RPG Gems for 2025: Uncover the Top Board Games

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 compelling alternative. These games immerse you in fantastical settings, allowing you to cooperate or compete with others to overcome challenges and quests, all while engaging in strategic gameplay. 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: A Legacy of Adventure

### Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion

6See it at AmazonThe Gloomhaven series is widely considered a top-tier board game, and for good reason. Jaws of the Lion, a prequel to the original, offers a streamlined yet engaging experience. You'll play as adventurers, collaborating through a labyrinthine campaign, with your roster changing as characters retire or fall in battle. The tactical combat system, using a deck-building mechanic, creates escalating tension. The sequel, Frosthaven, expands the gameplay with an explorable, buildable town. Both are excellent choices, including for solo play.

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

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

1See it at AmazonThis cooperative adventure game, based on the popular pen-and-paper RPG, seamlessly blends role-playing with strategic gameplay. Randomly generated dungeon tiles, populated with traps and monsters, create a dynamic and unpredictable experience, simulating the feel of a dungeon master-led game. The included narrative campaign adds depth and replayability. Temple of Elemental Evil, based on a classic D&D scenario, is a standout choice.

The Witcher: Old World: A Witcher's Tale

### The Witcher: Old World

3See it at AmazonThis acclaimed board game adaptation of the popular video game series takes place before the events of The Witcher games and novels. Players take on the roles of competing Witchers, hunting monsters and vying for fame and fortune. The deck-building mechanic enhances strategic depth, allowing for diverse playstyles. A solo mode is also included.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault: A Galactic Conflict

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

6See it at AmazonFor sci-fi fans, Star Wars: Imperial Assault offers a thrilling experience. One player controls the Empire, while others team up as Rebel operatives to fight against the tyrannical rule of the Emperor. The tactical combat system is engaging, and the campaign mode creates a cinematic narrative with iconic characters.

HeroQuest: A Classic Returns

### HeroQuest

4See it at AmazonThis classic dungeon-crawling game returns with updated miniatures. One player acts as the game master, revealing the dungeon and its challenges, while others play heroic adventurers. It offers a true role-playing experience with mystery, narrative, and character progression, all within a family-friendly framework.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game: A Lovecraftian Nightmare

### Arkham Horror: The Card Game

2See it at AmazonThis game masterfully blends horror and strategy. Players cooperate to solve mysteries connected to Lovecraftian cosmic horror. The challenging difficulty and bleak narratives create a chilling atmosphere, while the deck-building mechanic allows for strategic choices.

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

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

2See it at AmazonThis adaptation of Tolkien's world seamlessly integrates into the existing lore. Players build card decks to represent their characters' abilities, while innovative mechanics, including tile flipping and app integration, enhance the experience.

This War of Mine: The Board Game: A Story of Survival

### This War of Mine: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonThis game offers a unique and powerful setting, depicting the struggles of survival in a war-torn city. Players must scavenge resources, barricade their shelter, and evade hostile encounters. The narrative text adds depth and emotional impact.

Descent: Legends of the Dark: A Visually Stunning Experience

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

3See it at AmazonThis game boasts impressive production value, with detailed miniatures and three-dimensional terrain. The mobile app supports the gameplay, providing quests and narrative links.

Mice & Mystics: A Family-Friendly Adventure

### Mice & Mystics

1See it at AmazonThis game offers a whimsical and accessible entry point for younger players, telling a charming story of mice on a quest to save their kingdom.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon: A Narrative Masterpiece

### Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon

5See it at AmazonThis game prioritizes narrative, weaving together Celtic and Arthurian legends to create a rich and challenging world. The branching narrative campaign offers high replayability.

The Evolution of RPGs: From Pen and Paper to Board and Screen

The term "role-playing game" originated with Dungeons & Dragons, which formalized the practice of using miniature wargame rules to tell narrative stories. This led to the creation of "pen-and-paper RPGs," emphasizing creative storytelling and character development. However, the strategic elements of these games also inspired the creation of board game and video game RPGs, where the game mechanics or computer AI replaced the role of the game master. While video games have established subgenres like JRPGs and rogue-likes, board games lack a similar unifying term, often being categorized as adventure or quest games. Despite this, the lines between these mediums are increasingly blurred, with constant cross-adaptation and inspiration between pen-and-paper, board, and video game RPGs.