20 Strong is the perfect solo game for busy people who still want meaningful decisions in a compact package—just don't expect it to become a permanent fixture on your table.
What Is This Game?
20 Strong is a solo deck-based game system from Chip Theory Games. The core rules are simple and adaptable, designed to work across multiple themed decks—each with its own mechanics and flavor. The system launched with three decks: one set in the Too Many Bones universe, one in Hoplomachus: Victorum, and one in the new space-faring world of Solar Sentinels.
The goal is to fight your way through a shuffled deck of challenge cards—enemies, scenarios, skill checks—by rolling dice to score successes. You're managing a pool of 20 dice alongside three stats: HP, Strategy (rerolls and items), and Recovery (how many dice return to your pool after each challenge). Spend too many dice on one card and you'll be short for the next. It's a tight balance of push-your-luck gambling and resource management, and a full game wraps up in about 30 minutes.
What Works
Setup takes about two minutes, which is a revelation if you're used to games like Mage Knight, Spirit Island, or Too Many Bones. For someone with only 45 minutes at the end of a long workday, this is exactly what I needed. You're in the game almost immediately, and once you're playing, the decisions feel genuinely meaningful.
As with all Chip Theory Games, the components are super premium. The PVC cards, holographics, and art are probably the best of any game I own. I did experience some dice speckling that others have mentioned, but it didn't affect gameplay and I avoided the gasoline smell some backers reported.
All three decks are enjoyable. Solar Sentinels is the quickest and lightest. The Too Many Bones deck captures the feel of the original game remarkably well while playing far faster—this one edges out as my favorite since TMB is one of my all-time top games. Hoplomachus Victorum is the longest and most complex of the three, offering deep strategy for when you have a bit more time. Honestly, they're all solid—which deck you reach for just depends on how much time and brain power you have available.
What Doesn't
As with all Chip Theory Games, those super premium components come at a premium price. This is not a cheap game, and whether the quality justifies the cost is a personal call.
My other issue is replayability. After playing each deck several times, I found myself satisfied but not itching to keep it on the table. It's fun in the moment, but it lacks that pull that makes me want to play over and over the way I do with other solo games.
Note: I've only played the three launch decks reviewed here. Chip Theory has released additional decks since launch that I haven't tried, so I can't speak to how they compare.
Replayability
This is where 20 Strong lands in a specific niche. It's become my go-to travel game—the box is tiny, setup is instant, and I can knock out a session or two on a trip. But at home, it rotates off the table quickly. I'll return to it occasionally, but it doesn't have the staying power of heavier games with more variability.
Who Should Play This
20 Strong is ideal for solo gamers who want a quick, satisfying experience without lengthy setup or teardown. It's also perfect for travel—small box, fast play, zero table hog. If you're a fan of Too Many Bones or Hoplomachus and want a streamlined taste of those worlds, you'll find a lot to like here.
Skip this if you prefer heavier, crunchier solo experiences with deep replayability. And obviously, if you're not into solo tabletop gaming, this one isn't for you—at least until Chip Theory releases multiplayer decks down the road.
Final Verdict
20 Strong delivers exactly what it promises: a quick, well-produced solo game system with meaningful decisions and premium components. It's not trying to be your forever game, and that's fine. For busy gamers and frequent travelers, it fills a gap that few other games occupy this well.
/pic6630422.png)
/pic2576399.jpg)
/pic6588069.png)