Table of Contents
Top Ten RPG Board Games
Role-playing (RPG) board games are a relatively recent board game concept. The board game business has exploded in recent years, and RPG board games are the product of this growth. Dungeons & Dragons were the first published RPG game, and it established a pattern for the board game.
It is not, however, applicable to all tabletop RPG games.
The appeal of RPG board games stems from their fascinating storylines, gorgeous graphics, and designs.
Similarly, folks who enjoy strategic board games would enjoy RPG board games.
These board games are an excellent way to disconnect from technology and delight your friends and family on game night.
Because there are so many RPG board games to select from, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top ones that will guarantee a fantastic experience.
Top Ten RPG Board Games
We compiled the list using references from websites such as RecRoomPick and Polygon. Before we get into the details, have a look at the list preview.
Games | Players |
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shadows of The Past Board Game | 2-4 |
9. Runewars: Revised Edition | 2-4 |
8. Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated | 2-4 |
7. Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition Board Game | 1-5 |
6. Pathfinder Adventure Card Game | 1-4 |
5. WizKids Mage Knight Board Game: Ultimate Edition | 1-5 |
4. Kabuto Sumo | 2-4 |
3. Dark Souls: The Board Game | 1-4 |
2. Cthulhu: Death May Die | 1-5 |
1. Gloomhaven | 1-4 |
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shadows of The Past Board Game
- Age: 14+
- Playtime: 60-90 minutes
The IDW Games Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shadows of the Past Board Game is the first on our list.
It is a comic-inspired miniatures combat, scenario-driven campaign game.
The artwork for the board game was created by Mateus Santo Louca and Tony Vargas.
The participants can play as their favorite Turtle or the ultimate villain, Shredder.
As the game progresses, players can improve their characters’ capabilities, fighting styles, and equipment to build a long-lasting story arc.
Similarly, fan favorites like Casey Jones and Aplex make appearances throughout the tasks.
The Turtles players can enlist the assistance of their closest buddies in combating their most dangerous opponents.
The board game includes over 40 sculpted miniatures, 12 unique maps, and over 100 cards.
The game’s component design and detail are of great quality. It does, however, lack complex strategic and tactical features.
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9. Runewars: Revised Edition
- Age: 14+
- Time to play: 120-240 minutes
Runewars: Revised Edition, at number 9, is an epic game of contest, adventure, and fantasy empire RPG board game.
The game was created by Corey Konieczka.
The fictional world of Runewars is shared by the best-selling board games Runebound and Descent: Journeys in the Dark Second Edition.
The board game can be played by two to four people. In this game, players compete in a strategic game of combat and territory control.
They must amass riches, build troops, and lay siege to fortified cities.
Runewars will give intellectually interesting gaming for individuals who enjoy strategic and tactical games.
Similarly, the battle encounters enrich the RPG experience.
However, the level of difficulty is not appropriate for novices.
The authors of the board game have brilliantly constructed a rich Runebound universe for an amazing RPG gaming experience.
8. Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated
- Age: 13+
- Time to play: 90-120 minutes
Clank is up next! Acquisitions Incorporated is a legacy. It’s a large two-sided board game.
The elements in this RPG board game range from gremlins and vampires to gigantic dragons.
The game takes you on a huge quest in which you must save the world.
Throughout a ten-game campaign, players will have to collaborate and compete with one another.
It contains 44 adventure-packed pages that aid in the development of the plot.
The choices made by the players will have an impact on the game and the world around them.
The Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated is an engaging plot in which your strategies and preferences will determine your success or failure.
The RPG board game is a fun semi-cooperative activity.
It includes over 300 cards as well as beautifully crafted player figurines and dragons.
7. Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition Board Game
- Age: 14+
- Time to play: 120-180 minutes
Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition Board Game ranks seventh among the best RPG board games.
It is an app-enhanced horror board game inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
Arkham Horror 3rd Edition, Arkham KCG, Eldritch Horror, and Elder Sign transport players to a mysterious universe.
They must explore Innsmouth’s shrouded and misty streets, as well as the haunting passages of Arkham’s deadly mansions.
The players assume the roles of investigators.
As they explore the haunting Arkham houses in search of unusual mysteries, devious puzzles, and otherworldly threats.
The game has an app-driven game, which makes it distinctive.
The game requires the use of a free digital app that leads players through each scenario.
The Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition Board Game includes four campaigns of different duration and difficulties.
As a result, it’s a great option for game nights, especially for horror enthusiasts.
6. Pathfinder Adventure Card Game
- Age: 12+
- Playtime: 60 minutes or more
Pathfinder Adventure Card Game is ranked sixth among the best RPG board games.
It is a fun adventure board game for both adults and children.
The game takes place in Varisia, an ancient land.
