Two reflection posts back to back might be a lot but I realized after I wrote the last one that we are half way through 2025. So while New England is in a heat wave, I’m inside writing blog posts and playing solo RPGs. I started this blog at the beginning of the year in order to keep me accountable for actually playing solo RPGs and for sharing what I discover and learn along the way. It seems there are three areas where I get the most interaction, lore posts, mini reviews, and the challenges. That isn’t to say that I’m going to start focusing on them specifically, instead, I’m going to keep writing what I fancy and let the chips land as they may.

This year I’ve been going wide. That is I’ve been playing a little bit of a of lot of different games. In fact, I’ve played 22 games so far this year, which puts me just a bit under an average of one different game a week. That is a lot. But it has been good and I plan to continue that wide look throughout the rest of this year. It is giving me a nice wide survey of the different types of games out there, mechanics, oracles, and genres. I have enjoyed discovering so many new to me games. But it also feels a little manic. I have been skipping from one thing to the next to the next to the next. There are so many games that I’ve started and want to go back to but just haven’t yet. Part of the problem is that there are just too many great games to play.

I’ve found that moon challenges have helped to keep me focused and have given me a direction but they are all geared toward a wide examination. So next year, I think I’m going to focus on going deep. I’ll probably continue to sample things here and there, but not like I have this year. Instead I’ll focus on fewer games and stay with them a bit longer. So I’ll probably tailor my moon challenges to fit that way of playing.

Another thing that I’ve started to do this first half of the year that I didn’t expect was to create games and scenarios for various jams on itch.io. It has been a fun way to play around with solo roleplaying from another side. But this also means that at this point, I’m working on this blog, playing solo RPGs, and creating stuff for itch.io. It is good I’m a teacher and have the summers off.

I’ve also enjoyed the “book club” from the solo RPG Discord. It is kind of fizzling right now, but I’ve been introduced to so many cool games that I won’t have been aware of otherwise. But that has also lead to spending a bit too much money on RPGs, between Drivethru, Bundle of Holding, Humble Bundle, and Fanactical there is always a deal which just seems a bit too good to miss.

Finally, looking back at the half year mark it is hard to pick one game that has been my favorite. I would say that Mothership was a big surprised. I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did. It is so simple and too the point.

What about you? How has the first half of the year been for you?