventure Design - Mythic GM Emulator - Wanderings: A Gothic Roll & Read Table - Realm Fables Sandbox Creator, World Generator, Miscellany, & Preformed Settings - The Dungeon Alphabet Tools: Cards - The Fantasy Trip: Labyrinth Encounter Cards & Outdoor Encounter Cards - Sidequest card decks - Pixel Loot card decks - Encounter Building Cards - GM Decks - The Quiet Year - The Outlander: Deck of Random Encounters - Pocket Lands: Playing Cards
@@Grodnark Nice! I had briefly considered going back and adding them, but it turns out once a comment is Pinned on a youtube channel it can't be edited. Thanks for the addition!
I'm the creator of Disciples of Bone & Shadow, just wanted to say thank you for mentioning my game! The whole video is fantastic, and absolutely thorough view of all almost all available solo systems that are worth mentioning, and how to progress from one another. I personally think it's also best to start with something like 4AD or D100 Dungeon, and then move on to more complex systems. By the way, Disciples of Bone & Shadow does have a pretty extensive example of play at the back of the book, several pages long, detailing a character's initial journey. In any case, thanks again for showcasing my work!
@@TheDungeonDive no worries, you've covered so much material in under an hour, it's a fantastic video. Now when people ask me where to start with solo RPGs, I have this video to show them.
@@Takerfan4ever303 theoretically yes, but since I no longer own the game's rights and are not involved with it, I can't say for sure. I heard that Exalted Funeral (they own the rights now) wanted to republish it, along with all the other unreleased material that they have, but who knows. Sorry I can't be of more help!
Cool will get it ASAP. Thanks you and the dungeon dive along with solo rpg guy helped open new vistas. I love reading and a solo rpg game is like a good book you live throug.
I got the pdf and I must say. This is the best course on solo rpg along with your video and the dungeon dive video. All you need to get started on epic rpg adventures. Why no board game can successfully scratch this itch? The closest is descent legends in the dark. I find the game keeps exploration and surprises like an rpg. Set up is a bit fiddily but I don’t mind it.
Wow, I didn’t even know this kind of thing existed! I’ve been into board gaming for years and more recently solo gaming, but this is like discovering an entire new floor in a house you’ve been living in. 🤯
Every time I watch one of your videos, I end up with about 100 new tabs open to all the fabulous games you refer to! Thank you SO much for introducing me to all the things! :)
Thanks for mentioning The Drifter, DD! Breaking the games down to categories is a brilliant way to help others choose what will be most enjoyable for them. Thanks again!
Ahhg this is my problem, I don't have a group found yet to play so I wanna try solo, but I do not have the extra money to buy a book that might not even work for me! I wish it was easier to find full info for literally just how to play, for free. I don't understand how you decide what the dice say makes this move happen where.. I'm clueless lol
Even though I disagree on some points (I did bounce off Mythic at first as well, but am now *really* into it and find it actually pretty simple to use), this is an excellent guide. I think it just goes to show that everyone _will_ have different preferences in Solo Roleplaying, and that's absolutely fine if not even the beauty of it. No one has to like everything, and everyone can just find what works for them. Some people use miniatures, which I don't like at all (I did not grow up in a very DnD-heavy circle of players, where miniatures seem to be the norm); some people like published settings, others want to build a world; some like theatrics more, some like wargaming more - and in solo roleplaying, you can just choose what you like.
Every playthrough video Ive seen of Mythic seems more involved with Mythic than the game its actually acting as an emulator. IMO Mythic becomes the game rather than the game itself. But the trouble is that Ive seen other GM Emulators which seem too simplified. I suspect a very trimmed version of Mythic would hit the sweet spot. It is all taste in the end though
I thought I had a good grasp of a lot of the solo RPGs out there, but I’ve apparently been missing out on the basics this whole time. Very well put together.
This is a fantastic video for those of us who love rpgs but really don't know anyone else who can or will play. I am 53 and have never had brothers or sisters growing up and never had any of my friends being interested in D&D or any other rpg. Up to this point I've been stuck having to play things like the Gold Box MS-DOS D&D games on PC or reading books like the Lone Wolf series to get my fix. These options are great. I recently discovered Tunnels & Trolls never realizing they had solo adventures all those years back. Thanks for this video. You also gained a new subscriber.
Loved the analysis at the start as it focussed my understanding of my preferences to game experience. Also the best comment in the video, "I found the system got in the way of me having fun". That's the key to this, having fun. I like the 5 Parsecs/ Leagues/ Klicks system, but I come from miniature skirmish. I loathe the prescriptive fighting fantasy style books. Long may it continue that we like different things. I'm not sure I'm tempted to try solo rpgs as presented here but it's great to see what's available. I think I'll be continuing with the 5 P/L/K systems alongside game systems like Silver Bayonet / Forbidden Psalm - Last War. All skirmish games with a campaign element to a greater or lesser extent. They key for me is to find the challenge and variation without being bogged down with unneccessary procedure or being too constrained. I find a break and change of system also helps as each "system" has it's strong and weak points. Thanks for the vid
I've been playing rpgs since 1979, but there's so much on the market these days that I don't have time to winnow through it to find cool new things to explore. I really appreciate this walk-through, and now I have some titles I want to check out for my own gaming purposes. Very useful vid. Thanks so much!
A lot of cool resources shown here. Also gives a lot to think about. I’ve never even contemplated about all the different resources, and whether they work for me or not.
This is a great video and i enjoy seeing all the creators in the comments. The earliest ttrpg experience i had was solo playing a copy of Space 1889 i found at my library when i was a kid. Very unstructured and i always won. I have been DMing lately and toying with the idea of making my own solo RPG. This video is truly invaluable. A lot of great looking games for research and inspiration. Im going to need more shelves.
