Storytelling board games, sometimes called narrative board games or storybook games, are typically very thematic and immerse players in an engaging narrative as they play. These games don’t just tell a story—they let you be part of it!
For me, great storytelling games pull you into their worlds while also delivering solid gameplay. Their well-written stories and strategic challenges can make them some of the most memorable board gaming experiences.
Ranking these games wasn’t easy. In the end, I decided to give extra weight to how memorable the games’ stories were, but it was also important that each one was consistently fun to play. I think I found the right 10, but I have a feeling this list will be updated more often than most of the other board game rankings on the site.
Let’s get to it! Below are some of the best storytelling board games that you can get!
10. This War of Mine
Players: 1-6 | Ages: 18+
This War of Mine is a cooperative survival game in which you play as civilians struggling to survive in a war-torn city. Throughout the game, you have to work together to get the supplies you need to stay healthy and defend yourselves.
I was a big-time fan of the video game this is based on, and I think the designers did a fantastic job of capturing the unique mood of that game and converting it into a board game. What sets This War of Mine apart from other great storytelling games is its emotionally charged theme, which makes every decision feel that much more significant.
This War of Mine is an excellent storytelling game to get if you like the idea of playing through a realistic, darker-themed game that gives you tough moral choices to make throughout. It’s an unforgettable experience that will stick with you long after you’re done playing.
Read our This War of Mine review
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9. Unlock!
Players: 1-6 | Ages: 10+
Unlock! is a series of small-box escape room games that cover many different themes. They are real-time games that have you work together to solve puzzles as quickly as you can.
I’ve now played many co-op escape room games, and Unlock! is still my favorite system. The puzzles are consistently fun to try to solve, and the writing pulls you into the scenarios that play out.
Heroic Adventures is my favorite Unlock! set because of its great stories and really cool puzzles, but I recommend choosing the themes you think your group would enjoy the most.
Read our Unlock! review
8. The Adventures of Robin Hood
Players: 2-4 | Ages: 10+
The Adventures of Robin Hood is a storytelling adventure game where you and your group take on the roles of Robin Hood and his merry men as you fight against the Sheriff of Nottingham. You explore a constantly changing board, gather resources, and face off against different enemies.
What I enjoy most about The Adventures of Robin Hood is how immersive it is. The board has this unique mechanic where it evolves as you play, uncovering new paths and events, which helps to pull you into the story. The hardcover storybook itself is also very well done.
The Adventures of Robin Hood is a must-play if you like (or think you’d like) an adventure game with a strong story element. It also helps if your group likes the Robin Hood theme.
Get your copy of The Adventures of Robin Hood
7. Journeys in Middle-Earth
Players: 1-5 | Ages: 14+
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth is a co-op adventure game in which you work together to battle enemies and explore Middle-Earth. It’s an app-driven game, which is a great thing in this case because it does the bookkeeping for you, making it less fiddly than it otherwise would have been.
What really stands out for me in Journeys in Middle-Earth is how the app adds to the storytelling. It keeps the narrative flowing and limits the downtime that you usually find in big games like this. The awesome card system and exploration mix well with the app, making it a game that most The Lord of the Rings love.
If you enjoy immersive gameplay and like the idea of diving deep into the world of Middle-Earth, I highly recommend checking this one out.
Read our The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth review
Get your copy of Journeys in Middle-Earth
6. Chronicles of Crime
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 12+
Chronicles of Crime is a cooperative crime-solving game where you investigate cases using a mix of physical components and an app. You visit crime scenes, gather evidence, and interview suspects to try to crack the case, all while racing against the clock.
I think Chronicles of Crime is one of the best two-player board games out there, but it works well with three or four players, too. I really enjoyed working through these cases with my friends, even though we were all over the place with our crime-solving skills. Scanning locations and clues with your phone and talking to witnesses/suspects makes you feel like real detectives working on a case.
If you’re into murder mystery stories and games, Chronicles of Crime is a fantastic choice. All of these cases are unique and well-written, and a bunch of expansions have come out since the game’s initial release. My favorite cases were in the Chronicles of Crime: Noir expansion.
Read our Chronicles of Crime review
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Check out our Top 10 Co-op Deck Building Games!
5. Roll Player Adventures
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 14+
Roll Player Adventures is a cooperative narrative-driven game where you and your group take the heroes you’ve created and go on epic quests in a fantasy world. You make decisions that shape the story, engage in really cool dice combat, and explore different locations.
Roll Player Adventures has a similar core dice manipulation game that I loved in the original Roll Player, but it also adds a very well-written cooperative adventure. The game gives you a ton of freedom to craft your own story, and the character progression is super satisfying.
If you think you’d enjoy a big RPG-style co-op game, chances are you’ll really enjoy playing through Roll Player Adventures.
Get your copy of Roll Player Adventures
4. Vagrantsong
Players: 2-4 | Ages: 14+
Vagrantsong is a cooperative horror board game where players take on the roles of vagrants on a train who face off against some eerie spirits called Haints. Each scenario offers a different challenge, with unique Haints, different map layouts, and a variety of rituals to complete.
I’m a huge fan of Vagrantsong because of its cool theme, tough but rewarding scenarios, and fantastic artwork. I love how each Haint feels like a unique puzzle to solve, and it’s awesome that it plays so well at all player counts.
If you think your group will like this theme and will want to play through a challenging storytelling game, I definitely recommend playing Vagrantsong.
Read our Vagrantsong review
3. Aftermath
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 14+
Aftermath is a storytelling game set in a post-apocalyptic world where you play as small animals trying to survive. Throughout the campaign, you go on missions, gather supplies, and work together to protect your colony. The game is played inside the storybook, with the maps on one page and the unique rules and story bits on the other. If you’re interested in board games that look like books, Aftermath is one of the first games I’d recommend checking out.
The card-based action system is my favorite part of Aftermath because it feels more strategic and less random than most dice-based systems. The ability to choose your missions also gives you a sense of control over your story, and upgrading your colony between missions always got us excited to keep playing through the campaign.
Aftermath is a great storytelling board game for adults and for families with older kids. If you’re looking for a storytelling game that younger kids can play, check out Stuffed Fables, which was made by the same designer and publisher.
Read our Aftermath review
2. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Players: 1-8 | Ages: 13+
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is a cooperative mystery-solving game in which players work together to solve various cases set in Victorian London. Using maps, newspapers, and a casebook, you follow clues and interview suspects as you attempt to piece together the mystery.
No other game makes you feel like a real-life detective like Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective does. The writing is top-notch and each case offers unique challenges. This game has given me some of my favorite board gaming memories.
If you’re looking for a storytelling game that focuses heavily on mystery and deduction, Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is about as good as it gets. It’s especially great for people who like working through challenging puzzles.
Read our Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective review
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1. Sleeping Gods
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 13+
Sleeping Gods is a cooperative open-world adventure game where players take control of a ship’s crew and explore a mysterious world. The game is driven by storybook encounters, where your choices shape how the story plays out.
In my opinion, Sleeping Gods is the best storytelling game out there and one of the best adventure board games you can get. I love its open-world feel, the core Command action system works perfectly, and the writing is excellent. Maybe best of all, it really does make you feel like you’re in control of how the story unfolds.
Sleeping Gods is a must-try for fans of storytelling games. It’s a fantastic adventure and you can go into it knowing for sure that your group’s game is going to play out differently than everyone else’s.
Read our Sleeping Gods review
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What are your favorite cooperative storytelling board games? Any that didn’t make this list?
Be sure to also take a look at our Best Cooperative Board Games list and our other board game rankings.
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