Solo role-playing games (RPGs) let you embark on epic adventures by yourself. Whether you can’t gather a group or just want a personal quest, there are great solo RPG experiences in many formats. From classic single-player gamebooks of the ’80s (Fighting Fantasy – Wikipedia) to modern digital epics, here are popular solo RPGs in tabletop, video game, journaling, and print-and-play formats that sci-fi and fantasy enthusiasts will love.
Tabletop Solo RPGs (No GM Required)
You don’t need a Dungeon Master to enjoy a rich tabletop RPG. One standout example built for solo (or GM-less) adventuring is:
- Ironsworn – An award-winning tabletop RPG of perilous quests designed for solo, co-op, or guided play (Ironsworn RPG – Tomkin Press). Set in a gritty dark-fantasy world, Ironsworn requires no GM – it uses creative “oracle” tables to surprise you with plot twists (Turn Order: Ironsworn and the Concept of Solo RPGs | Goonhammer). (Bonus: the full game is free to download!) Fans of space adventures can also try Ironsworn: Starforged, which adapts the system to a sci-fi galaxy of its own (Ironsworn: Starforged by Tomkin Press).
Digital Solo RPGs (Epic Video Game Quests)
Video games offer some of the most immersive solo RPG experiences. If you want to lose yourself in a sci-fi or fantasy world, check out these single-player RPG epics:
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – An open-world fantasy epic that lets you freely roam the province of Skyrim as the Dragonborn. Skyrim is a single-player RPG (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Elder Scrolls | Fandom) known for its huge map, sandbox exploration, and countless quests. It’s a modern classic that can easily devour hundreds of hours of solo adventuring.
- Mass Effect (trilogy) – A cinematic sci-fi action RPG where your choices shape the fate of the galaxy. Mass Effect (2007–2012) is an acclaimed series developed by BioWare (Mass Effect (video game) – Wikipedia), putting you in the boots of Commander Shepard. It’s beloved for its rich story, memorable characters, and moral decisions that make each playthrough feel personal.
Solo Journaling RPGs (Your Story, Your Way)
Journaling RPGs have you write down a story as you play, guided by prompts and your imagination. They’re a creative, relaxing way to experience an adventure:
- Thousand Year Old Vampire – An award-winning solo journaling game about chronicling the centuries-long life of a vampire (Thousand Year Old Vampire by timhutchings). You use writing prompts to record your vampire’s memories and losses over time, exploring themes of memory and mortality. It’s a uniquely introspective solo RPG that can be surprisingly emotional.
- Alone Among the Stars – A minimalist solo RPG about exploring wondrous alien worlds with just a deck of cards and a journal (TTRPG Review: Alone Among the Stars – MLGG: Pop Culture News, Reviews & Interviews). Each card draw prompts a short vignette of a new discovery, so by the end you’ve created a personal travelogue of your journey. It’s relaxing and imaginative – perfect for a quiet solo evening among the stars.
Print-and-Play Solo Adventures (DIY Dungeons & Quests)
For a more tactile experience, print-and-play games let you enjoy solo adventures with just paper, dice, and creativity:
- Four Against Darkness – A solo dungeon-crawling RPG played with only a pencil, graph paper, and the rulebook (Five Best Solo RPG Games to try in 2024 | RPG Blog | DM, War Gamer, RPG Cartographer). You generate random dungeons filled with monsters and treasure, guiding a party of adventurers through perilous corridors. The gameplay is straightforward, focusing on exploration and tactical combat (Five Best Solo RPG Games to try in 2024 | RPG Blog | DM, War Gamer, RPG Cartographer) – perfect for a quick old-school dungeon delve without a DM.
Solo Adventures Await
The worlds of sci-fi and fantasy are at your fingertips, no group needed. Whether you’re slaying dragons, journaling a vampire’s saga, or trekking among the stars, these solo RPGs prove that epic adventures can be a party of one. Grab your dice, your journal, or your controller – your next great solo quest is about to begin!