Tons of golden advice! I'm still at the scripted/journaling rpg gameplay stage. Still to dip my toes to more sandboxy games, so I don't know if perhaps the current stage is more what's bring me most joy.
Ok, You have a new sub from me! Love the information, and break down. I had no idea of solo play games! I always just waited until I had friends over of like mind. Which was very few, and far between since I recently became fully disabled. So this opens up a whole new world for me let me tell you! Awesome! Just happened to hit the algorithm just right, and you popped up. I clicked, and the rest is history! Thanks! 👍👍👍❤❤❤
That’s great! Not that you’re disabled, but that you found this new avenue of gaming! There is so much to explore in the solo RPG realm. Hope you find the game for you.
Fantastic overview of solo roleplaying! I really wish I had this video when I was starting out a couple months ago. I've watched a lot of your videos, but I think this is my absolute favourite!
As somebody who is getting back into dnd5e I really appreciate this!! I have a friend who is an aspiring author and this video gave me LITERAL METRIC TONNES of inspiration for ideas and books for him to be able to use to get those creative juices flowing!
This was excellent and informative. Introducing games new to me and helping me decide on purchasing other games, or not purchasing them. Truly appreciative of this video. Thank you.
As a new player to solo RPGs this fantastic video is a great help, I now know where to start and what to pick up from what seems like a daunting array of material to a noob like me! ……👍🏻
Oh wow! What an amazing video. Once again DD, you prove that you are making high caliber and helpful videos. You cover some friends of mine in here and its awesome to see. Thank you again for the kind words about Fallen and the Campaign Notebook! Also, want to point out, the author of Solitary Defilement has just released another cool solo item, called Basilisk, that you may enjoy.
I must say, YOU Sir became my favorite boardgames relates youtuber! Thank you for all the great videos! You awoken a memory from my childhood of a short magazine that was indeed a choose your own adventure booklet waaay before i knew what those are and since in Eastern Europe they were not that popular, in the early 2000s, I only wished there was some kind of RPG in book format, I remember wishing for "an adventure gamebook like Heroes Of Might and Magic 3" I believe were my words 😂. I almost shed a tear watching this video and remembering that passion I had! Just ordered Fabled Lands book 1 and the whole collection of Fighting Fantasy Books. I look forward to reading and literally living one of my childhood wishes. If something ever saddens you Sir, remember that at least you made a 26 yo guy from Eastern Europe relive his childhood and made him so so so happy! Thank you again and keep up the amazing work!
Can't decide whether to go into solo RPGs, but love watching you and geek gamers discuss them...thinking of erasing into 4 against or a Crtical IF game book. Good vid.
This is the most comprehensive and best structured overview on all the different facets of solo roleplaying. Even better: it contains concrete examples and recommendations for all of these facets. This is a "must view" for anyone who wants to dive into the incredibly diverse and fulfilling hobby of solo RPG. Excellent.👍
What an incredible video - have been wanting to solo game play for a while. I've just got into Ker Nethalas (highly recommended) and wanted other solo games to play. Thank you so much!!
Thank you! This is exactly what I've been looking for. I've been playing 5e for maybe 4-5 years, and I'd really like to play some solo games. I'm a lifelong writer, so journaling might be fun, but I also want to explore other people's unique stories and games. Thing is, I never had the patience for choose your own adventure books as a kid - I wanted a satisfying complete story, or to just write my own. But I'm a more seasoned reader and player now, so I'm excitedto try these types of games. I'm also watching videos on Index Card RPG and Pathfinder 2e.
An excellent overview, thank you. I've struggled a long time with finding a satisfying solo RPG, because scripted games often have too little agency yet sandbox games are often too random. I envy your ability to take whatever result or event occurs and fit it into a narrative as you go, whereas I find it jarring to have events spring up that are only slightly related (or often, not at all related) to my decisions and actions. Some randomness is welcome of course (e.g., if certain hexes have a higher chance of rain, which would slow my travel and screw up hunting and possibly ruin gear, that's great) but many sandbox games aren't that finely crafted. I also don't enjoy world-building as one goes. If the majority of the game is rolling dice to see what is in the next hex or behind the next door, that seems pretty much like a scripted game to me, just with extra steps. I guess the best balance for my tastes would be a sandbox game with a variety of locations that are more scripted, yet the sandbox part would need to have a good amount of reason behind its randomness (like logical encounter possibilities depending on terrain) and the scripted parts would need to have a variety of meaningful options or logical possible outcomes. It could be I'm asking for too much...but perhaps the campaigns for D100 would come close? Or The Drifter? Though that one seems to be less scripted. Anyway, thanks for the helpful video! And please everyone, let me know your suggestions for games that might fit what I'm looking for.
Maybe try a sandbox hexcrawl style game, but spend a few sessions before you start playing and flesh out the world with interesting locations and NPCs. Maybe look into games like Miru, Twelve Years, Sacrifice, or Glide. I'll have videos on those coming soon.
Well done, I'm into miniature skirmish games and getting back into gamebooks, so this was certainly an interesting look into an overwhelming idea space.
A system I've started using is NoteQuest: Expanded Worlds. It has everything from the base system plus some additional rules for travel, mapmaking, and travel encounters. It didn't take me long to pick up, even after going through the expansion.
Thanks for the Battle Mat suggestion. I like the idea of procedurally generating dungeons and crawling through them abstractly until the mood strikes you to use something more concrete and maybe tactical.
I'm using the solo Scarlet Heroes rules to play a hexcrawl campaign of Basic Fantasy RPG, it works really well. Awesome video by the way, thanks for taking the time to make it.
I've been wondering how to get started here for a while. Joined some facebook groups, read a few guides and websites and just could not get my head around how or where to begin. This however really helped me understand what's up from down so thanks a million.
