If you're someone who finds the strategic depth of modern board games like conquering lands or building economic engines to be dry and uninspiring, then the world of role-playing board games (RPGs) might be just what you're looking for. These games transport you into the shoes of different characters within fantastical settings, where you'll tackle quests and challenges either competitively or cooperatively. While they weave rich narratives, these games also offer plenty of strategic gameplay to keep you engaged. Here's a curated list of the top RPG board games that promise endless 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!
Let's start with the crown jewel: The Gloomhaven series, hailed as the pinnacle of board gaming, is particularly renowned for its RPG elements. As you take on the role of various adventurers, you'll navigate a dynamic campaign where characters can retire or meet grim fates in dungeons. The tactical combat system revolves around building a deck of versatile ability cards, with each scenario ramping up the tension as your deck diminishes. While the original game is currently out of stock, its prequel, Jaws of the Lion, offers a streamlined yet equally engaging experience at a more affordable price. Meanwhile, Frosthaven (see it at Amazon) elevates the experience with an explorable town that you can develop and inhabit. These games are also fantastic for solo play, perfect for when you can't gather your usual gaming group.
Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1 See it at Amazon!
Role-playing in board games can be quite diverse, but the cooperative adventure series, inspired by the world's most famous pen-and-paper RPG, seamlessly blends the two. Each game box includes numerous tiles that you randomly draw to build the dungeon, filled with traps and monsters governed by simple flowcharts. This dynamic setup creates the feeling of exploring a mysterious labyrinth controlled by an invisible dungeon master. The included narrative campaign is powered by this system, and while all are excellent (see them at Amazon), Temple of Elemental Evil, based on a classic D&D scenario, stands out as a top choice.
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!
The Witcher: Old World introduces a board game adaptation set before the events of the famous video games and novels, where players take on the roles of Witchers hunting monsters and competing for glory and coin. The game's core mechanic involves deck-building, as players create card combinations and strategies to outdo their rivals in battling increasingly formidable foes. There's also a solo mode for those who want to delve into this captivating fantasy world alone. For a deeper dive, see our The Witcher: Old World board game review.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
6 See it at Amazon!
For sci-fi enthusiasts, Star Wars: Imperial Assault offers an engaging RPG experience. Set post the original Star Wars film, one player commands the Empire while others control a team of Rebel operatives. The tactical combat system is robust enough for standalone scenarios, but the real charm lies in the campaign mode, weaving a series of battles into a cinematic narrative. You'll fight alongside iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, with expansion packs adding even more beloved figures from the franchise.
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!
Originally released in 1989, HeroQuest is a beloved dungeon-crawling game now back with enhanced miniatures. It offers an RPG experience with a dedicated game master who controls the narrative and monsters, while other players explore the dungeon, fight, and loot. It's perhaps the closest you'll get to a true role-playing experience in a board game, complete with mystery, narrative depth, and character progression, yet with accessible rules and tactical gameplay. Additional expansions offer new adventures once you've completed the base campaign.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2 See it at Amazon!
Horror RPGs are a thrilling subset, and Arkham Horror: The Card Game excels in this genre. Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's works, players collaborate to solve mysteries linked to alien worlds and unspeakable horrors. The game's difficulty and bleak narratives contribute to the horror, while strategic deck-building and navigating the chaos bag's probabilities add depth to the gameplay. This game is also one of the best trading card games currently available.
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
2 See it at Amazon!
Middle-earth, the iconic fantasy setting, is brought to life in this RPG board game that fits seamlessly into Tolkien's universe. Players build card decks to represent their heroes' abilities, with innovative mechanics like scale-flipping tiles for combined overground and underground exploration. The game also utilizes an app to enhance the narrative and mystery-solving aspects, allowing players to immerse themselves in Tolkien's world without stepping on his established stories.
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 War of Mine offers a unique RPG setting, focusing on survival in a war-torn city. Inspired by its computer RPG counterpart, players must scavenge during the day and defend their hideout at night. The game's mechanics, centered around resource gathering and base-building, are supported by a narrative book that underscores the harsh realities of living in a conflict zone, making the player's role in their characters' survival deeply personal.
Descent: Legends of the Dark
Descent: Legends of the Dark
3 See it at Amazon!
Descent: Legends of the Dark stands out with its exceptional production values, featuring detailed miniatures and 3D terrain that bring the game's world to life. The gameplay, supported by a mobile app, sends players on quests with interconnected narratives, allowing them to accumulate treasures and unlock new powers. For more details, see our Descent: Legends of the Dark review.
Mice & Mystics
Mice & Mystics
1 See it at Amazon!
Designed to appeal to younger players without sacrificing depth, Mice & Mystics tells the story of adventurers turned into mice, striving to save a fantasy kingdom. With simpler mechanics and a whimsical narrative, it's an engaging RPG for players of all ages, focusing on tactical combat and adventurous storytelling.
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5 See it at Amazon!
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon prioritizes storytelling, blending Celtic legends with Arthurian lore to create a rich, challenging world. Players must manage resources and navigate a branching narrative campaign with numerous paths, ensuring multiple playthroughs can offer fresh experiences each time.
How Do RPG Board Games Relate to Tabletop RPGs and Video Game RPGs?
The term "role-playing game" (RPG) originated with Dungeons & Dragons, the first published ruleset that formalized the practice of creating narrative, character-based stories using wargame rules. These games, often called "pen-and-paper RPGs," emphasize creative and imaginative storytelling. However, many players also enjoy the strategic elements such as skill checks and character progression. The need for a Games Master in these games led to the development of board and video game RPGs, where the board, cards, or computer take on the role of the Games Master, providing structured worlds and challenges for players to explore and conquer.
In video gaming, "role-playing" has become a well-established genre, spawning sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes. In contrast, board games often use terms like "adventure games" or "quest games," possibly because the physical nature of board games can slightly distance players from the immediate immersion of digital RPGs. The cross-pollination between tabletop RPGs, board games, and video games is significant, with many games inspiring adaptations across different mediums, creating a rich tapestry of interactive storytelling and strategic gameplay.
