11 Best Religious Board Games Reviewed for 2025
Looking for a religious board game that mixes faith and fun? We’ve got you covered! Our list of the 11 best religious games is handpicked after countless Saturday nights, laughter, and, admittedly, a few debates over the rules. We focus on games that not only tell engaging stories but also encourage teamwork and strategy. Whether you’re building grand structures, solving ancient mysteries, or managing a medieval abbey, these games offer something for everyone. So, grab your friends, set out the board, and let’s embark on a spiritual journey through play!
On this list:
11 Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Ever wanted to fight cosmic horrors while keeping your wits intact? This game throws players into a dark world inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s tales. It’s cooperative, so if you mess up, everyone feels the pain together. We once spent an entire night shouting at the elder gods for ruining our plans. It’s a religious experience, pun intended, facing off against madness-inducing entities. Plus, plenty of expansions keep the terror fresh. But be warned: it’s addictive!
10 The Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done
This game offers a strategic journey as players become knights during the Crusades. We all got to feel like medieval warriors for a day. There’s more strategy here than you can shake a sword at. Balancing conquering lands and increasing influence provides an engaging twist. It’s like chess, but with better stories and a religious twist. While playing, Tommy claimed he could feel the holy calling (he couldn’t).
9 Monasterium
Picture this: managing a monastery in the Middle Ages, striving for power in a holy and peaceful way. We became monks for a day, competing to build the most influential monastery. As we played, we realized it’s much harder to live a religious life than we thought. You have to manage resources and monks, which is surprisingly fun, and no vow of silence required!
8 The Pillars of the Earth
Based on Ken Follett’s novel, this game transports players to 12th-century England. It’s all about building a cathedral, so if you’ve ever felt the need to be an architect of faith, this one’s for you. While playing with friends, we found ourselves caught up in the medieval world. It’s a blend of history, strategy, and religious motifs that makes for a captivating game night.
7 Chronicles of Crime: 1400
Imagine being a detective in medieval Paris, solving crimes with your trusty hound by your side. This game combines mystery with religious undertones. We played it like Sherlock Holmes in the Dark Ages. With its immersive storytelling, it’s like a history lesson by way of a murder mystery. Even Jason, who usually hates detective stuff, couldn’t stop sniffing out clues.
6 Fresco
Ever dreamt of restoring Renaissance frescoes? This game lets players become artists, vying to complete a grand cathedral’s ceiling. We tried to unleash our inner Da Vincis, with varying degrees of success. Mixing colors and managing artists was more challenging than anticipated. It’s a delightful puzzle with a religious setting that even made my usually color-blind friend appreciate art.
5 Gloomhaven
A cooperative, campaign-style game that feels like Dungeons & Dragons on steroids. We plunged into a world where religious factions vie for control, and boy, was it immersive! The storytelling is top-notch, and every choice matters. It’s a touching mix of fantasy and religious intrigue that kept us hooked for weeks. The only downside? It’s heavy and has more pieces than a jigsaw puzzle.
4 Ark Nova
In this game, players build modern zoos, weaving conservation projects with global awareness. The religious aspect comes from our duty to protect God’s creatures. At least, that’s what we told ourselves when struggling with the ethics of building the perfect zoo. The game provides fantastic opportunities for strategy while reminding us about the world’s beauty and fragility. It’s a fun combo of competitive and educational!
3 Notre Dame
Travel back to 14th century Paris and influence the fate of the famed cathedral! This game is all about managing resources and trying to fend off the plague. We found ourselves deeply engrossed in the religious and historical elements. By the end, we were more focused on building than on anything else. It has a great mix of strategy and historical intrigue that’s hard to beat.
2 Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar
For those who worship strategy and planning, this game is a treat. Players navigate the Mayan calendar, balancing religion, farming, and technology. It has gears—actual gears—that rotate actions. We couldn’t stop playing and constantly argued over the best strategy. It’s not as religiously themed as others, but the ancient Mayan elements add a spiritual twist. The innovation and design make it a standout game.
1 Terra Mystica
Take on the role of a faction and expand your territory in a mystical land. This game uniquely ties religion to each faction’s ability to terraform. We spent hours figuring out which factions and religious paths matched our personalities. It’s captivatingly complex and makes every round feel like a chess match with friends. The blend of religion, magic, and strategy is simply magical!
0 The King’s Abbey
Crowned as the best on our list, this board game combines strategy and medieval fantasy. Players build abbeys, recruit monks, and fend off Vikings, blending religion with gripping mechanics. We were enthralled by the depth and challenge. If you’re a stickler for strategy with a religious edge, this is for you. Plus, the theme and gameplay never tire. It captivated our group more than any other!
