Dungeon crawler board video games are simply one of many deepest genres within the passion – each when it comes to gameplay in addition to the sheer quantity of implausible choices. Because there are such a lot of nice board video games to select from, it may be tough to know the place to start. Dungeon crawlers can run the gamut from horror to fantasy and nearly every little thing in between. Even franchises from Marvel to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have tried their hand within the house and have been met with nice success.
TL;DR: The Best Dungeon Crawler Board Games
Defining the dungeon crawler style is usually a contentious matter amongst tabletop fanatics, however these video games usually embrace tactical fight, character development, loot, and, after all, dungeons. These dungeons don’t should be literal, nonetheless. In reality, a few of the finest board video games within the class aren’t stereotypical monster-battling RPGs set in a fantasy world. One different factor these titles do usually have in frequent, although, is that they’re wealthy in lore and mechanics. For these on the lookout for prolonged cooperative campaigns, you may have come to the suitable place.
Frosthaven / Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Frosthaven
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
12
- Age: 14+
- Players: 1-4
- Play Time: 60-120 minutes
Gloomhaven arguably set the usual for deep dungeon crawler board video games, however the authentic is presently out of print. Fortunately, its follow-up, Frosthaven presents an equally engrossing marketing campaign set in the identical universe. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, then again, provides avid gamers a streamlined choice that requires far much less prep time – addressing one of many authentic’s few critiques. The two video games themselves are interconnected; even the characters created in a single can switch over to the opposite. Jaws of the Lion is arguably a greater start line for newer gamers resulting from its decreased setup time, however followers of fantasy epics can’t go flawed with both.
Both titles function a type of choose-your-own-adventure novel meets tabletop sport. The respective campaigns are lengthy and wealthy with each lore and journey. Characters throughout the sport will even depart after finishing their main targets, serving as a bittersweet second the place gamers say goodbye to previous acquainted faces however excitedly welcome in new ones. Both choices are nice cooperative multiplayer titles, serving as a few of the finest board video games for 2 gamers and the finest board video games for 4 gamers.
For extra details about each of those tabletop masterpieces, try our assessment of Gloomhaven and hands-on impressions of Frosthaven.
Descent: Legends of the Dark
Descent: Legends of the Dark
0
- Age: 14+
- Players: 1-4
- Play Time: 120-180 minutes
While a lot of dungeon board video games function loads of plastic eye sweet within the type of plastic figures, seasoned avid gamers will likely be conscious that’s solely half the story. This third, totally cooperative iteration of the Descent dungeon-crawling franchise fills the hole with a jaw-dropping lineup of 3d cardboard surroundings to furnish its dungeons, and a cavernous field to retailer all of it in. Of course that’d all be simply window dressing if the bottom sport have been no good, however it’s a intelligent mashup of tabletop ways, cube rolling, and app-based useful resource administration, permitting you to simply implement crafting, levelling up and all the opposite enjoyable stuff in your characters whereas additionally having fun with randomized dungeon layouts in an engrossing narrative marketing campaign. Its an excellent RPG board sport in addition to an incredible dungeon crawler.
For our tackle this sport, you possibly can try our in-depth Descent: Legends of the Dark assessment.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
0
Not all dungeons should be fantasy labyrinths deep underground: the maze-like upkeep corridors of an Imperial base serve simply as properly. That’s the setup for this Star Wars dungeon crawler, during which a plucky band of insurgent operatives work collectively in opposition to one other participant controlling the Empire’s forces throughout a scenario-based marketing campaign. You is perhaps swapping swords and bows for lightsabers and blasters, however the feels are very a lot the identical as you loot crates, discover secrets and techniques and degree up as you try to take down the unhealthy guys in tactical melee fight. But as a bonus, you’re prone to run into a complete vary of your favourite characters from the Star Wars universe to combat alongside you. This is only one of many Star Wars board video games on the market, however it’s an excellent one.
