The Best RPG Board Games Worth Playing in 2025

Dive into Adventure: The Best Role-Playing Board Games for 2025 and Beyond

Many modern board games focus on strategic resource management or economic optimization. But if you crave exploration and adventure, role-playing board games offer a captivating alternative. These games immerse you in fantastical settings, allowing you to collaborate or compete with fellow players to overcome quests and challenges. While narrative-driven, they also provide significant strategic depth. Here are our top picks for the best RPG board games, promising countless hours of enjoyment.

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 Amazon

(Note: The images remain in their original positions.)

Gloomhaven Series: A Legacy of Adventure

### Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion

6See it at Amazon

The Gloomhaven series is widely considered a pinnacle of board game design. Jaws of the Lion, a prequel to the original, offers a streamlined, more accessible experience while retaining the core gameplay: collaborative adventuring with a dynamic roster of characters, evolving through a challenging campaign. The tactical combat system, centered around building a deck of ability cards, creates escalating tension as resources dwindle. The sequel, Frosthaven, expands the experience with a town to explore and develop. Both are excellent choices for solo play as well.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil – A Classic Reimagined

### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

1See it at Amazon

This cooperative adventure game masterfully blends the worlds of board games and pen-and-paper RPGs. Random dungeon tile placement and monster encounters create a dynamic and unpredictable experience, mimicking the feel of a dungeon master-led game. Temple of Elemental Evil, based on a classic D&D scenario, is a standout within this series.

The Witcher: Old World – A Witcher's Tale

### The Witcher: Old World

3See it at Amazon

This acclaimed adaptation of the popular video game series sets players as competing Witchers, hunting monsters and vying for glory. The deck-building mechanics and strategic combat create a compelling race to vanquish formidable foes. A solo mode is also available.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault – Galactic Warfare

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6See it at Amazon

For sci-fi enthusiasts, Imperial Assault delivers a thrilling Star Wars experience. One player commands the Empire, while others collaborate as Rebel operatives to thwart the Emperor's reign. The engaging tactical combat and expansive campaign, featuring iconic characters, provide a cinematic narrative.

HeroQuest – A Classic Reborn

### HeroQuest

4See it at Amazon

A nostalgic favorite, HeroQuest returns with updated miniatures and retains its captivating gameplay. One player acts as the game master, revealing a dungeon as players explore, battle monsters, and collect treasure. This game offers a strong role-playing feel with family-friendly rules and strategic elements.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game – Lovecraftian Horror

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at Amazon

This game masterfully blends horror and strategy. Players work together to solve mysteries connected to Lovecraftian cosmic horror. The challenging difficulty, bleak narratives, and deck-building mechanics create a compelling and terrifying experience.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth – Middle-earth Adventures

### The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

2See it at Amazon

This game immerses players in Middle-earth, allowing them to participate in adventures within Tolkien's iconic world. The deck-building mechanics, innovative tile system, and app-supported mysteries create a rich and engaging experience.

This War of Mine: The Board Game – A War-Torn World

### This War of Mine: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

This unique game presents a powerful and poignant setting. Players must struggle to survive in a war-torn city, scavenging resources and protecting their shelter. The game's mechanics and narrative create a compelling and emotionally resonant experience.

Descent: Legends of the Dark – A Visually Stunning Experience

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at Amazon

Descent stands out for its exceptional production quality, featuring detailed miniatures and impressive three-dimensional terrain. The game's app-supported campaign offers a compelling narrative and strategic gameplay.

Mice & Mystics – Family-Friendly Fun

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at Amazon

This game offers a whimsical and accessible entry point for younger players. The simple mechanics and engaging story make it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon – A Narrative Masterpiece

### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5See it at Amazon

Tainted Grail prioritizes narrative, weaving a rich and branching story based on Arthurian and Celtic legends. The strategic resource management and vast campaign create a truly unforgettable experience.

RPG Board Games: A Genre Overview

The term "role-playing game" originated with Dungeons & Dragons, transforming narrative storytelling through the use of miniature wargame rules. This led to the creation of board games and video games that adopted similar concepts, offering strategic gameplay alongside immersive narratives. While the term "role-playing" is widely used in video games, board games often utilize alternative descriptors like "adventure" or "quest" games. Despite this, the lines between these different forms of RPGs blur significantly, with cross-pollination and adaptations common across all three mediums.