7 Best Board Games Like Gloomhaven
Continue if you are searching for board games like Gloomhaven because that is what we are going to give you. Gloomhaven is a cooperative game with fantasy scenarios where gamers explore dangerous dungeons or ancient ruins with a slew of fantasy races to interact with.
So Which board game like Gloomhaven is the right one for you? Well, you may like Gloomhaven for its cooperative campaigning, dungeon crawler gameplay, role-playing, or the rich storyline set in a fantasy world. Whatever draws you to Gloomhaven, there are board games like Gloomhaven that can appeal to you.
In this article, we will mention the 7 Best Board Games Like Gloomhaven, so are you ready for your new adventure in the fantasy world?
Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion
Players : 1-4
Ages: 14+
Game Time: 3-120 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2020
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, from Cephalofair Games, is a cooperative campaign game with tactical combat in the Gloomhaven universe. It can either work as an expansion to the original Gloomhaven or as a stand-alone game.
The game comes with 4 new characters, which are Inox Hatchet (ranged damage), Valrath Red Guard (tank, crowd control), Quatryl Demolitionist (melee damage, obstacle manipulation), and Human Voidwarden (support, mind-control). You can use those characters in the original Gloomhaven game, as well.
In this game, you will act as one of the four new hardened mercenaries. The players have to team up and fight through a new prequel campaign that is full of challenges, choices, and twists.
The players will take on the tide of evil at Gloomhaven. You get to be heroes with items and special abilities and fight monsters while playing through 25 great scenarios.
This version is aimed at a more casual audience; with play-surface scenario books, people will get into the gameplay more quickly. Also, to help the players get started, the game has a simplified rule set and a five-scenario tutorial; this will ease new gamers into the experience.
Pros
The sense of adventure within the game
Good entry point game
Works as stand-alone or expansion
Affordable
Approachable for new players
The absorbing story that will grip the players from the very beginning
Cons
Not as good for solo play
The initial setup before game one
Final Thoughts
Looking for a board game to introduce your friends to the Gloomhaven world, then the Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion can be a great choice. The game can accommodate up to 4 players and has a playing time from 30-120 Minutes. Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion can work as a stand-alone game and also a great entry into the world of dungeon crawling.
Mice & Mystics Board Game
Players: 1-4
Ages: 7+
Game Time: 60-90 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2018
Mice and Mystics is a storytelling, cooperative, role-playing, dungeon-crawler adventure game. In this game, players take the roles of the king’s allies, who have been turned into small mice.
Gamers must work together in order to achieve a common goal which is turning back into humans, saving the king, and restoring the kingdom to its former peace.
You must race through the castle, which now has 20 times the size that you are used to, and come up with an effective plan in order to save the king and the kingdom.
Along the way, you will have to navigate through the danger-ridden halls and avoid countless terrors, such as spiders, cockroaches, rats, and the biggest threat of all, the housecat, Brodie. Also, you have to find clues that will lead you to Vanestra’s weakness and defeat her.
Mice and Mystics is a fantasy board game with a heavy focus on exploration, adventure, and fighting. It is a great choice for friends who like to have an adventure together.
Its simple dice rolling system, cooperative play, and rich storyline make it a great game for children. Don’t worry, though. The game has enough variety to make it fun for adults as well.
Pros
High replayability
Epic battles with cockroaches and spiders
A great game for families
The game comes with an excellent and unique theme and storyline.
Rules are simple and easy to understand.
Co-op, strategy game
Cons
Luck-driven dice battling
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a new adventure in the fantasy world, then the Mice & Mystics Board Game is a great choice. This tabletop game is for players from 7 years and up; it is a good choice for a family game night. This game is filled with fantasy, exploration, and adventure, all things your children are sure to love. Mice & Mystics can be played solo or with up to 4 players.
Star Wars Imperial Assault Board Game
Players: 2-5
Ages: 14+
Game Time: 6-120 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2014
If you ever wanted to experience the thrill of an epic space battle, then this game is for you. This game will throw you in the midst of the Galactic Civil War after the destruction of the Death Star.
