Highlands (2017)

Description from the publisher: Highlands is a solo boardgame set in middle ages Scotland, in a time of rival clans, factions, and kingdoms. Play as a king/earl/jarl striving to gain reputation and power as you build your empire in the highlands. Along the way, you will explore, decide how to expand, and encounter rival armies and a variety of creatures from the realm of the faes. Highlands started as an attempt to create a Scythe-like solo gaming experience, but with a smaller footprint and less upkeep. Start with a Castle, a King, and two Workers. Then, hire more Workers, build a Cathedral, train a Soldier and a Knight, explore, encounter Faes, complete missions, and defend your Castle from the Enemy. Highlands is played on a custom hex map 12 chess pieces, a 27 card Encounter deck, an 18 card Mission deck, and a handful of cubes. Highlands won 4th place in the Best Overall Game category in the 2017 Solitaire Print and Play Contest.