Dungeon crawler board games are a rich and diverse genre within the tabletop gaming community, offering deep gameplay and a wide array of thematic experiences. From horror to fantasy, and even extending into popular franchises like Marvel and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the variety is astounding. This makes choosing the right game a challenging yet exciting endeavor for enthusiasts.

TL;DR: The Best Dungeon Crawler Board Games

### Frosthaven

0See it at Amazon### Descent: Legends of the Dark

0See it at Amazon### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

0See it at Amazon### Slay the Spire: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon### Mansions of Madness

0See it at Amazon### Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

0See it at Amazon### Nemesis

0See it at Amazon### Cthulhu: Death May Die

0See it at Amazon### Clank! Catacombs

0See it at Amazon### Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game

0See it at Amazon### Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon### Arcadia Quest

0See it at Amazon

Defining what constitutes a dungeon crawler can spark debate among fans, but these games typically feature tactical combat, character progression, loot, and, of course, dungeons. These dungeons can transcend the traditional fantasy setting, offering a broad spectrum of experiences. What unites these games is their depth in lore and mechanics, making them perfect for those seeking immersive, cooperative campaigns.

Frosthaven / Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

### Frosthaven

0See it at Amazon### Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

12See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-120 mins

Gloomhaven set a high bar for dungeon crawler board games, though it's currently out of print. Fortunately, its successor, Frosthaven, offers an equally captivating campaign within the same universe. For those new to the series, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion provides a more streamlined experience with less setup time, making it an excellent entry point. Both games are interconnected, allowing characters to transfer between them, enhancing the overall experience. These games blend choose-your-own-adventure storytelling with tabletop gaming, offering long, lore-rich campaigns where characters can complete their arcs and new ones can join the fray. Both are ideal for cooperative play, suitable for groups of two to four players.

For more insights, explore our detailed reviews of Gloomhaven and Frosthaven.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 120-180 mins

While many dungeon crawlers boast impressive miniatures, Descent: Legends of the Dark elevates the experience with detailed 3D cardboard scenery and a spacious storage box. This fully cooperative game combines tactical gameplay, dice rolling, and app-assisted resource management, making it easy to engage in crafting, leveling up, and exploring randomized dungeon layouts within a compelling narrative. It's a standout choice for fans of both RPGs and dungeon crawlers.

Dive deeper with our comprehensive review of Descent: Legends of the Dark.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 2-5Play Time: 60-120 mins

Dungeons don't have to be fantasy realms; they can be the intricate corridors of an Imperial base. In Star Wars: Imperial Assault, players take on the roles of rebel operatives battling the Empire's forces in a scenario-based campaign. The game swaps traditional fantasy weapons for lightsabers and blasters, yet retains the core elements of looting, exploration, and tactical combat. Plus, it's a treat for Star Wars fans with appearances by beloved characters.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

### Slay the Spire: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonAge: 12+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-150 mins

Adapted from the popular video game, Slay the Spire: The Board Game brings its deck-building mechanics to the tabletop. Players can now ascend the spire together, facing its challenges and bosses in a social and strategic experience. The game retains the addictive essence of card management and tactical combat, making it a must-try for fans of the original.

Our review of Slay the Spire: The Board Game highlights its engaging gameplay.

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

### Mansions of Madness

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 60-360 mins

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is a cooperative mystery horror game where players choose investigators to solve puzzles, collect weapons, and combat monsters and insanity. The game offers four scenarios, ranging from quick sessions to deep campaigns, enhanced by an app that narrates the story and manages gameplay, adding tension and streamlining the experience.

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

### Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-6Play Time: 60 mins

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape is a standalone sequel that diverges from its predecessor, making it accessible to new players. It embraces classic dungeon crawler elements with six unique character classes, offering varied gameplay. The game's loop of battling monsters, looting, and upgrading gear is engaging and replayable, with each class providing a fresh experience.

Nemesis

### Nemesis

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 60-180 mins

Nemesis captures the essence of the Alien franchise without official ties, immersing players in a tense survival scenario. Hidden objective cards add a layer of mistrust, as players may need to work against each other to achieve their goals. Despite the potential for betrayal, teamwork is crucial for survival, making each game session unpredictable and thrilling.

Explore the Nemesis expansions and additional miniatures for an even richer experience.

Cthulhu: Death May Die

### Cthulhu: Death May Die

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 90-120 mins

Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, Cthulhu: Death May Die is a cooperative horror game where players thwart dangerous rituals. Characters gain strength as their sanity diminishes, introducing a risk-reward mechanic. The game is easy to learn but challenging to master, with standalone scenarios that don't require the same group each time, enhancing its accessibility.

Clank! Catacombs

### Clank! Catacombs

5See it at AmazonAge: 13+Players: 1-4Play Time: 45-90 mins

Clank! Catacombs challenges players to fight monsters, free prisoners, and collect gold while evading a dragon. Its roguelike nature, with shuffled tiles expanding the map, ensures no two games are the same. Despite its smaller footprint, Clank! Catacombs delivers a full dungeon crawler experience, perfect for those with limited space.

Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game

### Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-6Play Time: 60 mins

Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game brings the popular Zombicide series into the Marvel universe, allowing players to control both heroes and zombies. New mechanics and streamlined gameplay make it a fresh take on the series, appealing to both new and veteran players. The detailed miniatures and various expansions add to the appeal for comic book fans.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

### Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 45-150 mins

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant is a hidden gem for fans of the franchise. It features unique mechanics where dice rolls affect adjacent teammates, enhancing the cooperative feel. The game can be played fully cooperatively or with one player as the villain, offering versatile gameplay for groups of four or five.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

### Resident Evil: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonAge: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-90 mins

Set in the iconic Spencer Mansion, Resident Evil: The Board Game captures the essence of the video game series with puzzles, limited resources, and zombies. While the board game versions of Resident Evil 2 and 3 preceded the original, the first game is considered the best entry point for fans of the franchise.

Arcadia Quest

### Arcadia Quest

0See it at AmazonAge: 13+Players: 2-4Play Time: 60 mins

Arcadia Quest stands out with its chibi art style and accessible gameplay, yet introduces competitive elements through PvP quests. While it can't be played solo, the game's campaign format encourages repeated play with the same group, offering a unique and engaging dungeon crawler experience filled with personality.