13 Best Adventure Board Games to Play in 2026
Looking for wild adventure at your table? These top picks promise epic quests, danger, and laughter with every roll and turn.
13 Best Adventure Board Games for Epic Journeys
There’s nothing like the thrill of adventure when you gather friends around a table. Our group has braved haunted mansions, cursed islands, ancient ruins, and some very grumpy eldritch monsters—all in the name of finding the best adventure board games out there. We picked games that bring big stories, clever challenges, and plenty of wow moments for both new and seasoned players. Whether you crave fantasy, danger, or teamwork, every game on this list tosses you into a brand-new adventure. Get your snacks ready, it’s going to get wild!
On this list:
13 Gloomhaven
Our first adventure pick, Gloomhaven, is so epic that we still have sore backs from our last session. This is a massive adventure campaign stuffed with choices, monsters, and maps. Every game night, we discover new storylines and get super invested in our mercenaries (we may have shed a tear or two). The card-based combat takes some learning, but once you get past that, it hooks you. If you crave deep adventure and enjoy leveling up, Gloomhaven throws you into a world you won’t want to leave. Just warn your friends: one setup takes longer than assembling Ikea furniture.
12 T.I.M.E Stories
T.I.M.E Stories lets us play time-traveling agents trying to prevent disasters. Every session feels like starring in our own adventure movie, except there’s more dice and less Tom Cruise. The puzzles and mysteries keep our brains toasty. We love how each scenario changes the game and offers fresh adventure each time. Just don’t expect to win on your first go—our group spent a whole night arguing who had the best theory. If you enjoy stories and solving clues, this is a wild ride!
11 Lost Ruins of Arnak
Lost Ruins of Arnak sends us to a mysterious island for an adventure brimming with discovery. This one mashes up deck-building and worker placement, so every decision feels crucial. We got hooked after the first game, even though we spent half the time arguing about whether to explore ruins or grab artifacts. The artwork is stunning, and the adventure flavor makes us want to don our best Indiana Jones hats. If you like exploring the unknown, this game delivers thrills and tense moments every round.
10 Destinies
Destinies is an adventure game driven by a fancy app. We love the way it feels like a full-on RPG experience without any complicated rulebooks. Each player’s on a personal quest, and the game is packed with story twists we never see coming. Our adventure group got so into it, we almost missed dinner because someone just had to see what happened next. If you want an adventure game that mixes story, choices, and a bit of mystery, give Destinies a shot.
9 Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
This adventure classic throws us onto a deserted island. We work together, get rained on (in-game, mostly), and try not to get eaten by wild beasts. Every game tells a different survival story; sometimes we build a sturdy shelter, other times we argue about where we hid the extra wood tokens. Cooperation is key, or the island will chew you up and spit you out. We love the endless adventure situations the game throws at us—no two playthroughs are the same.
8 Sleeping Gods
Sleeping Gods whisks us away on an adventure across a mysterious sea. The game’s open-world design has us exploring islands, fighting monsters, and making choices with real consequences. Our crew gets attached to our ship (and each other), and we always want to play ‘just one more day.’ The adventure storybooks make the world feel alive. If you love the idea of setting sail and discovering new places, Sleeping Gods is a grand adventure worth the journey.
7 Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
We recommend Mansions of Madness for those who like their adventure a bit spooky. The app-driven gameplay means the mysteries (and jump scares) hit us hard. We explore haunted houses, solve weird puzzles, and sometimes get chased by things that go bump in the night. It’s one of the best adventure games for a group that loves horror, stories, and finding clues. Just try not to spill your drink when a monster pops out.
6 Stuffed Fables
Stuffed Fables is an adventure for all ages, where you play as brave stuffed animals saving a child from nightmares. The storybook board system keeps our turns fast and the adventure rolling. Even the grumpiest adult in our group got caught up in the cute, brave battles. There’s charm packed into every corner, and the stories are sweet without being sappy. If you have kids or just young souls in your crew, this adventure is pure fun.
5 Legends of Andor
We never thought defending a fantasy kingdom would be so full of adventure and panic. Legends of Andor has us strategizing, fighting monsters, and trying not to mess up the story quests. It’s a great adventure game for new players, with clever co-op play and simple rules. Each legend brings fresh surprises and a real sense of teamwork. Sometimes we win, sometimes the monsters stomp us, but we always have fun.
4 Forbidden Island
We picked Forbidden Island because it’s one of the best adventure games for beginners. Our team scrambles around a sinking island grabbing treasures and yelling ‘swim faster!’ It’s easy to learn and quick to play, but luck and teamwork matter. We love how every game keeps us on our toes. Plus, the thrill of grabbing the last treasure before sinking never gets old. Perfect for families and new adventure fans.
3 Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Arkham Horror: The Card Game drops us into dark, pulpy adventure in the city of Arkham. Every session, we work together to solve mysteries and fight evil. The narrative campaigns are gripping—sometimes we spend more time chatting about what could happen than playing cards! If you want an adventure game with tense stories and endless replay value, this is a solid choice. It works best if your group likes story and doesn’t mind a tough challenge.
2 The 7th Continent
The 7th Continent is for the true adventure fan. We spent hours exploring a wild new land, flipping cards to reveal secrets, and shouting at the table when things went wrong. Every choice matters, and the sheer amount of adventure packed into the box is mind-blowing. If you like wandering, discovering, and probably dying in a swamp, this game fits the bill. It’s a bit tough for new players, but offers endless discoveries.
1 Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
After dozens of adventure board games, we all agree that Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 sits at the top. Why? Every game is a unique chapter in an epic adventure where the world changes based on our actions. We trashed cards, scribbled on the board, and once cried when we lost a city. It has the thrill, tension, and teamwork we crave in an adventure game. We never knew a board game could create so many OMG moments. For first-timers and veterans, it’s the adventure experience you’ll never forget.
