Have you ever wondered what the top games are that people play alone?
Well, in this guide you’re about to find out. We’re going to run through some of the best solo titles and options out there so that you can fill your spare time with something enjoyable and rewarding. So, what are the top games people play alone for fun and relaxation? Let’s have a look.
Sudoku
Sudoku is one of the all-time top games that people like to play alone. The idea here is to create a box of numbers where each row in the larger box doesn’t contain any repetitions of the same digit, and each of the nine inner square boxes also don’t contain any repetitions. This game requires a lot of strategy and cunning and also needs players to keep an eye on multiple aspects of the game at once.
Sudoku began as a popular game in the Far East, but has since spread across the entire world. It was once popular in magazines and newspapers, but now you can play it online easily. What’s great about the online versions is that computer algorithms can create completely original and unique games every time, so players can never get bored.
Deep dive RPG games
These days, many more people than ever are also interested in playing open-world RPG games. There are so many of these to choose from that it’s often impossible to actually settle on just one. Obviously, in 2026, the most popular titles remain classics like Red Dead Redemption 2, Elden Ring, Baldur’s Gate, and God of War Ragnarok.
What’s nice about these games is that they can absorb countless hours. You can play them for fun for such a long time and really enjoy everything that they have to offer.
Elden Ring is a particularly standout game because of how many gameplay options it provides players with. You can almost do what you want in this game, and it doesn’t even use the latest versions of AI. Who knows how incredible interactive open-world environments will become once more developers start using generative artificial intelligence and large language models for their non-playable characters?
Solitaire
Solitaire and spider solitaire are classics for people who like to play games alone. What’s nice about this particular option is that it’s so versatile and easy to play. You can access Solitaire anywhere online these days, whether you’re on a laptop or a smartphone, and you can play it if you have a pack of playing cards with you on a real table. All you need is enough space for the tab below.
Solitaire is challenging, especially versions that use multiple packs. You have to be very careful with how you use your free spaces and strategy in making columns and then depositing cards in stacks at the top of the board. If you can get it right, though, it’s extremely satisfying in the type of game that you’ll want to keep coming back to every time you have a spare few minutes on the weekend.
Indie games
Indie games are another interesting time sink. These tend to punch above their weight in terms of creativity and emotion even if they don’t have big budgets. Plenty of indie games of the past then went on to become triple-A titles. A great example of this is the first two Witcher games. These were relatively obscure and only a handful of players ever really played them, but this provided the springboard to launch Witcher 3 which became one of the most popular games of all time.
The number of indie games out there to choose from is enormous. Currently, Gris is popular because it’s so visually attractive. You could also play Katana Zero which is a fast-paced indie game with a sort of noir feel.
Some of the most popular indie games are action RPG titles. These are where you see the play space from a fit above camera that moves around as your character moves around. It’s used in Diablo but is also popular in games like Path of Exile.
Deep worlds
For even greater immersion, you could also explore so-called deep world games. These take regular open-world concepts and make them even more immersive. One of the criticisms of open-world games in general is that they lack the sorts of depth and narrative drive that you might see in a film or an old-style RPG. What deep world games do is they prioritize this element of the game over the ability just to do what you want.
Good examples of this include The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Disco Elysium: The Final Cut. All of these games have a strong focus on story and immersion over simply providing you with more options.
Crossword puzzles
Going back to basics, many people also entertain themselves while they’re alone with crossword puzzles. When you think about it, these are still a type of game and one that’s well worth exploring if you have the time. Crossword puzzles are great for expanding your vocabulary and getting your mind to think in new and cryptic ways. You have to solve crosswords by using riddles and clues. These get you to adjust your perspective and think about things from another angle.
Hades
Finally, you could explore a game like Hades. This title doesn’t really fit into any of the categories that we’ve mentioned so far, but as well, it’s extremely popular and many people play it whenever they have a spare moment. Hades is a kind of platform game where you overcome various obstacles and defeat enemies. It also has an element of progression in it, which makes it more engaging for players who like the RPG-style experience. You have to be very careful though – Hades is one of those challenging games, a bit like the Dark Souls games, that tests players and ensures that they never forget that they’re actually playing.
So there you have it, some of the top games people play when they are alone.