Many modern board games offer deep strategic gameplay, focusing on resource management or economic optimization. But if you crave the thrill of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games are your perfect match. Like their pen-and-paper counterparts, these games immerse you in fantastical settings, where you collaborate or compete to conquer quests and challenges. However, unlike pen-and-paper RPGs, they maintain a satisfying strategic layer beneath their narrative surface. Here are some top picks for the best RPG board games, promising countless hours of fun in 2025 and beyond.
Top Role-Playing Board Games at a Glance
----------------------------------------
### Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion
6 See it at Amazon
### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1 See it at Amazon
### The Witcher: Old World
3 See it at Amazon
### Star Wars: Imperial Assault
6 See it at Amazon
### HeroQuest
4 See it at Amazon
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2 See it at Amazon
### The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
2 See it at Amazon
### This War of Mine: The Board Game
0 See it at Amazon
### Descent: Legends of the Dark
3 See it at Amazon
### Mice & Mystics
1 See it at Amazon
### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5 See it at Amazon
Don't have time for reading blurbs? Scroll sideways to see all the games featured on the list above.
Gloomhaven / Jaws of The Lion / Frosthaven
------------------------------------------
### Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion
6 See it at Amazon
The Gloomhaven series is widely considered a top-tier board game, and rightfully so. In *Jaws of the Lion*, you step into the roles of adventurers, collaborating through a sprawling campaign. Characters retire or meet their demise, adding a dynamic element to the gameplay. The strategic combat system, built around a deck of versatile ability cards, creates escalating tension as each scenario unfolds. While the original Gloomhaven is currently unavailable, *Jaws of the Lion* offers a streamlined, more affordable experience. Its sequel, *Frosthaven*, expands the gameplay by introducing a town to explore, build, and manage. Both are excellent choices, including for solo play.
Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
------------------------------------------------
### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1 See it at Amazon
This cooperative adventure series, based on the iconic pen-and-paper RPG, masterfully blends role-playing with board game mechanics. Random tile placement creates unique dungeon layouts, populated with traps and monsters governed by simple, yet dynamic, rules. The result is a captivating sense of exploration and discovery, reminiscent of a dungeon master-led experience. *Temple of Elemental Evil*, adapted from a classic D&D scenario, is a standout among the series’ offerings.
Check out our beginner's guide to Dungeons and Dragons if you're interested in classic D&D gameplay instead.
The Witcher: Old World
----------------------
### The Witcher: Old World
3 See it at Amazon
This acclaimed board game adaptation of the popular video game series precedes Geralt’s adventures. Players take on the roles of Witchers, hunting monsters and competing for fame and fortune. The game features a compelling deck-building mechanic, encouraging strategic card combinations to enhance power and outmaneuver rivals. A solo mode is also available for those wishing to explore the world and battle mythical creatures.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
---------------------------
### Star Wars: Imperial Assault
6 See it at Amazon
For sci-fi fans, *Imperial Assault* offers a thrilling alternative to fantasy settings. Set after the original *Star Wars* film, one player commands the Empire, while others team up as Rebel operatives to challenge the Emperor’s reign. The engaging tactical combat system is enjoyable in standalone scenarios, but the game truly shines through its campaign mode, weaving a cinematic narrative across multiple battles. Expansions introduce iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, further enriching the gameplay.
You can check out our guide to the best Star Wars board games overall for more like this one.
HeroQuest
---------
### HeroQuest
4 See it at Amazon
A nostalgic favorite, *HeroQuest* returns with updated miniatures, retaining its classic dungeon-crawling gameplay. One player acts as the game master, revealing the dungeon's secrets as heroes explore, battle monsters, and collect treasure. This offers a captivating role-playing experience, combining mystery, narrative progression, and tactical combat, all within accessible rules. Numerous expansions provide additional adventures beyond the core game.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
----------------------------
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2 See it at Amazon
This Lovecraftian horror game blends challenging gameplay with bleak narratives. Players collaborate to solve mysteries connected to otherworldly beings. The game’s difficulty and grim storylines contribute to the horror atmosphere. Strategic deck-building enhances character progression, while the "chaos bag" adds an element of unpredictable tension. This is a standout trading card game.
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
-----------------------------------------------
### The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
2 See it at Amazon
Set within Middle-earth, this game seamlessly integrates into Tolkien's lore. Players build card decks to represent their characters' abilities. Innovative mechanics, such as tile flipping for overground and underground exploration, and app-integrated mysteries, enhance the gameplay. The narrative is cleverly woven, allowing players to feel part of the epic world without interfering with established storylines.
You can also check out our review of The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying board game, which we also loved.
This War of Mine: The Board Game
--------------------------------
### This War of Mine: The Board Game
0 See it at Amazon
This game offers a poignant and unique perspective on heroism. Players struggle to survive in a war-torn city, scavenging resources during the day and fortifying their shelter at night against various threats. The resource management and base-building mechanics are complemented by a narrative text, creating a powerful and moving experience that emphasizes the harsh realities of conflict.
Descent: Legends of the Dark
----------------------------
### Descent: Legends of the Dark
3 See it at Amazon
Descent stands out for its exceptional production values. High-quality miniatures and detailed three-dimensional terrain components create an immersive tabletop experience. The gameplay is equally impressive, with a mobile app driving the narrative and linking quests together, allowing players to use collected treasures to unlock new powers and equipment.
Mice & Mystics
------------------
### Mice & Mystics
1 See it at Amazon
This game bridges the gap between complex RPGs and family-friendly games. Players take on the roles of mice on a quest to save a kingdom, featuring simple mechanics and a whimsical narrative, making it accessible and enjoyable for all ages.
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
--------------------------------
### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5 See it at Amazon
This game prioritizes storytelling, blending Arthurian and Celtic legends to create a rich, challenging world. Players must cooperate to survive, managing resources and navigating a sprawling, branching narrative campaign supported by well-written text. The game's immense replayability ensures countless hours of engaging gameplay.
How Do RPG Board Games Relate to Tabletop RPGs and Video Game RPGs?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The term "role-playing game" (RPG) originated with Dungeons & Dragons, which formalized the practice of narrative storytelling using wargame mechanics. These games, often called "pen-and-paper RPGs," emphasized creative freedom and character development. However, many players also enjoyed the strategic elements of skill checks and character advancement. The need for a Game Master to run the game also led to the development of board games and video games that filled this role, offering players a structured experience with strategic depth and character progression.
While "role-playing" is a well-established genre in video games, with subgenres like JRPGs and roguelikes, a similar term hasn't solidified in board gaming. These games are often categorized as adventure or quest games. This might be due to the less immersive nature of controlling a physical avatar on a board compared to a screen. Regardless of terminology, the lines between these genres blur significantly, with cross-pollination between tabletop RPGs, board games, and video games being common.
