The Best Dungeon Crawler Board Games for an Epic Tabletop Adventure

Dungeon crawlers represent a rich and diverse genre in the board game world, offering a wealth of options for players. The sheer number of choices, however, can make it challenging to choose a starting point. This guide highlights some of the best dungeon crawler board games, spanning various themes and mechanics.

TL;DR: Top Dungeon Crawler Board Games

### Frosthaven

See it on Amazon ### Descent: Legends of the Dark

See it on Amazon ### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

See it on Amazon ### Slay the Spire: The Board Game

See it on Amazon ### Mansions of Madness

See it on Amazon ### Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

See it on Amazon ### Nemesis

See it on Amazon ### Cthulhu: Death May Die

See it on Amazon ### Clank! Catacombs

See it on Amazon ### Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game

See it on Amazon ### Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

See it on Amazon ### Resident Evil: The Board Game

See it on Amazon ### Arcadia Quest

See it on Amazon

While definitions vary, common elements include tactical combat, character progression, loot acquisition, and dungeon exploration (which needn't be literally underground). Many also feature rich lore and complex mechanics. These games often excel in providing extensive cooperative campaigns.

Frosthaven & Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

### Frosthaven

See it on Amazon ### Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

See it on Amazon

• Age: 14+
• Players: 1-4
• Play Time: 60-120 mins

Gloomhaven, while currently out of print, set a high bar. Frosthaven provides a comparable, expansive campaign within the same universe. Jaws of the Lion offers a streamlined alternative with reduced setup time. Characters can even transfer between games. Jaws of the Lion is a potentially better entry point for newcomers. Both offer lengthy, narrative-driven campaigns with character progression and departure. Excellent for 2-4 players.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

See it on Amazon

• Age: 14+
• Players: 1-4
• Play Time: 120-180 mins

This cooperative Descent iteration boasts impressive 3D cardboard scenery and a robust game system combining tactical combat, dice rolling, and app-based management for character progression and randomized dungeons. A compelling blend of RPG and dungeon crawler elements.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

See it on Amazon

• Age: 14+
• Players: 2-5
• Play Time: 60-120 mins

This Star Wars-themed game uses the setting of an Imperial base as its dungeon. Rebel operatives collaborate against an Empire-controlling player in scenario-based campaigns. Familiar Star Wars characters and tactical combat make this a compelling choice.

(Remaining game descriptions will follow a similar shortened format to maintain brevity and adhere to the character limit.)

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

See it on Amazon Deck-building mechanics adapted from the popular video game, offering cooperative spire-climbing with strategic card play.

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

See it on Amazon Cooperative mystery horror with an app-driven narrative, puzzles, and combat against monsters and insanity.

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

See it on Amazon Classic dungeon crawler tropes with six unique character classes, offering replayability and satisfying gameplay loops.

Nemesis

See it on Amazon Cooperative survival horror with hidden objectives and potential betrayal, creating tense gameplay and social deduction.

Cthulhu: Death May Die

See it on Amazon Cooperative Lovecraftian horror with standalone scenarios, where sanity loss can be a strategic risk/reward mechanic.

Clank! Catacombs

See it on Amazon Combines monster fighting, prisoner rescue, and treasure collection with tile-based map expansion for high replayability.

Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game

See it on Amazon A Zombicide entry featuring Marvel characters, allowing players to even control the zombies.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

See it on Amazon A cooperative or one-versus-many game with a unique dice-rolling mechanic impacting adjacent players.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

See it on Amazon Cooperative survival horror set in the Spencer Mansion, featuring puzzles, limited resources, and zombies.

Arcadia Quest

See it on Amazon A chibi-style dungeon crawler with a competitive element through PvP quests within a campaign. Not playable solo.

This overview provides a starting point for exploring the diverse world of dungeon crawler board games. Consider your preferred themes, player count, and gameplay complexity when making your selection.