Epic Dungeon Crawls: Top Board Games

Dungeon crawler board games offer a rich and diverse gaming experience, encompassing tactical combat, character progression, loot acquisition, and exploration of intricate dungeons. The genre's appeal extends beyond typical fantasy settings, incorporating horror, sci-fi, and even beloved franchises like Marvel and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The sheer variety can be overwhelming, so we've compiled a list of top contenders to help you navigate this exciting world.

TL;DR: The Best Dungeon Crawler Board Games

Frosthaven
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Descent: Legends of the Dark
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Star Wars: Imperial Assault
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Slay the Spire: The Board Game
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Mansions of Madness
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Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape
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Nemesis
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Cthulhu: Death May Die
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Clank! Catacombs
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Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant
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Resident Evil: The Board Game
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Arcadia Quest
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These games typically feature tactical combat, character progression, rewarding loot systems, and immersive dungeon exploration. While many adhere to classic fantasy tropes, others offer unique settings and mechanics.

Frosthaven / Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Frosthaven
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Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60-120 mins

Frosthaven, a successor to the highly acclaimed Gloomhaven (currently out of print), offers a similarly engaging campaign experience within the same universe. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion provides a streamlined alternative, reducing setup time. Both games are interconnected, allowing character transfers. Jaws of the Lion is ideal for newcomers, while Frosthaven caters to seasoned players. Both offer lengthy, narrative-driven campaigns with character progression and departure, making them excellent choices for 2-4 players.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

Descent: Legends of the Dark
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 120-180 mins

This fully cooperative Descent iteration boasts impressive 3D cardboard scenery and a cleverly designed blend of tactical combat, dice rolling, and app-based resource management, offering crafting, leveling, and randomized dungeons within an immersive narrative campaign.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

Star Wars: Imperial Assault
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Age: 14+
Players: 2-5
Play Time: 60-120 mins

This Star Wars-themed dungeon crawler features rebel operatives battling the Empire across scenario-based campaigns. It retains the core dungeon crawler elements—loot, exploration, and character progression—but with a Star Wars twist, incorporating iconic characters and blasters.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

Slay the Spire: The Board Game
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Age: 12+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 30-150 mins

A successful adaptation of the popular video game, this board game retains the deck-building mechanics and strategic combat, allowing players to cooperatively ascend the spire, battling monstrous foes.

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

Mansions of Madness
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 60-360 mins

A cooperative mystery horror game where players, as investigators, solve puzzles, gather weapons, and combat monsters and madness across multiple scenarios with varying lengths. The app enhances the immersive experience with narration, music, and streamlined gameplay.

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 60 mins

This sequel offers a satisfying loop of monster slaying, dungeon looting, leveling up, and gear upgrades, with six unique character classes providing diverse gameplay experiences.

Nemesis

Nemesis
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 60-180 mins

Inspired by the atmosphere of the Alien franchise, Nemesis creates tension through exploration and hidden objectives, introducing potential betrayal among players as they strive for survival.

Cthulhu: Death May Die

Cthulhu: Death May Die
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 90-120 mins

A cooperative horror game based on H.P. Lovecraft's works, where players attempt to prevent a dangerous ritual. The unique mechanic of increasing strength with decreasing sanity adds a layer of risk and reward.

Clank! Catacombs

Clank! Catacombs
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Age: 13+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 45-90 mins

This entry in the Clank! series offers a roguelike experience with expanding map tiles, ensuring diverse gameplay across multiple playthroughs. Its smaller footprint makes it a convenient choice.

Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game

Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 60 mins

This Zombicide installment features Marvel characters and allows players to take on the roles of zombies, introducing unique mechanics and streamlined gameplay. Numerous expansions are also available.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 45-150 mins

This game features a unique mechanic where dice rolls impact adjacent teammates, emphasizing cooperative gameplay. It can be played cooperatively or with one player as the villain.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

Resident Evil: The Board Game
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Age: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60-90 mins

Set in the Spencer Mansion, this cooperative survival horror game features iconic characters and elements from the video game series, including puzzles, limited resources, and zombies.

Arcadia Quest

Arcadia Quest
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Age: 13+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 60 mins

This game features a chibi art style and easy-to-learn gameplay, but incorporates a competitive element with mandatory PvP quests within the campaign. It requires a consistent group of players for the campaign.