Playing games is more fun with other people. There can be friendly competition, you can team up with your partner or best friend and you can laugh together. However, since the coronavirus pandemic broke out we are spending more time alone than ever. If you are bored of watching TV or scrolling through social media you should find games to play alone.
In this article, we have put together a list of one player games with the help of Szilvia SultΓ©s, Hungarian iGaming expert. Szilvia – of whom you can read more about here – loves games and recommended some for us.
Games with pen and paper
Every Hungarian grandmother (or grandfather) plays crosswords. These popular games come in all newspapers and many magazines but avid players can buy crosswords booklets with hundreds of games inside them.
Sudoku, a Japanese number game which uses a 9 by 9 grid has been popular in Europe in the past two decades. Sudoku exercises the brain and helps us solve problems from different angles. Sudoku is also often found in magazines and can also be played on smartphones through free apps.
Card games
Solitaire has to be game number one when you think of a card game to be played alone. All you need is one deck of cards and some space to lie your cards (or a smartphone and an app). Solitaire is suitable for kids from about 7 years of age and it not only makes them think logically but shuffling the cards helps them improve their motor skills. There are also variations on classic solitaire, like Spider Solitaire, which can be played online. This might be a little harder than regular solitaire but itβs worth learning the rules when you want to find a new game to play alone.
Card games like blackjack or poker are traditionally played against other people or at least a dealer, however, in a Hungarian online casino, such as Bet365, you can play them against the computer.
If you donβt want to wager any money, you can find lots of online casinos that offer free or demo versions of video poker, blackjack or baccarat.
If you enjoy the casino experience but donβt have a buddy to go with, you can also play live-dealer table games online, from the comfort of your home. Live-dealer games use real-time video connection and, on your screen, you will see a typical casino set-up with an attractive male or female dealer.
Video games
According to statistics, in Hungary 58% of people aged between 18 and 65 play some video game. This includes mobile, console and PC gaming. Video games are not just for nerds or teenage boys any more.
Undoubtedly, one of the most popular video games – that can be played on smartphones and tablets – is Candy Crush. Simple puzzle games like Tetris or Candy Crush give instant gratification and are shown to reduce stress levels. These somewhat addictive games are some of the most popular individual games.Β
Competitive online games that require multiple players, such as Playstation 4βs Fortnite or Call of Duty have been great hits in the past years, however, if you are after a solo experience on Playstation 4 try out God of War or Horizon: Zero Dawn.
If you are after a violent game featuring criminals trying to navigate through cities try Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2. Both can be played on Playstation 4, PC and Xbox.
A more pleasant and certainly less violent game would be Stardew Valley. Farm through the day, do some fishing or explore nearby caverns.
Those who like to game on handheld devices such as Nintendo Switch can have lots of fun with games like Panzer Dragoon: Remake. In this game, you fly through cyber-fantasy landscapes on your dragon and shoot down everything around you.
Board games
Board games were big in the 80s in Hungary. Every family would have had a GazdΓ‘lkodj okosan board game to spend Sunday afternoons on. But that was not a game for one person as board games were all for multiple players.
Board games are a big hit again and many of them can be played solo. They are complex and they use amazing pictures. Titles such as the 7th Continent, Mage Knight or Spirit Island will get you hooked and you can spend hours with them.
Not all board games have to be played on a tabletop anymore. In fact, there are tons of online game sites with twists on classic games. For example, Im-a-puzzle.com lets you solve thousands of different online jigsaw puzzles. Everything is categorized so itβs easy to find the perfect puzzle to complete without needing to go out and buy a physical game. In addition, you can create your own puzzle by uploading an image and setting the game options yourself.
Conclusion
Even without company, you donβt have to be bored. There are tons of games out there that can be played alone. From pen and paper games to video poker there are lots of options that can be played without money or special equipment.