The Best RPG Board Games Worth Playing in 2025

Many modern board games offer deep strategic gameplay, focusing on resource management or economic optimization. But if you crave the thrill of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games are your perfect match. Like their pen-and-paper counterparts, these games immerse you in fantastical settings, challenging you to cooperate or compete with others to overcome quests and challenges. Yet, they retain a satisfying strategic layer beneath their narrative surface. Here are some top picks for the best RPG board games, promising countless hours of fun in 2025 and beyond.

Top Role-Playing Board Games at a Glance

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### 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 Amazon

Don't have time for reading blurbs? Scroll sideways to see all the games featured on the list above.

Gloomhaven / Jaws of The Lion / Frosthaven

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### Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion

6See it at Amazon

The Gloomhaven series is renowned as a top board game, and rightfully so. In *Jaws of the Lion*, you play as adventurers, collaborating through a labyrinthine campaign. Protagonists retire or fall, changing the roster dynamically. The tactical combat system uses a deck-building mechanic, creating escalating tension as your deck dwindles. The original is currently unavailable, but *Jaws of the Lion* offers a similar experience in a streamlined, more affordable package. The sequel, *Frosthaven*, expands the gameplay by introducing a town you can explore, build, and develop. These also make excellent solo games.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

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

1See it at Amazon

This cooperative adventure series, based on the popular pen-and-paper RPG, masterfully blends role-playing and board game elements. Random tile placement creates a dynamic dungeon with traps and monsters governed by simple rules, evoking the feel of a dungeon master-led game. *Temple of Elemental Evil*, based on a classic D&D scenario, is a standout choice among the series.

The Witcher: Old World

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### The Witcher: Old World

3See it at Amazon

This acclaimed board game adaptation of the popular video game series precedes the events of *The Witcher* games and novels. Players take on the roles of Witchers, hunting monsters and competing for coin and glory. The deck-building mechanic allows for strategic card combinations to enhance power, creating a compelling competitive experience. A solo mode is also included.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

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### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6See it at Amazon

For sci-fi fans, *Star Wars: Imperial Assault* offers a thrilling alternative. Set after the original *Star Wars* film, one player commands the Empire, while others collaborate as Rebel operatives to undermine the Emperor. The tactical combat system is engaging, and the campaign mode links battles into a cinematic narrative, featuring iconic characters.

HeroQuest

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### HeroQuest

4See it at Amazon

A nostalgic favorite, *HeroQuest* returns with updated miniatures. The game master uses a scenario booklet, revealing the dungeon to players as they explore, fight monsters, and collect treasure. It offers a true role-playing experience with mystery, narrative, and character progression, but with accessible rules and tactical gameplay. Numerous expansions offer additional adventures.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at Amazon

This game offers a compelling blend of horror and strategy. Loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's works, players cooperate to solve mysteries related to alien beings. The challenge and bleak narratives create a sense of horror, while deck-building mechanics provide strategic depth. Expansions continue the story, offering new challenges and narratives.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

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

2See it at Amazon

Set in Middle-earth, this game allows players to experience Tolkien's world without interfering with the established narratives. Players build card decks to represent their characters' abilities. Innovative mechanics, such as tile flipping for combined aboveground and underground exploration, and app-based mystery solving, enhance the gameplay.

This War of Mine: The Board Game

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### This War of Mine: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

In *This War of Mine*, heroism means struggling for survival in a war-torn city. Players scavenge for resources during the day and barricade their hideout at night, facing raiders and other dangers. The resource management and base-building mechanics are complemented by narrative text, offering a powerful portrayal of life in a conflict zone.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

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### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at Amazon

Descent stands out for its impressive production value. Finely sculpted miniatures and detailed three-dimensional terrain create an immersive experience. The gameplay is equally strong, with a mobile app guiding players through quests and linking scenarios, allowing progression and acquisition of new powers and equipment.

Mice & Mystics

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### Mice & Mystics

1See it at Amazon

This game is ideal for families and younger players. It tells a charming story of adventurers transformed into mice, tasked with saving a kingdom. Simple mechanics and whimsical adventures make it enjoyable for all ages.

Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

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### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5See it at Amazon

This game prioritizes storytelling. Blending Celtic and Arthurian legends, it creates a rich world where characters must cooperate to survive. Resource management and a branching narrative campaign, supported by detailed text, provide a compelling and replayable experience.

How Do RPG Board Games Relate to Tabletop RPGs and Video Game RPGs?

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The term "role-playing game" (RPG) originated with *Dungeons & Dragons*, which formalized the practice of narrative storytelling using wargame rules. These games, often called "pen-and-paper RPGs," emphasize creativity and imagination, but also include strategic elements like skill checks and character advancement. The need for a game master led to the development of board and video game RPGs, where the game itself or a computer takes on that role, offering strategic depth and character progression.

While "role-playing" is a well-established term in video game RPGs, there's no direct equivalent in board games. This might be because the indirect control of a physical avatar on a board differs from the immediate experience of on-screen characters. Despite the lack of a single term, there's significant crossover between these types of games, with adaptations and inspirations flowing between pen-and-paper, board, and video game RPGs.