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 of some kind. But if you're one of the many who finds that kind of subject matter dry and yearns instead for the lure of exploration and adventure, there's a whole group of games tailor-made just for you: role-playing board games. Like their pen-and-paper counterparts, these games immerse you in the role of another person in an outlandish setting, where you'll either compete or cooperate with fellow players to overcome quests and challenges. Yet, as board games, they still offer plenty of strategic depth beneath their narrative exteriors. Here are our top picks for the best RPG board games, perfect for untold 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 series: Gloomhaven is widely acclaimed as one of the best board games ever made, and it's an exceptional role-playing board game. As you step into the shoes of adventurers, you'll work together through a labyrinthine campaign where protagonists retire or meet their end in dungeons. The game's compelling tactical combat system involves building a deck of multi-use ability cards, with each scenario ramping up the tension as your deck diminishes. While the original game is currently out of stock, its prequel, Jaws of the Lion, offers a similar experience in a more affordable package. Meanwhile, the sequel, Frosthaven, ups the ante with an explorable town to build and populate. These games also shine as solo board games, perfect for when you're without a gaming crew.
Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
### WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil
1See it at AmazonRole-playing in board games can be quite diverse, but the cooperative adventure system series, based on the world's most popular pen-and-paper RPG, is a prime example. Each box comes with a stack of tiles that you draw randomly to create the dungeon, populated with traps and monsters that follow simple flowchart routines. This dynamic system conjures the feeling of exploring a mysterious labyrinth controlled by a dungeon master, guiding you through an included narrative campaign. While all are excellent, Temple of Elemental Evil, inspired by one of D&D's most iconic scenarios, stands out.
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 AmazonBlurring the lines further, The Witcher: Old World is an acclaimed board game adaptation of the beloved role-playing video game. Set years before the events of the video games and novels, players take on the roles of Witchers hunting monsters and competing for coin and glory. The game's deck-building mechanic allows you to create strategic card combos, enhancing your power to face increasingly fearsome foes. A solo mode is also available, ideal for exploring the fantasy world and battling its mythical creatures. See our The Witcher: Old World board game review for more information.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
### Star Wars: Imperial Assault
6See it at AmazonNot all role-playing games adhere to fantasy themes. If you're a sci-fi enthusiast, Star Wars: Imperial Assault is a fantastic choice. Set after the original Star Wars film, one player commands the Empire while others control a team of Rebel operatives aiming to undermine the Emperor's rule. The engaging tactical combat system supports both one-off scenarios and a captivating campaign that weaves a cinematic narrative, allowing you to fight alongside iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Expansion packs bring even more beloved figures into play.
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 for many, HeroQuest, originally released in 1989, has returned with enhanced miniatures. Its RPG-on-a-board approach, complete with a game master, remains top-notch. The game master uses a booklet to guide the scenario while other players take on the roles of heroes exploring the dungeon, encountering monsters, and collecting treasure. It's the closest you'll get to a true role-playing experience, with family-friendly rules and tactical gameplay. Additional expansions offer new adventures once you've completed the core campaign.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
### Arkham Horror: The Card Game
2See it at AmazonHorror board games provide another thrilling avenue for role-playing, though balancing player control and horror can be challenging. Arkham Horror: The Card Game, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, is an excellent example. Players collaborate to solve mysteries linked to alien worlds and beings. The horror is derived from the game's difficulty and bleak narratives, while strategy hinges on deck-building and managing the chaos bag's probabilities. It's also one of the best trading card games on the market right now.
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
### The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
2See it at AmazonGiven the popularity of fantasy settings in role-playing board games, it's no surprise that Middle-earth features prominently. This game is a great adaptation that fits seamlessly into Tolkien's universe, allowing players to feel part of his epic creation. Heroes build card decks representing their powers, supported by innovative mechanics like tile scale-flipping for exploration and an app that helps solve mysteries 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 board game, inspired by the computer RPG, places you in charge of a group trying to stay alive. By day, you scavenge for resources; by night, you barricade your hideout against raiders and soldiers. The mechanics of resource gathering and base-building are intertwined with a narrative that powerfully portrays the horrors of living in a conflict zone.
Descent: Legends of the Dark
### Descent: Legends of the Dark
3See it at AmazonThe visual and production quality of Descent: Legends of the Dark sets it apart, with its finely sculpted miniatures and detailed terrain. The game's engine supports a series of quests, enriched by a mobile app that provides narrative and inter-scenario links. As you collect treasures, you 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 attract younger players, but many are too complex. Mice & Mystics bridges this gap with a compelling story of adventurers turned into mice trying to save a fantasy kingdom. With simple mechanics and whimsical adventures, it's a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon
5See it at AmazonWhile most role-playing board games focus on mechanics, Tainted Grail prioritizes storytelling. It blends Celtic legends with Arthurian myth to create a rich, challenging world. The game involves resource management and a colossal, branching narrative campaign, supported by well-written text that offers multiple paths and replayability.
How Do RPG Board Games Relate to Tabletop RPGs and Video Game RPGs?
“Role-playing game” (RPG for short) originated with Dungeons & Dragons, the first published ruleset to formalize narrative character-based stories using miniature wargame rules. These games, often called “pen-and-paper RPGs,” emphasize creative and imaginative storytelling. However, many players also enjoy the strategic elements, such as skill checks and character advancement. The need for a Games Master to run these games led to the development of board and video game RPGs, where the game itself takes on the role of the Games Master.
While RPGs have become a well-established genre in video gaming, with sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, board gaming doesn't have a specific term for these games, often referring to them as adventure or quest games. This can be confusing, especially given the cross-pollination between tabletop, board, and video game RPGs. Dungeons & Dragons has inspired adaptations across all these formats, creating a rich ecosystem of role-playing experiences.