Star Wars Imperial Assault is a game of strategic and tactical combat and missions, where you can experience two different games set within the Star Wars universe: the Skirmish Game and the Campaign Game.
In campaign mode, one gamer will act as the Galactic Empire leader who commands all of their forces; he will use all the Galactic Empire resources to beat the Rebel Alliance. The other gamers will assume the role of the rebel soldiers who will try their best to put a stop to the Empire, no matter the cost.
As the game plays out, each player will evolve, gain new skills, and level up to become more effective and stronger. Each mission you complete will get you closer to the final showdown between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire. With over 30 missions, no two games are ever the same.
If that wasn’t enough, there is also a skirmish game which is a head-to-head battle with a co-player, testing your tactical acumen as you lead your strike team to victory. You can act as a hero of the Rebellion while the other player can play as the commander of the Stormtroopers, AT-ST walkers, and Imperial officers or vice versa.
Pros
It has two distinct game modes: skirmish and campaign
Made out of quality components.
A Great choice for Star Wars fans
Interaction with friends.
Being part of a story, whether to free the galaxy from Imperial rule or crush the Rebels.
Smart combat system
Extremely fun and thematic gameplay
Cons
Requires a long-term time commitment.
Final Thoughts
If you want to have an epic adventure in the star wars universe, then this game is for you.
Star Wars Imperial Assault can accommodate up to 5 players; it is a great choice for a fun game with family and friends, especially if there are Star Wars fans.
Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition Board Game
Players: 1-5
Ages: 14+
Game Time: 60 Minutes
Complexity: High
Release Year: 2018
Mage Knight combines roleplaying, deck-building, and battle combat in one big game. In this game, you play as a hero of the Atlantean Empire called a Mage Knight; you are on a quest to conquer powerful cities in an attempt to restore the former glory of the kingdom.
During the game, you will reclaim territory, hunt marauding orcs, besiege castles, loot wizard towers, delve dungeons, and tons more.
You can play this game competitively, cooperatively, or even solo. The players can compete with each other, and only one Mage Knight will claim the land. Or you can rebuild the Empire through a cooperative approach, then the players win or lose as a group.
You can also rule the Mage Knight universe on your own through well-thought-out strategies and tactics. You can choose the way that suits your playstyle.
The Ultimate Edition includes the original base game plus all three expansions: Krang, The Lost Legion, and Shades of Tezla. It also features five completely new cards; comprehensive, integrated rules text; and miniatures with alternate paint jobs.
Pros
High replay value as it has several possible endings
It may be played individually, cooperatively, or competitively.
Improve critical and strategic thinking skills.
The Ultimate Edition comes with 3 expansions.
Updated components
Pre-painted miniatures
Streamlined rulebooks
Cons
It can be intimidating to newer players
Potential for being a long game
Final Thoughts
Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition combines elements of conventional board games, deckbuilding, and RPGs while capturing the rich history of the Mage Knight Universe. It can accommodate up to 5 players, and it takes about 60 minutes or more to play. It will provide a lot of fun time with family and friends. And If you are in the mode to play alone, this game can be played solo as well.
Descent: Journeys in the Dark 2nd Edition
Players: 2-5
Ages: 14+
Game Time: 120-180 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2012
If you like fantasy and ancient adventures, then Descent Journeys in the Dark is a great choice. It is a story-driven, roleplaying game that is designed for 2 to 5 gamers.
At the beginning of the game, players start off choosing their roles, with one gamer assuming the role of the treacherous overlord and up to 4 other players acting as the courageous heroes, fighting for justice. The aim of the game is to beat the overlord, but heroes must keep in mind that the key to winning is through seamless coordination and solidarity.
During each game, heroes will encounter dangerous caves, cursed forests, ancient ruins, dark dungeons, and hideous monsters. But they will also earn new skills, riches, and combat abilities that they will combine and use to stop the overlord from carrying out his vile plot.
