Solo journaling games

What are solo journaling games, exactly?

A solo journaling game is a story game you play on your own, with a notebook, a pen and usually a set of dice or cards. You read a short prompt, roll or draw something, and the result decides what happens. Then you write down how your character responds. Bit by bit, a story grows that is entirely yours.

That is why these games feel different from an ordinary board game with a solo mode. You are not playing against the game to win; you are using the game to create a story. The rules are often light, because the real substance comes from your choices and from the randomness of the cards and dice.

Another lovely thing: no two sessions end the same way. The same box gives you a new story every time, because it depends on what you roll and how you decide to respond. That is why solo journaling games stay gripping for so long, and why you will take them off the shelf again and again.

How do you play a solo journaling game?

Most solo journaling games work with prompts: short bits of text that sketch a situation and ask you a question. You answer that question by writing, as if you were keeping your character's diary. A die or a card brings the unexpected twists, so you regularly surprise yourself.

You do not need any roleplaying experience to start. A game calmly explains what you need to do, and you play for exactly as long as you feel like it. Some adventures are done in half an hour; others you build up over several evenings. You set the pace, and you can always stop and pick it up again later.

Who are solo journaling games for?

Solo journaling games are ideal if you love playing but cannot always get a group together. You need nobody else to have an adventure, just yourself and half an hour of peace. For people who love reading, writing and stories, it feels familiar straight away.

These games are lovely when you simply want to unwind, too. There is no opponent and no pressure, only your story slowly taking shape. Many players use a solo journaling game as a quiet moment before bed, with a cup of tea on the side.

Still, not every game suits every mood. One evening you want a gripping mystery, another time something calm and dreamy. So below we run through a few styles, to make the right choice easier.

Choosing by theme and style

Not every solo journaling game feels the same. It helps to think about the atmosphere you are after.

Mystery and sleuthing

If you love solving puzzles and gathering clues, a mystery is right up your street. Song of the Scryptwyrm is our example here: you are an apprentice librarian in an endless library, working out who is behind a theft. You gather clues with a pool of dice and also read a small oracle of cards, your Collection, to add colour to your story. We wrote a detailed review of Song of the Scryptwyrm where you can read exactly how it plays.

Horror and suspense

Would you rather get goosebumps? There is a whole corner of horror. A well-known title is The Wretched, in which you are left alone aboard an abandoned spaceship, recording your final hours while something prowls in the dark. This kind of game builds tension with short, claustrophobic prompts and a threat that keeps creeping closer.

Calm and atmospheric

Looking for something calm? There are plenty of dreamy adventures. In Thousand Year Old Vampire you play a vampire who lives on for centuries while their memories slowly fade, a melancholy and gripping story. Apothecaria by Anna Blackwell has you brewing potions as a witch-apothecary and exploring a map, warm and cosy in tone. And Alone Among the Stars is short and accessible: you explore unknown planets with a deck of playing cards and note down what you come across.

Adventure and fantasy

If you love big fantasy worlds, Ironsworn is a great way in. It is an adventure game you can play solo with dice and so-called oracles, tables that answer your questions and steer your story. You swear oaths, set off on quests and write your hero's tale as you go.

Spotlight: Song of the Scryptwyrm

Of all these titles, Song of the Scryptwyrm is the one you can currently buy from us. It was made by the studio Almost Bedtime Theater and was nominated in 2026 for an ENNIE Award in the best solo game category. Nominated, mind you, not a winner, but it does show that this game stands out in the genre.

You can play it on its own, or as a follow-up to the earlier The Librarian's Apprentice. It is suitable for ages 10 and up and the game is in English, so some English reading skills come in handy. Please note one thing: dice and cards are not included in the box. You use your own set of dice and a standard deck of playing cards, or you buy the separate Collection Deck as well. For 19.95 euros you get an atmospheric mystery that will keep you entertained for several evenings.

What do you need to get started?

For almost every solo journaling game you need a notebook or a few loose sheets of paper, plus a pen. On top of that, one game asks for dice and another for a deck of cards. So always read the description first, because sometimes everything is in the box and sometimes you bring your own materials.

Beyond that, all you really need is a quiet spot and a little time to yourself. You do not have to memorise anything and you can stop at any moment. Want to dig deeper before you choose? Then read our guide to solo journaling games.

How do you choose your first solo journaling game?

Start with two questions: what atmosphere are you after, and how much reading do you enjoy? If you want a gripping mystery with a clear task, Song of the Scryptwyrm is a great first choice, and you can get stuck in right away.

If you would rather have something short and light to get a taste of the genre, games like Alone Among the Stars make a nice first step. And if you love a long, immersive story, titles such as Thousand Year Old Vampire or Ironsworn reward you with plenty of depth. If you are still unsure, start small, and you will soon know whether solo journaling is for you.

Think about language, too. Most solo journaling games are in English, so a bit of English reading skill helps. And look at how much time you have: one game is over in a quarter of an hour, another you build up gently over several evenings.

Explore further

Like the idea of playing on your own? Then our complete guide to solo journaling games is the best place to read on. There we line up the best-known titles and help you make a choice that suits your taste. For a broader selection of games for every occasion, you can also browse our tabletop games.

Whatever you choose, the best thing about a solo journaling game is that the story becomes entirely yours. The box gives you the spark, but you fill in the rest. Grab a notebook, pour yourself something nice and see where your adventure takes you tonight. Have fun playing.