A lot of modern board games are highly strategic affairs that might see you conquering lands for their resources or trading and optimizing your way to victory with an economic engine. However, if you find such themes dry and boring and yearn instead for the thrill of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games are the perfect fit for you. These games, like their pen-and-paper counterparts, immerse you in the role of a character in an outlandish setting, where you'll either compete or cooperate with fellow players to overcome quests and challenges. Despite their narrative focus, these games still offer plenty of strategic depth. Here are our top picks for the best RPG board games, promising endless 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 AmazonLet's dive into the epic world of the Gloomhaven series, often hailed as the best board game ever created, especially in the realm of role-playing. In Gloomhaven, you step into the boots of adventurers collaborating on a sprawling campaign where characters retire or meet their demise in dungeons. The game's tactical combat system revolves around building a deck of multi-use ability cards, with each scenario ramping up the tension as your deck dwindles. While the original is currently out of stock, the prequel, Jaws of the Lion, offers a similar experience in a more compact and affordable package. Meanwhile, the sequel, Frosthaven, escalates the adventure by including a town you can explore, build, and populate. These games also shine as solo experiences, perfect for when you're flying solo.
Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1See it at AmazonRole-playing in board games can be a broad term, but the cooperative adventure system based on the world's most famous pen-and-paper RPG, Dungeons & Dragons, is a standout. Each box comes packed with tiles you draw randomly to form the dungeon, each filled with traps and monsters guided by simple flowcharts. This dynamic setup mimics the experience of navigating a labyrinth controlled by a dungeon master. The included narrative campaign keeps you engaged, and 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
3See it at AmazonAdding to the mix, The Witcher: Old World brings the acclaimed video game series to the tabletop. Set years before the events of the video games and novels, you play as Witchers competing for coin and glory by hunting and battling monsters. The game involves deck-building, where you craft card combos and strategies to outpace your rivals in tackling increasingly formidable foes. There's also a solo mode for those who wish to explore this rich fantasy world alone. See our The Witcher: Old World board game review for more information.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
### Star Wars: Imperial Assault
6See it at AmazonRole-playing games aren't confined to fantasy, and sci-fi fans will love Star Wars: Imperial Assault. Set post the original Star Wars movie, one player leads the Empire, while others control a team of Rebel operatives working to thwart the Emperor's rule. The tactical combat system is robust enough for standalone scenarios, but the real thrill lies in the campaign mode, weaving battles into a grand, cinematic narrative featuring iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Numerous expansion packs offer even more famous figures from the saga.
You can check out our guide to the best Star Wars board games overall for more like this one.
HeroQuest
### HeroQuest
4See it at AmazonA nostalgic favorite from 1989, HeroQuest has been revitalized with updated miniatures but retains its classic RPG-on-a-board feel. A designated Game Master uses a booklet to control the scenario, while other players explore dungeons, fight monsters, and collect treasure. This game offers a true role-playing experience with family-friendly rules and tactical depth. Once you've conquered the base campaign, numerous HeroQuest expansions await with new adventures.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2See it at AmazonHorror-themed role-playing board games can be challenging, as they must balance tactical gameplay with the essence of horror. Arkham Horror: The Card Game, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's works, achieves this balance. Players collaborate to unravel hauntings and crimes tied to otherworldly beings. The horror is palpable through the game's challenging difficulty and dark narratives, supported by ongoing expansions that keep the story evolving. The strategic element hinges on deck-building and mastering the chaos bag's probabilities, making it one of the top trading card games available.
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
### The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
2See it at AmazonThe fantasy world of Middle-earth, popularized by Tolkien, naturally lends itself to role-playing board games. Journeys in Middle-Earth seamlessly integrates into Tolkien's universe, allowing players to feel part of the epic saga without altering its narrative. Heroes build decks to enhance their abilities, and the game introduces innovative mechanics like tile scale-flipping for seamless overground and underground exploration. The accompanying app enriches the experience with mystery-solving based on narrative clues.
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. This unique setting for a role-playing board game mirrors the original computer RPG. By day, you scavenge for survival resources; by night, you defend your hideout from raiders and soldiers. The game's mechanics, supported by a narrative book, vividly depict the harsh realities of living in a conflict zone, putting you in control of your survivors' fate.
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 high production values, featuring detailed miniatures and 3D terrain. The game's engine, supported by a mobile app, guides your party through quests linked by narrative and inter-scenario connections. You'll use treasures to unlock new powers and equipment. See our Descent: Legends of the Dark review for more info.
Mice & Mystics
### Mice & Mystics
1See it at AmazonRole-playing board games often appeal to younger players, but many are too complex for them. Mice & Mystics bridges this gap with a whimsical story of adventurers turned into mice trying to save a fantasy kingdom. With simple tactical mechanics and an engaging narrative, it's a hit for all ages.
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5See it at AmazonTainted Grail focuses heavily on storytelling, blending Celtic legends with Arthurian lore to create a rich, challenging world. Players manage resources in a strategic puzzle, but the game's heart lies in its expansive, branching narrative campaign. The superbly written text offers multiple paths, ensuring varied experiences with each playthrough.
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 narrate character-based stories. These "pen-and-paper RPGs" emphasize creativity and imagination, offering limitless potential for storytelling. However, many players also enjoy the strategic elements like skill checks and character advancement. The need for a Game Master in early RPGs led to the development of board and video game adaptations, where either physical components or computer programming took over the Game Master's role.
While the term RPG is well-established in video gaming, spawning sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, it's less commonly used in board gaming. Adventure or quest games are more typical labels, possibly due to the different level of immersion when using physical components. The crossover between these forms is extensive, with Dungeons & Dragons inspiring both board and computer RPGs, which in turn influence each other in a continuous cycle of adaptation and innovation.
