One of the other games brought up, but not played at that time, was Marrying Mr. Darcy. The box caught my eye as I was contemplating what to try solo. Since it's mainly pick a card and do what it says, solo play is not that hard.
Intro
I laid out the Suitors. For the uninitiated, the suitors are Mr. Wickham, Mr. Collins, Mr. Denny, Col. Fitzwilliam, Mr. Bingley, and Mr Darcy. I randomly picked six of the eligible bachelorettes. They were: Lydia, Mary, Georgiana, Jane, Elizabeth, and Caroline.
For those who haven't played, players take the role of one of the eligible ladies from the Pride and Prejudice story. They use cards to build up their character's traits in the areas of Beauty, Wit, Friendliness, and Reputation, in order to attract one (or more) of the suitors. The suitors each have different trait combinations that they are attracted to (for example: Mr. Darcy likes witty women, but Mr. Wickham will take anyone with a bit of money). Some cards also allow the player to increase their Dowry (some of the guys want to know you have money). Others allow them to increase their Cunning (helps increase chance of first pick at suitors) or decrease a trait of one of the competition.
Each woman's card has a list on the back that gives end game point values for marrying certain suitors. Each lady's list is different.
Players draw event cards and follow the instructions on them to drive the game.
The Play
Lydia was doing quite well in her character building, but couldn't bag the money needed to attract Wickham. It suddenly didn't matter any more when one of the cards and required dice roll saw Mr. Wickham elope, permanently removing him from the line-up of suitors.
Mary, Georgiana, and Caroline really upped the competition as all were able to rack up enough of their stats to attract Mr. Denny and Mr. Collins.
Elizabeth had a really hard time getting the necessary level of Wit to attract Mr. Darcy. It just didn't seem to be in the cards and about half way through she had traits enough for some of the others as a back-up. Very late in the game, she finally got the Wit level needed and started adding to Cunning to ensure she gets first shot at Darcy.
Early in the game, Jane had received a card that would have given her 10 points just to end the game a spinster. It was so early in the game I thought there was still plenty of time for her to build up for Bingly. Should have kept the card because Jane was quite unlucky and quite unable to build up enough character for any of the guys.
Late in the game, Lydia scored the "Visit Pemberly" card, which lets you choose Darcy, regardless of your stats, and gives you crazy good points. So on her last turn, knowing Elizabeth would beat her in Cunning, Lydia drew a card to remove Wit from someone! Played it on Elizabeth, stealing any chance Elizabeth had with Darcy! Three cheers for sibling rivalry!
"Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew"
Elizabeth did have first pick of suitors, and a re-roll on a proposal. With Darcy suddenly out of the picture, she turned to Col. Fitzwilliam (12 points) and found a very agreeable union with many happy days. Final score: 20
Next pick was Mary. While she had become a very well rounded and accomplished young woman, the suitors were wont to remember their first impressions of her and thus, withheld any proposal. Her kind and wealthy family take her in and she takes to spinsterhood in good spirits, becoming a famous author (Old Maid score: 10 points). Final score: 22
Georgiana and Caroline were tied with Cunning points, so preference goes to highest Dowry, which Georgiana won. She accepted the proposal of Mr. Denny (8 points). A pleasant enough arrangement, but overshadowed by a feeling that something wasn't quite right. Final score: 19
Caroline was left with only Mr. Collins as a suitor, since her personality did not lend itself to Wit enough to attract the glances of Mr. Darcy. Her pride and station must not have been agreeable to Mr. Collins as no proposal was made. Caroline went on to become a governess to a wealthy family (Old Maid score: 4 points). Final score: 15
With her introduction to Mr. Darcy at Pemberly behind her and Wickham's influence out of the picture, Lydia stocked up in the Friendliness and Wit departments. Mr. Darcy proposes (16 points, as per card) and she accepts. They lead a full and happy life. Final score: 30
Finally, perhaps due to her shyness, Jane catches the eye of no-one. She is taken in by a resentful uncle. But his children are not of his negative disposition and they ensure that Jane leads a happy enough life (Old Maid score: 8). Final score: 18
I'll include the end of game picture, despite the fact you can't read anything on it.
