October 2026 Solo Games Review: Ratings, Awards, and More
Look back at the highlights from memorable solo games and the lessons to carry forward in this review of October 2026.
My solo table had a lot of activity during the month of October! From old classics to newer releases, I had a pretty great run for a solid 3 weeks or so. There were many highlights and although I didn’t love every game I played, there was a nice mix of different themes and mechanics to consider. Take a look at what my nearly consistent month of playing looked like!
A Look at the Ratings
The formula remains the same here, with scores in the 70s reflecting good games, 80s corresponding to great games, and 90s matching up with excellent games I often love.
But that number isn’t everything! My scoring criteria is really there to give me a general sense of how I feel.
Before I apply a rating, I usually can tell the general band of where I expect a solo game to end up. I’m only surprised when I manage to botch a calculation… Then all is well!
I also use these ratings as a top-level indicator of which games I might be ready to part with after playing for awhile.
- Paupers’ Ladder 91%
- Village Green 87%
- Skoventyr 83%
- Hank’s Haunted Hayride 81%
- Questline 79%
- Stonespine Architects 77%
- Captain Flip 76%
- Wingspan Pocket 74%
- Lacuna 72%
- Freecell 68%
- Smitten 65%
- Goblin Vaults 64%
- The Magnificent 61%
- The Big Book of Madness 59%
The Award Goes To…
So many solo games, at least for me! There would have been more had I not been sidelined for the last week of the month, but no matter! Lots of great memories here.
If my ratings mean very little, these awards are probably even more pointless… But I love them! A little way to mark the best moments with the different games I played.
Having this consistent list is also great for comparing over time. I always laugh when the same game wins again.
But, as always, this is for a few laughs. Also adds to the fun of looking back over all I wrote and photographed!
Full Listing of October 2026 Award Winners
If you would rather read a quick listing without clicking or looking through photos, here are the winners:
- Action-Packed Scene: Paupers’ Ladder
- Back for More: Questline
- Calico Critters Twin: Wingspan Pocket
- Freshly Hatched Box: Wingspan Pocket
- From the Ashes: Freecell
- Inspired by Nature: Wingspan Pocket
- It’s a Trap!: Paupers’ Ladder
- Next Gallery Exhibit: Village Green
- Roses are Red: Lacuna
- Surprise Party Time: Hank’s Haunted Hayride
- The Gold Cheesecake: Village Green
- The Jeweled Crown: Skoventyr
- Uh-Oh, Hot Dog!: The Big Book of Madness
- Winner of All: Paupers’ Ladder
Descriptions of the awards are in the photos above, but the bottom line is that they’re mostly random for some laughs!
Monthly Highlights
It was awesome to return to Paupers’ Ladder for some Halloween fun with the Bodachs. Lots of stories to tell!
Freecell and Hank’s Haunted Hayride surprised me the most. For the former, I never knew it could be fun to play in a physical format! And the latter was hilariously fun!
I continued to find reliable enjoyment in Skoventyr and Village Green. They both look so beautiful, and offer up a challenging puzzle that I have to work to win at.
Smaller games also continue to be fun, such as Questline and Wingspan Pocket. Quicker setup means quicker plays!
Lessons of the Month
While I sometimes like to have an overall or ongoing theme to the solo games I play, that can also be completely random. I didn’t have a lot of rhyme or reason to my choices.
That worked out well, though! I felt like I covered some favorites, had the last hurrah with a few, and discovered a couple of solo games I never thought I would like.
It’s also good to part ways with some games after awhile. Someone else is bound to find aspects to enjoy!
Waiting to play something might also be a trap for me… After this month, I might add in some holiday games early!
Continue the Conversation
Which solo games found their way to your table in October? Did anything stand out in a silly, award-winning way? It’s always interesting to see how my preferences shift month by month. Awesome to find some fun in simple card games and print-and-play experiences, too! November may be a little quieter, but I’m excited to see what I’ll decide to play next!
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