Best Solitaire Games

[BanzaiCat]

But can you play it solitaire?

Absolutely.

It is pricey, but you can likely find it for something similar to $65 or so online.

If you have an iPad, you can buy it as an app. I've got it but haven't played it much - but it does have you vs. computer opponents, and I think there's an online component as well.

[PanzersEast]

I bought the Korea expansion for B-29, as that looks to address the navigation & combat imbalance.  Likely deadlier too.  One thing I didn't like about the original B-29 was the multiple rolls & tables that are further combined into the navigation roll(s).  That should've been much more streamlined, so I started using a much simplified homebrew to cut down on that mess.  Still haven't played the Korea expansion, though.

I'll probably end up revisiting Picket Duty before B-29 Korea.  Despite a couple hazy rules questions it seemed to flow more fluidly, with a steady stream of action.


Also have yet to play these other awaiting solitaire games (in no particular order):

Field Commander: Alexander
Cruel Necessity
Labyrinth
Blackbeard
Space Empires
Boots on the Ground
Patton's Best
Republic Of Rome

Silent War (campaign.. only played patrols thus far)
B-29: Hell Over Korea

*There are probably more I forgot to list.

At times I find myself doing the same indecisive dance that I do with PC games.  Worrying about which I want to play next so much that I can't make up my mind.

I have version 2 of Picket Duty rules... don't know if these are final version or not.  I also had a hard time with the multiple tables with B-29..... I will revisit and have Hell over Korea but have not delved in.

Cruel Necessity I have played several times and it is a great solitaire game, really have enjoyed it.

Blackbeard I have read the rules, have yet to play one turn.



PE

[BanzaiCat]

PE - where did you get the V2.0 rules of Picket Duty? BGG?

[Nefaro]

PE - where did you get the V2.0 rules of Picket Duty? BGG?

A BGG forum link:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1172568/rules-2-0-finalized-version

I played enough with the original rules to enjoy it, although it was a bit too easy.  Not really looking forward to printing out all the revised stuff so hopefully the changes aren't extensive.  All it needed was a few clarifications and some extra damage threats.

[BanzaiCat]

Thanks. I figured it was on BGG but don't want to push my luck accessing it from work today.

[weateallthepies]

I bought the Korea expansion for B-29, as that looks to address the navigation & combat imbalance.  Likely deadlier too.  One thing I didn't like about the original B-29 was the multiple rolls & tables that are further combined into the navigation roll(s).  That should've been much more streamlined, so I started using a much simplified homebrew to cut down on that mess.  Still haven't played the Korea expansion, though.

I'll probably end up revisiting Picket Duty before B-29 Korea.  Despite a couple hazy rules questions it seemed to flow more fluidly, with a steady stream of action.


Also have yet to play these other awaiting solitaire games (in no particular order):

Field Commander: Alexander
Cruel Necessity
Labyrinth
Blackbeard
Space Empires
Boots on the Ground
Patton's Best
Republic Of Rome

Silent War (campaign.. only played patrols thus far)
B-29: Hell Over Korea

*There are probably more I forgot to list.

At times I find myself doing the same indecisive dance that I do with PC games.  Worrying about which I want to play next so much that I can't make up my mind.

Yeah I picked up a copy of Hell over Korea recently, so was just trying to get used to the rules again. The chart book is definitely a bit of a pain though.

Ha, I definitely do the procrastinating thing, I am determined to start playing more and worrying about what to play less. Have a few hours tonight though and I can't decide.  :)

Good list to choose from, there are a few there I might get and a few I have.

[PanzersEast]

Played through another Darkest Night.... having to switch to the adjusted play as the game it too easy for me.  I also have Picket Duty setup and ready for v2 play though so I will see how it goes.  I have just glanced through most of the rules, but will just learn as I go.


PE

[Nefaro]

Played through another Darkest Night.... having to switch to the adjusted play as the game it too easy for me. 

Really? 

I'm beginning to think the difficulty is directly related to which combination of characters you take.  The two games I had played (with the expansions mixed in) both came down to the wire.  The last even came down to a single very desperate die roll attempt at a 5 or 6 which succeeded.  And that only due to a synergistic ability combo between two specific characters I was using that game.  Otherwise the already high Darkness value would've advanced to a practically unwinnable end game defeat.  IIRC, my first game was a loss, again due to the Darkness track advances. 

The main difficulty comes from my Secrecy values being steadily drained so that my characters are regularly exposed to increasingly difficult fights and the Darkness track steadily going upward to my increased DRM penalty and doom.  When I send characters back to the monastery to regain Secrecy and Life, I feel like I can't leave them there for long or the limited time afforded from the advancing darkness/doom track will crush my hopes for victory. 

