11 Board Games Like Dungeons & Dragons Worth Playing in 2025

Dungeons & Dragons is a legendary name in the world of fantasy gaming, sparking countless adventures in unique realms crafted by its players. Despite its widespread acclaim, both players and Dungeon Masters often find themselves wondering if the game's intricate world-building and complex rules could be streamlined. Wouldn't it be wonderful to enjoy the thrill of exploration, intense combat, and the joy of leveling up without the heavy lifting of creating entire worlds and mastering rules?

The answer lies in board games. While there are numerous board games that capture the essence of a fantasy quest, many either fall short in delivering a satisfying experience or require a commitment akin to a full-time job. However, there's a sweet spot of games that perfectly balance simplicity with depth, offering all the fun of a fantasy adventure without the exhaustive setup. From officially licensed games to time-honored classics, these selections are ideal for those evenings when you crave the fantasy experience without the epic effort.

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D&D Waterdeep: Dungeon of The Mad Mage Adventure System Board Game

2See it at Amazon!

HeroQuest Game System

1See it at Amazon!

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

1See it at Amazon!

Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught

0See it at Amazon!

Descent: Legends of the Dark

0See it at Amazon!

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

1See it at Amazon!

Tiny Epic Dungeons

0See it at Amazon!

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

3See it at Amazon!

Legacy of Dragonholt

0See it at Amazon!

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate

0See it at Amazon!

Dungeons & Dragons: Bedlam in Neverwinter

0See it at Amazon!

For a concise list without detailed descriptions, check out the horizontally scrolling catalog above. For more in-depth information on each game, continue reading.

D&D Waterdeep: Dungeon of The Mad Mage Adventure System Board Game

2See it at Amazon!

If you're after a board game that mirrors the Dungeons & Dragons experience, the Adventure System games are your best bet. These games are essentially a streamlined version of the 4th edition rules packed into a box with a board. No Dungeon Master is needed; instead, you draw tiles randomly as you explore the dungeon, and monsters follow straightforward yet varied AI routines printed on their cards. Yet, the game retains a narrative campaign split into scenarios, with secrets to uncover, monsters to defeat, and treasures to claim. Dungeons of the Mad Mage is the latest addition, but the entire series is a joy to play.

HeroQuest Game System

HeroQuest Game System

1See it at Amazon!

While the beauty of D&D board games often lies in their ability to function without a Dungeon Master, having someone to narrate and manage the adversaries can enrich the experience. The modern reprint of the 1989 classic HeroQuest offers just that. Mechanically similar to the original, one player takes on the role of the evil wizard and his minions, while others play as heroes, exploring dungeons to gain experience, treasure, and ultimately vanquish evil. It's also remarkably straightforward, making it a great choice for family game nights (check out our family board game recommendations).

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

1See it at Amazon!

If you're looking for a more contemporary twist, consider Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated. This game combines the branding of the popular Dungeons & Dragons podcast with a legacy structure, where the game evolves physically as you play through the campaign, making each copy and adventure unique. It blends the original game's thrilling deck construction and exploration with a richer, more humorous narrative. For more details, see our Clank! buying guide.

Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught

Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught

0See it at Amazon!

While the Adventure System games simplified 4th edition D&D, Onslaught adapts 5th edition rules into a skirmish game format where two adventuring parties battle for supremacy in a dungeon. Though not typical of the role-playing game, every D&D player has experienced party-on-party clashes, and Onslaught includes treasure chests and character leveling to maintain the authentic feel. The translation of 5th edition rules to the tabletop is both engaging and tactically challenging.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

Descent: Legends of the Dark

0See it at Amazon!

Modern adventure games increasingly use apps to manage gameplay, freeing players to focus on the narrative and character development. Descent: Legends of the Dark stands out with its advanced app, which handles dungeon layout, monster control, narrative progression, and even resource tracking for item crafting. The game's physical components, including a 3D cardboard dungeon and detailed miniatures, bring the adventure vividly to life.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

1See it at Amazon!

Dungeons & Dragons drew inspiration from Tolkien's epic tales, so it's fitting that a board game combining overland and dungeon adventures with combat and character progression should evoke parallels. Journeys in Middle-Earth enhances this with an app-driven experience that allows players to focus on the fun while tackling puzzles and riddles. Set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it offers players the chance to craft their own slice of Middle-earth.

Tiny Epic Dungeons

Tiny Epic Dungeons

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While the previous picks are known for their higher price points, Tiny Epic Dungeons offers a budget-friendly dungeon crawl. Part of the popular Tiny Epic series, this game packs a big adventure into a small box. A group of heroes ventures into a unique dungeon to level up and challenge the boss, racing against time as their torch burns down. Its quick playtime and innovative combat system, which lets you mitigate bad outcomes, make it feel like a grand adventure in a compact package.

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

3See it at Amazon!

You may be familiar with Gloomhaven and Frosthaven, renowned for their extensive and acclaimed gameplay. Their allure lies in a captivating mix of narrative, tactical challenges, and innovative mechanics, where each class has a unique deck of cards from which players choose actions. While these are full-length RPG campaigns, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion offers the same mechanical depth at a lower cost and with a more manageable campaign. As a prequel, it sets the stage for further adventures if you choose to dive deeper into the series.

Legacy of Dragonholt

Legacy of Dragonholt

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If you're familiar with choose-your-own-adventure books, Legacy of Dragonholt takes this concept to new heights in a multiplayer format. It offers a detailed campaign with numerous choices and branching paths. With an activation token system for decision-making and strategic elements around skill and ability deployment, it's the ultimate text-based adventure, perfect for group play or as a solo experience with that nostalgic old-school vibe.

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate

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This game diverges slightly from the typical fantasy quest but captures the essence of a particular D&D session with its Forgotten Realms setting. Players start as a team exploring the haunted city of Baldur’s Gate, but a twist occurs when a "haunt" begins, revealing new objectives from a narrative book and often turning one player into a traitor. The setup offers immense variety and leads to thrilling conclusions as heroism battles the encroaching darkness.

Dungeons & Dragons: Bedlam in Neverwinter

Dungeons & Dragons: Bedlam in Neverwinter

0See it at Amazon!

Focusing more on puzzle-solving than traditional adventuring, Bedlam in Neverwinter is an escape-room-style game set in the iconic Icewind Dale. Players must navigate a series of traps, tricks, and riddles to solve a mystery. Designed for all ages and playable only once, it offers a unique spin on the genre with elements of exploration, role-playing, and combat. The unfolding narrative leads to an epic conclusion, making it a memorable one-time experience.