Oh god. If you're basing your sub on correct pronunciation, you're going to nope out so fast. Probably on the very next video you watch! People make fun of me all the time because I mispronounce everything. I must have just gotten luck with gamut!
I made it thru the video without finding a problem, other than you suggesting things I can’t find. That seems more likely my problem. And one less person in the world saying GAMBIT is reason enough for me to give you my time.
Wow, great and comprehensive overview. A lot of products I'd never heard about before, too - definitely some things I need to take a look at. Thanks for making this video!
Wonderful video - taught me so much about RPG gaming in general, regardless of the solo element. Fascinating stuff with some wonderful tips to get up and running with solo gaming - thanks :)
This was a really really good explanation of Solo RPG. I have never played TTRPGs with a group but always solo. I fund out based on experience that the best result I got with just rules and an oracle. Nowadays I use Old School Essentials as my main rules and The Mythic GM Emulator. Maybe add a NPC generator (I use UNE) and a dungeon crawl generator (I use Perilous Wilds). You can easily fall into the pitfall of too many random tables and generators that will get in your way. I need to thank the YT channel "Me, Myself and Die" which makes wonderful solo RPG campaigns. Edit: I forgot about Maze Rats by Ben Milton (The Questing Beast) which contains a lot of tools to create creatures/encounters/quests/NPCs/environments in just 12 pages.
What a collection and love the categorisation! It willl definitely helps soloist find the games they want to try. But more importantly, it can help game creators pick and choose different mechanics from these games to get the right balance they want to achieve. Great stuff :)
Folks looking for Alone in the Crowd for Mork Borg will want to know that it's part of the Solitary Defilement bundle. This includes more general tools and several adventures, and is great.
Thank you so much for this amazing video! I am just starting out with solo rpgs. I've chosen Apawthecaria for my first foray, but Colostle isn't too far behind. My husband was hoping to find a cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic solo rpg so he could have his own adventure, and I stumbled upon your video while looking for something for him. I love your insight on all of these games as well as your spectrums. I'm now researching RadZone and The Outcast for him (and hopefully building up to StarForged eventually as that seems perfect). Extremely helpful video.
Thanks! Glad it was helpful. For cyberpunk, maybe look into the newer Mork Borg hack called CY_BORG. I'm sure there are some solo supplements out there.
Fantastic video! I'm not always in the mood for solo RPGs but when I am, it's nice to add another tool or try something new. Each time it's a more enjoyable, deeper experience. I would be remiss not to mention Ironsworn as a complete solo RPG system, and possibly a gold standard in what it accomplishes in a single book. It's what got me started down the solo RPG path.
I think this video has done more for me than any other in lowering the threshold to solo roleplaying. I’m looking forward to a gentle start soon, with Alone Against the Dark, because who doesn’t enjoy being eaten by unnameable beings, then Thousand Year Old Vampire, and maybe Sacrifice after that… Now it’s just a matter of finding time, what with two small kids, and all the rest of life.
So, I thought I'd already commented on this video as I'm looking at this as a valuable examination of the Solo RPG arena as it is now and how we can include a version where the story has more importance. I've been researching the Solo RPG phenomenon for over 2 years now, experimented a little with it with Vindication Chronicles/Scribe and my own Ælemental Zine-O-Phobia system but even after watching only this first intro episode, I'm seeing that my method of 'parsing pre-written adventures' cannot stand on itself and WILL need some solo journaling AND RTG (Random Table Generation) aspects. So, yeah, Daniel, you are now doubling as my Muse in further designs...
I no longer own the publishing rights, nor am I working on the game (I'm the author), but here's the link to EF, who is the current publisher www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/disciples-of-bone-shadow-conquered-sun-edition-pdf
Thank you. I’ve learned a good deal from your videos. I appreciate your honesty in the reviews, I too was turned off by the Mythic books and deterred from playing solo from my expieremces with Mythic and Ironsworn. I found them far too complex for my needs. Great video!
this is perfect, I love your analog terms with the cards describing the games. You did a great job in helping me figure out which games or what times of term comboations I would be more interested in. I have Colostle now and made my own cards with all the tables on each playing card, helps to avoid refrencing the book too much. I do like thje journalling but would love to try a more structure game also I just love lerarning about different game systems. Thanks again!
thank you. very informative and useful. I was quite impressed with ironsworn but found myself still a bit stumped on how to pull it off solo as I have no rpg experience solo or not. This was very helpful in finding new directions to start with. I think I need something with a little more direction or scripting, maybe some of these books you mention at the start.
Man, what a great video. I enjoyed this more than I enjoy some solo games lol. Keep up the great work! I will say that Five Leauges From The Borderlands is worth the time it requires. Once you learn to play, you're also 90% of the way to knowing how ot play Five Parsecs From Home. Both are EXCELLENT. Rangers Of Shadow Deep is also great fun.
Thanks Daniel for this comprehensive look on solo RPG's. My history with RPG's are in fact CRPG's where everything is handled for you i.e. story, quests, etc. Moving now into solo RPG's takes a bit of a pause and a re-think. I am using Forbidden Lands as my system for my solo RPG. Using the Forbidden Lands Legends table I rolled up the Stanengist Crown. From this I considered the background, the possible themes my player could explore. Finally, using the rules to develop my type of character I next need to consider the motivations of my character. My feelings is that Forbidden Lands is a great place to start for the beginner solo RPG'er as I am. The system contains a skeleton onto which you can write your own story. A interview with GeekGamer would be wonderful! Thanks.
Thanks for the comment! Personally I found FL way too complex for me. Too many rules to remember, but I tend to gravitate way more towards simplistic games. Any game that has more than 1 page of rules confuses me. ;). But I know it’s super popular. I do like the tool it has for generating legends, and utilize that when possible.
