The Best RPG Board Games

Roleplaying games are as engaging as you can get. Better than any other kind of game, they transport you into another world and put you in the shoes of heroic adventurers embarking on fantastic quests and overcoming perilous odds. Whilst there are plenty of RPG video games out there, playing through an analog game creates a more immersive feeling that can’t be beaten. Not only that but seeing your character grow and develop as the game goes on gives you a real connection and invests you in the characters future more than other games can.

There are plenty of RPG board games out there, each slightly different from each other and it’s difficult to narrow down the best RPG board game. We’ve included five below that are all slightly different and offer a unique experience.

What are the Best RPG Board Games?

There are plenty of RPG board games out there, each slightly different from the other and it’s difficult to narrow down the best, but we’ve included five below that are all slightly different and offer a unique experience.

Heroquest

By: Milton Bradley/Avalon Games     Players: 2-5     Ages: 14+     Time: 90 Minutes

Embark on fantastical quests of epic proportions with this classic dungeon crawler. Take on the role of Barbarian, Dwarf, Elf, or Wizard, and work together to complete quests in perilous dungeons and save the realm from the evil sorcerer Zargon!

Heroquest was created as an alternative to Dungeons and Dragons for the mainstream crowd. Its developers recognized the increasing popularity of D&D in the 80’s and decided to capitalize on it. They did an excellent job and whilst more linear than most TTRPG’s, the game still feels like a robust RPG experience.

Games Workshop collaborated with Milton Bradley in the creation of Heroquest, and their miniatures were originally used in the game, which influenced the development of the Warhammer Quest series.

Players work through over a dozen quests, making their way deeper into a dark, twisting labyrinth to stop an evil sorcerer’s forces. With each game, one player will act as Zargon, the antagonist/dungeon master of the game, and the others will take on one of the heroes. Each quest comes with flavor text that is read to the adventurers at the start of each game, and the map tiles are set out as per the instructions.

Players will only be privy to the layout of the dungeon and will uncover the contents of each room as they enter it. Once set-up, the four heroes will will work together to navigate the dungeon and complete their quest. Heroes can move and perform one of several actions on their turn such as attacking or searching for treasure, traps, or secret doors. They’ll also have a variety of spells at their disposal and may uncover items to assist them on their mission.

After the heroes take their turns, Zargon is free to move his minions and cast spells to try to stop them. If players make it through the pre-written quests, there is an option to create your own dungeon with the resources available. Not only that but with its recent re-release, a wealth of expansions with new quests, dungeons, and monsters are available to play through.

Heroquest is immensely fun and does an excellent job of putting you in the shoes of a hero on an epic journey. What makes it so great is it provides the same type of experience D&D does, but in a bite-size ‘pick up and put down’ way, so that both roleplaying veterans and newbies can enjoy playing through one of the many quests the game offers.

Talisman

By: Fantasy Flight     Players: 2-6     Ages: 13+     Time: 90 minutes

Adventurers embark on a perilous quest to retrieve a powerful treasure. Bravely journey across harsh, unforgiving lands, encounter terrifying monsters, and fend off rivals to gain control of the Crown of Command and Kingship over the realm of Talisman.

Talisman is a game that has gone through several iterations over the years but gameplay has remained mostly the same. Players choose one of the fourteen characters in the base game and move around the game to try and become the first to reach the Crown of Command. Each player’s character is unique in how they’re used and what they excel at, but if you want even more variety, the current 4th edition has a wealth of expansions with extra characters to use.

Each character has strength and craft points that are used for combat as well as life points to keep track of their health. Players will roll dice and move around the board, following the instructions on the space they land on. These spaces all represent a different location and will have instructions consisting of either rolling dice or drawing encounter cards to determine what happens. Dice rolling spaces can be resolved by increasing or decreasing a player’s stats whilst encounter cards can result in players gaining followers, battling monsters, or finding items amongst other things. In addition, each character has an alignment (good, neutral, or evil), and some spaces will help or hinder you depending on your disposition.

Through encounters and battles, players will gradually buff their characters by gaining more stats, finding useful weapons, or gaining powerful followers. As they become stronger, players can try to venture into the inner sections of the board (there’s an outer, middle, and inner region) and take on more perilous challenges. Once a player has found a Talisman card, they can make their way to the Crown of Command in the center and once there, roll dice every round to try and reduce other players’ life points. Once all other players are eliminated, the last one standing is the winner!

Talisman is a simple game to get to grips with and is a lot of fun to play. Trying out each character and building them up throughout the game is enjoyable and with some of the aforementioned expansions not only comes more characters but sections to add on to the gameboard too, which in theory can result in a massive playing space and hours of entertainment. The game features unique mechanics, story-driven campaigns, and diverse character options that enhance the overall gameplay experience.

Mice and Mystics

By: Plaid Hat Games     Players: 1-4     Ages: 7+     Time: 60-90 minutes

The evil Queen Vanestra is attempting to usurp the throne from King Andor. It’s down to Prince Collin and his companions to stop her…as mice! Before confronting the queen, they’ll have to make their way through hoards of spiders, rats, roaches, and every mouse’s worst nightmare, the castle’s housecat, Brodie.

