January 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 January 2026.
February is well underway, but I still wanted to look back at the fun I had with my solo games in January! It’s been a little quiet over the last few weeks, although I’ve been enjoying the process of slowly going through a smaller number of games. My solo table is a great place to sit back and find out what I enjoy about the hobby, and I had a handful of excellent plays!
A Look at the Ratings
A single number doesn’t tell the whole story about a game, although I find that my system is helpful. At a glance, I can understand a top-level perspective about each one.
Anything in the 70s is a good game, and crossing over into the 80s makes a great game. Above that, games in the 90s often turn out to be my favorites! An easy system for me.
Every year, though, I think about re-doing everything… But fortunately, it was a simple decision to leave it all as-is.
The reasons why I like or dislike a solo game tell a more complete story. But here we are: Numbers and ratings!
- Paupers’ Ladder 90%
- The One Hundred Torii 89%
- Roll Player Adventures 66%
- Guilds of London 53%
The Award Goes To…
Was this the month with the fewest number of played games? It definitely qualifies! Handing out awards in this sense might seem unnecessary, but I still like the process.
Sometimes, this is the last time I’ll see a solo game that didn’t work for me, so that last moment of appreciation can be a nice one. And others just keep on being awesome!
Expect this to continue each month, mostly for my own entertainment. Always a fun time playing my solo games!
I enjoy seeing which games pop up most often, or how some categories don’t quite work… But somehow, I find a winner!
Full Listing of January 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: The One Hundred Torii
- Calico Critters Twin: Paupers’ Ladder
- Freshly Hatched Box: Roll Player Adventures
- From the Ashes: Guilds of London
- Inspired by Nature: The One Hundred Torii
- It’s a Trap!: Roll Player Adventures
- Next Gallery Exhibit: The One Hundred Torii
- Roses are Red: Paupers’ Ladder
- Surprise Party Time: The One Hundred Torii
- The Gold Cheesecake: The One Hundred Torii
- The Jeweled Crown: The One Hundred Torii
- Uh-Oh, Hot Dog!: Paupers’ Ladder
- 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
Less games still gave me a chance to really explore some options I otherwise might not have considered. For instance, The One Hundred Torii was quite a surprise!
The main expansion wasn’t something I played for many years, and it was awesome to find all of the different ways to enjoy the solo mode. I even figured out Onatsu, my nemesis!
Campaign games can be tricky for me, as my attention often wavers, but I have high hopes for Roll Player Adventures.
And, of course, returning to Paupers’ Ladder with a new scenario made it even more interesting. So much to enjoy!
Lessons of the Month
There is no rush. I’ve experienced some guilt here and there when it comes to playing games less often. But slowing down has meant less pressure to play, which is great!
Mixing in newer titles is also nice, while focusing on older options can bring back fun memories. Or, the best part: New experiences with older games with different ways to play!
Expansions are also not to be overlooked, as many enhance their respective base games. I sometimes ignore them.
I hope to maintain this mindset of not having to churn through as many games as I can. Just… Slow and steady fun!
Continue the Conversation
What did you enjoy playing in January 2026? Did you find yourself slowing down, speeding up, or enjoying your games at about the same pace? A new year sometimes inspires change, or it might be the perfect time to stick with what works! If I know myself, I’ll likely switch over to playing more solo games once I finish a campaign game… February, here I come!
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