13 Best Role Playing Board Games of 2025
Discover magical worlds and epic quests with these 13 best role playing board games. Perfect fun for new adventurers!
Discovering the perfect role playing board game is like hunting for hidden treasure. Our list of 13 games focuses on thrilling adventures, immersive storytelling, and epic battles. We consider games that offer balance between strategy and fun. Our picks make sure both newcomers and seasoned players have a blast. Whether you’re exploring haunted mansions or battling monsters in distant galaxies, these games promise unforgettable experiences. So gather your friends, roll the dice, and get ready to embark on adventures with the best role playing board games we’ve handpicked just for you!
On this list:
- Gloomhaven
- Betrayal at House on the Hill
- Descent: Journeys in the Dark
- Mansions of Madness
- Arkham Horror: The Card Game
- Nemesis
- Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
- Star Wars: Imperial Assault
- T.I.M.E Stories
- Zombicide
- Kingdom Death: Monster
- Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
13 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven brings the epic scale of role playing games to your table. The game is packed with scenarios and a story that keeps you hooked. You play as mercenaries exploring and dealing with the threats lurking in Gloomhaven. With its deep strategy and engaging play, it feels like pen-and-paper role playing without needing a dungeon master. And, let’s not forget the crazy heavy box. If you’re a role-playing fan, this game’s a must for you. Even though learning it is like trying to teach your cat new tricks, it is a rewarding experience.
12 Betrayal at House on the Hill
Betrayal at House on the Hill is something we got hooked on. It’s a game that thrives on chaos, just like my family dinners. You explore a haunted house, unveiling new rooms while ominous events unfold. Best part? The traitor mechanic, keeping everyone on their toes. One minute, you’re pals, and the next, someone’s not. Role playing takes center stage as players switch gears when the haunt begins. We love it for its replay value and all the nutty stories that come out of it. It’s all about that unexpected backstabbing plot twist!
11 Descent: Journeys in the Dark
Descent: Journeys in the Dark is a go-to for fantasy role playing. You get to slash through enemies and complete quests in a modular board setting. It’s like someone put a Tolkien novel in a board game. Players take on hero roles, while another is the menacing overlord. Team work and strategy shine as you chat and plan taking down baddies. We found this one particularly satisfying for its detailed miniatures and engaging story arcs. However, don’t trip over the hefty rulebook, it’s a monster on its own.
10 Mansions of Madness
Mansions of Madness is like a love letter to the Lovecraft universe, with all that spooky stuff we adore. The app-driven gameplay and the creepy narratives keep you glued to the table. You and your friends become investigators in a dice-chucking, puzzle-solving crazy house. The app does all the hard work so you can focus on role playing and losing your mind, literally. We think the digital integration is fantastic and it’s great for those who like stories with a side of shivers.
9 Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Arkham Horror: The Card Game proves that good things come in small packages. Despite its tiny size, it’s jam-packed with role playing and rich storytelling. You take on roles of investigators in a living card game where your decisions change each playthrough. The game gets into your head and has players on edge. Customizing decks and exploring scenarios makes for an addictive experience. We’ve enjoyed it because it’s easily expandable and each play feels unique. Just remember, it gets as spooky as the name implies.
8 Nemesis
Nemesis is an alien-tastic adventure in space that got our group thrilled beyond belief. One minute, you’re exploring, the next you’re running from alien intruders. It’s like Ridley Scott dropped by for a round of board gaming. Players take on different character roles with personal objectives, and sometimes, they’re not so friendly. The role playing tension it brings fuels a mix of cooperation and suspicion. We love its cinematic feel and the stories that naturally unfold in-game. Just don’t forget your oxygen tank, space is lethal.
7 Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon
Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon is a streamlined introduction into the world of D&D. Forget the need for a dungeon master; this game does the hard work for you. It features cooperative role playing with dungeon-crawling and monster bashing fun. The scenarios and character roles let you step into a fantasy world with ease. We dig the ease of setup and the fact that it brings all the fantasy without any stress of planning. It’s D&D lite but still as engaging for anyone who loves adventure.
6 Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game turns you into a Sherlock Holmes of the digital age. Instead of roaming fog-laden streets, you’re on Google and a database, cracking cases. The role playing factor is strong as players take on investigator roles and work through cases together. The modern twist is refreshing, and it’s true crime junkie’s dream come true. We found the fun lies in piecing together clues and having those ‘Ah-ha!’ moments. Just have a coffee on hand; you’re gonna need the energy to bust the case.
5 Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Star Wars: Imperial Assault is a galaxy far, far away in a box. The campaign mode lets you role play as iconic Rebel heroes or plot as the Empire. It’s packed with miniatures and missions that are as epic as the movies. Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, the gameplay draws you in with tactical combat and strategic planning. We love that it’s expandable, and battles feel like playing out our very own space opera. Just remember, the Force might not always be with you.
4 T.I.M.E Stories
T.I.M.E Stories is the groundhog day of board games, minus Bill Murray. You time travel into past events with missions to complete. Fail, and you’re looped back to try again. Each player takes on new characters with unique abilities, so role playing is key here. We found the storytelling is done brilliantly and keeps everyone guessing what comes next. Its replay value is huge despite knowing the mystery — different strategies offer more fun. Just try not to make the same mistakes twice.
3 Zombicide
Zombicide brings role playing to life, or, unlife, rather. You’re battling zombies in a cooperative board game where everyone gets a shot at heroic glory. We love that it’s easy to learn and full of action with characters leveling up and wielding the coolest gear. Faster playtime means more games in a night, but watch out, zombies are relentless! It’s a great option for players who want role playing fun without loads of rules to digest. Time to gear up and take down some walkers!
2 Kingdom Death: Monster
Kingdom Death: Monster is not for the faint-hearted. The dark role playing theme is as intense as its gameplay. Monster hunting, settlement building, and character development are at its core. The stories told during its campaign create memories, good or bad. We have spent hours customizing our characters and strategizing for upcoming battles. It’s challenging, and that makes achieving victories oh-so-sweet. The downside? This game can empty your wallet faster than a trip to Vegas. Be ready for a grand, epic journey that will test you at every turn.
1 Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 is what happens when a classic game gets a role-playing makeover. Players act as specialists fighting global outbreaks that evolve over a startling campaign. Decisions from previous games carry over to create a unique adventure. We all played this one like it was the last epidemic, strategizing and sweating bullets. The ongoing storyline makes role playing feel impactful. It’s number one because its narrative depth and emotional connection redefine the classic board gaming experience. Just remember not to spread any spoilers.
