Best Solo Horror Board Games

Organizing game night is not easy. Someone’s always got a reason to cancel. And if by some miracle, you do manage to get everyone in the same room, there’s the daunting task of selecting a board game to play. 

Now, you have a choice: You can summon a crew to take on the challenge that lies ahead, OR you can save yourself the trouble and pick a solo horror board game. Surprisingly, the genre has plenty of hidden gems, bound to keep you entertained through the night. 

If you are a fearless solo player, here are the best solo horror board games that you should give a chance. 

Dark Souls: The Board Game | Best Design

Source: Amazon

Players: 1-4

Age guide: 14+

Time to play: 90–120 minutes

Complexity: 3.13/5

Based on the eponymous franchise, Dark Souls: The Board Game is not for the faint of heart. With all kinds of battered warriors, dark castles, and terrifying monsters, Dark Souls has plenty to offer. Players step into the shoes of a cursed undead and try to save the world from a dire fate. 

But what sets the grim fantasy card game apart is the potential for endless replayability. The game comes with different expansions and difficulty levels. And yet despite its intricacies, the game is easy to set up , allowing players to jump into the game as quickly as possible and expand locations as they play. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Faithfully captures the challenging essence of the Dark Souls video game ✅ High-quality miniatures that are detailed and visually appealing ✅ Strategic gameplay that requires careful planning and cooperation ✅ Immersive atmosphere that draws players into the Dark Souls universe ✅ Replayable with different bosses and encounters	❌ Steep learning curve for newcomers ❌ Can be punishingly difficult, which might not appeal to everyone

Sub Terra | Best Cooperative Experience

Source: Amazon

Players: 1-6

Age guide: 10+

Time to play: 60 minutes

Complexity: 2.16/5

In Sub Terra, players get to take on a mysterious network of underground tunnels, all alone as a caver. You have the option to choose from several different characters, each of which comes with its own unique set of abilities to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. 

Drawing inspiration from the British horror film The Descent, no two games are the same. For each match, the map is generated randomly by drawing tiles from the stack, adding unpredictability to every round.  

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Intense cooperative gameplay that promotes teamwork ✅ Engaging tile-laying mechanic that ensures no two games are the same ✅ Beautifully illustrated tiles and components ✅ Multiple difficulty levels cater to both novices and veterans ✅ Compact size makes it portable and easy to set up	❌ Some may find the theme too intense or stressful ❌ Reliance on luck can sometimes feel unfair

Castle Ravenloft

Source: Amazon

Players: 1-5

Age guide: 12+

Time to play: 60 minutes

Complexity: 2.50/5

Castle Ravenloft takes the best of the D&D universe and adapts it to the horror genre. The master of Ravenloft is hosting a dinner and you have been invited. However, you soon discover that all is not what it seems. 

With a diverse range of characters to choose from, you must face the dangers lurking in the shadows. Castle Ravenloft comes with multiple exciting scenarios, so there’s hardly a need to worry about things turning stale any time soon.  

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Based on the iconic Dungeons & Dragons setting ✅ Modular board design offers varied gameplay experiences ✅ Rich storytelling elements immerse players in the adventure ✅ Suitable for solo play or with a group ✅ High-quality components and miniatures	❌ Can be complex for beginners to the D&D universe ❌ Some scenarios can feel unbalanced

The Bloody Inn

Source: The Bloody Inn

Players: 1-4

Age guide: 14+

Time to play: 30-60 minutes

Complexity: 2.36/5

Adding to the list, the Bloody Inn is yet another card game worth looking into. With business not going as you’d hoped, you and the rest of the family will be robbing the guests staying at your inn. The game revolves around a deck of Guest cards, which represent different visitors at the Inn. 

To interact with these visitors, you will need to pay their rank, and the payment happens to be in people. To add to your troubles, you will also need to take care of the bodies, pay your henchmen, and monitor the cash flow. 

What’s more, each player only gets two actions per round, which further complicates the game. So, get ready to face challenges that will stretch your limits in ways you never thought possible!

