Being Han Solo

[Whiterook]

…OK, as much as my mind can envision myself ensconced in the role of the iconic swashbuckling rogue, Han Solo, smashing full force back into the Reality Wall, I can claim hold on being an avid Solo Gamer.



….no, not the “Solo” Star Wars universe card game (though, that does look rather cool!), but rather, Solitaire Gamer. In fact, for many years, that was, and still is a major criteria I look for in my wargame purchasing strategy… can it be played solitaire? Up to just a few years ago, that was primarily my main venue for actually getting games on the table, as everyone I knew has no interest in playing games, period.

Theres good news on both sides of the Solo Gamer table: there are more op for solitaire gaming these days, and people are more interested in gaming since the pandemic. Win Win!

Once a unicorn in the wargaming world, more game companies are producing solitaire games than I personally have ever seen, and the quality is matching the quantity. Back in the days of games like Avalon Hill’s, “Raid on St. Nazaire” (which is my all-time personal favorite), what we now term as an Artificial Intelligence (AI) “bot” were back then, designed game mechanics that made the game extremely difficult to learn in its’ complexity. Today, many manufacturers (e.g., Conflict of Heroes and Lock ‘N Load Tactical) are including Solo Modules to their systems, which allow you to choose to play a 2-Player game, solitaire. Others include solo rules as an extra feature in their system. While others are strictly made as solitaire. This is quickly becoming my Golden Age!

Of note, I’ve played just about every game I’ve ever owned in solitaire. On the face of it, that sounds kind lonesome and well, sad… but it’s not, really   I love to play games and I made it happen, even when the game wasn’t designed to be played solo. It can be as simple as being honest with yourself, making the best move and decisions for the side played at any given moment, and honoring the original dice roll (…the Devil on your shoulder can be an ass!). I’ve seen many people poo-poo soloing in that fashion, but I find the situation being that I’m playing games and their bitching; I win.

All that being said, there’s much to say about playing a two or more player game with people; the camaraderie is the frosting and the challenge is the cupcake. It’s a quicker way to learn, too. And for some, face-to-face play is the only way to go, which is understandable. However, for those rogues out there, Soloing is the bomb! May the Force be with you!