Top RPG Board Games to Play in 2025

A lot of modern board games focus on strategy and conquest, often revolving around resource management or economic optimization. However, if you're someone who finds these themes a bit dry and craves the thrill of adventure and exploration, role-playing board games are the perfect fit. These games, much like their pen-and-paper counterparts, allow you to step into the shoes of a character in a fantastical world, where you'll either compete or collaborate with others to conquer quests and challenges. Despite their narrative focus, these games still offer a rich strategic experience. Here are our top picks for the best RPG board games that promise endless 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 acclaimed Gloomhaven series, often hailed as the pinnacle of board gaming, especially within the RPG genre. In these games, you embody adventurers navigating a complex campaign where characters can retire or meet their demise in dungeons. The tactical combat system involves building a deck of versatile ability cards, adding tension as your deck depletes during each scenario. While the original Gloomhaven is currently out of stock, the prequel, Jaws of the Lion, provides a similar experience in a more accessible and affordable format. Meanwhile, Frosthaven expands the universe by allowing players to explore, build, and populate an entire town. These games are also excellent choices for solo play, perfect for when you can't gather a group.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

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

1See it at AmazonRole-playing board games can take many forms, but the cooperative adventure system based on the world's most famous pen-and-paper RPG stands out. Each box includes tiles you draw randomly to build the dungeon, populated with traps and monsters that follow simple flowchart routines. This dynamic system creates an immersive experience akin to exploring a labyrinth guided by a dungeon master. The included narrative campaign is engaging and exciting, with Temple of Elemental Evil being a standout 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 AmazonThe Witcher: Old World brings the acclaimed video game franchise to the tabletop, set years before the events of the games and novels. Players take on the role of Witchers competing to earn the most coin and glory by hunting monsters and outwitting rivals. The game emphasizes deck-building, encouraging players to create powerful card combinations and strategic synergies. A solo mode is also available for those who wish to explore this dark fantasy world alone. For more details, 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 role-playing experience set in the Star Wars universe. One player commands the Empire, while others control a team of Rebel operatives aiming to thwart the Emperor's plans. The tactical combat system is robust, suitable for standalone scenarios, but the campaign mode truly shines, weaving individual battles into a cinematic narrative featuring iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Expansion packs introduce more beloved figures from the franchise.

You can check out our guide to the best Star Wars board games overall for more like this one.

HeroQuest

### HeroQuest

4See it at AmazonHeroQuest, a nostalgic favorite from 1989, has been re-released with enhanced miniatures. This game brings the RPG experience to the board with a games master guiding the adventure. Players explore a dungeon, battling monsters and collecting treasure, all while the GM unfolds the narrative. Its family-friendly rules and tactical gameplay make it a great entry point into RPG board games, with numerous expansions offering additional adventures.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at AmazonHorror-themed RPGs can be challenging due to the balance between control and fear, but Arkham Horror: The Card Game nails it. Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, players collaborate to solve eerie mysteries linked to otherworldly beings. The game's difficulty and dark narratives evoke horror, while strategic deck-building and managing the chaos bag's probabilities add depth. This game is also one of the top trading card games available today.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

### The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

2See it at AmazonSet in the iconic world of Middle-earth, this game lets players immerse themselves in Tolkien's universe without retreading familiar narrative ground. The core gameplay involves building card decks to enhance your heroes' abilities, supported by innovative mechanics like tile scale-flipping and an app that aids in solving mysteries. For more insights, read 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 RPG experience set in a war-torn city. Players manage a group of survivors, scavenging resources by day and defending against threats at night. The game's mechanics blend resource management and narrative storytelling, delivering a poignant commentary on the struggles of life in a conflict zone.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at AmazonDescent: Legends of the Dark excels in both visual appeal and gameplay. With detailed miniatures and 3D terrain, it brings fantasy worlds to life on your tabletop. The game's app-driven quests weave a narrative with inter-scenario links, allowing players to use collected treasures to unlock new abilities and equipment. For more information, see our Descent: Legends of the Dark review.

Mice & Mystics

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at AmazonDesigned to be accessible to younger players, Mice & Mystics tells the story of adventurers transformed into mice, tasked with saving a kingdom from tyranny. Its simple yet engaging mechanics and whimsical narrative make it a hit across all ages, as players navigate challenges to return to their human forms.

Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5See it at AmazonTainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon blends Arthurian legend with Celtic mythology, creating a rich narrative backdrop. Players must manage resources strategically while navigating a branching story campaign, ensuring multiple playthroughs offer fresh experiences. The game's focus on storytelling is complemented by its intricate gameplay mechanics.

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 concept of narrative-driven games using wargame rules. These pen-and-paper RPGs are celebrated for their limitless creativity, allowing players to explore fantastical worlds and develop complex characters. Yet, many players also enjoy the strategic elements, such as skill checks and character advancement.

The need for a dedicated Games Master in these games led to the development of board and video game RPGs, where the game itself or a computer program takes on the GM role, creating dynamic worlds for players to explore. This evolution satisfied both the narrative and strategic aspects of role-playing.

While video games have embraced the RPG term, spawning sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, board games often use terms like "adventure" or "quest" games. This distinction might stem from the more tangible nature of board games, which can slightly distance players from the immersive experience. Despite these differences, there's significant crossover between tabletop RPGs, board games, and video games, with many franchises adapting across these formats, creating a rich ecosystem of role-playing experiences.