Gloomhaven - Solo Scenarios: Mercenary Challenges Review Summary

Fun, challenging solo scenarios and superb DLC satisfy, but solo design is poor with useless items and the DLC locks out multiplayer groups.

Scenarios offer challenge and satisfaction.: The scenarios are described as clever and challenging, pushing players to study and formulate consistent strategies. This provides a satisfying experience for those seeking mastery.

Solo scenarios are fun and great.: Multiple reviewers praise the solo scenarios as enjoyable and high-quality content. They are considered great additions to the game.

DLC is super and does not disappoint.: Reviewers express strong satisfaction with the DLC, calling it super and a cause for celebration. The overall idea of the DLC is also highly regarded.

Valuable for learning each class.: The solo scenarios are worth it to learn the core concepts of each base Gloomhaven class. They provide several hours of content for fans wanting to learn every class.

DLC introduces new items.: The DLC offers new items, including 17 unique items, one per mercenary. Reviewers like the items added.

DLC locks multiplayer group: Enabling the DLC on a save file requires all players in the multiplayer group to own it, otherwise they are locked out. This requirement is permanent and affects ongoing campaigns.

Solo scenarios poorly designed: Scenarios are criticized as puzzle-like, boring, or requiring very specific builds, gear, and luck. Some are trivial with certain items while others are nearly impossible without optimal cards and repeated attempts.

Solo items useless: Many solo items are underpowered compared to common shop items, cannot be sold, and are often better suited for other classes. The restrictions remove joy from experimenting and kill the reason to get them.

Save conversion irreversible: Converting a save to a DLC-enabled save is irreversible; there is no way to revert it, even if the DLC is returned. The save file is flagged as DLC-enabled for all content.

Solo items character-bound: Solo scenario reward items are locked to the exact character that earned them and cannot be used by other characters or unlocked for future characters. This differs from the board game where items go to the merchant's pool.

Solo scenarios DLC adds content: The DLC includes solo scenarios for each base class, rewarding items that can be used in multiplayer. The scenarios are unlocked when a character reaches level 5 and are designed as challenging class-specific tests.

Solo scenarios integrated into campaign: Solo scenarios appear as side quests in the campaign log and can be attempted within a multiplayer campaign session. The content is activated on a campaign save and affects ongoing multiplayer play.

Scenarios are puzzle-like and challenging: The scenarios are designed as puzzles that require following a guide and are intentionally hard, often testing mastery of a class. They can be brutal but are not impossible with persistence.

Solo item rewards are character-bound: Completing a solo scenario grants an item bound to the specific character that completed it. The item cannot be traded or used by other characters.

Guildmaster mode solo items differ: In Guildmaster mode, solo items are obtained by completing the second story mission for a character at level 5, instead of through solo scenarios. Guildmaster is a separate sandbox mode where characters never retire.

Crash on extra turn: The game crashes when clicking 'end extra turn' while using the Beast Tyrant solo scenario item.

Small fonts hinder Deck: Steam Deck compatibility is hindered because fonts are too small.

Not worth the money: Several reviewers consider the DLC not worth the price, advising against purchase unless you want to support the developers.

DLC forces group purchase: Multiplayer groups are forced to buy the DLC with no way to revert the save, making it a negative recommendation for those players.

DLC is worth buying: Some reviewers find the DLC an absolute steal for its content and worth the hours of play it provides.

Wait for fixes: It is not a universal recommendation until fixes are made, and some advise not buying until major changes are implemented.

For challenge seekers: Recommended for players who want a real challenge or a mastery-level challenge with each class.

Community fair range: $5.00 - $15.00.

Game completion: 3.0h.

Reports describe the DLC as not fun: scenario design is boring and multiplayer integration creates lockouts and desyncs. No review identifies a point where enjoyment begins.

Friction: Activation permanently locks friends without the DLC out of the multiplayer campaign; Multiplayer sessions desync with solo scenarios or reward items; Solo scenarios require multiplayer to be disabled in multiplayer sessions; Scenario design is boring and requires following a guide to pass; Multiplayer campaign fails even when all players own the DLC; DLC cannot be deactivated from the save after activation.

Co-op Campaign Regular: Joins or hosts ongoing co-op campaigns and expects group access and stable sessions. Motivation: To keep a shared multiplayer campaign running smoothly with friends. Stance: no buy.

Board-Game Solo Completionist: Compares digital rules and scenarios against the tabletop version and seeks faithful challenge. Motivation: To relive faithful, challenging solo scenarios from the board game. Stance: sale.

Build-Optimizing Item Hunter: Levels characters, follows class guides, and pursues reward items as build upgrades. Motivation: To earn powerful solo scenario items that improve character builds. Stance: no buy.

Linux and Proton: The only supplied feedback concerns small fonts on Steam Deck. That is a Steam Deck usability/comfort issue rather than a Linux or Proton compatibility problem involving launch reliability, performance, stability, anti-cheat, DRM, launchers, or required workarounds. No actionable Linux/Proton compatibility evidence was found.

Monetization: The feedback is dominated by a $5 Solo Scenarios DLC that flags multiplayer saves and forces all players in that save to purchase it. Although this creates real financial pressure and is poorly communicated, the evidence points to a traditional one-time paid DLC rather than an in-game cash shop, gacha, battle pass, paid power, or predatory microtransaction system. Other complaints are about DLC content quality and multiplayer desync, which are outside the monetization audit.

DLC content and design details: The DLC contains 17 scenarios designed by Isaac Childres, intended for players who want to learn every base Gloomhaven class. It is a digital adaptation of a board game expansion that adds new enemies and offers 20 hours of new content.

DLC is second expansion: It is sold as a DLC and is the second DLC for this game. The DLC provides more Gloomhaven content that was not included in the base Gloomhaven board game.

All players must own DLC: The DLC page states that all players must own the DLC, which the reviewer considers good that it is warned about. All party members need to purchase the DLC if the host enables it, which can interrupt existing multiplayer campaigns.

Irreversible DLC conversion warning: The game clearly states that converting a save to a DLC-enabled save is irreversible, and the DLC release announcement confirms there is no way to revert. The DLC toggle is irreversible once enabled.

Solo scenarios integral but free: Solo scenarios are integral to the core experience and should be included for free. Completing the solo quests is more for personal accomplishment than for gameplay rewards.