@@TheDungeonDive I tend to pick and choose what seems most appropriate as far as rules go. So I write down the tasks the party will do, possible places for quests and let my imagination also make some choices. What I think is that the approach one takes will determine how complex the journey will be. 'Simplistic games' I think would basically pre-determine the outcomes for you whereas a complex game gives you more of a canvas to which you can choose to some extent your characters path. Adding the possibility for random events and I should add these events should be thematic and make sense could drive the game forward and your character party to interesting places. Your not wrong wanting to play more simpler games. I just think game design needs the party at some level to decide how to handle a event instead of just a roll of the dice determining what happens and perhaps not giving you further options on how to react. You had mentioned journalling games. Intriguing. But how I interpret the scenario and what my character can do as a result may be impossible or restricted so I am still at the mercy of the game designer. Maybe, there is no clear cut answer :(
Wow lot of comments! first video of your I stumbled onto through Gaming Geeks. But I would like to add the solo game. tricube tales (solo) and the card deck, though u don't need the cards you can do everything with dice and the free pdf. But I like cards =p. It's pretty rules lite but I feels pretty complete to me and not at all overwhelming. Anyhoo great video. Really wanna check out that Colostle.
0:00 - Explanation of the Categories
05:40 - *Simple* and *Scripted* games
- _Fighting Fantasy_ gamebooks
- _Fabled Lands_ gamebooks
- _Destiny Quest_ gamebooks
07:26 - *Systems* (some *Scripted* & some *Sandbox*)
- _Radzone_
- _Four Against Darkness_
- _Alone Against Fear_
- _D100 Dungeon_
- _Marching Order_
- _The Drifter_
14:12 - More traditional RPGs (less *Scripted*, often need additional *Tools*)
- _MÖRK BORG_ + _Sölitary Defilement_
- _Cairn_+ _Escape the City_
- _The Outcast_
- _Runecairn_
- _Disciples of Bone & Shadow_
- _Scarlet Heroes_ (+ e.g., _White Box_)
27:00 - *Journaling*-focused games (usually lighter, creative-writing)
- _Broken Cask_
- _Colostle_
29:30 - Skirmish Games with a focus on narrative.
- _Five Leagues From the Borderlands_ (or _5 Parsecs from Home_)
- _Core Space_
- _Rangers of Shadow Deep_
31:42 - Indie Games that cross-cut categories
- _6x6 Tales_
- _Ronin_
- _Fallen_
- _Expedition to Skull Island_
37:20 onward - *Tools*
- I might come back to edit and add these, time will tell.
Excellent!
you are the hero we need
Well done, thank you!
No convenient time stamps, but I was curious and listed the tools section out:
Tools: Books
- Untold Encounters of the Random Kind
- Loke Battle Mats
- Table Fables I & II
- Tome of Adventure Design
- Mythic GM Emulator
- Wanderings: A Gothic Roll & Read Table
- Realm Fables Sandbox Creator, World Generator, Miscellany, & Preformed Settings
- The Dungeon Alphabet
Tools: Cards
- The Fantasy Trip: Labyrinth Encounter Cards & Outdoor Encounter Cards
- Sidequest card decks
- Pixel Loot card decks
- Encounter Building Cards
- GM Decks
- The Quiet Year
- The Outlander: Deck of Random Encounters
- Pocket Lands: Playing Cards
@@Grodnark Nice! I had briefly considered going back and adding them, but it turns out once a comment is Pinned on a youtube channel it can't be edited. Thanks for the addition!
I'm the creator of Disciples of Bone & Shadow, just wanted to say thank you for mentioning my game! The whole video is fantastic, and absolutely thorough view of all almost all available solo systems that are worth mentioning, and how to progress from one another. I personally think it's also best to start with something like 4AD or D100 Dungeon, and then move on to more complex systems. By the way, Disciples of Bone & Shadow does have a pretty extensive example of play at the back of the book, several pages long, detailing a character's initial journey. In any case, thanks again for showcasing my work!
Thank you! I totally failed to mention that let's play example. Glad you mentioned it here.
@@TheDungeonDive no worries, you've covered so much material in under an hour, it's a fantastic video. Now when people ask me where to start with solo RPGs, I have this video to show them.
Your game looks amazing! Is there any chance of the print edition coming out again?
@@Takerfan4ever303 theoretically yes, but since I no longer own the game's rights and are not involved with it, I can't say for sure. I heard that Exalted Funeral (they own the rights now) wanted to republish it, along with all the other unreleased material that they have, but who knows. Sorry I can't be of more help!
I really want your game printed too. Let’s make a petition lmao.
Thanks for the shout out. My book THE SOLO GAME MASTERS GUIDE is available from Modiphius. I look forward to being on your channel to talk about it.
Would love to see that Geek Gamers here, or Daniel there - thanks
Cool will get it ASAP. Thanks you and the dungeon dive along with solo rpg guy helped open new vistas. I love reading and a solo rpg game is like a good book you live throug.
I got the pdf and I must say. This is the best course on solo rpg along with your video and the dungeon dive video. All you need to get started on epic rpg adventures. Why no board game can successfully scratch this itch? The closest is descent legends in the dark. I find the game keeps exploration and surprises like an rpg. Set up is a bit fiddily but I don’t mind it.
Wow, I didn’t even know this kind of thing existed! I’ve been into board gaming for years and more recently solo gaming, but this is like discovering an entire new floor in a house you’ve been living in. 🤯
There’s so much to discover!
such a good analogy, i feel the same way!!
Thank you so much! I am 30 this year and just discovering this stuff. Many things for me to come back and look at as I go through my solo journey.
You are so welcome!
Every time I watch one of your videos, I end up with about 100 new tabs open to all the fabulous games you refer to! Thank you SO much for introducing me to all the things! :)
My pleasure. :)
Thanks for mentioning The Drifter, DD! Breaking the games down to categories is a brilliant way to help others choose what will be most enjoyable for them. Thanks again!
