If you're a fan of modern board games but find the strategic focus on conquering lands or optimizing economic engines a bit dry, then the world of role-playing board games (RPGs) is perfect for you. These games blend the immersive storytelling of their pen-and-paper counterparts with the tactical depth of board games, offering a rich experience filled with exploration and adventure. Whether you're competing against friends or collaborating to overcome challenges, these top RPG board games promise endless hours of fun in 2025 and beyond.

Top Role-Playing Board Games at a Glance

Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion

6 See it at Amazon!

WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

1 See it at Amazon!

The Witcher: Old World

3 See it at Amazon!

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6 See it at Amazon!

HeroQuest

4 See it at Amazon!

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2 See it at Amazon!

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

2 See it at Amazon!

This War of Mine: The Board Game

0 See it at Amazon!

Descent: Legends of the Dark

3 See it at Amazon!

Mice & Mystics

1 See it at Amazon!

Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5 See 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

Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion

6 See it at Amazon!

Let's begin with the crown jewel of board games: the Gloomhaven series, renowned as the pinnacle of board gaming and especially role-playing. In Gloomhaven, you step into the shoes of adventurers navigating a labyrinthine campaign, where your team evolves as characters retire or face their demise in dungeons. The game's tactical combat system revolves around building a deck of multi-use ability cards, adding tension as your deck dwindles. While the original is currently unavailable, its prequel, Jaws of the Lion, offers a similar experience in a more accessible and affordable format. Meanwhile, Frosthaven (see it at Amazon) elevates the adventure by including a town to explore, build, and populate. These games are also excellent for solo play, perfect for times when you're without a gaming crew.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

WizKids Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

1 See it at Amazon!

The term "role-playing" in board games can be broad, but the cooperative adventure system series, inspired by the world's most famous pen-and-paper RPG, perfectly blends both worlds. Each box contains a stack of tiles that you draw randomly to create a dynamic dungeon, filled with traps and monsters that follow simple flowchart routines. This system drives an engaging narrative campaign, with Temple of Elemental Evil standing out as a top choice, based on one of D&D's legendary scenarios.

For those interested in classic D&D gameplay, check out our beginner's guide to Dungeons and Dragons.

The Witcher: Old World

The Witcher: Old World

3 See it at Amazon!

The Witcher: Old World introduces a board game adaptation of the renowned video game series, set years before Geralt's adventures. Players assume the roles of Witchers, competing to hunt monsters and earn glory through deck-building strategies that enhance their abilities. The game also offers a solo mode, allowing you to delve into this captivating fantasy world at your own pace. For more details, see our The Witcher: Old World board game review.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6 See it at Amazon!

For sci-fi enthusiasts, Star Wars: Imperial Assault offers a thrilling role-playing experience, 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 game's tactical combat system supports standalone scenarios, but the real attraction lies in its campaign mode, weaving battles into a cinematic narrative alongside iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The game's extensive range of expansion packs brings in more beloved figures from the saga.

Explore more Star Wars-themed games with our guide to the best Star Wars board games.

HeroQuest

HeroQuest

4 See it at Amazon!

Originally launched in 1989, HeroQuest has returned with enhanced miniatures, maintaining its status as a premier dungeon-crawling RPG. The game features a games master who guides the scenario, while other players control heroes navigating the dungeon, battling monsters, and collecting treasure. It's an ideal blend of mystery, narrative, and tactical gameplay, suitable for families. Additional HeroQuest expansions provide even more adventures once you've completed the base campaign.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2 See it at Amazon!

Arkham Horror: The Card Game brings horror to the RPG board game scene, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's works. Players collaborate to solve mysteries linked to alien worlds, facing challenges through deck-building and strategic decisions. The game's difficulty and dark narratives enhance the horror experience, while expansions continue to expand the story. It's also one of the best trading card games available today.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

2 See it at Amazon!

Set in Tolkien's iconic Middle-earth, this game immerses players in the fantasy world without altering its famous narrative. Heroes build card decks to enhance their abilities, supported by innovative mechanics like tile scale-flipping for exploration and an app that feeds clues for solving mysteries. 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

0 See it at Amazon!

In This War of Mine, heroism is about survival in a war-torn city. Players must scavenge resources during the day and protect their hideout at night from threats. The game's mechanics, combined with its narrative text, offer a poignant look at the struggles of living in a conflict zone, making players responsible for their survivors' fate.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

Descent: Legends of the Dark

3 See it at Amazon!

Descent: Legends of the Dark excels in visual appeal and production quality, featuring finely sculpted miniatures and detailed terrain. Its game engine, supported by a mobile app, guides players through quests and narratives, allowing them to gain new powers and equipment. For more details, check out our Descent: Legends of the Dark review.

Mice & Mystics

Mice & Mystics

1 See it at Amazon!

Mice & Mystics is an excellent entry point for younger players into the world of RPG board games. The game tells a whimsical tale of adventurers turned into mice, striving to save a fantasy kingdom. Its simple mechanics and engaging story make it a delightful experience for players of all ages.

Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5 See it at Amazon!

Tainted Grail focuses on storytelling, merging Celtic legends with Arthurian mythos to create a rich, challenging world. Players manage resources and navigate a branching narrative campaign, supported by detailed text that offers multiple playthroughs with different outcomes.

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

The concept of "role-playing game" (RPG) originated with Dungeons & Dragons, which formalized the practice of using wargame rules to tell narrative, character-based stories. These games, known as "pen-and-paper RPGs," emphasize creativity and imagination, offering limitless storytelling potential. However, the strategic elements and character advancement also appealed to many players, leading to the development of board games and video games that incorporated these aspects.

In board games and video games, the role of the Games Master is often replaced by the game's mechanics or a computer program, creating a world for players to explore and conquer. While video game RPGs have established sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, board game RPGs are often called adventure or quest games, possibly due to the more tangible interaction with game pieces. The interplay between these formats is significant, with many games crossing over and inspiring adaptations in other mediums.