Top RPG Board Games to Play in 2025

A lot of modern board games are highly strategic, involving conquering lands for resources or building economic engines to secure victory. However, if you find these themes dry and prefer the thrill of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games are the perfect fit. These games, akin to their pen-and-paper counterparts, immerse you in fantastical settings where you can either compete or collaborate to overcome quests and challenges. Beneath their narrative layers, these games offer a wealth of strategic depth, promising endless hours of enjoyment in 2025 and beyond. Here are our top picks for the best RPG board games.

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, often hailed as the best board game ever, is a premier example of role-playing board games. You step into the shoes of adventurers navigating a complex campaign where characters evolve or retire. The game's tactical combat system involves building a deck of multi-use ability cards, creating a rising tide of tension as the deck depletes. While the original Gloomhaven is currently out of stock, Jaws of the Lion offers a more accessible entry point with similar gameplay, and Frosthaven (see it at Amazon) enhances the experience with an explorable town. 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 of Dungeons & Dragons board games beautifully merges role-playing with board gaming. With randomly drawn tiles creating dynamic dungeons filled with traps and monsters, these games evoke the thrill of exploring a labyrinth controlled by a dungeon master. Temple of Elemental Evil, based on a classic D&D scenario, is a standout in this series (see them at Amazon).

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 AmazonThe Witcher: Old World, set before the video game series, casts players as Witchers competing to hunt monsters and earn fame and fortune. The game's deck-building mechanic allows players to create powerful card combinations, enhancing strategic depth. It also offers a solo mode for those wishing to explore its fantasy world independently. 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, Star Wars: Imperial Assault offers a thrilling role-playing experience. Set post the original Star Wars film, players can either control the Empire or join forces as Rebels. The game's tactical combat system supports standalone scenarios, but its campaign mode weaves battles into a cinematic narrative, featuring iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Numerous expansion packs add further depth and variety.

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 launched in 1989, HeroQuest has returned with enhanced miniatures while maintaining its classic RPG-on-a-board feel. With a game master guiding the narrative and other players exploring dungeons, fighting monsters, and collecting treasures, it offers a true role-playing experience with family-friendly rules. Additional expansions provide further adventures.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at AmazonArkham Horror: The Card Game masterfully blends horror and role-playing elements. Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s works, players collaborate to unravel mysteries linked to alien worlds. The game's challenge and bleak narratives create a compelling horror atmosphere, supported by strategic deck-building and the unpredictable chaos bag. It's among 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 Tolkien’s iconic Middle-earth, this game lets players feel part of the epic fantasy without retreading familiar stories. Players build card decks to represent their characters' abilities, enhanced by innovative mechanics like tile scale-flipping and an app-supported mystery-solving system.

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 AmazonThis War of Mine presents a unique role-playing setting, focusing on survival in a war-torn city. Players must scavenge during the day and defend their hideout at night. The game's mechanics and narrative text powerfully illustrate the horrors of conflict, emphasizing the personal struggle for survival.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at AmazonDescent: Legends of the Dark stands out with its high-quality miniatures and detailed 3D terrain, creating a visually stunning experience. The game's engine supports a narrative-driven campaign, with quests and inter-scenario links that enrich the gameplay. See our Descent: Legends of the Dark review for more info.

Mice & Mystics

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at AmazonMice & Mystics offers a whimsical adventure suitable for all ages. Players, transformed into mice, must navigate a fantasy kingdom to thwart evil and return to human form. Its simple mechanics and engaging story make it a family favorite.

Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5See it at AmazonTainted Grail focuses on storytelling, blending Celtic legends with Arthurian lore to create a rich, challenging world. Players must manage resources and navigate a branching narrative campaign, offering multiple playthroughs with different outcomes.

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 telling narrative stories using miniature wargame rules. These pen-and-paper RPGs emphasize creative potential and imaginative storytelling. However, they also include strategic elements like skill checks and character advancement, which many players enjoy.

Board games and video games evolved from these early RPGs, taking over the role of the Games Master with programmed or random elements to create immersive worlds. In video gaming, RPGs have become a well-defined genre with subcategories like JRPGs and Rogue-likes. In contrast, board games often use terms like "adventure" or "quest" games, perhaps due to the more tangible nature of playing with physical components.

The cross-pollination between tabletop RPGs, board game RPGs, and video game RPGs is significant, with many games inspiring adaptations across different mediums. This interconnectedness enriches the gaming landscape, offering diverse experiences within the role-playing genre.