Dungeon crawler board games have grown in popularity over the years, offering immersive adventures, strategic gameplay, and opportunities for players to delve into fantastical worlds.
With a wide variety of games available, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or a veteran player, a fan of sci-fi or fantasy, or just looking for a game suitable for kids and families.
20. Escape the Dark Castle (Best for Beginners)
- Players: 1-4
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 30 Minutes Minutes
- Complexity: Easy
Escape the Dark Castle is a cooperative adventure game that focuses on storytelling and atmosphere. Players work together to explore a dark and mysterious castle, facing challenges and making decisions along the way.
With its simple rules and quick playtime, Escape the Dark Castle is an excellent introduction to dungeon crawlers for beginners.
19. Dungeon!
- Players: 1-8
- Ages: 8+
- Play Time: 30-45 Minutes
- Complexity: Easy
Dungeon! is a classic, fast-paced dungeon crawler that’s perfect for casual players and families. Players explore the dungeon, collect treasures, and fight monsters to gain experience points.
With its straightforward gameplay and simple mechanics, Dungeon! is accessible to players of all ages.
18. One Deck Dungeon
- Players: 1-2
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 30 Minutes
- Complexity: Easy
One Deck Dungeon is a compact, card-based dungeon crawler that can be played solo or with a friend. The game challenges players to navigate through a dungeon by managing their resources and making strategic decisions. The quick setup and easy-to-learn rules make it an excellent choice for on-the-go gaming or a quick dungeon crawl fix.
17. Mice and Mystics (Best for Kids and Families)
- Players: 1-4
- Ages: 7+
- Play Time: 1 Hours+
- Complexity: Medium
Mice and Mystics is a charming and family-friendly cooperative game where players take on the roles of mice transformed into heroes.
With a rich narrative and beautifully illustrated components, this game immerses players in a captivating story of adventure and courage. Its accessible rules and engaging gameplay make it a top choice for kids and families.
16. Massive Darkness
- Players: 1-6
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 2 Hours+
- Complexity: Medium
Massive Darkness is a cooperative dungeon crawl that combines elements of board games and miniatures games. Players work together to explore a dark and treacherous dungeon filled with monsters and loot.
Massive Darkness offers deep customization options, allowing players to build their heroes and develop unique abilities throughout their adventure.
15. Warhammer Quest
- Players: 1-4
- Ages: 12+
- Play Time: 2 hours+
- Complexity: Medium
Set in the popular Warhammer universe, Warhammer Quest is a cooperative dungeon crawl that immerses players in a world of danger and magic.
Players create their heroes and embark on perilous quests, battling monsters and uncovering treasures along the way. The Warhammer world’s rich lore and tactical gameplay make it a solid choice for fans of the Warhammer franchise and dungeon crawlers alike.
14. Doom
- Players: 2-5
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 2 hours+
- Complexity: Medium
Based on the iconic video game series, Doom is a fast-paced, action-packed board game that pits a team of elite marines against the forces of Hell. Players must work together to defeat waves of demons while managing their limited resources.
Doom’s intense gameplay and strong sci-fi theme make it an enjoyable experience for fans of the video game.
13. Shadows of Brimstone
- Players: 1-4
- Ages: 12+
- Play Time: 2 hours+
- Complexity: Medium
Shadows of Brimstone is a cooperative dungeon crawler set in a dark and gritty Wild West infused with supernatural horrors. Players assume the roles of gunslingers and explorers, venturing into dangerous mines filled with monsters and dark magic.
It features an immersive setting, deep character progression, and expansive campaign system make it a standout choice for fans of horror and western themes.
12. Arcadia Quest
- Players: 2-4
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 1 hour+
- Complexity: Medium
Arcadia Quest is a competitive dungeon crawler that combines tactical combat, adventure, and character progression. Players control a guild of heroes, vying for control of the city of Arcadia while battling monsters and rival guilds.
A mix of strategy, competition, and whimsical art style make it a unique and enjoyable experience.
11. Sword & Sorcery
- Players: 1-5
- Ages: 12+
- Play Time: 1 hour+
- Complexity: Advanced
Sword & Sorcery is a cooperative, story-driven dungeon crawler with a deep character progression system and immersive gameplay. Players control powerful heroes, each with unique abilities and skills, as they battle through challenging scenarios and confront powerful enemies.
The game’s rich narrative and intricate mechanics make it an excellent choice for experienced players looking for a challenging and engaging dungeon crawl experience.
10. Claustrophobia
- Players: 2
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 1 hour
- Complexity: Medium
Claustrophobia is a two-player, asymmetric dungeon crawler set in a dark and oppressive underground world. One player controls a group of human warriors, while the other commands demonic forces. Each side has its own unique abilities and strategies, providing a tense and engaging experience.
