Epic Dungeon Crawls: Top Board Games

Dungeon crawler board games offer some of the richest and most engaging gameplay experiences in the tabletop hobby. The sheer variety, ranging from fantasy epics to horror adventures and even licensed titles like Marvel Zombies and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, can make choosing a starting point overwhelming. But fear not, this guide highlights some of the best dungeon crawler board games available.

TL;DR: The Best Dungeon Crawler Board Games

Frosthaven

Descent: Legends of the Dark

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

Mansions of Madness

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

Nemesis

Cthulhu: Death May Die

Clank! Catacombs

Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

Resident Evil: The Board Game

Arcadia Quest

While definitions vary, most dungeon crawlers share core elements: tactical combat, character progression, loot acquisition, and exploration of dungeons (which can be literal or metaphorical). These games often boast rich lore and complex mechanics, ideal for those seeking lengthy, immersive cooperative campaigns.

Frosthaven / Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Frosthaven

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Age: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60-120 mins

Gloomhaven, while currently out of print, set a high bar for dungeon crawlers. Frosthaven, its successor, offers a similarly engaging campaign in the same universe. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion provides a streamlined experience, reducing setup time. Both are interconnected, allowing character transfers. Jaws of the Lion is a great entry point for newcomers, but both offer rich, long campaigns with character progression and a choose-your-own-adventure feel. They're excellent for 2-4 players.

For more details, see our Gloomhaven review and Frosthaven impressions.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

Descent: Legends of the Dark

Age: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 120-180 mins

This fully cooperative Descent iteration boasts impressive 3D cardboard scenery and a clever blend of tactical combat, dice rolling, and app-based resource management (crafting, leveling). The randomized dungeons and engrossing narrative campaign make it a standout RPG and dungeon crawler.

Read our Descent: Legends of the Dark review for a deeper dive.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

Age: 14+
Players: 2-5
Play Time: 60-120 mins

This Star Wars-themed game sets its dungeon within an Imperial base. Rebel operatives collaborate against an Empire-controlling player in scenario-based campaigns. While the weapons change (lightsabers and blasters), the core dungeon crawler elements remain: looting, exploration, and leveling up. It features beloved Star Wars characters.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

Age: 12+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 30-150 mins

This adaptation of the popular video game retains the deck-building mechanics. Players cooperatively ascend the spire, battling monsters and bosses, with the strategic card play intact. The social aspect adds to the experience.

See our Slay the Spire: The Board Game review.

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

Mansions of Madness

Age: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 60-360 mins

A cooperative mystery horror game where investigators solve puzzles, fight monsters, and battle insanity. The app enhances the immersive storytelling with narration, music, and streamlined gameplay.

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

Age: 14+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 60 mins

This sequel offers a satisfying loop of monster slaying, looting, leveling, and gear upgrades. Six unique character classes provide diverse gameplay experiences.

Nemesis

Nemesis

Age: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 60-180 mins

Evoking the suspense of Alien, players navigate a spaceship, avoiding aliens and managing hidden objectives that may pit them against each other. Trust and teamwork are crucial for survival.

Cthulhu: Death May Die

Cthulhu: Death May Die

Age: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 90-120 mins

A cooperative Lovecraftian horror game where players stop a dangerous ritual. A unique mechanic involves gaining strength as sanity diminishes, adding risk and reward.

Clank! Catacombs

Clank! Catacombs

Age: 13+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 45-90 mins

This entry in the Clank! series offers a roguelike experience with expanding map tiles, ensuring replayability. It balances dungeon crawling elements with a smaller footprint.

Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game

Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game

Age: 14+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 60 mins

A Zombicide title featuring Marvel characters, with the option to play as zombies. New mechanics streamline the classic experience.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

Age: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 45-150 mins

A unique mechanic where dice rolls affect adjacent players enhances the cooperative gameplay. Playable as a fully cooperative game or one-versus-many.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

Resident Evil: The Board Game

Age: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60-90 mins

Set in the Spencer Mansion, this cooperative survival horror game features familiar characters, puzzles, limited resources, and zombies.

Arcadia Quest

Arcadia Quest

Age: 13+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 60 mins

A lighter-hearted dungeon crawler with a chibi art style and easy-to-learn gameplay. Includes competitive PvP elements within the campaign.