If you find the strategic depth of modern board games a bit too dry and yearn for the thrill of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games are the perfect escape. These games, much like their pen-and-paper counterparts, allow you to step into the shoes of different characters in fantastical settings, where you'll collaborate or compete to conquer quests and challenges. Beneath their engaging narratives, these games offer a rich strategic experience. Here are our 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
6See it at Amazon
### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1See it at Amazon
### The Witcher: Old World
3See it at Amazon
### Star Wars: Imperial Assault
6See it at Amazon
### HeroQuest
4See it at Amazon
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2See it at Amazon
### The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
2See it at Amazon
### This War of Mine: The Board Game
0See it at Amazon
### Descent: Legends of the Dark
3See it at Amazon
### Mice & Mystics
1See it at Amazon
### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5See it at AmazonDon'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
6See it at AmazonThe Gloomhaven series is widely celebrated as the pinnacle of board gaming, especially in the realm of role-playing. As you assume the roles of adventurers, you'll navigate a dynamic campaign where characters evolve or retire, enhancing the narrative depth. The tactical combat system, driven by a deck of versatile ability cards, builds tension as your deck depletes. While the original Gloomhaven is currently unavailable, its prequel, Jaws of the Lion, offers a condensed yet equally engaging experience at a more accessible price. Meanwhile, Frosthaven expands the universe with a town to explore and develop. These games are also excellent for solo play, perfect for those times when you're without a gaming group.
Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1See it at AmazonThe term "role-playing" in board games can be broad, but the cooperative adventure system inspired by the iconic pen-and-paper RPG, Dungeons & Dragons, masterfully blends both elements. Each box contains a myriad of tiles that form a dynamic dungeon, populated with traps and monsters following simple flowcharts. This setup creates a thrilling sense of navigating an unpredictable labyrinth. The included narrative campaign further enhances the experience. Among the offerings, Temple of Elemental Evil, inspired by one of D&D's legendary scenarios, 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
3See it at AmazonThe Witcher: Old World introduces an acclaimed board game adaptation set in the universe of the famous video game series. Set years before the events of the video games and novels, players embody Witchers competing for coin and glory by hunting and battling monsters. The game's deck-building mechanic encourages strategic combos and synergies to overpower rivals and tackle increasingly formidable foes. A solo mode is also available for those who wish to explore this rich fantasy world independently. For more details, see our The Witcher: Old World board game review.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
### Star Wars: Imperial Assault
6See it at AmazonFor sci-fi enthusiasts, Star Wars: Imperial Assault offers a stellar role-playing experience, trading fantasy dungeons for starship interiors and high-tech bases. Set after the original Star Wars film, one player leads the Empire while others control a team of Rebel operatives aiming to thwart the Emperor's rule. The tactical combat system supports standalone scenarios, but the campaign mode weaves these battles into a grand narrative, allowing you to fight alongside iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The game's extensive expansion packs introduce other beloved characters from the films.
You can check out our guide to the best Star Wars board games overall for more like this one.
HeroQuest
### HeroQuest
4See it at AmazonOriginally launched in 1989, HeroQuest has made a triumphant return with updated miniatures, maintaining its reputation as a top-tier RPG-on-a-board experience. One player acts as the Game Master, guiding the others through a dungeon filled with secrets and monsters. The game balances mystery, narrative, and character progression with accessible rules and tactical gameplay. After completing the initial campaign, numerous expansions offer additional adventures.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2See it at AmazonHorror-themed role-playing board games are a popular niche, and Arkham Horror: The Card Game excels in this genre. Inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's works, players collaborate to solve eerie mysteries linked to otherworldly beings. The game's challenge and bleak narratives create a compelling horror atmosphere, while strategic deck-building and managing the chaos bag's probabilities offer a deep gameplay experience. It's 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
2See it at AmazonSet in Tolkien's iconic Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth lets players build card decks to represent their characters' abilities, immersing them in the epic fantasy world without overshadowing the original stories. Innovative mechanics, like tile scale-flipping for exploration and app-supported mystery-solving, enhance the gameplay experience.
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
0See it at AmazonIn This War of Mine, heroism is about survival in a war-torn city. Players manage a group of civilians scavenging for resources during the day and defending against threats at night. The game's mechanics, combined with narrative elements, offer a poignant look at life in a conflict zone, putting you in control of your survivors' fates.
Descent: Legends of the Dark
### Descent: Legends of the Dark
3See it at AmazonDescent: Legends of the Dark stands out with its stunning visuals and detailed miniatures, creating an immersive tabletop experience. Supported by a mobile app, the game guides players through a series of quests, linking narrative elements and allowing progression through acquired treasures and equipment. For more details, see our Descent: Legends of the Dark review.
Mice & Mystics
### Mice & Mystics
1See it at AmazonMice & Mystics caters to younger players with its engaging story of transformed adventurers seeking to save a fantasy kingdom. Its simple mechanics and whimsical adventures make it a delightful experience for all ages.
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5See it at AmazonTainted Grail The Fall of Avalon prioritizes storytelling, weaving Celtic legends into an Arthurian setting. Players manage resources while navigating a vast, branching narrative campaign, offering multiple playthroughs with unique stories 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, which formalized the practice of using wargame rules to tell character-driven stories in fantastical settings. These games, often called "pen-and-paper RPGs," emphasize creativity and imagination, allowing players to explore limitless scenarios. However, the tactical elements and character progression also appealed to players, leading to the development of board games and video games based on RPG concepts. These newer formats often use a board, cards, or a computer to replace the need for a Game Master, providing structured worlds and mechanics for players to explore and master.
While the term RPG is well-established in video gaming, spawning sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, board gaming lacks a similar standardized term, often using "adventure" or "quest" games instead. This discrepancy can confuse players, especially with the extensive cross-pollination between tabletop RPGs, board games, and video games. Dungeons & Dragons, for instance, has influenced both board and computer RPGs, which in turn have inspired new material for the original game. This interconnectedness highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of role-playing games across different platforms.
