Top RPG Board Games to Play in 2025

Many modern board games are deeply strategic, involving conquest for resources or economic optimization. However, if you find these themes dry and prefer the thrill of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games (RPGs) are your perfect match. These games, inspired by pen-and-paper RPGs, immerse you in fantastical worlds where you can either compete or cooperate to overcome quests and challenges. Despite their narrative focus, these games still offer robust strategic elements. Here are our top picks for the best RPG board games, ensuring hours of enjoyment 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 AmazonThe Gloomhaven series is renowned as the pinnacle of board games, especially in the RPG genre. As you assume the roles of various adventurers, you'll navigate a dynamic campaign where characters can retire or perish. The tactical combat system, powered by a deck of multi-use ability cards, builds tension as your deck depletes with each scenario. Although the original is currently unavailable, the prequel, Jaws of the Lion, offers a more accessible and affordable entry point, while Frosthaven (see it at Amazon) expands the experience with a town you can explore and develop. These games are also excellent for solo play.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

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

1See it at AmazonThe cooperative adventure system inspired by the world's most famous pen-and-paper RPG perfectly blends role-playing with board gaming. Each box includes a vast array of tiles to randomly construct dungeons, filled with traps and monsters that follow simple flowchart routines. This setup creates a dynamic, ever-changing labyrinth reminiscent of a dungeon master's control. The included narrative campaign is engaging, with Temple of Elemental Evil standing out as a top choice, based on 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 AmazonThis acclaimed board game adaptation of the beloved video game series sets you years before Geralt's adventures, playing as other Witchers competing for coin and glory. The game's deck-building mechanics encourage strategic card combinations to enhance your power, tackling increasingly formidable monsters. A solo mode is available for those who wish to explore this fantasy world alone. See our The Witcher: Old World board game review for more information.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6See it at AmazonFor sci-fi enthusiasts, this game offers a thrilling shift from fantasy dungeons to starship interiors and high-tech bases. Set post the original Star Wars film, one player controls the Empire, while others collaborate as Rebel operatives. The tactical combat system supports both one-off scenarios and a campaign that weaves a cinematic narrative, allowing you to interact with iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Numerous expansion packs introduce additional famous figures.

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

HeroQuest

### HeroQuest

4See it at AmazonOriginally released in 1989, HeroQuest has returned with enhanced miniatures but retains its RPG-on-a-board essence. A game master uses a scenario booklet to guide the heroes through dungeons, revealing paths as they explore, fight monsters, and gather treasure. This game offers a true role-playing experience with family-friendly rules and tactical gameplay. Additional expansions provide new adventures beyond the core campaign.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at AmazonHorror-themed RPGs face the challenge of balancing player control with the genre's inherent unpredictability. Arkham Horror, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, excels in this regard. Players collaborate to solve mysteries tied to alien worlds, with horror stemming from both challenging gameplay and bleak narratives. The game's strategy revolves around deck-building and managing the chaos bag's probabilities. It's also one of the best trading card games available.

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 allows players to feel part of Tolkien's universe without retreading his stories. Players build decks to represent their characters' abilities, enhanced by innovative mechanics like tile scale-flipping for exploration and an app that aids in solving mysteries. The game strikes a balance between the narrative and strategic elements.

You can also check out our review of The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying board game, which we also loved.

This War of Mine: The Board Game

### This War of Mine: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonSet in a war-torn city, this game focuses on survival and resource management. During the day, your group scavenges for essentials, while at night, you must defend your hideout. The game's mechanics are supported by a narrative book, delivering a poignant commentary on war's impact, made personal through your control over the survivors' fates.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at AmazonDescent stands out with its stunning visual and production quality, featuring detailed miniatures and 3D terrain. The game's engine, supported by a mobile app, guides players through quests linked by narrative, allowing for character progression and equipment upgrades. See our Descent: Legends of the Dark review for more info.

Mice & Mystics

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at AmazonDesigned to appeal to younger players, Mice & Mystics tells a whimsical tale of adventurers turned into mice, fighting to save a fantasy kingdom. The game's simple mechanics and engaging story make it enjoyable for players of all ages, as they navigate challenges and seek to return to their human forms.

Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5See it at AmazonTainted Grail focuses heavily on storytelling, blending Celtic legends with Arthurian myth to create a rich narrative. Players must manage resources and navigate a branching campaign filled with superbly written text, offering multiple paths and replayability.

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 practice of narrative, character-driven stories using wargame rules. These games, known as pen-and-paper RPGs, emphasize creativity and imagination, with limitless potential for player-created stories. However, players also enjoyed the strategic elements like skill checks and character advancement, often requiring a Games Master to run the game.

This led to the development of board and video game RPGs, where the board or computer replaced the Games Master, using either programming or randomness to create an immersive world. These games satisfied players' desire for strategy and character progression. While the term RPG is well-established in video gaming, with sub-genres like JRPGs and Rogue-likes, board gaming lacks a similar term, often using "adventure" or "quest" games instead. This can confuse players, especially with the cross-pollination between tabletop and digital RPGs, where adaptations and inspirations flow freely between formats.