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The Best Board Games Like Gloomhaven
If you loved Gloomhaven and you're hunting for the next big tactical campaign, you want games that reward a long commitment: deep combat systems, characters that grow, and a story that unfolds over dozens of sessions. This list covers the best board games like Gloomhaven, ranked for players who want to sink months (not minutes) into one box.
A quick honesty note. None of these are "weekend" games. Most ask for table space, a dedicated group, and patience with a rules learning curve. We've spread the picks across different combat engines (cards, dice, dice-building) and different vibes (gritty fantasy, sci-fi, cosmic horror) so you can find the one that fits your table instead of just buying the heaviest thing on the shelf.
Not sure which one fits your table? Answer a few quick questions and I'll match you to three picks.
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1. Frosthaven
This is the most direct answer to 'what's like Gloomhaven,' because it's the sequel from the same designer, and it's bigger in nearly every way. You get a 100+ scenario campaign, new character classes, plus settlement building, crafting, and seasonal events layered on top of the same card-driven tactical combat. It's the pick if you already finished Gloomhaven and want more, just be ready for a heavier rulebook and a longer setup.
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2. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
The smartest starting point for anyone intimidated by the original's wall of cardboard. It teaches the exact same card-management combat through a built-in tutorial campaign, costs a fraction of the price, and plays on a book that doubles as the board. Fewer classes and scenarios than big Gloomhaven, but it's the same brain at the controls, which makes it the best on-ramp to this whole genre.
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3. Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood
A miniatures-heavy campaign that swaps Gloomhaven's grid puzzle for big, cinematic boss fights and a branching, choose-your-path story. Combat runs on a clever push-your-luck attack-deck system that feels tense without bogging down, and the monster reveals are genuine table moments. Best for groups who care as much about narrative drama and huge minis as they do about optimal moves.
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44. Gloomhaven
The game that defined the category, and still one of the deepest tactical campaigns you can buy. Roughly 95 scenarios, 17 unlockable classes, and a card-hand-management combat engine that genuinely rewards mastery over dozens of sessions. It's a beast to store and set up, so this is for the committed group ready to treat one box as a months-long project.
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5. Aeon Trespass: Odyssey
If you want the longest, most ambitious campaign on this list, this is it: Greek myth, giant mechs, and a story that runs across multiple boxed 'Cycles' for well over a hundred hours. The combat is brutal and intricate, with timeline manipulation that few other games attempt. Only for hardcore groups who want a campaign that becomes a lifestyle, not a casual buy.
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66. Too Many Bones
A dice-builder where you grow your hero's skills by rolling and training custom dice instead of playing cards. The components are premium (poker chips and a mountain of dice), the encounters are tactical and tense, and it shines at lower player counts. Pick this if you like Gloomhaven's character growth but want dice-driven decisions and a lighter setup footprint.
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77. ISS Vanguard
A sci-fi campaign that splits your time between managing a starship and sending away-teams down to alien planets, with a card-driven 'leaf' system that keeps the rules surfacing only when you need them. The branching missions and story discoveries land like a good sci-fi novel. Best for groups who want exploration and crew management woven through their tactical combat, not just dungeon after dungeon.
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88. Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
The classic one-versus-many dungeon crawler, where one player runs the monsters against a party of heroes across a linked campaign. It's lighter and more old-school than Gloomhaven, with miniatures, loot, and leveling that feel like tabletop D&D in a box. Great for groups who have a willing 'overlord' player and want a more traditional, accessible crawl.
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For most fans the honest upgrade path is Frosthaven if you want bigger, or Jaws of the Lion if you want to start smaller, but every game here can eat a whole campaign season of game nights.