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Playing tabletop RPGs has always been something of an act of catharsis for me.
By this point, we all know tabletop RPGs and board games cando wonders for our cognitive health.
Illustations from the new Fighting Fantasy books
The therapeutic benefits of TRPGs have been widely documented.
But what happens when you distill the cognitively empowering world of tabletop gaming into something a little more self-reflective?
Solo RPGs are made for this kind of existential exploration.
Illustations from the new Fighting Fantasy books
You’re not constrained to donning your armor and swinging your sword, either.
When did solo roleplaying become a thing?
The Solo RPG legacy goes back far beyond what is generally considered the dawn of TRPGs.
Photo of the Ironsworn print rulebook
What, you thought it all started popping off in the ’70s?
Though much of these narratives were captured in miniature, shared journals in between play sessions.
From choose-your-own-adventure style games likeFighting Fantasy, to game master emulators also known as oracles.
The Wretched solo RPG screenshot
But it was never just that.
How do you play a solo RPG or journaling game?
The solo RPG genre has evolved profoundly over the years, with many now being far more narrative-focussed endeavors.
Illustration from the Koriko solo RPG
You are now besties with a daffodil, congratulations.
The Beast, for example, is an erotic solo fantasy about making love to an inhuman creature…
Stick with me on this.
Screenshot of the Touching Grass solo RPG
It’s about stories, and about us and our relationship to the world."
How does all this help me?
So too, journaling is the perfect outlet for feelings you might not feel comfortable sharing aloud.
Alex Clippinger plays The Wretched
The Beast solo RPG screenshot
