Solo Role-Playing Games (S5E12)
From Lair Of Secrets by Lair Of Secrets
January 16, 2026 · 54 min · Season 5 · Episode 12
About this episode
This episode explores the world of solo role-playing games, discussing their appeal, challenges, and personal nature.
Join us to explore the growing world of solo role-playing games, from zines (Thru-Hiker, Hope is Not a Plan) to journaling games (Thousand-Year-Old Vampire, Be Like A Crow) to full-fledged systems like Ironsworn and Star Trek: Captain's Log. We discuss the appeal, challenges, and deeply personal nature of solo gaming, emphasizing discovery, immersion, and the freedom to explore without an audience. Along the way, we share favorite titles, philosophical insights, and unexpected parallels to acid trips and corporate burnout. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Solo Role-Playing Games02:51 Types of Solo RPGs05:03 Reasons for Playing Solo RPGs09:06 Exploring Specific Solo RPGs18:12 Adapting Traditional RPGs for Solo Play27:22 Solo Mode Board Games28:17 The Value of Solo Play in RPGs30:36 Mindset and Preparation for Solo Gaming34:16 Exploring Narrative Flexibility in Solo RPGs38:21 Understanding the Complexity of Game Mechanics44:43 Successes and Challenges in Solo RPG Experiences49:12 The Importance of Immersion and Aesthetics in Gaming Listen to the Episode Watch to the Episode Watch Solo Role-Playing Games on YouTube. Show Notes What are Solo Role-Playing Games? And why do we play them…
People in this episode
Host: Lair Of Secrets
Topics covered
- solo role-playing games
- journaling games
- game mechanics
- immersion in gaming
- adapting RPGs for solo play
- philosophical insights
Keywords
- solo RPGs
- gaming
- immersion
- journaling games
- game mechanics
- role-playing games
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Thru-Hiker, Hope is Not a Plan, Thousand-Year-Old Vampire, Be Like A Crow, Ironsworn, Star Trek: Captain's Log, Dungeons & Dragons, Shadowdark, Loner
More episodes of Lair Of Secrets
- Shadowdark Tutorial Dungeon · May 30, 2026 · 7 min
- d4 Arctic Hazards for Shadowdark (S5E16) · May 23, 2026 · 20 min
- The Great Shadowdark Torch Debate (S5E15) · April 24, 2026 · 13 min
- Shadowdark Hazards 101 (S5E14) · March 20, 2026 · 16 min
- Why We Keep Coming Back To Cyberpunk 2077 (S5E13) · February 14, 2026 · 45 min
- Cozy Video Games – Campaigns & Coffee · January 26, 2026 · 37 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Lair Of Secrets podcast page.