A lot of modern board games are highly strategic, often involving the conquest of lands for resources or the optimization of economic engines to secure victory. However, for those who find such themes dry and yearn for the excitement of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games (RPGs) offer a perfect alternative. These games transport you into the shoes of a character in an extraordinary setting, where you'll either compete or collaborate with fellow players to conquer quests and challenges. Despite their narrative focus, these games maintain a deep strategic element. Here are our top picks for the best RPG board games, ensuring 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 start with the standout: The Gloomhaven series is often hailed as the best board game ever created, particularly within the RPG genre. As you step into the roles of various adventurers, you'll work together through a complex campaign where characters may retire or meet their end. The game's tactical combat system involves building a deck of multi-use ability cards, creating a rising tension as your deck depletes. While the original game is currently unavailable, its prequel, Jaws of the Lion, offers a similar experience in a more accessible and affordable package. Meanwhile, Frosthaven expands the universe with the addition of an explorable town (see it at Amazon). These games are also excellent choices for solo play.
Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1See it at AmazonRole-playing board games blend narrative with strategy, and the cooperative adventure series based on the world's most popular pen-and-paper RPG exemplifies this fusion. Each game box includes a large set of tiles that you draw randomly to build the dungeon, populated with traps and monsters controlled by simple flowchart routines. This creates a dynamic environment that feels like navigating a labyrinth under the guidance of a dungeon master. The game drives you through an engaging narrative campaign. While all are excellent (see them at Amazon), Temple of Elemental Evil, inspired by a classic D&D scenario, stands out.
For those interested in traditional D&D, check out our beginner's guide to Dungeons and Dragons.
The Witcher: Old World
### The Witcher: Old World
3See it at AmazonThe Witcher: Old World is an acclaimed adaptation of the renowned video game series. Set before the events of the Witcher games and novels, players assume the roles of Witchers, competing in monster hunts to earn coin and glory. The game's deck-building mechanics encourage strategic card combinations and synergies to outpower rivals and face increasingly challenging foes. It also offers a solo mode for those eager to explore the 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 thrilling RPG experience. Set post the original Star Wars film, one player commands 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 campaign mode weaves these battles into a cinematic narrative, allowing you to engage with iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The game's extensive range of expansion packs includes many famous figures from the franchise.
Explore more Star Wars-themed games with our guide to the best Star Wars board games.
HeroQuest
### HeroQuest
4See it at AmazonOriginally launched in 1989, HeroQuest has been re-released with enhanced miniatures but retains its classic RPG-on-a-board gameplay. A designated Game Master guides the scenario using a booklet, while other players control heroes navigating the dungeon, battling monsters, and collecting treasure. This game offers a near-authentic role-playing experience with family-friendly rules and tactical depth. After completing the campaign in the box, numerous expansions provide additional adventures.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2See it at AmazonHorror-themed RPGs pose a unique challenge in maintaining the balance between player control and the genre's inherent unpredictability. Arkham Horror: The Card Game, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's works, excels in this regard. Players collaborate to solve mysterious events linked to otherworldly beings, with horror stemming from both challenging gameplay and bleak narratives. The game's expansions continue to unfold new stories, while strategic deck-building and the chaos bag add depth to the experience. This is 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 AmazonSet within Tolkien's Middle-earth, this game immerses players in the fantasy world without overlapping with the original stories. Heroes build card decks to enhance their abilities, supported by innovative mechanics such as tile scale-flipping for combined overground and underground exploration. The game integrates an app to deliver mysteries based on narrative clues. For more on this game, see our review of The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying board game.
This War of Mine: The Board Game
### This War of Mine: The Board Game
0See it at AmazonThis War of Mine offers a starkly different RPG experience, focusing on survival in a war-torn city. Players manage a group scavenging for resources during the day and defending against threats at night. The game's mechanics, paired with a narrative book, create a poignant exploration of conflict's impact on individuals, 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 impressive miniatures and detailed terrain, enhancing the visual and tactile experience of the game. The underlying game system, supported by a mobile app, guides players through quests linked by narrative, allowing progression and equipment upgrades. For more details, see our Descent: Legends of the Dark review.
Mice & Mystics
### Mice & Mystics
1See it at AmazonDesigned to engage younger players, Mice & Mystics offers a simpler yet captivating RPG experience. Players, transformed into mice, embark on a quest to save a kingdom, navigating through tactical challenges and whimsical adventures suitable for all ages.
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5See it at AmazonTainted Grail emphasizes storytelling, blending Celtic legends with Arthurian lore to create a rich, challenging world. Players manage resources and navigate a branching narrative campaign, supported by extensive and well-crafted text. The game's replayability is high due to its multiple narrative paths.
How Do RPG Board Games Relate to Tabletop RPGs and Video Game RPGs?
The term "role-playing game" (RPG) originated with Dungeons & Dragons, the first formalized system for narrative character-based storytelling using wargame rules. These games, known as pen-and-paper RPGs, emphasize creativity and imagination, with the potential for limitless storytelling. However, the strategic elements, such as skill checks and character progression, also appealed to players, leading to the development of board and video game RPGs. These formats replaced the need for a Game Master with either physical components or digital programming, while still offering the satisfaction of character development and strategic gameplay.
While video games have clearly defined RPG sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, board games tend to use terms like adventure or quest games. This distinction might stem from the less immediate connection players feel with their characters on a board compared to a screen. The cross-pollination between these formats is significant, with many games inspiring adaptations across different media, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected experiences.
