The Best RPG Board Games Worth Playing in 2025

Explore and Conquer: Top Role-Playing Board Games for 2025 and Beyond

Many modern board games focus on strategic resource management or economic optimization. However, if you crave the thrill of exploration and adventure, role-playing board games offer a captivating alternative. These games immerse you in fantastical settings, allowing you to collaborate or compete with fellow players to overcome quests and challenges. While rich in narrative, they also provide ample strategic depth. Here are some of the best RPG board games to enjoy for 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

Gloomhaven Series: Jaws of the Lion and Frosthaven

### Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion

6See it at AmazonThe Gloomhaven series is widely considered a pinnacle of board game design. Jaws of the Lion, a prequel to the original, provides a streamlined yet engaging experience, featuring tactical combat and a dynamic campaign where your roster of adventurers evolves. The sequel, Frosthaven, expands the gameplay by adding an explorable, buildable town. Both titles offer excellent solo play options.

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil

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

1See it at AmazonThis cooperative adventure game, based on the popular pen-and-paper RPG, features randomized dungeon tiles, traps, and monsters, creating a dynamic and unpredictable experience. Temple of Elemental Evil, based on a classic D&D scenario, is a standout in the series.

The Witcher: Old World

### The Witcher: Old World

3See it at AmazonThis acclaimed board game adaptation of the popular video game series sets players as Witchers competing for coin and glory. The deck-building mechanics and strategic combat offer a compelling experience, with a solo mode available for those who prefer a single-player adventure.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6See it at AmazonFor sci-fi enthusiasts, Imperial Assault offers a thrilling tactical experience. One player commands the Empire, while others collaborate as Rebel operatives to overthrow the Emperor. The campaign mode links battles into a cinematic narrative, featuring iconic characters from the Star Wars universe.

HeroQuest

### HeroQuest

4See it at AmazonA classic dungeon-crawling game, now remastered with improved miniatures, HeroQuest provides a true role-playing experience with a game master guiding players through a mysterious dungeon. The family-friendly rules and tactical gameplay make it a great choice for all ages.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at AmazonThis horror-themed game, loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's works, challenges players to solve mysteries linked to cosmic horrors. The deck-building mechanics and challenging difficulty level provide a thrilling and suspenseful experience.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth

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

2See it at AmazonThis game immerses players in Middle-earth, allowing them to participate in adventures within Tolkien's iconic world. The card-building mechanics and innovative gameplay elements create a captivating experience.

This War of Mine: The Board Game

### This War of Mine: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonThis unique game offers a powerful and thought-provoking experience, placing players in the role of civilians struggling to survive in a war-torn city. The resource management and narrative elements create a compelling and emotionally resonant experience.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at AmazonKnown for its exceptional production values, Descent features finely sculpted miniatures and detailed three-dimensional terrain. The mobile app supports the game's narrative campaign, providing a rich and immersive experience.

Mice & Mystics

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at AmazonThis family-friendly game tells a whimsical story of mice on a quest to save a fantasy kingdom. The simple mechanics and engaging narrative make it accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

### Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

5See it at AmazonThis game prioritizes narrative, offering a sprawling campaign with a rich Celtic-Arthurian setting. The strategic resource management and branching narrative provide a highly replayable experience.

RPG Board Games: A Comparison

The term "role-playing game" (RPG) originated with Dungeons & Dragons, which pioneered the concept of narrative character-based storytelling using wargame mechanics. This led to the development of both board and video game RPGs, each offering a unique take on the genre. While the term "role-playing" is well-established in video games, it's less common in board games, where these titles are often categorized as adventure or quest games. Despite the varied terminology, there's significant cross-pollination between these mediums, with many games inspiring adaptations across different platforms.