Many of the most popular multiplayer-focused games allow you to play them solo. Sometimes this is via dedicated single-player campaigns. Other times you can try to hold your own against random players online. If your friends are busy, and you are still eager to play, nothing is stopping you from enjoying games that were intended for multiplayer. In fact, there are many multiplayer games where you do not even need to play with strangers.
From racing games to challenging survival experiences, you can have a lot of fun playing solo. You might get to perfect your top score on a leaderboard. You might be working together with an AI to achieve a goal. So, if you would like some fun games to spend a few hours on, here is a selection of fantastic multiplayer games you can play completely alone.
8 Golf With Your Friends
Golf With Your Friends is no ordinary golfing game. The levels are full of unique features, such as moving platforms and jetpacks. Although the game is intended to be played with friends (especially with collision mode on), there is no reason why you can't enjoy this excellent game on your own. It is quite a peaceful solo experience. You don't have to worry about anyone sabotaging your shot. You can take your time and practice getting a few trick shots.
Even if you have already played all of the official maps with your friends, there are still countless workshop courses for you to enjoy. New maps are continually being created, ranging from chill courses to elaborately tricky holes. You can also try the level builder yourself and see how creative you can get with the various props available.
7 Don't Starve Together
Don't Starve Together is a challenging, open-world indie game where you must try to survive a harsh world known as the Constant. Usually, you would have a few friends lost in this realm with you, but you can easily play without them. Each passing day gets more difficult, especially as winter arrives. You need to build farms, hunt rabbits, and build a range of tech to help you avoid starvation.
You can explore the mysterious realm of the Constant on your own, enjoying the majority of the content that you'd find in the single-player version. There are plenty of monsters and artifacts to encounter that you'll still be able to handle solo if you are careful. Also, your friends can always drop in another time to help you. But for now, you'll still have a fantastic time solo.
6 Root: Digital Version
Root is an animal-themed tactical board game that has received an excellent digital version in 2020. You can play this fantastic board game on various platforms, even your phone. Root is an incredible war game full of intricate strategy. You play as one of several animal factions that play completely differently from each other. For example, the cats are all about area control and have a vast army, while the woodland resistance is small in numbers but is excellent at ambushes.
Although intended to be played with a group of friends, the digital version allows you to fight against its AI. The AI is fun to play against, allowing you to experience this multiplayer game alone fully. There are also fun solo challenges to try out as well. The digital version handles all the tedious aspects of the board game, creating a streamlined experience for you to enjoy.
5 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a fantastic racing game that is a hit at every game night with friends. Fortunately, you can still enjoy this game a lot when playing alone. You can set the AI to the difficulty that suits you, grab your favorite car, and begin racing. You'll be able to perfect your time on each track without distractions.
The game has many characters to choose from and various challenging tracks to try. Not only that but even more courses are being released as DLC. Mario Kart 8 also has some fun unlockables if you can do well enough in every Grand Prix. Playing solo also gives you a chance to figure out the best shortcuts to really give yourself an edge next time you play with your friends.
4 Unrailed
Unrailed is all about placing down tracks in front of an unstoppable train. Usually, you and a few friends will be running around frantically, collecting wood and stone to build more tracks. You'll also need to remove various obstacles along the way. Luckily, you can purchase new wagons and upgrade them as you pass each stage. You will need these upgrades, as with each train station you reach, the train will pick up speed, giving you less time to prepare.
Unrailed can undoubtedly be challenging when attempting to play on your own. Fortunately, you do have an AI buddy to give orders to. They will keep following specific requests until you state otherwise. Although more difficult, playing this multiplayer game solo can be incredibly satisfying, especially if you can make it to the game's final level. If you can make it that far it is a real accomplishment. There are many additional challenges to face during this long train journey. Unrailed is chaotic and silly but great fun.
3 Tabletop Simulator
Although Tabletop Simulator is designed for groups to play a near-endless supply of board games, many games can be played solo. Tabletop Simulator lets you feel like you have the actual components in front of you. It is a great way to try out games you're considering buying a physical copy of. From peaceful tile placement games such as Cascadia and My City to attempting an elaborate bank heist in Burgle Bros, many fantastic games with solo variants are available in the Steam Workshop. Solo variations are often about beating your best score in a limited number of turns.
Many board games on Tabletop Simulator are scripted, ensuring you have to do no setup. Everything is automated. Also, you can often play against AI in games such as Azul and Fantasy Realms. This means you can still enjoy the multiplayer experience without switching to the solo version of your favorite game.
2 Gartic Phone
Gartic Phone is a free web browser game where you can doodle silly drawings, often in a limited amount of time. Gartic Phone has a variety of game modes, all designed to be played with a group of friends. But that doesn't mean you must have a big group to play it. There is a solo mode that is still a fun experience. It is simple to get to grips with and is perfect for when you only have a small amount of time to play.
In the solo mode, you will be creating a five-frame animation. You can see the faint outline of your previous frame to help you make a smooth transition. You can see the final animation in all its glory at the end of a round. Although a big part of the fun of Gartic Phone is the collaboration of everyone's drawings coming together, solo mode is still worth trying. It is a relaxing way to spend your time. The final animations are fun, and you can save them to share with others.
1 PlateUp!
PlateUp! is an incredible cooking game designed to be played in groups of up to four players. You work together to run a restaurant, covering all aspects of the process, from cooking to cleaning dishes. Each day gets busier and busier, and if just one customer isn't served, it is game over. PlateUp! adapts to you playing alone, ensuring you get fewer customers and some bonus coins after each day. But you are still in for a challenging experience.
Even playing solo, it is still possible to reach the final day and even far beyond it. You'll use blueprints to purchase new appliances to make things easier for your solo run. Playing on your own means you can design your restaurant exactly how you wish. It is also really satisfying to survive each day with just your cooking skills alone. PlateUp! is just as fun alone as it is with your friends, so get cooking!