In Mice and Mystics, up to four players will take on the role of one of several humans that have been turned into mice, all with their own roles, abilities, and skills. The game is divided into eleven missions or ‘chapters’ that are all played out through the aid of a storybook. This book gives a prelude and flavor text to each mission in order to help set the scene and create more of an immersive experience. It also dictates how to set up the tiles and enemies at the start of each game, and gives the players objectives. Turn order is determined by an initiative tracker, the order of which will be shuffled at the end of each turn.

On a players turn, they will be able to move and carry out another action, like battle an enemy or search for items. Each board has interactive spaces and stepping on one of these will have an impact, allowing players to add an element of strategy to gameplay. Spaces with water, for example, will affect how a character moves, and if the water has a current then, true to life, the character cannot move against it.

Players start the game with equipment and one ability card, but they’ll be able to find more items throughout missions to make themselves more of a threat to their enemies, and more abilities will be unlocked to make them more powerful. Each mission can be played individually or as part of a long-term campaign, where characters will retain their abilities, items, and stat increases.

Regardless of the mission’s objectives, if all players lose their health or the chapter tracker reaches the end, the players lose the mission.  Once players make their way through the base game there are plenty of expansions to keep gamers coming back for more adventures!

Mice and Mystics is a great game with charming aesthetics and will appeal to all sorts of gamers. Although the theme may make you think it’s more for kids, this is a game that anyone can get into with its simple but challenging gameplay. Mice and Mystics also offers cooperative gameplay and character customization, making it a versatile choice for both solo and group play.

If you are looking for a game for younger players that aren’t quite ready for this one, I also suggest looking at Stuffed Fables, which is one of the best RPG board games for kids.

Mansions of Madness

By: Fantasy Flight Games     Players: 1-5     Ages: 14+     Time: 120-180 minutes

Amidst the eerie backdrop of Arkham, Massachusetts, in the Mansions of Madness, players immerse themselves in the heart of H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos. In this horror RPG board game, which is one of a few cooperative board games on our list, investigators explore dark locales, uncover mysteries, and face terrifying monsters in an effort to thwart eldritch plots.

Each game session is driven by a compelling story, with several scenarios to choose from, providing a unique experience every time you play. The innovative use of a companion app, which seamlessly integrates with the gameplay, guiding players through scenarios while also managing the game’s myriad complexities, such as enemy movements and narrative developments. This blend of traditional board game mechanics with modern technology helps to create an immersive atmosphere that helps players experience the haunted mansion.

Players select from a diverse cast of pre generated characters, each with their own backstory, abilities, and personal objectives. Throughout the game, the investigators gather clues, solve puzzles, and battle creatures from beyond, all the while maintaining their sanity amidst the growing horrors. Success requires strategic planning, cooperation, and a bit of luck provided by the rolling of dice.

Mansions of Madness tests the limits of the investigators’ minds and bodies. With its intricate stories, rich with lore and suspense, it stands as a beacon for those who yearn to venture into the unknown and face the shadows that dwell within. Whether battling unspeakable horrors or unraveling complex mysteries, Mansions of Madness offers a deep, engaging experience for fans of horror and cooperative gameplay alike.

Outer Rim

By: Fantasy Flight Games Players: 1-4 Ages: 14+ Time: 120-180 minutes

In the vast expanse of the Star Wars universe, Outer Rim puts players in the shoes of smugglers, bounty hunters, and mercenaries navigating the fringes of galactic society. Each player starts with a basic ship and a unique character, aiming to make their mark on the galaxy by any means necessary—whether through legal trade, hunting down wanted fugitives, or taking on dangerous missions.

The game unfolds on a modular board representing various infamous locations from the Star Wars universe, each offering different opportunities and dangers. Players must manage their resources, upgrade their ships, and recruit new crew members to aid in their quests for fame and fortune. The dynamic reputation system impacts interactions with factions and characters; becoming too notorious might close doors with certain groups while opening others.

Outer Rim’s narrative-driven gameplay is further enriched by encounter cards that present new challenges and, moral dilemmas, and opportunities for players at different locations. The ultimate goal is to become the most legendary figure in the Outer Rim by amassing fame points, which can be earned in various ways, including completing personal objectives, successful trades, or epic feats.

This game is a light RPG board game, but for fans of Star Wars and strategy board games, it offers an engaging experience filled with tough decisions, thrilling encounters, and the chance to carve out your own story in the seedy side of the Star Wars universe. Whether opting to play solo or with friends, Outer Rim promises countless hours of excitement and stories to tell.

There is no shortage of RPG options in the Star Wars Universe. While this happens to be my favorite, check out the rest of our Star Wars Board Game picks here.

