11 Best Adventure Board Games to Play in 2025
Unleash your inner explorer with adventure board games that promise thrills, teamwork, and unforgettable quests with friends.
Ah, the call of adventure! It’s what every board gamer yearns for. Whether you’re exploring cursed islands or battling mythical beasts, adventure board games let you live out thrilling tales without leaving your living room. We focus on games that captivate the imagination, challenge your wits, and, most importantly, bring fun to the table. Our top picks offer nail-biting suspense and epic journeys. Gather your friends, pack your courage, and embark on these unforgettable adventures. Just beware: once you start, you might never want to return to the real world. Who needs reality, anyway?
On this list:
11 Forbidden Island
In ‘Forbidden Island’, you’re tasked with capturing four treasures and escaping the island before it sinks. The twist? The island sinks tile by tile, upping the adventure stakes! It’s a great cooperative game with dynamic play. Despite some early confusion over the rulebook, the adrenaline rush from racing against time was worth the sweat!
10 Eldritch Horror
For Lovecraft fans, ‘Eldritch Horror’ delivers an adventure through a world on the brink of collapse. It’s all about strategies and mysterious encounters. A session with friends landed us in absurd situations, making it memorable. But be warned! The rules can initially feel like a cryptic spell.
9 Gloomhaven
‘Gloomhaven’ isn’t just a board game, it’s a commitment! With a whopping 95 scenarios, this game offers an adventure with depth and complexity. The tactical combat and storyline keep us on our toes. If you thrive on long campaigns and evolving characters, this is your new obsession, but clear your calendar!
8 Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
‘Pandemic Legacy: Season 1’ reinvents itself every time you play. The world teeters on the edge of a viral outbreak, and players feel the weight of every decision. The evolving narrative left us in shock and awe, and it keeps friendships on their toes. Just don’t play during an actual pandemic!
7 Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
In ‘Mansions of Madness’, players explore haunted locales full of hidden clues and wicked monsters. The app integration adds a modern twist to the classic horror adventure. Getting lost in a creepy mansion with friends was surprisingly exciting, though you may lose a few nights of sleep!
6 Descent: Journeys in the Dark
‘Descent’ is a dungeon crawl that challenges players with tactical adventures steeped in fantasy lore. Each session is a new quest, which meant our game nights were never the same. If you love strategizing and don’t mind a learning curve, you’re in for a treat!
5 Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
For those who fancy survival tales spiced with adventure, ‘Robinson Crusoe’ is a no-brainer. This cooperative game demands strategy as players tackle the many challenges of a cursed island. Surviving with friends was exhilarating, even if some of them decided to eat all the bananas!
4 T.I.M.E Stories
‘T.I.M.E Stories’ whisked us away on a mind-bending adventure through time. This cooperative game combines puzzles and narrative-rich play with a unique blend of urgency and strategy. Manipulating time isn’t as easy as it sounds, but that’s what makes it an adventure worth having!
3 Kingsburg
In ‘Kingsburg’, players build a prosperous province for their king. The adventure lies in the dice-rolling and strategic planning. With friends, it turned into a cheerful rivalry as we bribed advisors for resources. Luck and strategy blend superbly, making each session a different story.
2 Claustrophobia
‘Claustrophobia’ pits heroes against demons in dark tunnels. Simple, fast-paced, and heavily tactical, it’s a great game to dive into with friends who love intense duels and tactical maneuvers. The pressure ramps up quickly, and every move counts. A thrilling and intense adventure for two!
1 The 7th Continent
Our top pick, ‘The 7th Continent’, captivates with its choose-your-own-adventure style. It’s an epic solo or cooperative experience where each decision crafts a unique survival tale. The sprawling world, combined with a rich storyline, makes it truly stand out. We spent hours exploring and still haven’t uncovered all its secrets. If you’re seeking the ultimate adventure in a board game, this is it.
