The best board, card & dice games with role playing elements 2024

Are you looking for a really good role-playing board game or board game with role-playing elements? Especially lately, many interesting and good ideas have been implemented to integrate role-playing elements into "normal" board games.

We have listed the best role-playing games for you.

What is a role-playing game?

A role-playing game (abbreviated as RPG - "Role Playing Game") is a game in which players take on the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through specific action or through a process of structured decision-making regarding character development.

Some board games incorporate elements of role-playing. One variation is that players control a character that improves over time. The second way to incorporate role-playing elements is to stimulate or inspire storytelling.

List of the best role-playing board games 2024

But now to our overview with the best role-playing board games 2024

This list was last updated on February 25, 2024. We compared 2159 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Monikers

    All details for the board game Monikers and similar games

    Monikers is a lively and entertaining party game inspired by the classic public domain game Celebrities. It is designed for players who enjoy guessing games and offers a fun challenge through a series of rounds where the methods of clue-giving evolve and become more restrictive.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Monikers
    • 4 - 16 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 17+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Monikers

    • YouTube Review for the game "Monikers" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  2. Monikers: Serious Nonsense

    All details for the board game Monikers: Serious Nonsense and similar games
    • 4 - 20 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 18+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Cthulhu: Death May Die

    All details for the board game Cthulhu: Death May Die and similar games

    Cthulhu: Death May Die is an intense, cooperative board game set in the 1920s, drawing inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft's universe. Players take on the roles of daring investigators, embarking on a perilous mission to confront and eliminate Elder Gods.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    More details for Cthulhu: Death May Die
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!88€ atAmazon.de*
  4. One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak

    All details for the board game One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak and similar games

    One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak is a standalone expansion to the popular social deduction game One Night Ultimate Werewolf. Designed for 3-7 players, Daybreak offers a quick, engaging experience where everyone gets a hidden role with a special ability. In the span of just one in-game morning, players must deduce who among them is a werewolf, with the game's outcome hinging on uncovering at least one werewolf.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak

    • YouTube Review for the game "One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  5. Destinies

    All details for the board game Destinies and similar games

    Destinies is a unique blend of board gaming and digital app integration, offering a rich, competitive, story-driven experience set in a dark medieval-fantasy universe. It is the first game in a series utilizing the innovative Destinies system.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    More details for Destinies
    • 1 - 3 Players
    • 90 - 150 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!56€ atAmazon.de*
  6. One Night Ultimate Werewolf

    All details for the board game One Night Ultimate Werewolf and similar games

    One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a dynamic and fast-paced game for 3-10 players that brings the excitement and deduction of werewolf stories to your tabletop. This game is all about quick thinking, bluffing, and trying to outsmart your friends.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for One Night Ultimate Werewolf
    • 3 - 10 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!12€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for One Night Ultimate Werewolf

    • YouTube Review for the game "One Night Ultimate Werewolf" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "One Night Ultimate Werewolf" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  7. Legacy of Dragonholt

    All details for the board game Legacy of Dragonholt and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 999 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  8. When I Dream

    All details for the board game When I Dream and similar games

    When I Dream is a whimsical and imaginative board game that delves into the world of dreams, blending elements of storytelling, deduction, and teamwork in a playful setting.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for When I Dream
    • 4 - 10 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for When I Dream

    • YouTube Review for the game "When I Dream" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  9. Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

    All details for the board game Mansions of Madness: Second Edition and similar games

    Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is a cooperative, app-enhanced board game that combines elements of horror and mystery. It's set in the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign, offering an immersive narrative experience.

    Nominated for 9 awards.

    More details for Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  10. Spyfall

    All details for the board game Spyfall and similar games

    Spyfall immerses players in a unique party game experience where they step into the intriguing roles of spies, navigating through various scenarios to decipher their surroundings. In this engaging game, participants aim to uncover the spy in their midst while the spy endeavors to blend in and discern the secret location.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    More details for Spyfall
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Spyfall

    • YouTube Review for the game "Spyfall" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  11. Captain Sonar

    All details for the board game Captain Sonar and similar games

    Embark on an adrenaline-pumping undersea adventure with Captain Sonar, a board game that plunges you into the heart of intense submarine warfare. In this gripping scenario, every move and decision can be the difference between victory and defeat. Form a skilled crew aboard a cutting-edge submarine as you strive to locate and eliminate an enemy sub before they do the same to you. The underwater battlefield is unforgiving, and effective communication and coordination are paramount for success.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.

    More details for Captain Sonar
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Captain Sonar

    • YouTube Review for the game "Captain Sonar" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Captain Sonar" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  12. Sheriff of Nottingham

    All details for the board game Sheriff of Nottingham and similar games

    Sheriff of Nottingham is an engaging board game of bluffing, bribery, and negotiation set in the medieval town of Nottingham.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 1.