Slay the Spire: The Board Game
Slay the Spire: The Board Game
0
Veterans of this vastly in style online game will likely be properly conscious of its deck-building roots so it is solely a tiny hop to show it right into a tabletop expertise. The benefit of going so, except for a bit of recent content material and mechanical streamlining, is which you could now climb the spire – a dungeon you ascend slightly than crawl – alongside your folks, working collectively to defeat no matter of the spire’s many potential monstrous denizens and managers the sport chooses to ship your means, making the expertise social in addition to strategic. And all of the addictive magic of fastidiously curating your playing cards and slinging them into tactical motion in opposition to all method of foes may be very a lot nonetheless intact.
We had the prospect to assessment Slay the Spire: The Board sport and liked each second of the gameplay.
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
Mansions of Madness
0
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is a fascinating cooperative thriller horror sport. Each participant selects one in every of eight investigators to unravel puzzles and gather weapons whereas trying to combat off each monsters and madness. Meanwhile, an intricate set of mysteries begins to unfold. The field incorporates 4 completely different situations that vary from 60-360 minutes with the latter boasting fairly a deep and engrossing marketing campaign. Aiding within the immersive storytelling is an app that narrates the story and retains monitor of varied participant actions. Apps in board video games are both a professional or a con relying on who you ask, however it’s extensively agreed that Mansions of Madness: Second Edition obtained it proper with this one. Not solely does the app add to the stress with its eerie music and glorious voiceovers, however it additionally helps streamline the sport, making it simpler to start out and train.
Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape
Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape
0
Don’t let the “2” within the title idiot you; this follow-up is sort of the departure from its predecessor. Sequels can usually be offputting for these unfamiliar with the unique, however nearly any tabletop fan can decide up Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape, throw some cube, slay some monsters, and have a good time, no matter their familiarity degree with the sequence. Massive Darkness 2 follows most of the traditional dungeon crawler tropes, however it units itself aside with six distinctive character lessons that play in a different way from each other whereas nonetheless feeling cohesive. Beating down monsters, looting dungeons, leveling up, and upgrading gear is a satisfying loop that may be performed throughout all kinds of situations. Not to say, the assorted lessons included within the field change up the sport a lot that replaying as a special character appears like a completely distinctive expertise.
Nemesis
Nemesis
0
While the Alien franchise does have a number of licensed board video games, arguably none of them embody the spirit of the sequence fairly like Nemesis. No, Nemesis doesn’t have any official ties to the movie saga, however the creeping terror that accompanies sneaking by means of corridors whereas trying to keep away from harmful aliens will doubtless be a well-known feeling to followers. To additional ramp up the stress, Nemesis provides gamers goal playing cards that have an effect on their strategy to the sport – a number of of those playing cards require gamers to go in opposition to one of the best pursuits of different gamers. Because these playing cards are stored hidden till the top of the sport, it’s tough to know who to belief. Still, as survival is the principle goal, teamwork is mostly required. On the floor, everyone seems to be striving towards the identical objective, however you by no means know whether or not a traitor is secretly working amongst the crew.
Alongside the bottom sport, there are fairly just a few Nemesis expansions you should buy individually in addition to further miniatures.
Cthulhu: Death May Die
Cthulhu: Death May Die
0
Cthulhu: Death May Die is a cooperative horror sport impressed by H.P. Lovecraft. There are varied standalone situations packed in, however the story usually includes stopping a harmful ritual meant to summon highly effective beings. Interestingly, the characters in Cthulhu: Death May Die acquire power as their remaining sanity dwindles all through the sport. This is a type of danger, reward mechanic, nonetheless, as shedding monitor of your character’s sanity solely may spell catastrophe. Unlike another in style dungeon crawlers, Cthulhu: Death May Die is slightly straightforward to choose up – even when it may be tough to beat. Seeing because the completely different situations don’t should be performed with the identical group of gamers, this cube chucker is much more accessible.
Clank! Catacombs
Clank! Catacombs
5
Clank! Catacombs asks gamers to do all of it; combat monsters, free prisoners, gather gold, and beware the dragon. There are a number of nice iterations within the Clank sequence, however Clank! Catacombs dives most into the dungeon crawler style, and it’s arguably one of the best entry within the franchise thus far. What makes this set up nice are varied tiles that increase the map as you play, primarily turning Clank! Catacombs right into a tabletop roguelike. As these tiles are shuffled earlier than every sport, no two playthroughs of Clank! Catacombs are the identical.