Where do I find the drifter?
Warning this excellent video will make you bankrupt!
Theres a LOT of cheap or even FREE solo resources out there - as Im typing this comment I see Barbarian Prince stuff is free to download
Ahhg this is my problem, I don't have a group found yet to play so I wanna try solo, but I do not have the extra money to buy a book that might not even work for me!
I wish it was easier to find full info for literally just how to play, for free. I don't understand how you decide what the dice say makes this move happen where.. I'm clueless lol
Only halfway through the video and already bought 4 books 😂😂
Even though I disagree on some points (I did bounce off Mythic at first as well, but am now *really* into it and find it actually pretty simple to use), this is an excellent guide. I think it just goes to show that everyone _will_ have different preferences in Solo Roleplaying, and that's absolutely fine if not even the beauty of it. No one has to like everything, and everyone can just find what works for them. Some people use miniatures, which I don't like at all (I did not grow up in a very DnD-heavy circle of players, where miniatures seem to be the norm); some people like published settings, others want to build a world; some like theatrics more, some like wargaming more - and in solo roleplaying, you can just choose what you like.
Every playthrough video Ive seen of Mythic seems more involved with Mythic than the game its actually acting as an emulator. IMO Mythic becomes the game rather than the game itself. But the trouble is that Ive seen other GM Emulators which seem too simplified. I suspect a very trimmed version of Mythic would hit the sweet spot. It is all taste in the end though
I thought I had a good grasp of a lot of the solo RPGs out there, but I’ve apparently been missing out on the basics this whole time. Very well put together.
Thank you.
Thanks for the kind mention Daniel! Much appreciated. We now have Rad Zone Totality as well that has more NPC content and tables. Thanks again, Toby
This is a fantastic video for those of us who love rpgs but really don't know anyone else who can or will play. I am 53 and have never had brothers or sisters growing up and never had any of my friends being interested in D&D or any other rpg. Up to this point I've been stuck having to play things like the Gold Box MS-DOS D&D games on PC or reading books like the Lone Wolf series to get my fix. These options are great. I recently discovered Tunnels & Trolls never realizing they had solo adventures all those years back. Thanks for this video. You also gained a new subscriber.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. T&T has a TON of solo content! So many of those paragraph adventures!
Daniel, you really knocked it out of the park with your quick and clear characterization of the various solo role playing games! Bravo!
Thank you!
Loved the analysis at the start as it focussed my understanding of my preferences to game experience. Also the best comment in the video, "I found the system got in the way of me having fun". That's the key to this, having fun.
I like the 5 Parsecs/ Leagues/ Klicks system, but I come from miniature skirmish. I loathe the prescriptive fighting fantasy style books. Long may it continue that we like different things. I'm not sure I'm tempted to try solo rpgs as presented here but it's great to see what's available. I think I'll be continuing with the 5 P/L/K systems alongside game systems like Silver Bayonet / Forbidden Psalm - Last War. All skirmish games with a campaign element to a greater or lesser extent. They key for me is to find the challenge and variation without being bogged down with unneccessary procedure or being too constrained. I find a break and change of system also helps as each "system" has it's strong and weak points.
Thanks for the vid
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. Appreciate it. :)
I've been playing rpgs since 1979, but there's so much on the market these days that I don't have time to winnow through it to find cool new things to explore. I really appreciate this walk-through, and now I have some titles I want to check out for my own gaming purposes. Very useful vid. Thanks so much!
Glad you found it helpful. :)
What an absolute gem of a video. Thanks for laying out all this info in such an easy to understand format.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is an absolute masterclass, no words for such a great job. Bravo!
Thank you.
A lot of cool resources shown here. Also gives a lot to think about. I’ve never even contemplated about all the different resources, and whether they work for me or not.
Wow, a super useful video. New to the solo gaming hobby in the last 50mins I have learned enough to keep me going for years. Thank you.
This is a great video and i enjoy seeing all the creators in the comments.
The earliest ttrpg experience i had was solo playing a copy of Space 1889 i found at my library when i was a kid. Very unstructured and i always won. I have been DMing lately and toying with the idea of making my own solo RPG. This video is truly invaluable. A lot of great looking games for research and inspiration.
Im going to need more shelves.
This was a good spectrum breakdown list. Really easy and quick to understand.
Thank you. Loved it.
This was so informative and a well organized video! I’ve wanted to play for a while and figured giving a solo game a try!
Glad I could help!
Wow! What an overview! So many great games and tools! Thanks so much.
Tons of golden advice! I'm still at the scripted/journaling rpg gameplay stage. Still to dip my toes to more sandboxy games, so I don't know if perhaps the current stage is more what's bring me most joy.
Ok, You have a new sub from me! Love the information, and break down. I had no idea of solo play games! I always just waited until I had friends over of like mind. Which was very few, and far between since I recently became fully disabled. So this opens up a whole new world for me let me tell you! Awesome! Just happened to hit the algorithm just right, and you popped up. I clicked, and the rest is history! Thanks!
👍👍👍❤❤❤
That’s great! Not that you’re disabled, but that you found this new avenue of gaming! There is so much to explore in the solo RPG realm. Hope you find the game for you.
Ohh one hour. I look forward to sitting down now with a drink and giving it a listen.
Fantastic overview of solo roleplaying! I really wish I had this video when I was starting out a couple months ago. I've watched a lot of your videos, but I think this is my absolute favourite!
Please help spread the word! I’d love to see this video get some really solid exposure. :)
@@TheDungeonDive Of course! I've already shared it with some of my friends - it's an excellent resource.
Love this video. Easily the best overview of solo roleplaying I have seen.
Loved those Steve Jackson game books as a kid!