Giants, evil deities, and insane goblins lurk among the ancient ruins, all plotting the demise of the quiet settlement of Sandpoint.
Players must conduct a campaign against the evils that plague Varisia.
After selecting a character, the players must assemble a deck of pals and equipment and explore dangerous regions as they progress through several scenarios.
The characters become stronger with each game as the game advances.
It introduces unique gear with tremendous powers that are required to face more severe threats in order to complete the game.
The Pathfinder Adventure Card Game is a must-have for fantasy fans.
It’s a terrific board game because of the range of characters and scenarios.
5. WizKids Mage Knight Board Game: Ultimate Edition
- Age: 14+
- Playtime: 60 minutes or more
WizKids Mage Knight Board Game: Ultimate Edition is an award-winning and critically acclaimed board game.
It blends RPG, deckbuilding, and classic board game features.
The board game depicts the Mage Knight universe’s rich history.
It contains the base game as well as all three expansions: The Lost Legion, Krang, and Shades of Tezla.
The game is simple to learn and has been improved over the original board game.
It comes with a detailed rules text, five entirely new cards, and new paint treatments.
WizKids Mage Knight Board Game: Ultimate Edition comes in a variety of languages.
This allows the board game to reach a larger worldwide audience. Furthermore, the board game can be purchased for a low cost.
4. Kabuto Sumo
- Age: 13+
- Time to play: 15-20 minutes
Kabuto Sumo is our fourth choice among the best RPG board games.
This board game is great for younger children searching for a quick and easy solution.
Kabuto Sumo is a slide/push game in which the goal is to push the other sumo wrestling beetle players out of the ring.
Players can select from a variety of wrestler beetles.
Each wrestler beetle is based on an actual bug and its physiological defense systems.
They all have unique signature moves and pushing elements that can significantly influence games.
While pushing discs may appear simple, selecting the correct wrestler is critical for the match, developing a strategy, and swiftly responding to changes. It is straightforward, yet engaging and strategic.
A sumo ring, 40 wooden discs, four wrestler pieces, four wrestler reference tokens, eight wrestler cards, eight signature move pieces, and five junior league cards are included in the board game.
3. Dark Souls: The Board Game
- Age: 14+
- Time to play: 90-120 minutes
If you like science fiction, Dark Souls: The Board Game will transport you to the video gaming’s Dark Souls Universe for a hard and captivating RPG board game experience.
Dark Souls is a critically renowned video game, and the board game has brought it to your tabletop.
It’s an exciting cooperative Dungeon Crawl RPG board game.
Players can choose from a variety of classic characters such as a knight, warrior, assassin, or herald.
Players must destroy the Undead Legions before confronting the final bosses.
It is one of the games in which players must be astute and strategic.
They must manage their stamina in order to live and explore difficult places teeming with creatures and prizes.
Every decision will take the players to new hazards and locations.
Dark Souls has a variety of difficulty settings and a great level of replayability.
As a result, it will delight both hardcore tabletop players and newbies.
2. Cthulhu: Death May Die
- Age: 14+
- Time to play: 90-120 minutes
For horror fans, we have Cthulhu: Death May Die, a fantastic horror adventure RPG board game.
With its simple and quick setup, the board game successfully conveys the Cthulhu vibe.
The plot of Cthulhu: Death May Die is really interesting.
An Elder God has reached out to the cultists, providing them with the information they need to awaken it and unleash its awful powers on the unsuspecting public.
As the final ritual begins, the players must assume the role of investigators and collect enough evidence to identify a vulnerability in the ritual that will allow them to kill the god.
Similarly, the participants must collaborate to combat the cultist while looking for solutions.
There are several investigators, tale boxes, and two Elder Gods.
As a result, each game presents a novel scenario, and no two games are alike.
The board game includes a wonderfully drawn storyline, and the figurines are meticulously created.
Cthulhu: Death May Die is a great RPG board game that will keep you entertained without being overly complicated.
People enjoy secrets, which explains why the popularity of the escape room board game has skyrocketed.
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1. Darkhaven
- Age: 14+
- Time to play: 60-120 minutes
Gloomhaven by Cephalfair Games is our #1 RPG board game pick.
It is a tactical battle board game inspired by Europe and set in a persistent environment with dynamic motives.
The participants will take on the character of a roving adventurer.
Every character has their own set of skills and motivations for visiting this dark corner of the globe.
The innovation card system aids in determining the order of play.
Similarly, the players must sometimes collaborate to complete perilous dungeons and ruins.
Players will be able to improve their powers through experience and loot as the game advances, as well as uncover new locales to explore.
Gloomhaven is best played in multiple gaming sessions.
Each decision about what to do determines how the plot will progress.
In some ways, it’s a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book.
This RPG board game can be played solo or with up to four other people.
Gloomhaven is a family-friendly RPG board game with thrilling twists and turns.