Table of Contents
Role-playing games (RPGs) have been popular for decades because they give players a fun and engaging experience. But not everyone has the time or the desire to commit to long-term projects with dedicated gaming groups. There is an answer, though, and it comes in the form of RPG board games. These games offer the same immersive experience in a more compact format, all packed neatly into a single box. To help you find the Best RPG Board Games, we’ve put together a list of the best ones, taking into account things like player age, interest in the theme, and level of difficulty. Our list is based on both trustworthy online sources and customer reviews, so you can be sure you’re getting good advice on your search for the best RPG board game.
We’ll start off with a table that makes it easy to compare the different parts of different RPG board games. After that, we’ll look at 6 full product reviews, each of which will have a detailed description, a list of the game’s most important features, and a list of its pros and cons. The first part of our buying advice is an overview of tabletop RPG games that will help you understand the genre well. Also, we’ll talk about the most important things you should think about before making a purchase, and there will be a short FAQ part to answer any other questions. To wrap everything up, we’ll rank our top three RPG board games, giving you a quick rundown of the best of the best.
Best RPG Board Games Comparison Table
| Product | Theme | Player Count | Cooperative Play | Deck-Building | Miniatures | Fantasy Setting | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloomhaven | Fantasy Adventure | 1-4 players | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Download Now |
| Mage Knight | Fantasy Adventure | 1-4 players | No | No | Yes | Yes | Download Now |
| D&D Adventure System | Fantasy Adventure | 1-5 players | Yes | No | No | Yes | Download Now |
| Sword & Sorcery | Fantasy Adventure | 1-5 players | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Download Now |
| Star Wars: Imperial Assault | Sci-Fi | 2-5 players | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Download Now |
| Pathfinder Adventure Card Game | Fantasy Adventure | 1-4 players | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Download Now |
Gloomhaven
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Immersive Storytelling | Rich and engaging narrative that unfolds over multiple quests |
| Tactical Gameplay | Deep strategic decision-making in turn-based combat |
| Character Progression | Customizable characters with unique abilities and upgrades |
| Cooperative Experience | Play with friends in a cooperative campaign |
| Branching Campaign Paths | Choose your own adventure with multiple story paths |
Gloomhaven has been out for years, but it’s still at the top of BoardGameGeek’s lists because it’s so damn good. The famously huge box has a scenario book with 95 different situations, 17 character classes, and over 30 monsters, not including bosses.
One to four people make their own characters, build their own decks of skills, and buy gear. Between scenarios, players draw from event decks to make decisions that can give them benefits, drawbacks, or open new content, such as new characters and scenarios.
The Good
- Immersive setting and in-depth story
- Characters grow and change in interesting ways.
- Gameplay that is both challenging and strategic. Huge replayability with a lot of different scenarios and material.
The Bad
- New players have to learn a lot.
- Large box size and setup time may be too much.
Mage Knight
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck-Building | Create a unique deck of cards to utilize in strategic gameplay |
| Exploration | Discover new lands, cities, and dungeons as you explore the game world |
| RPG Elements | Develop your character’s skills, abilities, and reputation |
| Solo or Cooperative Play | Enjoy the game as a solo adventure or play cooperatively with friends |
| Multiple Paths to Victory | Various strategies and approaches to win the game |
Most RPG-like board games have dungeon crawls as their main feature, but Mage Knight laughs at the idea of going into a single dungeon. In a single epic game that often lasts longer than many board RPG sessions, the spell-slinging heroes of the players have to travel across a whole overworld full of towns, dungeons, and monsters.
Like Gloomhaven, Mage Knight is better at playing cards than rolling dice. It’s a deck-building game where new magic and abilities are added to a growing list of cards. Skills and hired mercenaries are useful extras. A single game takes place over several days and nights, so players can use each turn to explore, hire, and fight as much as possible.
The Good
- Deck-building, exploration, and RPG features all come together in a unique way.
- Offers a lot of strategy choices and different ways to win.
- Fantasy world that is full and interesting
- You can play alone or with others.
- Powers that change for each person and character growth that can be tweaked
The Bad
- Rules that are hard to learn and follow
- Playing time is long, especially for bigger events.
- needs careful planning and control of resources
D&D Adventure System
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Based on D&D RPG | Experience the iconic Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game |
| Cooperative Adventures | Engage in exciting cooperative adventures with friends |
| Easy to Learn | Accessible for newcomers to the hobby with simple rules |
| Customizable Characters | Create and develop unique characters with various abilities |
| Creative Storytelling | Provides a platform for imaginative gameplay and storytelling |
The D&D Adventure System is a set of Dungeons & Dragons-themed multiplayer board games. They are made to be played by one to five people, and each one has a different story campaign with its own obstacles and situations.
The Adventure System games are easy to learn, but they also have a lot of depth. This makes them a great choice for both new and experienced RPG players who want a quick and easy game. This is one of the Best RPG Board Games.
The Good
- Based on the famous role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, it has a range of cooperative adventures with different themes.
- This sport is easy to learn and easy to get into.
- Characters and storylines that can be changed
- Offers a place to tell stories and play games in creative ways.