Thanks for mentioning The Outcast! As an indie game designer, it warms my heart seeing my game being appreciated and recommended ^^
As somebody who is getting back into dnd5e I really appreciate this!!
I have a friend who is an aspiring author and this video gave me LITERAL METRIC TONNES of inspiration for ideas and books for him to be able to use to get those creative juices flowing!
That’s great! Solo RPGs are great for writing exercises.
Amazing video as ever, Daniel. I’m very much not a newbie to solo rpg and you still came up with stuff for me to look into.
This was excellent and informative. Introducing games new to me and helping me decide on purchasing other games, or not purchasing them. Truly appreciative of this video. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed!
This is a great overview and way to frame/organize the different ways you can enjoy solo role playing. Thanks for filming this!
As a new player to solo RPGs this fantastic video is a great help, I now know where to start and what to pick up from what seems like a daunting array of material to a noob like me! ……👍🏻
Glad to have helped. Just last Friday I put up a video for 3 systems I recommend for a beginner. Might be helpful as well.
This is great. Definitely going to save to go back to over and over
Oh wow! What an amazing video. Once again DD, you prove that you are making high caliber and helpful videos. You cover some friends of mine in here and its awesome to see. Thank you again for the kind words about Fallen and the Campaign Notebook! Also, want to point out, the author of Solitary Defilement has just released another cool solo item, called Basilisk, that you may enjoy.
Thanks for the heads up on Basilisk!
There's a review for it on the channel.
th-cam.com/video/2qLT-wnFaP0/w-d-xo.html
I must say, YOU Sir became my favorite boardgames relates youtuber! Thank you for all the great videos! You awoken a memory from my childhood of a short magazine that was indeed a choose your own adventure booklet waaay before i knew what those are and since in Eastern Europe they were not that popular, in the early 2000s, I only wished there was some kind of RPG in book format, I remember wishing for "an adventure gamebook like Heroes Of Might and Magic 3" I believe were my words 😂. I almost shed a tear watching this video and remembering that passion I had! Just ordered Fabled Lands book 1 and the whole collection of Fighting Fantasy Books. I look forward to reading and literally living one of my childhood wishes. If something ever saddens you Sir, remember that at least you made a 26 yo guy from Eastern Europe relive his childhood and made him so so so happy! Thank you again and keep up the amazing work!
Right on, man! Thanks for this comment. Love it. :)
Can't decide whether to go into solo RPGs, but love watching you and geek gamers discuss them...thinking of erasing into 4 against or a Crtical IF game book. Good vid.
So true about Mythic book!
This is the most comprehensive and best structured overview on all the different facets of solo roleplaying. Even better: it contains concrete examples and recommendations for all of these facets.
This is a "must view" for anyone who wants to dive into the incredibly diverse and fulfilling hobby of solo RPG.
Excellent.👍
Thank you! Please help share this video to other places. I'd appreciate it. :)
What an incredible video - have been wanting to solo game play for a while. I've just got into Ker Nethalas (highly recommended) and wanted other solo games to play. Thank you so much!!
Thanks! My mega review for Ker Nethalas will be up on Sunday.
Thanx a lot
Greetings from Barcelona
Thank you! This is exactly what I've been looking for. I've been playing 5e for maybe 4-5 years, and I'd really like to play some solo games. I'm a lifelong writer, so journaling might be fun, but I also want to explore other people's unique stories and games. Thing is, I never had the patience for choose your own adventure books as a kid - I wanted a satisfying complete story, or to just write my own. But I'm a more seasoned reader and player now, so I'm excitedto try these types of games. I'm also watching videos on Index Card RPG and Pathfinder 2e.
An excellent overview, thank you. I've struggled a long time with finding a satisfying solo RPG, because scripted games often have too little agency yet sandbox games are often too random. I envy your ability to take whatever result or event occurs and fit it into a narrative as you go, whereas I find it jarring to have events spring up that are only slightly related (or often, not at all related) to my decisions and actions.
Some randomness is welcome of course (e.g., if certain hexes have a higher chance of rain, which would slow my travel and screw up hunting and possibly ruin gear, that's great) but many sandbox games aren't that finely crafted. I also don't enjoy world-building as one goes. If the majority of the game is rolling dice to see what is in the next hex or behind the next door, that seems pretty much like a scripted game to me, just with extra steps.
I guess the best balance for my tastes would be a sandbox game with a variety of locations that are more scripted, yet the sandbox part would need to have a good amount of reason behind its randomness (like logical encounter possibilities depending on terrain) and the scripted parts would need to have a variety of meaningful options or logical possible outcomes. It could be I'm asking for too much...but perhaps the campaigns for D100 would come close? Or The Drifter? Though that one seems to be less scripted.
Anyway, thanks for the helpful video! And please everyone, let me know your suggestions for games that might fit what I'm looking for.
Maybe try a sandbox hexcrawl style game, but spend a few sessions before you start playing and flesh out the world with interesting locations and NPCs. Maybe look into games like Miru, Twelve Years, Sacrifice, or Glide. I'll have videos on those coming soon.
This is an amazing & complete solo RPG guide. This deserves 100k views. Well done and thank you.
Thanks! Thought this might be my first video to really hit big. :). But it didn’t. Lol.
Thanks for making this video, DD! Really dig when you cover solo RPGs.
Just excellent content! Well done, well explained and lots of clarity! So good, I'm going to watch it again right now.
Glad it was helpful!
I swear, the intro to your videos hits the nostalgia vibe hard
That was the goal of those compositions. They're from an EP of VHS jingles that never were.
@@TheDungeonDive ooh what's the album, if you don't mind me asking?
I never released the album they're from, but I've got a bunch of other music on Band Camp.
carlsagansghost.bandcamp.com/music
Well done, I'm into miniature skirmish games and getting back into gamebooks, so this was certainly an interesting look into an overwhelming idea space.
