The Best RPG Board Games Worth Playing in 2025

Dive into the Thrilling World of Role-Playing Board Games: Top Picks for 2025 and Beyond

Many modern board games offer deep strategic gameplay, focusing on resource management or economic optimization. However, if you crave the excitement of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games are your perfect match. These games transport you to fantastical settings where you'll collaborate or compete with fellow players to conquer quests and challenges. While steeped in narrative, they still deliver satisfying strategic depth. Here are our top recommendations for the best RPG board games, promising countless hours of fun 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 Amazon

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Gloomhaven Series: Jaws of the Lion, Frosthaven

### Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion

6See it at AmazonThe Gloomhaven series is widely considered a pinnacle of board game design. In Jaws of the Lion, you'll become adventurers, collaborating through a labyrinthine campaign. Characters retire or perish, adding dynamism to the narrative. A tactical combat system, using a deck of multi-use ability cards, creates escalating tension. While the original is currently unavailable, Jaws of the Lion provides a streamlined, affordable experience. The sequel, Frosthaven, expands the gameplay by introducing a town to explore, build, and develop. Both offer excellent solo play options.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

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

1See it at AmazonThis cooperative adventure series, based on the iconic pen-and-paper RPG, masterfully blends role-playing and board game elements. Randomly drawn tiles create unique dungeon layouts, each filled with traps and monsters governed by simple rules. This generates surprising dynamism, mimicking the experience of a dungeon master-led game. Temple of Elemental Evil, adapted from a classic D&D scenario, stands out among the excellent titles in this series.

The Witcher: Old World

### The Witcher: Old World

3See it at AmazonThis acclaimed board game adaptation of the popular video game series is set before the events of the main Witcher saga. Players take on the roles of Witchers, hunting monsters and competing for glory and wealth. The game features compelling deck-building mechanics, allowing for strategic card combinations. A solo mode is also available for those who prefer a single-player experience.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6See it at AmazonFor sci-fi enthusiasts, Imperial Assault offers a thrilling alternative to fantasy settings. Set after A New Hope, one player controls the Empire, while others collaborate as Rebel operatives to thwart the Emperor. The tactical combat system is engaging, and the campaign mode links battles into a compelling narrative, featuring iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Numerous expansion packs add even more depth.

HeroQuest

### HeroQuest

4See it at AmazonThis classic dungeon-crawling game returns with updated miniatures, retaining its engaging RPG-style gameplay. One player acts as the game master, revealing the dungeon as players explore, battling monsters and collecting treasure. The family-friendly rules and tactical elements make it a great choice for various player groups. Numerous expansions provide endless replayability.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at AmazonThis Lovecraftian horror game excels at balancing tactical decisions with immersive horror. Players cooperate to solve mysteries linked to cosmic horrors. The challenging difficulty and bleak narratives, along with a series of expansions, create a compelling experience. Deck-building mechanics enhance strategic depth.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

### The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

2See it at AmazonThis adaptation of Tolkien's world seamlessly integrates into the established lore. Players build card decks to represent their abilities, engaging in both above-ground and underground exploration. The app enhances the experience by providing narrative clues and solving mysteries.

This War of Mine: The Board Game

### This War of Mine: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonThis unique game portrays the struggle for survival in a war-torn city. Players scavenge for resources during the day and fortify their hideout at night, facing various threats. The resource management and base-building mechanics are complemented by a narrative book, offering a powerful and moving experience.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at AmazonDescent stands out for its exceptional production quality, featuring detailed miniatures and three-dimensional terrain. The mobile app guides players through quests, offering a compelling narrative and linking scenarios together.

Mice & Mystics

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at AmazonThis game is ideal for younger players, offering a whimsical adventure story with simple mechanics. Players, transformed into mice, must save a fantasy kingdom from a tyrant.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

### Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

5See it at AmazonThis game prioritizes narrative, blending Celtic and Arthurian legends to create a rich world. Players must collaborate to survive, managing resources and navigating a branching narrative campaign.

The Relationship Between RPG Board Games, Tabletop RPGs, and Video Game RPGs

The term "role-playing game" (RPG) originated with Dungeons & Dragons, which formalized the practice of narrative storytelling using wargame mechanics. Pen-and-paper RPGs emphasize creative potential, but also include strategic elements like skill checks and character progression. The need for a game master led to the development of board games and video games, where the game itself or a computer takes on that role. While "role-playing" is a well-established term in video games, board games often use terms like "adventure" or "quest" games. The lines between these genres are increasingly blurred, with significant cross-pollination and adaptations between them.