Dungeon Crawlers: Your Guide to the Top Tabletop Adventures

Dungeon crawler board games are a deep and diverse genre, offering a wealth of options for tabletop enthusiasts. The sheer number of choices can be overwhelming, but this guide highlights some of the best, spanning various themes and mechanics. From fantasy epics to horror adventures, and even licensed properties like Marvel and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, there's a dungeon crawler for everyone.

TL;DR: Top Dungeon Crawler Board Games

### Frosthaven

0See it at Amazon### Descent: Legends of the Dark

0See it at Amazon### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

0See it at Amazon### Slay the Spire: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon### Mansions of Madness

0See it at Amazon### Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

0See it at Amazon### Nemesis

0See it at Amazon### Cthulhu: Death May Die

0See it at Amazon### Clank! Catacombs

0See it at Amazon### Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game

0See it at Amazon### Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

0See it at Amazon### Resident Evil: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon### Arcadia Quest

0See it at Amazon

While definitions vary, most dungeon crawlers share core elements: tactical combat, character progression, loot acquisition, and exploration of dungeons (which can be metaphorical). Many offer rich lore and intricate mechanics, perfect for extended cooperative campaigns.

Frosthaven / Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

### Frosthaven

0See it at Amazon### Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

12See it at Amazon

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

Gloomhaven set a high bar for complexity and depth. Frosthaven, its successor, continues this tradition within the same universe. Jaws of the Lion provides a streamlined entry point, reducing setup time. Characters can even transfer between the games. Both offer extensive campaigns and are excellent choices for 2-4 players.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

### Descent: Legends of the Dark

0See it at Amazon

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

This cooperative Descent iteration boasts impressive 3D cardboard scenery and a clever blend of tactical combat, dice rolling, and app-based management for character progression and randomized dungeons.

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

### Star Wars: Imperial Assault

0See it at Amazon

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

This Star Wars-themed game replaces fantasy with a sci-fi setting, pitting Rebel operatives against the Empire in a scenario-based campaign. Expect lightsaber battles, loot, and iconic Star Wars characters.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

### Slay the Spire: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

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 core mechanic while adding cooperative gameplay and social interaction.

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

### Mansions of Madness

0See it at Amazon

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

A cooperative horror mystery game with multiple scenarios, an app enhances the narrative and streamlines gameplay.

Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

### Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape

0See it at Amazon

Age: 14+ Players: 1-6 Play Time: 60 mins

This sequel offers a standalone experience with unique character classes and a satisfying gameplay loop.

Nemesis

### Nemesis

0See it at Amazon

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

Inspired by the Alien franchise, Nemesis creates a tense atmosphere of survival and potential betrayal among players.

Cthulhu: Death May Die

### Cthulhu: Death May Die

0See it at Amazon

Age: 14+ Players: 1-5 Play Time: 90-120 mins

A cooperative Lovecraftian horror game where players fight to prevent a dangerous ritual.

Clank! Catacombs

### Clank! Catacombs

5See it at Amazon

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

A smaller-footprint dungeon crawler with a roguelike element due to its expanding map tiles.

Marvel Zombies – A Zombicide Game

### Marvel Zombies - A Zombicide Game

0See it at Amazon

Age: 14+ Players: 1-6 Play Time: 60 mins

A Zombicide game featuring Marvel characters, allowing players to even play as zombies.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

### Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant

0See it at Amazon

Age: 14+ Players: 1-5 Play Time: 45-150 mins

A cooperative or one-versus-many game with a unique mechanic impacting adjacent players.

Resident Evil: The Board Game

### Resident Evil: The Board Game

0See it at Amazon

Age: 14+ Players: 1-4 Play Time: 60-90 mins

A cooperative survival horror game set in the Spencer Mansion, featuring familiar characters and puzzles.

Arcadia Quest

### Arcadia Quest

0See it at Amazon

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

A lighter, chibi-style dungeon crawler with a competitive element through PvP quests. Not playable solo.