Glad it was helpful.
Oh Man loved that retro intro music and pictures took me back! TYVM Keep up the fantastic videos and hard work!
Glad you enjoyed it
Fantastic video! Just getting started with Forbidden Psalm, myself. Thanks for helping me jump in.
Thanks! I’ve got some vids of FP as well love that game.
This is the best overview on solo rpg'ing I've seen so far 👌
I posted this in the Solo RPG Facebook group. Great job.
A system I've started using is NoteQuest: Expanded Worlds. It has everything from the base system plus some additional rules for travel, mapmaking, and travel encounters. It didn't take me long to pick up, even after going through the expansion.
Thanks for the Battle Mat suggestion. I like the idea of procedurally generating dungeons and crawling through them abstractly until the mood strikes you to use something more concrete and maybe tactical.
I agree! I think that's one of my favorite modes of play.
I'm using the solo Scarlet Heroes rules to play a hexcrawl campaign of Basic Fantasy RPG, it works really well. Awesome video by the way, thanks for taking the time to make it.
Scarlet Heroes is so good. It’s a complete system and a tool system.
I've been wondering how to get started here for a while. Joined some facebook groups, read a few guides and websites and just could not get my head around how or where to begin. This however really helped me understand what's up from down so thanks a million.
Thank you!! Glad it could help. Please share the video with those groups!
This is the video I have been looking for for so long, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you, your tips helped me to add new titles to my collection.
Right on. :)
Thank you for pronouncing gamut in run the gamut correctly. That alone gets you a sub.
Oh god. If you're basing your sub on correct pronunciation, you're going to nope out so fast. Probably on the very next video you watch! People make fun of me all the time because I mispronounce everything. I must have just gotten luck with gamut!
I made it thru the video without finding a problem, other than you suggesting things I can’t find. That seems more likely my problem. And one less person in the world saying GAMBIT is reason enough for me to give you my time.
Ah! Run the Gambit. So people using the completely wrong word! I get that. :D
Wow, great and comprehensive overview. A lot of products I'd never heard about before, too - definitely some things I need to take a look at. Thanks for making this video!
This is good stuff. Very useful, explained well and in a not boring way. Thanks for making this video.
Wonderful video - taught me so much about RPG gaming in general, regardless of the solo element. Fascinating stuff with some wonderful tips to get up and running with solo gaming - thanks :)
Glad I could help!
This was a really really good explanation of Solo RPG. I have never played TTRPGs with a group but always solo. I fund out based on experience that the best result I got with just rules and an oracle. Nowadays I use Old School Essentials as my main rules and The Mythic GM Emulator. Maybe add a NPC generator (I use UNE) and a dungeon crawl generator (I use Perilous Wilds). You can easily fall into the pitfall of too many random tables and generators that will get in your way. I need to thank the YT channel "Me, Myself and Die" which makes wonderful solo RPG campaigns.
Edit: I forgot about Maze Rats by Ben Milton (The Questing Beast) which contains a lot of tools to create creatures/encounters/quests/NPCs/environments in just 12 pages.
Thanks! The system I use most is Scarlet Heroes, along with my own homebrewed oracle. Maze Rats is pretty cool!
What a collection and love the categorisation! It willl definitely helps soloist find the games they want to try.
But more importantly, it can help game creators pick and choose different mechanics from these games to get the right balance they want to achieve. Great stuff :)
Hi, Mel. I really enjoy your own channel. Great to see that you watch the Dungeon Dive!
@@davidk6269 Thanks David :) I only got back into gaming after watching the Dungeon Dive videos. So in a way, DD kickstarted my channel :)
Great video! Very helpful introduction to the range of material.
Truly an inspiring video. Thank you!
Folks looking for Alone in the Crowd for Mork Borg will want to know that it's part of the Solitary Defilement bundle. This includes more general tools and several adventures, and is great.
Thank you for this. Going to get alone against fear due to the horror elements . Thank you. Great content
It’s a great game!
Excellent presentation Sir.
Thank you!
My pleasure.
Thank you so much for this amazing video! I am just starting out with solo rpgs. I've chosen Apawthecaria for my first foray, but Colostle isn't too far behind. My husband was hoping to find a cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic solo rpg so he could have his own adventure, and I stumbled upon your video while looking for something for him. I love your insight on all of these games as well as your spectrums. I'm now researching RadZone and The Outcast for him (and hopefully building up to StarForged eventually as that seems perfect). Extremely helpful video.
Thanks! Glad it was helpful. For cyberpunk, maybe look into the newer Mork Borg hack called CY_BORG. I'm sure there are some solo supplements out there.
Thanks I ordered mork borg and solitary defilement with the gm screen and heretic
Fantastic video! I'm not always in the mood for solo RPGs but when I am, it's nice to add another tool or try something new. Each time it's a more enjoyable, deeper experience. I would be remiss not to mention Ironsworn as a complete solo RPG system, and possibly a gold standard in what it accomplishes in a single book. It's what got me started down the solo RPG path.
Yep! Ironsworn will be one I visit once I get my delivery with the latest KS.
@@TheDungeonDive Very excited to see your coverage of it!
Fantastic video Daniel. It’s why I subscribe to your channel. It’s like you’re opening doors for us with no need for a high Dex stat!
I think this video has done more for me than any other in lowering the threshold to solo roleplaying.
I’m looking forward to a gentle start soon, with Alone Against the Dark, because who doesn’t enjoy being eaten by unnameable beings, then Thousand Year Old Vampire, and maybe Sacrifice after that…
Now it’s just a matter of finding time, what with two small kids, and all the rest of life.
Glad it was helpful.