Secrecy value just bleeds off so quickly.  Then the event card draws get much deadlier and combined with the increasing amount of monsters on the board becoming more difficult to deal with (along with pushing up the darkness/doom thing faster) it can start snowballing from bad to worse if you get behind.   So it's a big balancing act.. one that has provided me with a good struggle thus far.  Perhaps my random character picks weren't providing synergy as well as others, giving my first two games the extra difficulty?

[PanzersEast]

Played through another Darkest Night.... having to switch to the adjusted play as the game it too easy for me. 

Really? 

I'm beginning to think the difficulty is directly related to which combination of characters you take.  The two games I had played (with the expansions mixed in) both came down to the wire.  The last even came down to a single very desperate die roll attempt at a 5 or 6 which succeeded.  And that only due to a synergistic ability combo between two specific characters I was using that game.  Otherwise the already high Darkness value would've advanced to a practically unwinnable end game defeat.  IIRC, my first game was a loss, again due to the Darkness track advances. 

The main difficulty comes from my Secrecy values being steadily drained so that my characters are regularly exposed to increasingly difficult fights and the Darkness track steadily going upward to my increased DRM penalty and doom.  When I send characters back to the monastery to regain Secrecy and Life, I feel like I can't leave them there for long or the limited time afforded from the advancing darkness/doom track will crush my hopes for victory. 

Secrecy value just bleeds off so quickly.  Then the event card draws get much deadlier and combined with the increasing amount of monsters on the board becoming more difficult to deal with (along with pushing up the darkness/doom thing faster) it can start snowballing from bad to worse if you get behind.   So it's a big balancing act.. one that has provided me with a good struggle thus far.  Perhaps my random character picks weren't providing synergy as well as others, giving my first two games the extra difficulty?

This could be the case, I will mix more. It appears some compliment more than others.......... for example the Rogue and Wizard together feel overpowered. I am starting a new play through with the 2nd expansion and the characters only so we will see were it leads and post back.

PE

[PanzersEast]

Lost my first game last night playing the 2nd expansion characters.  Near the end the Ranger was the only one left and I could have retreated to the monastery, however I pressed my luck on a die roll and lost.   I had some roles that did not help as the Necromancer had some rolls where he did not move early on so the blights begin to pile on.  I had 2 in the monastery at the end of the game.... So I was scrambling around the board at that point, plus with the Wayfarer, Ranger, Scout, and WindDancer aren't offensive juggernauts .

I also thought the decay blight was pretty interesting, I pulled it near the end and nullified my relic, so a twist....


PE

[Nefaro]

Maybe some of the expansion characters aren't as able as the originals?  I got that impression from a couple of them, but not all. 

[PanzersEast]

@Nefaro
It appears that could be the case with the characters..... from now on I will choose 1 and then randomize the rest when playing. 

Next up for me is Mage Knight, time to dig down in the game because I have not given it a very proper play though. 

I am also finishing up my Napoleon 1796 Italian Campaign which is coming together nicely.

I have just struck a Nuclear factory in my Hornet Leader 2014 campaign and while doing so drew a Political card where I could not fire on site in the approach regions... I had a Hawkeye, however I do not discard events that are not tied to actual events on the battlefield so I took some pretty bad stress as the attack cost +2 stress and the site itself cost an additional +3 stress...... ECM pod saved my butt on several rolls.... but, I destroyed the target for 5 VP.


PE

[DennisS]

@Nefaro
It appears that could be the case with the characters..... from now on I will choose 1 and then randomize the rest when playing. 

Next up for me is Mage Knight, time to dig down in the game because I have not given it a very proper play though. 

I am also finishing up my Napoleon 1796 Italian Campaign which is coming together nicely.

I have just struck a Nuclear factory in my Hornet Leader 2014 campaign and while doing so drew a Political card where I could not fire on site in the approach regions... I had a Hawkeye, however I do not discard events that are not tied to actual events on the battlefield so I took some pretty bad stress as the attack cost +2 stress and the site itself cost an additional +3 stress...... ECM pod saved my butt on several rolls.... but, I destroyed the target for 5 VP.


PE

I just brought back out Mage Knight, and am in the process of watching Ricky Royal's youtube videos. Terrific stuff!

[PanzersEast]

I just brought back out Mage Knight, and am in the process of watching Ricky Royal's youtube videos. Terrific stuff!

He does a great job on his LPs in explaining the mechanics and his actions.... I watched his LP for the expansion to Mage Knight to see if I wanted to purchase.


PE

[BanzaiCat]

So...Ottoman Sunset or In Magnificent Style? Anyone have either/both?