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Unique and darkly humorous theme ✅ Engaging economic strategy mechanics ✅ Beautifully illustrated cards and components ✅ Scalable difficulty for varied player experiences ✅ Compact and easy to transport	❌ The dark theme might not be for everyone ❌ Can be cutthroat, leading to potential player conflict

Final Girl

Source: Amazon

Players: 1

Age guide: 14+

Time to play: 20-60 minutes

Complexity: 2.57/5

Final Girl adapts the story of a typical slasher horror movie to the tabletop gaming realm. With ruthless killers on your tail, you will be racing against time to find something to defend yourself with and confront your killer. To play cards, you will need to manage time. This, combined with deciding which card to use for the most effective turn brings a thrilling new aspect to the gameplay. 

For solo players seeking variety, Final Girl offers a healthy dose of unpredictability. The game’s impeccable design and art deserve appreciation as well with the game boxes repurposed to serve as killer boards and scenario maps. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Solo gameplay experience tailored for individual play ✅ Engaging horror theme that captures the essence of classic slasher films ✅ Modular design allows for varied scenarios and replayability ✅ Intuitive mechanics make it accessible for newcomers ✅ High-quality components and artwork	❌ Limited to solo play, which might not appeal to group gamers ❌ Some scenarios can feel more challenging than others

Arkham Horror: The Card Game 

Source: Amazon 

Players: 1-2

Age guide: 14+

Time to play: 60–120 minutes

Complexity: 3.53/5

Bringing Lovecraftian lore to life, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is the ultimate horror game for solo players. You will be facing the madness in the quiet New England town of Arkham as an Investigator. A striking feature of the game is the deck construction – you get to craft your character’s weaknesses and strengths in your custom deck.  

Like most games, the cards cost resources in Arkham Horror. But what really sets the card game apart is the campaign. The story keeps unfolding, pulling you deep into the mind-bending world of Arkham Horror. This is a game that has been written about a few times now, thanks to the MKoM editorial staff.

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Faithfully captures the challenging essence of the Dark Souls video game ✅ High-quality miniatures that are detailed and visually appealing ✅ Strategic gameplay that requires careful planning and cooperation ✅ Immersive atmosphere that draws players into the Dark Souls universe ✅ Replayable with different bosses and encounters	❌ Steep learning curve for newcomers ❌ Can be punishingly difficult, which might not appeal to everyone

Horrified 

Source: Amazon

Players: 1-5

Age guide: 10+

Time to play: 60 minutes

Complexity: 2.05/5

With your peaceful village life threatened, it’s up to you to take care of the eight monsters that have uprooted the villagers’ lives. You can set the difficulty level for a game by deciding the number of monsters you’re willing to take. It’s called Ravensburger Horrified: American Monsters Strategy Board Game for Ages 10 & Up.

As the village’s Hero, you will embark on a quest to defeat the Monsters. But, first, you will need to complete a task. However, things are not as easy as they seem, as each monster has a particular task that must be completed to defeat them. So prepare for an unforgiving test of wit and strategy!

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Faithfully captures the challenging essence of the Dark Souls video game ✅ High-quality miniatures that are detailed and visually appealing ✅ Strategic gameplay that requires careful planning and cooperation ✅ Immersive atmosphere that draws players into the Dark Souls universe ✅ Replayable with different bosses and encounters	❌ Steep learning curve for newcomers ❌ Can be punishingly difficult, which might not appeal to everyone

Summing Up The Best Solo Horror Board Games

These were the MyKindofMeeple (MKoM) staff’s top picks for the best solo horror card games. Whether you love the thrill of taking the unknown or simply want to challenge yourself, this list has something for everyone. But don’t get too scared!

Didn’t see something that should be on the list? Feel free to drop us a suggestion!

Hopefully, you found a good entryway into the genre. For more spooky recommendations, check out 13 Best Horror Board Games for a Spooky Halloween.