Over the past few weeks, a small stack of starter sets has arrived at my doorstep. I have waited for a couple of months now. The delay was caused by a pre-order that held up the rest of the shipment, but now everything is finally here — and I might have gone a little overboard.
My plan for the next few months is simple: go through these boxes one by one, play them, and share detailed impressions of each. I’ll focus on what’s inside, how beginner-friendly the system feels, and how enjoyable the included adventure is to play.
Here’s the current lineup:
Links marked with an asterisk * are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, it helps support the blog at no extra cost to you.
I usually gravitate toward fantasy settings, but this time I want to explore a wider range of genres — science fiction, horror, and even modern-day adventures.
There’s something special about starter sets. They feel compact and self-contained, almost like board games. You don’t have to worry about every spell, rule, or monster in the full system. You just open the box and play the story it gives you. It’s a great way to test a new RPG without needing to learn the entire ruleset.
Expanding into Video
Alongside the written reviews, I’m also planning to create more video content on YouTube.
Video is often a more natural format for me. It’s easier to sit down and record a few thoughts than to draft, edit, and polish a full written post — especially when balancing work, family, and creative projects. My current plan is to use YouTube as a kind of first-draft space, where I can share spontaneous impressions and early thoughts about each game.
Later, I’ll take those transcripts and turn them into structured Substack articles, expanding on the ideas and adding more context. This workflow should keep content flowing steadily while allowing me to refine ideas at my own pace.
A Solo Guide To…
I’m also working on a new series called A Solo Guide To…, which will focus on adapting traditional tabletop RPGs for solo play.
Each entry will explore a specific game — Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Fallout, Warhammer 40K, Shadowdark, and others — and break down how to approach them without a game master.
These guides will discuss topics like:
How many characters to manage in a solo campaign
How to handle hidden information or GM-only knowledge
When to use random oracles versus character-driven decisions
How to rebalance encounters or tweak adventures for one player
It’s a topic I’m passionate about, and I think it will help more players discover just how flexible and rewarding solo TTRPGs can be.
Solo Play Reports
In addition to the guides, I’ll also share session reports from my own solo playthroughs.
Each report will cover a full adventure — one post per chapter or session — with a focus on storytelling and adaptation rather than dice math or turn-by-turn details. I’ll highlight what worked, what didn’t, and what adjustments I made to keep the game balanced and engaging when playing alone.
The goal is to give readers a sense of what solo RPGs feel like in practice — not just in theory.
Looking Ahead
Between the upcoming starter set reviews, video updates, and solo RPG series, there’s a lot in motion. I hope that Solorpgstudio continues to grow as a space for curious players — people who love trying new systems, experimenting with solo play, and talking about what makes tabletop games special.
Thanks for following along and being part of this journey. The next few months are going to be a lot of fun.
That sounds great. Those starter sets are going to keep you busy for awhile.
Oh this all looks awesome. I love me a Starter Set (I’ve got a few on my shelf, including a couple from your pile)