Dungeons and Dragons Adventure System Board Games

By: Wizards of the Coast     Players: 1-5     Ages: 14+     Time: 60 minutes

The Dungeons and Dragons Adventure System Board Games thrust players into the heart of the world’s most famous tabletop RPGs. Each game in the series is classic RPG board game in its own right, sending one to five players on a cooperative adventure, pitting a small band of heroes against a dungeon full of monsters, traps, and treasure. Unlike traditional D&D sessions, these games require no dedicated game master, as the game mechanics themselves guide the story and the flow of play.

Players choose from a selection of heroes, each with unique abilities and stats reflective of the classic D&D character classes. The game unfolds as a series of modular, interlocking tiles that create a unique dungeon layout every time. Players explore these dungeons, encountering enemies, discovering magical items, and fighting monsters.

Each game in the Adventure System series is both a standalone experience and fully compatible with other games in the line. This allows players to mix and match heroes, villains, monsters, and equipment from multiple sets for endless replayability. Popular titles within the series include “Castle Ravenloft”, “Wrath of Ashardalon”, and “The Legend of Drizzt”. These games offer a rich narrative experience, drawing on decades of D&D lore to immerse players in adventures that are epic in scope and detail.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Dungeons and Dragons looking for a new way to experience the world, or a board game enthusiast searching for a deeply engaging cooperative game, the Dungeons and Dragons Adventure System Board Games offer something for everyone.

Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

By: Fantasy Flight Games     Players: 1-5     Ages: 14+     Time: 60-120 minutes

Explore the vast and dynamic world of Middle-Earth in this co-operative adventure game. Embark on perilous quests in looming forests and ancient halls as you battle dark forces and write your own legend with your companions by your side.

Journeys in Middle-Earth puts players in the shoes of famous characters from the LoTR series to undertake various missions. Players can carry out standalone missions or play them as part of a larger campaign and retain their characters stat and ability increases as they progress through more and more missions.

The game is app-assisted and players can use this to help set everything up, from starting items for characters to map tiles and enemy placement. Each round in a game begins with the players’ turn, during which they can perform two actions: travel, attack, or interact. This is followed by a shadow phase where enemies can move and attack.

In addition, a threat bar will periodically fill on the app which can trigger certain events and, if filled completely, will end the game and the heroes fail their adventure. After this, players will then be able to prepare skill cards for the next turn, which they might find will help them significantly in the next round.

These skill cards make up a deck that’s constructed at the beginning of the game based on the hero’s role and will be used throughout the game. Whether players win or lose a campaign they can still start the next adventure, but winning will provide the heroes with greater rewards!

Journeys in Middle-Earth brings together both the familiar and the new. Every fan of LoTR gets to fulfill their fantasy of acting as one of the fellowship or their allies, whilst creating a new enthralling narrative. The app contributes well to the overall gameplay and helps create a more immersive experience.

Gloomhaven

By: Cephalofair     Players: 1-4     Ages: 14+     Time: 60-120 minutes

Explore and plunder menacing dungeons and forgotten ruins whilst working together with other adventurers to discover the world. This is, without question, one of the best RPG board games ever made.

Gloomhaven plays as a huge campaign where players will not only embark on dungeon crawling adventures, but make decisions in between scenarios about what to do during downtime in addition to upgrading their characters. There are six different character classes to choose from from the outset, but 11 more can be unlocked. In addition to the almost 100 scenarios, Gloomhaven is the definition of replay value.  

The scenario book will lay out the tile set-up as well as starting location for each enemy and the win objective. One of the unique elements to Gloomhaven is the combat mechanics. Each class comes with its own set of cards which control player’s movement and allow them to attack and cast spells. Each card has both a top and bottom section and players must choose which they want to use. Once a card has been expended the player can’t use it again so being strategic and working together with other players is important.

As with similar games, in-between missions players can level up their character’s stats and skills, learn new abilities and spells, as well as buy items and equip their characters out for more challenging missions. Not only that but as players get deeper into the campaign the choices they make will affect future scenarios and how they play out.

The big daddy of dungeon-crawling RPGs, Gloomhaven has carved out it’s place over the years as one of the largest and most engaging board games of the modern era. It’s still the highest rated RPG board game on BGG. The size and scope can be intimidating for casual games, and you really need to have a dedicated group to this the most from campaign mode, but it’ll provide dozens of hours of entertainment for those willing to invest their time.

Conclusion: Play an RPG Board Game

The best RPG board games offer players a unique and immersive experience that combines elements of storytelling, strategy, and adventure. With various themes to choose from and complex gameplay mechanics, these great games will provide endless possibilities for exploration and character development. Whether playing solo or with a group of friends, each game offers a different challenge and will keep players coming back for more.

So gather your party and embark on a thrilling adventure in one of these top role-playing board games today! With the increasing popularity of board games, it’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to role-playing board games for a unique gaming experience. With well-crafted storylines, challenging gameplay, and endless possibilities for character development, these games offer something for every type of player. So why not try out one of these top role-playing board games and see for yourself the magic of these storytelling games immersing yourself in a new world?

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