But there is no need to play with other players if you don’t want to since there is a companion app for the game called Road to Legend. It is available in the App Store and Google Play. When playing with the app, the system will assume the role of the overlord, controlling monsters and inviting you to explore the dungeon in entirely new ways.
Since not everyone has time to get together with friends when they want to, having solo play as an option is something you’re sure to appreciate.
Pros
Has unique and original scenarios and objectives.
Beautiful and detailed miniatures & cards
Has an accompanying app
It features countless skills and hero combinations
The game plays equally well with 2, 3, 4, and 5 gamers
Cons
Some may find it luck based
Long-playing time
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a unique adventure in the fantasy realm, then Descent: Journeys in the Dark is a great choice. In this game, you can act as one of the heroes or the treacherous overlord. This game can accommodate up to 5 players and has a playing time of 120-180 minutes; you can gather your friends and enjoy a long, fun adventure in the fantasy world.
Nemesis Board Game
Players: 1-5
Ages: 14+
Game Time: 60-120 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2019
Playing Nemesis will take you into the heart of sci-fi survival horror in all its terror. The crew awakens from their hibernation to find a critical system failure.
They must now search the ship for any possible causes and repairs. You and the rest of the crew have to work together to get the engines running to return to the Earth safely.
But the problem is that one crew member is dead, his hibernation pod was ripped open, and his body pulled out. What makes matters worse, the ship’s vast corridors are filled with an unknown noise that sounds, unlike anything you have ever heard before. So you realize that something is lurking in the corridors, and no one is safe.
You and your crewmates must deal with the ship and the alien threat. To win this game, you need to complete one of the two objectives handed to you at the start of the game and return back to Earth alive.
There are many obstacles that will get in your way, such as the poor physical condition of the ship and swarms of Alien organisms. But keep in mind that, even when it is a matter of life and death, personal and corporate interests remain a priority. So besides dealing with the ship and the alien threat, you have to watch out for the other crewmates.
Although you are working together, each one of them has its own agenda on this infested ship. So who is going to win or even survive until the very end? Nemesis will always keep you on edge and unsure how the game will end.
Pros
Fantastic components, including a great rulebook.
Tense gameplay, with broken and forged alliances.
High-level player interaction.
Interesting Horror Experience
The game has a great solo mode
Combines card game and board game play
Cons
The gameplay can be long
Early player elimination
Final Thoughts
Nemesis is a sci-fi, survival, and horror game set in the distant future. The game rules include cooperation, back-stabbing, and bluffing which make every game an exciting adventure as you do not know what will happen next.
The Randomized setup of objectives, room layouts, enemies, infection, combat, and more makes each game unique and different from the other. You can play this game over and over again and have a new game experience every time.
Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition Board Game
Players: 1-5
Ages: 14+
Game Time: 120-180 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2016
Mansions of Madness second edition is a cooperative horror board game for players from 14 years old and up and will take around 120-180 minutes to finish. Those who find thrill in Lovecraftian horror and mystery will enjoy this game.
In this game, the player’s goal is to fight for their lives and stay alive until the game ends. You play as an investigator who will explore haunted mansions and other mysterious locations to reveal secrets, solve puzzles, and battle otherworldly dangers.
From the makers of Arkham Horror and Eldritch Horror, Mansions of Madness will take you to a different dimension that is full of dreadful mishaps and adventures.
To survive the game, you have to come up with a strategy that can help you to gather information, find clues, and collect weapons and tools. Also, you need to solve complex puzzles, beat monsters, and discover ways to avoid insanity and death.
It is an app-driven board game; you need to use a free digital app to play your copy of Mansions of Madness. It will guide the player step by step through each scenario within the game.
Pros
Very stimulating, as it requires deep critical thinking.
You have the choice to include your friends or have a great solo experience.
A Great choice for horror and suspense fans.
Cons
Long game duration, not for those who prefer shorter games.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a mystery board game to add some thrill and suspense to your game night, then the Mansions of Madness board game can be a great choice. It can accommodate up to 5 players; it is an excellent choice for game night with friends and family, especially if they are horror fans.
