My Top 5 favorite dungeon crawler board games

My Favorite Dungeon Crawler Board Games Featuring Miniatures

Introduction

Dungeon crawler board games are a staple of the tabletop gaming world, offering thrilling adventures, strategic combat, and immersive storytelling. One of the best ways to enhance the experience is with detailed miniatures that bring the game’s characters, monsters, and settings to life. Here are my top five favorite dungeon crawler board games featuring miniatures, each offering a unique and unforgettable gaming experience.

1. HeroQuest

Description: HeroQuest is the granddaddy of dungeon crawler board games, first released in the late 1980s and recently revitalized for modern audiences. In HeroQuest, players take on the roles of classic fantasy heroes—such as the Barbarian, Elf, Dwarf, and Wizard—who explore dark dungeons, battle fearsome monsters, and uncover ancient treasures. One player acts as the Game Master (GM), controlling the enemies and the unfolding narrative, while the others work together to complete quests.

Why It’s a Favorite:

• Classic Appeal: A timeless game that many gamers have fond memories of.

• Cooperative Play: Encourages teamwork and strategic planning.

• Detailed Miniatures: The re-release features beautifully updated miniatures that enhance the game’s nostalgic charm.

2. Descent: Legends of the Dark

Description: Descent: Legends of the Dark is the latest installment in the acclaimed Descent series, known for its deep storytelling and tactical combat. This game takes dungeon crawling to the next level with a fully integrated app that manages the game’s AI, tracks the story, and provides a dynamic gameplay experience. Players choose from a variety of unique heroes, each with distinct abilities, and embark on epic quests filled with challenging enemies, puzzles, and exploration.

Why It’s a Favorite:

• Innovative App Integration: The app adds a new layer of immersion and convenience to the gameplay.

• Diverse Heroes: Each character offers a unique playstyle, ensuring replayability.

• Stunning Miniatures: The game includes high-quality miniatures that are detailed and thematic, making each encounter feel epic.

3. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Description: Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a streamlined, accessible version of the critically acclaimed Gloomhaven game. Designed as a perfect entry point into the Gloomhaven universe, Jaws of the Lion offers a more compact and manageable experience while retaining the deep strategy and rich storytelling that the original is known for. Players work together as a team of mercenaries, facing dangerous missions and tactical battles in a dark, fantasy world.

Why It’s a Favorite:

• Accessible Gameplay: Simplified rules and scenarios make it easier for new players to jump in.

• Strategic Depth: Offers the same tactical challenge as Gloomhaven in a more digestible format.

• Character Miniatures: Each character is represented by a finely crafted miniature, adding to the game’s immersive experience.

4. Wings of Glory

Description: Wings of Glory is a unique game on this list, as it takes dungeon crawling to the skies. Set in the World War I or World War II era, this game combines historical accuracy with tactical aerial combat, where players control miniature planes in dogfights over Europe. While not a traditional dungeon crawler, Wings of Glory offers a similar experience of tactical movement, strategic planning, and intense battles, all represented with beautifully detailed miniatures.

Why It’s a Favorite:

• Historical Setting: Offers a different kind of adventure, grounded in real-world history.

• Tactical Combat: Requires careful planning and maneuvering, similar to ground-based dungeon crawlers.

• Beautiful Miniatures: The game’s planes are meticulously detailed, making each battle visually striking.

5. Frosthaven

Description: Frosthaven is the highly anticipated sequel to Gloomhaven, expanding on the original with new characters, enemies, and an even deeper storyline. Set in a harsh, frozen environment, players must survive the elements, battle terrifying foes, and manage resources to protect their outpost from destruction. Like its predecessor, Frosthaven is known for its complex strategy, cooperative gameplay, and richly detailed miniatures. This game is epic in scale and will eat up table space like no other game we have played. It also has created some of the best memories, moments and funny stories our gaming group has ever experienced. I would recommend starting small with Jaws of the Lion and then jumping into the full size Gloomhaven game before starting this one though.

Why It’s a Favorite:

• Epic Scope: Builds on the success of Gloomhaven with a larger, more immersive world.

• Challenging Gameplay: Offers tough decisions and tactical depth in every scenario.

• Incredible Miniatures: The game’s miniatures are intricately designed, bringing the frozen world of Frosthaven to life.

Conclusion

These five dungeon crawler board games—HeroQuest, Descent: Legends of the Dark, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, Wings of Glory, and Frosthaven—offer a range of experiences, from classic dungeon exploration to tactical aerial combat. Each game features stunning miniatures that not only enhance the gameplay but also make the worlds within these games feel tangible and immersive. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the hobby, these games are sure to provide countless hours of adventure and excitement.