So, I thought I'd already commented on this video as I'm looking at this as a valuable examination of the Solo RPG arena as it is now and how we can include a version where the story has more importance. I've been researching the Solo RPG phenomenon for over 2 years now, experimented a little with it with Vindication Chronicles/Scribe and my own Ælemental Zine-O-Phobia system but even after watching only this first intro episode, I'm seeing that my method of 'parsing pre-written adventures' cannot stand on itself and WILL need some solo journaling AND RTG (Random Table Generation) aspects. So, yeah, Daniel, you are now doubling as my Muse in further designs...
Thanks for the kind words, Marcel. Do you have anything available for me to check out?
Excellent recommendations, thank you!
Awesome video! Thank you for some unique games - I am very interested in the Disciples of Bone and Shadow - never heard of it before.
I no longer own the publishing rights, nor am I working on the game (I'm the author), but here's the link to EF, who is the current publisher www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/disciples-of-bone-shadow-conquered-sun-edition-pdf
Thank you will definately check it out.
Omg, this is great! Thanks a ton for this comprehensive introduction to solo gaming. Also, you just kinda added a ton of books to my shopping cart...
Glad it was helpful!
Fantastic overview. Thank you for the video
glad you mentioned Barbarian Prince - but a great idea for a video
Thank you. I’ve learned a good deal from your videos. I appreciate your honesty in the reviews, I too was turned off by the Mythic books and deterred from playing solo from my expieremces with Mythic and Ironsworn. I found them far too complex for my needs. Great video!
Sure thing!
This is great and really thorough. Thanks mate. I love Thousand Year Old Vampire, and it's always worth a look :)
On my list. Of about 200 others. :)
Thanks for doing this. Very useful information here!
this is perfect, I love your analog terms with the cards describing the games. You did a great job in helping me figure out which games or what times of term comboations I would be more interested in. I have Colostle now and made my own cards with all the tables on each playing card, helps to avoid refrencing the book too much. I do like thje journalling but would love to try a more structure game also I just love lerarning about different game systems. Thanks again!
My pleasure!
Thanks for all that info super helpful much appreciated
This video is the Bible of Lone Wolf Gaming!
Great vid! Timestamps would be very helpful for this one!
Excellent video! Thank you so much for all your work and for sharing what you know.
My pleasure!
@@TheDungeonDive what about Ironsworn? Have you tried it? Everytime I Google best solo RPGs, ironsworn shows up.
Yes. Do not like Ironsword / Starforged. I have a review on the channel. They're well made, but not for me.
Ok. Watching that video now. 👌
thank you. very informative and useful. I was quite impressed with ironsworn but found myself still a bit stumped on how to pull it off solo as I have no rpg experience solo or not. This was very helpful in finding new directions to start with. I think I need something with a little more direction or scripting, maybe some of these books you mention at the start.
Glad it was helpful! And yes, I do NOT recommend Ironsworn for a beginner.
What an excellent resource, congratulations and so many thanks for putting it up! Subscribing and looking through your previous videos :)
Man, what a great video. I enjoyed this more than I enjoy some solo games lol. Keep up the great work! I will say that Five Leauges From The Borderlands is worth the time it requires. Once you learn to play, you're also 90% of the way to knowing how ot play Five Parsecs From Home. Both are EXCELLENT. Rangers Of Shadow Deep is also great fun.
Glad you enjoyed!
Excellent video! …I’d love to see more “Deep Dives” with your content!!
Thanks Daniel for this comprehensive look on solo RPG's. My history with RPG's are in fact CRPG's where everything is handled for you i.e. story, quests, etc. Moving now into solo RPG's takes a bit of a pause and a re-think. I am using Forbidden Lands as my system for my solo RPG. Using the Forbidden Lands Legends table I rolled up the Stanengist Crown. From this I considered the background, the possible themes my player could explore. Finally, using the rules to develop my type of character I next need to consider the motivations of my character. My feelings is that Forbidden Lands is a great place to start for the beginner solo RPG'er as I am. The system contains a skeleton onto which you can write your own story. A interview with GeekGamer would be wonderful! Thanks.
Thanks for the comment! Personally I found FL way too complex for me. Too many rules to remember, but I tend to gravitate way more towards simplistic games. Any game that has more than 1 page of rules confuses me. ;). But I know it’s super popular. I do like the tool it has for generating legends, and utilize that when possible.
@@TheDungeonDive I tend to pick and choose what seems most appropriate as far as rules go. So I write down the tasks the party will do, possible places for quests and let my imagination also make some choices. What I think is that the approach one takes will determine how complex the journey will be. 'Simplistic games' I think would basically pre-determine the outcomes for you whereas a complex game gives you more of a canvas to which you can choose to some extent your characters path. Adding the possibility for random events and I should add these events should be thematic and make sense could drive the game forward and your character party to interesting places.
Your not wrong wanting to play more simpler games. I just think game design needs the party at some level to decide how to handle a event instead of just a roll of the dice determining what happens and perhaps not giving you further options on how to react.
You had mentioned journalling games. Intriguing. But how I interpret the scenario and what my character can do as a result may be impossible or restricted so I am still at the mercy of the game designer.
Maybe, there is no clear cut answer :(
Thank you so much for this vid. I am looking to get into solo RPG games and the vid is invaluable. Subbed :)
Wow lot of comments! first video of your I stumbled onto through Gaming Geeks. But I would like to add the solo game. tricube tales (solo) and the card deck, though u don't need the cards you can do everything with dice and the free pdf. But I like cards =p. It's pretty rules lite but I feels pretty complete to me and not at all overwhelming. Anyhoo great video. Really wanna check out that Colostle.
Great video. I rather enjoy using Mythic, but I use the blue GM book when I solo play. Again great video!!!
I only have that on PDF, so used the red one as show and tell. :)
Great video, with loads of contents. Thank you!
Great overview! Thank you very much!!