15 Best Fantasy Board Games for 2025: Epic Reviews
Looking for the best fantasy board games? We picked our favorites for epic adventures, brave heroes, and magical moments at your table.
Grab your wizard hats—or, if you’re like us, a towel for emergency Cheeto dust removal—because we’re about to go on a fantasy board game quest! When picking the best fantasy board games, we looked for games that had awesome stories, easy-to-learn rules, and epic moments that keep people talking. Whether you like dragons, wizards, or sneaking past orcs, there’s something for every fantasy fan here. We even considered how well each game works for new players and groups, so you’ll find something fun whether you’re a total beginner or just want to escape to a magical world for the night.
On this list:
- Small World
- Mice and Mystics
- Lords of Waterdeep
- Gloomhaven
- Descent: Legends of the Dark
- Talisman: The Magical Quest Game
- Clank!: Legacy – Acquisitions Incorporated
- The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
- Dungeons & Dragons: Castle Ravenloft Board Game
- Kingdom Death: Monster
- Stuffed Fables
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
- Aeon’s End
- Legends of Andor
- Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
15 Small World
We always laugh ourselves silly with Small World. This fantasy board game is perfect if you like squabbling over territory and picking up oddball powers. Things get wild when the forest elves turn into flying rats (we swear it makes sense in game). It’s easy to learn, which is great for newbies, yet has enough choices to keep us on our toes. We like the bright art too—it’s almost like playing in an animated movie. If you want a fantasy board game where you can annoy your friends and still sort of stay friends, this is a winner!
14 Mice and Mystics
Mice and Mystics is the closest we’ve come to starring in a real fantasy story. We get to be mice on a quest, sneaking past cats and spiders, which is as chaotic as it sounds. The game comes with a bunch of cool miniatures (including a cheese token that looks delicious enough to eat—don’t, we tried). It’s perfect for a family night or if you want to feel like the hero in a bedtime story. The rules are welcoming for new players, and if you’re into fantasy adventures, you’ll love the twisty narrative.
13 Lords of Waterdeep
We fight over who gets to play as the masked Lord every time we play. Lords of Waterdeep is a fantasy board game in disguise—it’s actually about managing a bunch of sneaky adventurers doing your dirty work. You send them on quests, collect cubes, and betray your friends at just the right moment. It’s easy to teach and quick to play, even when you’re all new to gaming. We always end up plotting against each other, which is what fantasy is all about, right?
12 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is the granddaddy of fantasy board games. The box weighs a ton, but that’s because it’s jam-packed with stuff. We’ve spent more weekends questing in Gloomhaven than we care to admit. The fantasy setting is rich, with loads of scenarios and secrets to find. It’s a campaign game, so you’ll want a dedicated group, but trust us, it’s worth it. Every session feels like a new adventure. Just give yourself plenty of table space—and maybe a snack or two, since play time can get epic.
11 Descent: Legends of the Dark
We felt like true dungeoneers with Descent: Legends of the Dark. This fantasy board game mixes physical pieces (big chunky doors!) with a slick app, giving us a unique adventure every time. The boss fights get tense and we always cheer or groan at the app’s surprises. New players can jump in thanks to helpful tutorials, and the story keeps everyone glued to the table. It’s a fresh twist on old-school dungeon crawling, and we keep coming back for more.
10 Talisman: The Magical Quest Game
Talisman is pure old-school fantasy fun. We love the unpredictability—one minute you’re strong, the next you’re turned into a toad (it’s a running joke in our group). The game is simple, but it’s all about the wild stories that pop up as you wander the board. Perfect for new players who want something classic and silly. It’s not the deepest game, but for a laid-back fantasy night, it’s one of our go-tos.
9 Clank!: Legacy – Acquisitions Incorporated
This is fantasy with a twist—and a lot of laughs. We love Clank! Legacy because it’s not just dungeon crawling, it’s building your own ridiculous company and getting into trouble. Every game feels totally different, and the story is just the right kind of silly. Perfect for players who want fantasy without taking things too seriously. The mix of deck-building and adventure keeps us hooked, and every time someone triggers the ‘clank’, we all groan in fear.
8 The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
We get to be true fantasy heroes in this board game. Journeys in Middle-earth brings Tolkien’s world to life, mixing app-driven mysteries with chunky cards and miniatures. We love solving the app’s puzzles and watching the story unfold. It’s a great bridge between epic fantasy and modern board gaming, and perfect for groups who want a blend of brains and brawn. Plus, you can say, ‘You shall not pass!’ at least once per session.
7 Dungeons & Dragons: Castle Ravenloft Board Game
Castle Ravenloft is our go-to fantasy game for spooky, bite-sized dungeon actions. It keeps all the core D&D fun without the hours-long commitment. With each session, someone always screams at the plastic skeletons (not saying who). The rules don’t require a dungeon master, so everyone can jump in. It’s great for both seasoned dungeon crawlers and newbies, and you get a lot of tense moments in a short time. Just watch out for those skeletons.
6 Kingdom Death: Monster
Kingdom Death: Monster is not for the faint-hearted. We played a few sessions and spent half the time crying and laughing at our bad luck. The fantasy is grim, the monsters are wild, and the stories that come out of this game are unforgettable. It’s not easy, but if your group wants a challenge and fantasy horror, this is for you. The miniatures are jaw-dropping, and every game feels epic. Just be ready for heartbreak—and maybe a victory or two.
5 Stuffed Fables
Stuffed Fables is the most wholesome fantasy board game we’ve played. You play as stuffed animals trying to save a little girl from bad dreams. We love the storybook board, and the game feels like reading a bedtime story out loud. It’s the right mix of adventure and fantasy, and new players can jump in fast. Great for families or adults who secretly want to be brave teddy bears. We may or may not have teared up once. Or twice.
4 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
We got swept up in the magic of Hogwarts Battle. This fantasy deck-builder lets you team up to defend the wizarding world, and it just gets harder and harder as you go. Even new players get the hang of it fast—though some of us nearly broke out the wands. The campaign feel keeps things fresh, and it’s one of the best games for introducing fantasy to friends who just watched the movies. Expect a lot of yelling when Bellatrix appears.
3 Aeon’s End
Aeon’s End is what happens when fantasy meets pure panic. We love how the deck-building makes every round tense, and the fantasy setting is packed with monsters and magic. There’s no shuffling between turns, which sounds small, but it makes the game zip along. New players pick it up quick, and every boss fight feels like a movie climax. We’re pretty sure we’ve yelled ‘not the Void Hound!’ more times than we can count.
2 Legends of Andor
We always feel like true fantasy legends in Andor. The game is about teamwork, and we’re constantly scrambling to finish quests while monsters storm the castle. The rules adapt as you play, which helps new players find their footing. Our favorite part? Telling the story together, and then arguing about who saved the kingdom. It feels heroic, and even losing is fun if you’re in the right company. If you love fantasy teamwork, you’ll love this classic.
1 Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
We crown Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion as the top fantasy board game for new players. It packs all the adventure and depth of big Gloomhaven, but comes with easy-to-learn rules and a shorter campaign. The fantasy world sucks you in, and you’ll find yourselves cheering for every close call. We love how the story builds up and how each hero feels unique. It’s the best starting point for anyone who wants to try a big fantasy adventure without needing a forklift for the box.