The Bad
- Few ways for experienced players to play again
- depends a lot on dice rolls, which can cause luck to change.
- Some parts, like models or extra dice, may need to be bought separately.
Sword & Sorcery
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Action-Packed Gameplay | Engage in thrilling combat and intense encounters |
| Cooperative Adventure | Embark on epic quests with friends in a cooperative campaign |
| Hero Development | Customize and enhance your heroes’ abilities and equipment |
| Dynamic Enemy AI | Face challenging enemies controlled by an intelligent AI system |
| Fantasy Setting | Immerse yourself in a rich and detailed fantasy world |
The role-playing game Sword & Sorcery takes place in a realm of high fantasy and features cooperative gameplay. Players step into the shoes of valiant warriors who are tasked with defending their realm from the clutches of a malevolent force. This is one of the Best RPG Board Games.
The game utilizes a one-of-a-kind AI algorithm for its foes, which guarantees that each and every game is different. Because it also features a lengthy campaign with multiple possible outcomes, it is an excellent option for players looking for a narrative that is both complex and emotionally engaging.
The Good
- Gameplay that is full of action and fun
- Cooperative trips to play with other people
- Customizable hero growth and development
- The tactical gaming is made better by AI that is hard to beat.
- Immersive and detailed fantasy setting
The Bad
- Can be confusing for people who have never played a complicated board game.
- It can take a long time to set up and take down.
- Expansions and extra content may need to be bought separately.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Star Wars Universe | Experience the iconic Star Wars universe in an immersive game setting |
| Campaign and Skirmish Modes | Engage in epic story-driven campaigns or tactical skirmishes |
| Asymmetrical Gameplay | Play as the heroes or take control of the Imperial forces |
| Miniatures and Game Components | High-quality miniatures and components bring the game to life |
| Scenario Variability | Each scenario offers unique objectives and challenges |
The Star Wars franchise has inspired not only some of the most popular LEGO games of all time, but also a wide variety of other excellent video game franchises, such as the Battlefront series, and it has even made its way into the world of board games. This is one of the Best RPG Board Games.
The events of Star Wars: Imperial Assault take place immediately following the destruction of the Death Star, placing players smack in the thick of the Galactic Civil War. In the campaign mode of the game, one player plays the role of the leader of the Galactic Empire, directing all of their forces, while the other players take on the role of rebel warriors attempting to put an end to the Empire at any cost.
The Good
- Immersive and real experience of the Star Wars world
- Offers both story and skirmish modes for different ways to play. Asymmetrical gameplay adds variety and makes the game worth playing more than once.
- High-quality game pieces and models
- Different situations make the game interesting and new.
The Bad
- Can be a big investment because you may need to add on.
- Best experience comes from a group of players who are committed to it.
- For new players, it may be hard to deal with the learning curve and complicated rules.
Pathfinder Adventure Card Game
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Card-Based Adventure | Embark on thrilling adventures using a deck of cards |
| Character Progression | Level up and customize your character as you progress |
| Cooperative Gameplay | Team up with friends to overcome challenges and defeat enemies |
| Persistent Campaign | Carry your character’s progress and story across multiple games |
| Rich Fantasy Setting | Explore a detailed and immersive fantasy world |
The storyline of Pathfinder is quite similar to that of some of the top free massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), but the game is instead geared toward fans of board games and card games. This is one of the Best RPG Board Games.
In addition to a plethora of other illustrious honors, it was named “Best Game” at the ENNIE Awards in 2010, which it also took home. Players of the Pathfinder Adventure Card Game Core Set have the option of selecting one of several pre-created character types to center their deck-building efforts on.
The Good
- Unique adventure game play with cards
- Character development and the ability to make changes
- Playing together to share memories
- Campaigns that last for a long time allow for ongoing stories
- Fantasy worlds with a lot to see and do
The Bad
- Requires frequent shuffling and card handling
- Can be confusing for people who have never played a complicated card game.
- After game scenarios are finished, there isn’t much to do again.
FAQs
There are a lot of RPG board games that can be played by one person, though the experience may be different based on the game. Some RPG board games have solo modes or rules that let you play them by yourself. In these situations, the game might have AI-controlled opponents or other ways to mimic the problems you’d face in a multiplayer setting. Also, some RPG board games have solo versions or stories made by fans that can be found online. Always check the game’s rules or boards to see if solo play is allowed or if the community has made any solo rules.
There are different levels of difficulty for RPG board games, and some may be better for beginners than others. Games like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder may have harder learning curves because they have a lot of rules and choices for making characters unique. But there are also RPG board games made for people who are new to the genre and want to try it out. These games have simpler rules, shorter game sessions, and introductory situations. Beginners should start with games that are right for their level of skill and move on to more complicated RPG board games as they get used to how they work and how to play them.
Yes, based on how many players the game needs, RPG board games can be played with a small group. Some RPG board games are made to be played by small groups, usually between two and four people. Most of the time, these games are well-balanced and fun for a more private gaming period. Before playing, it’s important to check the game’s suggested number of players to make sure you have the best time and to think about any changes that might be needed for the game’s mechanics and balance.