Claustrophobia’s atmospheric setting and tactical gameplay make it a great choice for fans of 1v1 games.
9. Zombiecide
- Players: 1-6
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 1 hour+
- Complexity: Medium
Zombiecide is a cooperative, zombie-themed dungeon crawler that challenges players to survive in a world overrun by the undead. Players control a group of survivors, each with their own unique abilities, as they explore a modular board and battle hordes of zombies.
Zombiecide has a strong theme, character progression, and intense gameplay make it a popular choice for fans of horror.
8. Clank! A Deck-Building Adventure
- Players: 2-4
- Ages: 12+
- Play Time: 30 Minutes+
- Complexity: Medium
Clank! is a unique dungeon crawler that combines deck-building mechanics with board game exploration. Players delve into a dungeon, collecting treasures and avoiding dangers while building their deck of cards to improve their abilities.
The game’s engaging gameplay, dynamic board, and clever combination of deck-building and dungeon crawling make it a standout choice for fans of both genres.
7. Dungeons & Dragons Adventure System
- Players: 1-5
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 1 hour+
- Complexity: Medium
Dungeons & Dragons Adventure System is a cooperative dungeon crawler that brings the classic tabletop RPG experience to both solo players and groups.
Based on the iconic Dungeons & Dragons universe, the game offers a series of interconnected adventures that can be played using various campaign settings, such as Castle Ravenloft, Wrath of Ashardalon, and The Legend of Drizzt.
Players create their characters, explore a dynamic and ever-changing dungeon, and engage in tactical battles against fearsome foes.
6. Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle Earth (Best Fantasy Choice)
- Players: 1-5
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 1 hour+
- Complexity: Medium
Set in the beloved world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, this cooperative game immerses players in an epic adventure filled with magic, danger, and heroism. Players take on the roles of iconic characters from the Lord of the Rings series, working together to complete quests and battle the forces of evil.
With its rich narrative, stunning components, and immersive gameplay, Journeys in Middle Earth is the top choice for fans of fantasy and dungeon crawlers.
5. Descent: Journeys in the Dark
- Players: 1-5
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 2 hours+
- Complexity: Advanced
Descent: Journeys in the Dark is a classic dungeon crawler that pits a team of heroes against an evil overlord. Players explore a modular board, battling monsters and completing quests to thwart the overlord’s schemes.
With its deep character progression, tactical combat, and engaging storylines, Descent offers a rich and rewarding experience for fans of adventure games.
4. Mansions of Madness
- Players: 1-5
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 2 hours+
- Complexity: Advanced
Mansions of Madness is a cooperative, Lovecraftian horror-themed dungeon crawler that takes players on a journey into the dark and twisted world of H.P. Lovecraft. Players assume the roles of investigators, exploring eerie locations, solving puzzles, and battling terrifying creatures.
Mansions of Madness’ immersive narrative, atmospheric setting, and challenging gameplay make it a standout choice for fans of horror and dungeon crawlers.
3. Star Wars: Imperial Assault (Best Sci-Fi Choice)
- Players: 1-5
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 2 hours+
- Complexity: Advanced
Set in the iconic Star Wars universe, Imperial Assault is a tactical miniatures game that combines dungeon crawling with epic battles between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire.
Players take on the roles of famous characters from the Star Wars saga, engaging in both skirmish battles and narrative-driven campaigns.
2. HeroQuest
- Players: 2-5
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 2 hours+
- Complexity: Medium
HeroQuest is a beloved classic dungeon crawler that has stood the test of time. Players control a group of heroes exploring a perilous dungeon, battling monsters, and collecting treasures.
With its straightforward rules, immersive gameplay, and iconic status, HeroQuest remains a popular choice for both new and experienced dungeon crawler enthusiasts.
1. Gloomhaven (Best for Veteran Players)
- Players: 1-4
- Ages: 14+
- Play Time: 1 hour+
- Complexity: Advanced
Gloomhaven is a massive, cooperative dungeon crawler that offers a deep and immersive experience for veteran players. Set in a rich and evolving world, the game features an extensive campaign with over 100 scenarios, branching storylines, and a unique character progression system.
Players take on the roles of mercenaries, exploring a vast world filled with danger, intrigue, and adventure.
Gloomhaven’s depth, complexity, and sheer scale make it an excellent choice for experienced dungeon crawler fans.
In conclusion, whether you’re a beginner or a veteran player, a fan of sci-fi or fantasy, or just looking for a game suitable for kids and families, there’s a dungeon crawler board game out there for you.
This list offers a diverse selection of games, each with its own unique appeal, ensuring that you’ll find the perfect game to satisfy your dungeon-crawling cravings.
Source: Tabletop Gaming News