While followers of the dungeon crawler style usually respect large containers with dozens of detailed miniatures, Clank! Catacombs opts for a smaller footprint due to many of the sport taking part in out by means of varied playing cards and tiles. So, in case your board sport closet or bookshelf is beginning to get a bit overstuffed, Clank! Catacombs may simply be the dungeon crawler to seize.
Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game
Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game
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The Zombicide titles are an extremely in style sequence of cooperative survival board video games, however Marvel Zombies is arguably among the finest entries thus far. Taking inspiration from the What If comedian sequence, Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game takes the outbreak to the heroes of the Marvel universe. Marvel Zombies isn’t only a reskin of the favored sequence, both. For one factor, Marvel Zombies lets gamers play because the zombies. Additionally, new mechanics change up the formulation and streamline the traditional expertise, so even skilled Zombicide gamers may wish to try this iteration. Not to say, the assorted miniatures are implausible for followers of the comedian guide characters. Not in contrast to the extra conventional Zombicide titles, there are many expansions to the Marvel Zombies line. Additionally, there are many nice Marvel board video games for these on the lookout for much more enjoyable within the comedian guide universe.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant is arguably one of the crucial underrated dungeon crawlers within the medium. Perhaps the most important knock in opposition to TMNT: Change Is Constant is that those that aren’t followers of the franchise gained’t doubtless discover a lot of curiosity right here. That stated, followers of TMNT will doubtless love the assorted miniatures, character playing cards, the state of affairs booklet, and even the beautiful field itself. Aside from the fanfare, Change is Constant introduces a novel mechanic the place a part of the participant’s cube roll impacts their adjoining teammates. This makes TMNT actually really feel like a cooperative sport true to its theme. Change is Constant will be performed as a completely cooperative sport or as a one-versus-many expertise with one participant working because the villain. Either choice presents a superb expertise, making TMNT: Change is Constant ideally suited for 4 or 5 gamers.
Resident Evil: The Board Game
Resident Evil: The Board Game
0
There are already nice horror suggestions on this listing, however followers of the historic online game franchise could wish to try Resident Evil: The Board Game. The cooperative survival horror sport is ready within the iconic Spencer Mansion and options recognizable characters from the sequence. Like the video video games, Resident Evil: The Board Game options puzzles that unlock new areas of the map, restricted sources, and, after all, loads of zombies.
Unlike the Resident Evil online game sequence, nonetheless, the board sport variations of Resident Evil 2 and three each got here out earlier than the unique. Also in contrast to the online game sequence, the unique is arguably one of the best. That being stated, all three titles are price testing for followers of the franchise, with Resident Evil: The Board Game serving as a really perfect start line.
Arcadia Quest
Arcadia Quest
0
In a style stuffed with ugly monsters and darker themes, Arcadia Quest opts for a special strategy with a chibi artwork type. This welcoming aesthetic is matched by its easy-to-pick-up gameplay. However, Arcadia Quest provides a slight aggressive twist with PvP quests that ask gamers to face off in opposition to one another throughout a state of affairs. While dungeon crawlers can usually be solely cooperative, Arcadia Quest performs in opposition to sort and look a bit by means of these obligatory face-offs. Unfortunately, this implies Arcadia Quest can’t be performed solo. Seeing as how the sport is constructed round a marketing campaign, it means you’ll most likely need the identical group of gamers on the desk every time as properly. That is perhaps a little bit of a barrier to entry for some, however those that can handle to wrangle up some buddies or members of the family to play by means of a whole marketing campaign are in for a implausible dungeon crawler loaded with persona.
For much more suggestions try the finest cooperative board video games and even our finest board video games for adults. Those on the lookout for titles that supply a little bit of one thing for everybody could wish to peruse our listing of the finest household board video games.
Bobby Anhalt is a contributing freelancer for IGN masking board video games and LEGOs. He has greater than 8 years of expertise writing in regards to the gaming trade with bylines at Game Rant, Screen Rant, TheXboxHub, and Ranker. You can comply with him on Twitter.
