It’s a weeknight, and you’re craving a good tabletop adventure with your group.
The only problem? Nobody’s available. You could jump online and look for a random campaign to join, but you aren’t quite that spontaneous yet.
But what if you could jump right into an immersive roleplaying experience that required nothing but yourself, a notebook, and some dice?
Welcome to the world of solo RPG journaling. This standalone blend of tabletop roleplaying and introspective storytelling has exploded in popularity over the past few years, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic made it more difficult for groups to gather.
While they may not have quite the collaborative element of traditional RPGs, solo journaling games can provide just as exciting an experience – and can actually show you a lot about your own personal creativity along the way!
Check out the full library of solo RPG titles and many more on DriveThruRPG – your online destination for all-things TTRPG!
What Is Solo RPG Journaling?
Solo RPG journaling puts you in the seat of both the storyteller and the player. In a solo RPG, you create narratives through written responses to prompts, questions, and randomly generated events.
Unlike more traditional RPGs where a GM is responsible for guiding the players through a campaign, you document your character’s journey through journal entries. These entries create a personal record of your adventure for you as you play.
How Solo Journaling Games Work
Prompts and Mechanics
At the heart of any journaling game is its prompt system. Most solo RPG games will rely on randomizers such as dice, playing cards, or custom decks to determine which prompts you’ll respond to.
For example, in Thousand Year Old Vampire, you roll dice to move between prompts. Games like Apothecaria use a deck of cards to determine who you encounter and what you’ll need to respond to at each moment.
Some games use a set of sequential prompts that build a structured narrative, while others will offer a more random prompt process, keeping things surprising (if not a bit chaotic!)
Tools and Approaches
One reason that solo journaling games are so fun is that they can be incredibly flexible.
You can use whatever medium you want – maybe a leather-bound journal for an authentic feel, or digital documents for easy editing. Some players combine media, like sketching maps in a physical notebook while typing out their narratives on a digital tool.
Your writing style is also flexible. You can write long, flowing narratives as your responses or just stick to bullet points as you go. You also have freedom in the voicing – you can stick to first person or write as a narrator.
Game Structure
Solo journaling games vary in their structure and scope. Some are open-ended sandboxes that allow you to journey as you wish, while others stick to more structured styles for faster gameplay.
Even games with fixed prompt lists will result in different stories each time you play, as your responses and rolls will add a bit of randomness to the experience. You could play as the same vampire in Thousand Year Old Vampire ten times and end up with ten completely unique chronicles of your immortal existence.
Getting Started with Solo RPG Games
If you’re only used to playing with groups, solo journaling games can feel a bit odd at first. But with a bit of practice and some creativity, you’ll find that they can deliver the same fun and adventure as any collaborative or traditional RPG.
That said, here are a few tips to help you get started:
Choose Your Tools Wisely
The best solo RPG game is one that you’ll actually stick with, so pick whatever feels natural and comfortable to get you writing. You can use a simple paper notebook or go with digital tools like Obsidian or Notion to give you white space plus organization/customization options.
Find Your Writing Style
Don’t feel pressured to write in a certain way! Brief, bullet-point entries work just as well as long, narrative prose.
The key is to find a consistent method that you enjoy. You can even mix up your formats, combining short paragraphs with sketched maps. Remember, this is for you – you’re not trying to impress anyone!
Stay Organized
While there’s freedom in your style of writing, you’ll still want to keep your writing organized. Find a consistent method to track recurring characters, locations, and the various plot threads.
Digital tools are great because you can add tags to documents or build a compendium – but sometimes a highlighter in paper notebooks works just as well!
Get Creative
Remember, the prompts are springboards, not strict commands. If you feel like a prompt doesn’t resonate with you, just skip it or reinterpret it.
When you feel like you aren’t sure where to go next, just get creative and find a way to push through the block. Don’t let a moment of creative insecurity get in the way of a great campaign!
Must-Try Solo Journaling Games on DriveThruRPG
Thousand Year Old Vampire
Tim Hutchings’ masterpiece is a great place to start with solo RPGs. Thousand Year Old Vampire follows an immortal vampire through centuries of existence, and the game uses a fun memory system that forces you to forget details as time passes. You’ll be impressed with the moving stories you can create with this one.
Apothecaria
Ever wish you could provide balms and brews for the locals? Anna Blackwell’s cozy game Apothecaria casts you a a village witch who brews potions (and a bit of mischief) for quirky locals.
This game will have you mixing ingredients and solving problems – all while you try to uncover the mystery of your predecessor’s disappearance. This is a great game for getting creative with drawing, lists, and recipes.
Ex Novo
Ex Novo is a fun take on a solo RPG that has you building a city. The game works both as a solo game and as a collaborative one, and is good practice for GMs who want to practice building out campaign settings.
The Wretched
It’s not all potion brewing and city-mapping. The Wretched is a tried-and-true survival horror game that uses the famed Wretched & Alone system. As the sole survivor on a derelict spaceship, you’ll be fighting for survival as you face alien threats and your own creeping madness.
Try Out A Solo Adventure Today!
Solo RPG journaling makes it easy to jump into a game on your own time and at your own pace. Plus, they are a great way to work on your creative muscles for your next adventure with a group.
If you want to see more, jump online and browse the full collection of solo journaling RPGs on DriveThruRPG. We’ve got the web’s largest library of solo RPGs waiting for you to explore. Pick up a new favorite now!