    More details for Sheriff of Nottingham
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Sheriff of Nottingham

    • YouTube Review for the game "Sheriff of Nottingham" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  13. The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

    All details for the board game The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth and similar games

    The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth invites players to immerse themselves in the rich and legendary world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. This fully cooperative, app-supported board game is designed for one to five players, offering a unique blend of adventure, strategy, and storytelling set in the iconic landscapes of Middle-Earth.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  14. Feed the Kraken

    All details for the board game Feed the Kraken and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Feed the Kraken
    • 5 - 11 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  15. Spyfall 2

    All details for the board game Spyfall 2 and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Spyfall 2
    • 3 - 12 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Spyfall 2

    • YouTube Review for the game "Spyfall 2" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Spyfall 2" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  16. The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow

    All details for the board game The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow and similar games

    The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow is a captivating social deduction game that takes place in the mysterious village of Miller's Hollow, known for its werewolf curse. Players are secretly assigned roles and must use strategy, bluffing, and teamwork to uncover the werewolves or deceive others.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    🔥 Deal: 16% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow
    • 8 - 18 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    🔥 Great price!8€ atAmazon.de*
  17. Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition

    All details for the board game Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition and similar games

    Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition brings the classic werewolf mystery to your table, transforming your group into a 16th-century village besieged by werewolves. It's a game of social deduction and deception for 5 to 68 players, where villagers work to uncover the werewolves hiding among them, and werewolves plot to remain undiscovered while they pick off villagers one by one. With over 30 unique roles and 18 different scenarios, this game offers a dynamic and engaging experience for players of all ages and experience levels.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition
    • 5 - 68 Players
    • 30 - 90 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition

    • YouTube Review for the game "Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  18. Roll Player

    All details for the board game Roll Player and similar games

    Embark on a quest to forge the mightiest hero in the realm in Roll Player. Unlike ordinary heroes who materialize out of thin air, true champions are meticulously crafted. Race, class, alignment, skills, traits, and equipment – every facet contributes to the creation of the ultimate adventurer, poised to confront adversaries and seek glory and riches.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Roll Player
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Roll Player

    • YouTube Review for the game "Roll Player" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  19. Gloomhaven

    All details for the board game Gloomhaven and similar games

    Gloomhaven is a Euro-inspired tactical combat game set in a persistent and evolving world. Players assume the roles of adventurers, each with unique skills and motives, as they explore dungeons, ruins, and engage in cooperative battles against automated monsters.

    Nominated for 22 awards and won 10.

    More details for Gloomhaven
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
    👍 Good price!160€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Gloomhaven

    • YouTube Review for the game "Gloomhaven" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Gloomhaven" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  20. Funemployed

    All details for the board game Funemployed and similar games
    • 3 - 20 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  21. Freeze

    All details for the board game Freeze and similar games
    • 4 - 10 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Frostgrave: Second Edition

    All details for the board game Frostgrave: Second Edition and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. Tales of the Arabian Nights

    All details for the board game Tales of the Arabian Nights and similar games

    Tales of the Arabian Nights is a storytelling board game that immerses players in the adventurous world of Arabian folklore, similar to the stories narrated by Scheherazade. This game is less about winning and more about experiencing and sharing a compelling narrative.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Tales of the Arabian Nights
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Tales of the Arabian Nights

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tales of the Arabian Nights" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  24. HeroQuest

    All details for the board game HeroQuest and similar games

    HeroQuest is a classic adventure board game that blends elements of dungeon crawling and role-playing. One player takes on the role of the game master, unveiling the dungeon piece by piece, while up to four other players assume the roles of different characters (wizard, elf, dwarf, or barbarian) embarking on various quests.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    🔥 Deal: 12% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for HeroQuest
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    🔥 Great price!92€ atAmazon.de*
  25. Descent: Legends of the Dark

    All details for the board game Descent: Legends of the Dark and similar games

    In Descent: Legends of the Dark, players dive deep into the troubled realm of Terrinoth, facing off against demonic barbarians, undead servants, and other dark forces threatening the land. This co-operative dungeon-crawling board game, enriched by an integrated free companion app, invites players to embark on the "Blood and Flame" campaign, spanning sixteen quests that weave a rich narrative full of danger and discovery. With its innovative use of 3D terrain and a host of hero and monster miniatures, the game promises an immersive adventure as players build their legends through strategic combat, exploration, and skillful management of their characters' abilities.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    🔥 Deal: 23% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Descent: Legends of the Dark
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    🔥 Great price!95€ atAmazon.de*
  26. Murder Mystery Party: A Taste for Wine and Murder

    All details for the board game Murder Mystery Party: A Taste for Wine and Murder and similar games
    • 6 - 8 Players
    • 180 Minutes
    • 16+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!20€ atAmazon.de*
  27. Here to Slay

    All details for the board game Here to Slay and similar games

    Here to Slay is a competitive role-playing fantasy strategy card game from the creators of Unstable Unicorns. In this engaging and interactive game, players aim to build a party of heroes to slay monsters, while navigating the challenges and sabotage from their opponents. It combines elements of strategy, luck, and player interaction, making it an exciting game for those who enjoy a mix of combat and cunning.

    More details for Here to Slay
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. Darksiders: The Forbidden Land

    All details for the board game Darksiders: The Forbidden Land and similar games
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 90 - 180 Minutes
    • 16+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Stuffed Fables

    All details for the board game Stuffed Fables and similar games

    Stuffed Fables offers a unique and imaginative adventure where players embody heroic stuffed animals ("stuffies") on a mission to protect the child they cherish from an ominous villain. This game stands out as the first "AdventureBook Game" from Plaid Hat Games, blending storytelling, strategy, and a dynamic game board all within a single, vividly illustrated book.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Stuffed Fables
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Stuffed Fables

    • YouTube Review for the game "Stuffed Fables" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  30. No Thank You, Evil!

    All details for the board game No Thank You, Evil! and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Easy to learn

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

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