If you're tired of the strategic grind of many modern board games and crave the thrill of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games are your perfect escape. These games immerse you in fantastical settings where you can embody different characters, tackling quests and challenges either competitively or cooperatively. Beneath their engaging narratives, these games offer a rich tapestry of strategic gameplay. Here are our top picks for the best RPG board games, promising endless hours of enjoyment 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 stands as a titan in the realm of board gaming, renowned not just as an exceptional board game, but as a premier role-playing experience. You'll step into the boots of various adventurers, navigating a complex campaign where characters may retire or meet their fate in dungeons. The game's tactical combat system, driven by a deck of multi-use ability cards, ramps up tension as your deck dwindles. While the original is currently unavailable, Jaws of the Lion offers a more accessible entry point, while Frosthaven expands the universe with a town to explore and develop. These games also shine as solo experiences for those without a gaming group.
Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1See it at AmazonBlurring the lines between board and role-playing games, this series captures the essence of the iconic pen-and-paper RPG. Each box features a dynamic dungeon built from randomly drawn tiles, filled with traps and monsters governed by straightforward flowcharts. This setup creates a thrilling, unpredictable experience reminiscent of a dungeon master's control. The included narrative campaign keeps you engaged, with Temple of Elemental Evil standing out due to its connection to a classic D&D scenario.
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 AmazonThis acclaimed adaptation of the beloved video game series transports you to the world of The Witcher years before Geralt's adventures. As rival Witchers, you'll hunt monsters and compete for glory and coin, using a deck-building system to craft powerful card combos and strategies. The game also offers a solo mode, allowing you to immerse yourself in this rich fantasy world. For more details, see our review of The Witcher: Old World.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
### Star Wars: Imperial Assault
6See it at AmazonFor sci-fi enthusiasts, this game offers a thrilling role-playing experience set in the Star Wars universe. One player takes the role of the Empire, while others control a team of Rebel operatives. The tactical combat system is robust enough for standalone scenarios, but the campaign mode truly shines, weaving battles into a cinematic narrative with iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Numerous expansions add even more depth and variety.
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 returned with enhanced miniatures but retains its classic RPG-on-a-board formula. One player acts as the game master, guiding heroes through dungeons filled with secrets, monsters, and treasures. It's an accessible yet deep experience that captures the essence of role-playing with family-friendly rules and tactical gameplay. Multiple expansions offer additional adventures to explore.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2See it at AmazonThis game masterfully blends horror and role-playing, drawing from H.P. Lovecraft's works. Players collaborate to unravel mysteries tied to alien worlds, facing challenging difficulty and dark narratives. The strategic element hinges on deck-building and managing the chaos bag's probabilities, making it one of the best 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 AmazonSet in Tolkien's beloved Middle-earth, this game allows players to experience the fantasy world without treading on the original narrative. Heroes build card decks to reflect their abilities, supported by innovative mechanics like tile scale-flipping and an app that enhances the storytelling with mysteries and 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 a departure from traditional heroism, this game casts you as civilians struggling to survive in a war-torn city. Daytime scavenging for resources and nighttime defense against threats create a gripping narrative of survival. The game's mechanics and story paint a vivid picture of life in a conflict zone, making your choices deeply personal.
Descent: Legends of the Dark
### Descent: Legends of the Dark
3See it at AmazonDescent stands out with its stunning visual and production values, featuring detailed miniatures and 3D terrain. The game's engine, supported by a mobile app, guides your party through a series of quests with rich narratives and inter-scenario connections. For more details, see our review of Descent: Legends of the Dark.
Mice & Mystics
### Mice & Mystics
1See it at AmazonDesigned to appeal to younger players, Mice & Mystics offers a whimsical yet engaging story of transformed adventurers saving a kingdom. With simple yet strategic gameplay, it's perfect for family game nights and appeals to players of all ages.
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5See it at AmazonThis game prioritizes storytelling, weaving Celtic legends into an Arthurian setting. Players must manage resources and navigate a branching narrative campaign that offers multiple playthroughs with different outcomes, making each game a unique journey.
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 for narrative storytelling. These pen-and-paper RPGs emphasize creativity and imagination, but also offer satisfaction through strategic gameplay and character progression. The need for a Game Master and the desire for more structured gameplay led to the development of board and video game RPGs, where the game itself or a computer program takes on the role of the Game Master.
While video game RPGs have evolved into distinct sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, board game RPGs are often labeled as adventure or quest games. The tactile nature of board games can slightly distance players from the action, yet the crossover between tabletop, board, and video game RPGs is significant, with many titles inspiring and being adapted across these mediums.
