December 2025 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 December 2025.
As December comes to a close, along with the year, it’s time for another look back at what I’ve been playing! This month was rather quiet in terms of spending time at my solo game table… But the majority of my holiday break has been about organizing all the games. So many! I feel great and look forward to diving into new and familiar adventures in 2026!
A Look at the Ratings
My ratings are more like a glimpse at my games based on a set of criteria that works for me. The number is just that: A simple number I can look at for a quick idea of the game.
Anything in the 70s is a decent game, while games in the 80s are great. Breaking into the 90s is harder and harder to do, yet these are often my absolutely favorites over time!
I’m drifting a bit from the importance of a singular number, as it’s more about the feelings and experience of a game.
Still, this is a feature I find useful as a gauge of what the month was like… Even when it was a fairly quiet one!
- Cartographers Heroes 90%
- Viscounts of the West Kingdom 85%
- Architects of the West Kingdom 80%
- HEXplore It: Kilk’s Madness Campaign 74%
- Paladins of the West Kingdom 68%
The Award Goes To…
With fewer games played, everyone is a winner. Ha ha! I don’t mind it, though, as these are the categories that give me a chance to look back and appreciate the moments.
I had thought of modifying this for the full year, but a single month seems to be working nicely as a useful timeframe.
That’s a big part of these awards, though: I don’t spend ages thinking things through. Something always stands out from the past month, and it’s usually a case of breaking ties.
So, for the final time in 2025, enjoy these silly awards and the fun of handing them out to the games I played recently!
Full Listing of December 2025 Award Winners
If you would rather read a quick listing without clicking or looking through photos, here are the winners:
- Action-Packed Scene: HEXplore It: Klik’s Madness Campaign
- Back for More: Cartographers Heroes
- Calico Critters Twin: Cartographers Heroes
- Freshly Hatched Box: HEXplore It: Klik’s Madness Campaign
- From the Ashes: Paladins of the West Kingdom
- Inspired by Nature: Cartographers Heroes
- It’s a Trap!: HEXplore It: Klik’s Madness Campaign
- Next Gallery Exhibit: Viscounts of the West Kingdom
- Roses are Red: Viscounts of the West Kingdom
- Surprise Party Time: Cartographers Heroes
- The Gold Cheesecake: Architects of the West Kingdom
- The Jeweled Crown: Paladins of the West Kingdom
- Uh-Oh, Hot Dog!: Cartographers Heroes
- Winner of All: Viscounts of the West Kingdom
Descriptions of the awards are in the photos above, but the bottom line is that they’re mostly random for some laughs!
Monthly Highlights
This was a month all about… Not playing? Ha! Accurate, though. I went through years of neglected organizing that needed to be done. It’s always a source of stress. Now, gone!
I’m still working on finalizing a few things, but the end result is around 70 recycled boxes. Yes: Seven-zero! All from consolidating expansions and saving so much space.
Making that feeling of being overwhelmed by things to do disappear feels awesome, and I’m excited about games.
Yet I still enjoyed some great experiences, such as with Cartographers Heroes and Viscounts of the West Kingdom!
Lessons of the Month
Sometimes, the joy from this hobby comes from activities other than playing. I feel so much better about my collection and removed one of the biggest barriers to starting to play.
It’s not about the quantity of solo plays for me, and I’ll take that into 2026. There are endless opportunities waiting on my shelves… And not the floor. Ha ha! So much to discover!
I’m taking things a little slower and enjoying what I am playing in my own ways, which is exactly what I want.
Finally, I discovered The Wind in the Willows movie and series from the 80s. That’s just a delightful way to end 2025!
Continue the Conversation
What did you enjoy playing in December 2025? Were there any special experiences for the month, or even the year? I had one of my quietest solo gaming months in ages… And it was fantastic. Taking a step back to tidy up helped take away that feeling of drowning in so many unplayed games. Now, I have a lot of different games to look forward to. Happy New Year!
Ordering, culling, curating a collection can be a blessing in disguise. It helps remove the pressure on your “you haven’t played that yet” little chirping voice from your shoulder. And it also helps opening new future horizons. However… getting to do something about it takes some willpower and time you’d rather invest into actually playing. Oh… the dilemma. I’m glad you went on with this endeavor.
Thanks! At first, I lamented the idea that a couple of weeks could have been spent actually playing, but it was time well-spent. There is minimal pressure now and even the idea that I have a lot of unplayed games is more of a positive: It’s a matter of learning and diving in, rather than punching and counting components. And no more games on the floor! That right there has been a wonderful feeling.
Sometimes, I don’t think we talk about those times we’re not playing games, but it’s definitely something that happens! I’m glad to be getting back to playing again in a much cozier and organized space. Hurray for all of the future adventures!