Top RPG Board Games to Play in 2025

A lot of modern board games are highly strategic, often involving conquering lands for resources or building economic engines to achieve victory. However, for those who find these themes dry and yearn for exploration and adventure, role-playing board games are the perfect fit. These games, inspired by their pen-and-paper counterparts, immerse you in fantastical settings where you can compete or cooperate to overcome quests and challenges. Beneath their narrative layers, these games offer rich strategic depth. 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 AmazonLet's start with the standout: The Gloomhaven series is renowned as one of the best board games ever, particularly in the role-playing category. You step into the shoes of adventurers, navigating a complex campaign where characters can retire or meet their demise. The game's tactical combat system uses a deck of multi-use ability cards, creating tension as the deck depletes. The original game is currently unavailable, but the prequel, Jaws of the Lion, delivers a similar experience in a more accessible package. Meanwhile, Frosthaven (see it at Amazon) elevates the experience with a town you can explore and develop. These games are also excellent for solo play when you're without a group.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

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

1See it at AmazonRole-playing board games are wonderfully diverse, and the cooperative adventure system based on the iconic Dungeons & Dragons universe is a prime example. Each box contains a large set of tiles that you draw randomly to create dungeons, filled with traps and monsters that follow simple routines. This dynamic system creates a sense of exploring a mysterious labyrinth, much like having a dungeon master. The game includes a narrative campaign, and Temple of Elemental Evil, based on a famous D&D scenario, is a standout choice. For those interested in classic D&D, check out our beginner's guide.

The Witcher: Old World

### The Witcher: Old World

3See it at AmazonThe Witcher: Old World is an acclaimed board game adaptation set years before the video games and novels. Players take on the role of Witchers, competing to earn coin and glory by hunting monsters. The game's deck-building mechanic allows you to create powerful card combinations and strategies, enhancing your power to tackle increasingly formidable foes. It also offers a solo mode for those who wish to explore this rich fantasy world alone. For more insights, see our review of The Witcher: Old World board game.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6See it at AmazonFor sci-fi enthusiasts, Star Wars: Imperial Assault offers a thrilling alternative to fantasy-themed RPGs. Set post the original Star Wars film, one player controls the Empire while others work as Rebel operatives to thwart the Emperor's rule. The game's tactical combat system supports both one-off scenarios and a campaign mode that weaves a cinematic narrative, allowing you to battle alongside iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The game's extensive expansion packs introduce more beloved figures from the franchise. Explore more with our guide to the best Star Wars board games.

HeroQuest

### HeroQuest

4See it at AmazonA nostalgic favorite from 1989, HeroQuest has been revived with enhanced miniatures while maintaining its core RPG-on-a-board experience. With a game master guiding the narrative, players explore dungeons, fight monsters, and collect treasure. It offers a true role-playing experience with accessible rules and tactical gameplay. After the base campaign, numerous expansions provide additional adventures.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at AmazonHorror board games blend well with role-playing, and Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a standout. Inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's works, players collaborate to solve eerie mysteries linked to otherworldly beings. The game's horror is enhanced by its challenging difficulty and dark narratives, supported by ongoing expansions that deepen the story. The strategic element comes from 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 AmazonThe iconic fantasy setting of Middle-earth is beautifully adapted into this role-playing board game. Players build card decks to represent their characters' powers, navigating a world filled with Tolkien's lore without altering the original narrative. Innovative mechanics like tile scale-flipping for exploration are complemented by an app that adds depth to the mysteries you solve. 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 unique and poignant RPG experience set in a war-torn city. Daytime scavenging for survival resources contrasts with nighttime defense against raiders and soldiers. The game's mechanics, paired with a narrative book, deliver a powerful commentary on life in a conflict zone, making you responsible for 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 miniatures and detailed terrain, creating an immersive visual experience. The game's mechanics are equally impressive, with a mobile app guiding your party through quests and narratives, allowing you to unlock new powers and equipment. For more details, see our review of Descent: Legends of the Dark.

Mice & Mystics

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at AmazonDesigned to be accessible to younger players, Mice & Mystics tells a whimsical tale of adventurers turned into mice trying to save a fantasy kingdom. Its simple mechanics and engaging story make it enjoyable for all ages, bridging the gap between complex RPGs and family-friendly games.

Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5See it at AmazonTainted Grail The Fall of Avalon focuses heavily on storytelling, blending Celtic legends with Arthurian lore to create a rich, challenging world. The game's strategic resource management supports a vast, branching narrative campaign, ensuring multiple playthroughs reveal different stories.

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 to formalize narrative character-based stories using wargame rules. These "pen-and-paper RPGs" emphasize creativity and imagination, allowing limitless storytelling. However, the strategic elements, such as skill checks and character advancement, also appealed to many players. The need for a Games Master led to the development of board and video game RPGs, where mechanics and random elements replace the Games Master's role, offering structured worlds and strategic gameplay.

While video games have established RPG sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, board games often use terms like adventure or quest games. The tactile nature of board games slightly distances players from the action, yet the cross-pollination between tabletop RPGs, board games, and video games is extensive. Dungeons & Dragons has influenced both board and video game RPGs, which in turn inspire new material for the original game. This interconnectedness continues to evolve, enriching the RPG landscape across different media.