Legacy board games are unlike anything else in the tabletop world. Each session you play changes the game permanently—new rules are introduced, stickers are added to the board, cards are ripped up, and a unique story unfolds based on the decisions you make. If you love narrative-driven games and campaign-style play, legacy games are a must.
Below are some of the greatest legacy board games available today, each offering hours of immersive storytelling and strategic decision-making.
1. Pandemic Legacy (Season 1)
Why it’s great:
Pandemic Legacy takes the classic cooperative game Pandemic and adds a gripping, season-long narrative. You’ll fight global outbreaks over 12–24 sessions, permanently altering the map, character abilities, and even the diseases themselves.
Buy Pandemic Legacy Season 1 here
2. Gloomhaven
Why it’s great:
With over 90 scenarios and branching paths, Gloomhaven is the gold standard of legacy dungeon crawlers. It features deep tactical combat, evolving character classes, and a legacy-style world map that grows as you explore.
(Ever thought about making your own board game? Start here)
3. Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated
Why it’s great:
This mashup between the popular deck-building game Clank! and the comedic world of Acquisitions Inc. delivers a hilarious, story-driven adventure. You’ll name locations, write on the board, and unlock new mechanics over time.
4. Betrayal Legacy
Why it’s great:
Fans of Betrayal at House on the Hill will love this legacy twist. You build a haunted house over multiple generations, with each session introducing new haunts, rules, and family secrets. The result? A fully customized version of Betrayal unique to your group.
5. Risk Legacy
Why it’s great:
This is the game that started the legacy trend. Risk Legacy transforms the classic world domination game into an evolving war saga. You’ll create factions, name continents, and permanently alter the board and rules with every win (or loss).
6. Charterstone
Why it’s great:
Designed by one of the game design GOATs, Jamey Stegmaier, Charterstone is a worker-placement legacy game where players build and customize a village together. After 12 sessions, you’ll have a fully functioning Euro-style game you can continue to play forever.
7. Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West
Why it’s great:
This isn’t just another Ticket to Ride map—it’s a full-fledged campaign that spans 12 games across the expanding American frontier. In Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West, you’ll open new frontier towns, complete secret missions, and unlock evolving rules as you build your railroad empire. It combines the familiar route-building gameplay with the excitement of discovery and legacy-style surprises, making it perfect for families and casual gamers who want an accessible introduction to the legacy genre.
Buy Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West here
Why Play Legacy Games?
- Storytelling: You create a narrative with every decision.
- Emotional investment: Losing a character or city hits hard.
- Replay value: Many offer a playable game even after the campaign ends.
- Group bonding: Play them with the same group and watch your shared story unfold.
Final Tip:
Legacy games are best played with a consistent group. Grab some snacks, block off a few weekends, and enjoy a gaming experience that sticks with you long after the final chapter.
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