The Best RPG Board Games Worth Playing in 2025

Dive into Adventure: The Best Role-Playing Board Games for 2025 and Beyond

Many modern board games focus on strategic resource management or economic optimization. But if you crave exploration and adventure, role-playing board games offer a captivating alternative. These games transport you to fantastical settings where you collaborate or compete to overcome challenges, blending narrative with strategic depth. Here are top contenders for immersive RPG board game experiences:

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

Gloomhaven Series: A Legacy of Adventure

### Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion

6See it at Amazon

The Gloomhaven series is renowned for its exceptional gameplay. Jaws of the Lion, a prequel to the original, offers a streamlined, affordable experience with the same compelling tactical combat system and evolving campaign. The sequel, Frosthaven, expands the gameplay with a town to explore and develop. Both titles also provide excellent solo play options.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil: A Classic Reimagined

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

1See it at Amazon

This cooperative adventure game, based on the popular pen-and-paper RPG, features randomly generated dungeons, creating dynamic and unpredictable gameplay. Temple of Elemental Evil is a standout, offering a thrilling campaign based on a classic D&D scenario.

The Witcher: Old World: A Witcher's Tale

### The Witcher: Old World

3See it at Amazon

Set before the events of the video games and novels, The Witcher: Old World lets you play as Witchers, competing for coin and glory while hunting monsters. The deck-building mechanics enhance strategic choices, and a solo mode is available for single-player exploration.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault: A Galactic Conflict

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6See it at Amazon

This sci-fi RPG pits the Empire against Rebel operatives in a campaign-driven experience. The tactical combat system is engaging, and the campaign links battles into a cinematic narrative featuring iconic characters and numerous expansion packs.

HeroQuest: A Classic Returns

### HeroQuest

4See it at Amazon

A remastered version of the 1989 classic, HeroQuest offers a dungeon-crawling adventure with a game master guiding players through a mysterious dungeon. The game master controls monsters, reveals the dungeon, and manages the narrative, creating a true role-playing experience with family-friendly rules.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game: A Lovecraftian Horror

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at Amazon

This Lovecraftian horror game challenges players to solve mysteries linked to alien worlds and beings. The challenging difficulty, bleak narratives, and deck-building mechanics offer a thrilling and strategic horror experience.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth: An Epic Journey

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

2See it at Amazon

This adaptation of Middle-earth allows players to experience Tolkien's world without altering the established narrative. Deck-building mechanics, tile-flipping, and app-integrated mysteries enhance the gameplay.

This War of Mine: The Board Game: A Harsh Reality

### This War of Mine: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

This unique RPG depicts the struggle for survival in a war-torn city. Players scavenge resources, barricade their hideout, and face hostile encounters, creating a powerful and emotionally resonant experience.

Descent: Legends of the Dark: A Visually Stunning Adventure

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at Amazon

Descent boasts impressive miniatures and three-dimensional terrain, enhancing the visual appeal. The app-supported campaign offers quests, narrative elements, and inter-scenario links.

Mice & Mystics: A Family-Friendly Adventure

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at Amazon

This game offers a whimsical adventure suitable for all ages, telling a compelling story of mice on a quest to save a kingdom. Simple mechanics and engaging narratives make it a crowd-pleaser.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon: A Narrative Masterpiece

### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5See it at Amazon

Tainted Grail prioritizes narrative, blending Celtic and Arthurian legends to create a rich and challenging world. The extensive branching campaign offers replayability and a deeply immersive experience.

RPG Board Games: A Genre Overview

The term "role-playing game" originated with Dungeons & Dragons, evolving from wargame rules to encompass narrative character-driven experiences. Board game and video game adaptations followed, often simplifying the game master role while retaining strategic elements. While "role-playing" is a common term in video games, board game RPGs are often categorized as adventure or quest games. Despite varied terminology, these game types share a rich history of cross-pollination and adaptation.