Roleplaying games are one of my favorite ways to combine creativity, drama, action, nerdy fandoms, and socializing. I often play lesser known table-top roleplaying games (ttrpgs) like Ryuutama, which focuses more on the journey and story and less on the combat, which is what games like Dungeons and Dragons are known for.

But as much as I love spending time with friends completing quests and rolling dice, it requires a lot of energy and more importantly: a unified schedule. If you know anything about ttrpgs, you know setting aside regular times that work for the whole group is the most difficult part.

Which is why Ironsworn and its solo play has drawn me in. Ironsworn does not need a party or Game Master: You can play by yourself, though it can be adjusted for a party as well.

It is very much like journaling or writing a book, but with the help and twists and action of dice and stats. At the end of a long day, when I need something to relax before bed, it is a great tool.

Ironsworn is fabulous because it has very intuitive game mechanics that balance between aesthetic roleplay and stat-based encounters. It is also comparitively easy to learn, especially if you have experience with other ttrpgs.

My favorite part is the universe: Vikings in a grim fantasy Witcher-like world.

It is highly adjustable and incredibly entertaining.

The limits are only what you can imagine, and the game has plenty of hooks to get you started.

The base product is also free to download.

The only major adjustments I have had to make to the game is for exploration and travel, which can be monotonous. This is allegedly partly remedied in the paid expansions, but there are other alternatives, especially if you like mapmaking. The PocketLands system adds much more interactiveness to the traveling that I seriously needed.

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So if playing a solo game with dice, a glass of wine, and your own epic playlist sounds entertaining to you, I highly encourage you to check it out.