8 Best Religious Board Games to Play in 2026
Looking for the best religious board games? We picked our favorites that offer faith, history, and plenty of laughs with friends.
Finding religious board games can feel like hunting for a holy grail—turns out, there’s more out there than monks and stained glass! For this list, we focused on games with great play, clear religious themes (real or slightly twisted), and rules that won’t send new players running for confession. Whether you want to brew ale with monks, stop a cult, or see ancient gods in action, we’ve found a little something for all board game believers. These picks offer engaging ways to explore religious stories, beliefs, and a whole lot of fun at your game night. Amen to that!
On this list:
8 Heaven & Ale
We picked Heaven & Ale because it blends religious themes with strategic resource management. You run a monastery brewery, juggling prayers and hops. It shines if you like Ark Nova’s thinky choices without the zoo animals. Plus, it gives us monk-robes envy.
7 The Acts
We played The Acts and felt like apostles on a board. This religious-themed game puts players right into the early days of Christianity, spreading the word and performing miracles. It’s all about area control, spreading influence, and just a bit of luck. It didn’t hurt that one of us kept accidentally calling Peter ‘Paul’ and causing fits of laughter. If you want a game that mixes history, strategy, and some good old-fashioned biblical hijinks, The Acts is a fun and educational ride. Plus, it teaches without being preachy—so don’t worry, you won’t need a sermon after!
6 Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu
Yes, it’s a Cthulhu game. But hear us out! The cultists, ancient gods, and rituals add a strong ‘religious’ twist. When we played, it was a mad race to stop doomsday cults from summoning unspeakable evil. Every turn brought panic and banter about which dark god would eat us first (spoiler: it was usually all of us!). If you want a wild, cooperative experience with a sinister religious undertone, this one fits the bill and will have you praying for good dice rolls.
5 Francis Drake
Francis Drake sneaks in a religious flair, with the Spanish Inquisition lurking around and holy relics to collect. Our group had a blast bluffing, collecting loot, and running from angry monks. The historical flavor was so rich, one friend started talking in pirate speak (badly). There’s enough depth for seasoned gamers and simple enough for newbies. It’s a treasure hunt with a holy twist—don’t be surprised if your friends start arguing over who gets the last relic.
4 Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar
Tzolk’in is famous for its giant spinning gears, but its core is deeply religious. The Mayan theme had us making sacrifices to gods (sometimes goats, sometimes corn, sometimes just our pride). The sense of timing is wild—if you mess up your offering, the gods will not be pleased. We loved how the religious aspect isn’t just window dressing; it changes how you play and win. It makes ancient rituals fun, which we never thought we’d say.
3 Glen More II: Chronicles – Highland Games
We went Scottish for a night with Glen More II, and the religious undertones were clear in the clan system and holy sites. The Chronicles version adds more relics and ancient sites to fight over, making our table full of heated debates about who owned the best monastery. The tile-laying and resource management twist kept us hooked all night. Its roots in history and religion make it a perfect pick if you like your strategy games with a side order of old rituals.
2 The Grizzled: Armistice Edition
Not your typical religious game, The Grizzled digs deep into themes of hope and faith during war. We tried to survive the horrors of World War I, with moments that felt almost spiritual when we depended on each other. It doesn’t hit you over the head with religious symbols, but you feel the importance of faith, brotherhood, and sacrifice. Plus, it’s tough as nails, but we kept coming back for one more go. Great for groups who want to experience meaning beyond just victory points.
1 Notre Dame
Notre Dame tops our list as the absolute best religious board game. Every session, we felt like we were shaping medieval Paris and protecting the famous cathedral. The game blends area control with tough choices about resource use and city health. The religious theme isn’t just painted on; from the cathedral’s looming presence to the struggle against the plague, every bit of gameplay feels true to the period. Plus, our group loved yelling ‘protect the bells!’ when rats showed up. It’s tense, clever, and truly makes you feel part of a bigger, spiritual world. For new players wanting the best religious board game, Notre Dame is an easy pick: fun, smart, and dripping with theme.
