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, they transport you to fantastical worlds where you'll collaborate or compete to overcome challenges and quests. However, unlike pen-and-paper RPGs, they offer a structured strategic layer beneath their captivating narratives. 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 arguably the best role-playing board game. Become adventurers, working together, with your roster changing as characters retire or fall in battle. The tactical combat system uses a deck-building mechanic, adding tension as your deck depletes. The original is currently unavailable, but the prequel, *Jaws of the Lion*, offers a streamlined, affordable experience. The sequel, *Frosthaven*, expands the gameplay by introducing a town to explore, build, and populate. These games also excel as solo experiences.

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, blends the two genres masterfully. Randomly drawn tiles create a dynamic dungeon with traps and monsters, evoking the feel of a dungeon master-led experience. This system drives you through a narrative campaign. While all are excellent, *Temple of Elemental Evil*, based on a classic D&D scenario, stands out.

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 is set before the events of *The Witcher* games and novels. Players become Witchers, hunting monsters and competing for coin and glory. Different styles of play feed into a compelling deck-building system, creating strategic synergies to overcome foes. 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, this game offers a thrilling alternative to fantasy settings. Set after *A New Hope*, one player commands the Empire, while others team up as Rebel operatives to fight against the Emperor. The tactical combat system supports single scenarios, but the campaign mode offers a grand narrative, allowing players to interact with iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Numerous expansions add even more iconic figures.

HeroQuest

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### HeroQuest

4See it at Amazon

A classic dungeon-crawling game, now updated with improved miniatures. The game master uses a scenario booklet while players explore the dungeon, battling monsters and collecting treasure. This offers a true role-playing experience, filled with mystery and character progression, with accessible rules and strategic depth. Numerous expansions provide additional adventures.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

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### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at Amazon

This Lovecraftian horror game sees players working together to solve mysteries linked to otherworldly beings. The horror stems from the challenging difficulty and bleak narratives. Strategy involves deck-building to enhance characters and manage probabilities. This is a top-tier trading card game.

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 lets players feel part of Tolkien's world without altering the existing narratives. Players build decks representing their powers, supported by innovative mechanics. Tile flipping combines above-ground and underground exploration, and the app adds narrative depth and mystery solving.

This War of Mine: The Board Game

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### This War of Mine: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

In this game, heroism means survival in a war-torn city. Players scavenge for resources during the day and barricade their hideout at night. The resource management and base-building mechanics are enhanced 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

This game excels in visual presentation, with finely sculpted miniatures and detailed 3D terrain. A mobile app guides players through quests, linking scenarios and allowing treasure to unlock new powers and equipment.

Mice & Mystics

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### Mice & Mystics

1See it at Amazon

This game caters to younger players with a whimsical story about mice saving a kingdom. Simple mechanics and charming 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. Players must cooperate to survive, managing resources and navigating a branching narrative campaign with richly written text.

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 creative potential, but also involve strategic rule manipulation and character progression. The need for a game master led to the development of board and video games that assumed this role, offering strategic depth and character advancement.

While "role-playing" is well-established in video games, there's no equivalent term in board games. These games are often called adventure or quest games. The difference might stem from the less immediate connection between players and their actions on a board compared to a screen. Despite the lack of a unified term, there's significant cross-pollination between these genres, with adaptations and conversions occurring frequently.