89

Frosthaven is a cooperative, legacy-style dungeon crawler and campaign game. It serves as a standalone adventure set in the frozen north, where players build up their outpost and explore numerous scenarios. The game features new characters, races, and complex strategic play, expanding upon the acclaimed Gloomhaven system.

89

The Verdict

based on 21 reviews

Positive 0%
Excellent and deep tactical card-driven combat system
Highly varied and well-balanced character classes with unique playstyles
Engaging town-building and resource management mechanics that create investment in the campaign world
Rich narrative and improved storytelling compared to its predecessor
Calendar system and seasonal events add thematic depth and consequence to the campaign progression
Extremely high complexity and a steep learning curve, making it unsuitable for beginners
Long setup, teardown, and overall scenario playtime, often requiring significant dedication
Fiddly administration and extensive bookkeeping, particularly during the Outpost phase, which some find a chore or a slog
The included puzzle book is often found to be obtuse, unclear, or disconnected from the core gameplay experience
95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Shelfside, Shelfside (Ashton & Daniel)Video

Shelfside's review hails Frosthaven as a significant improvement over Gloomhaven, addressing previous issues and expanding upon its strengths with better organization, an engaging narrative, and enhanced gameplay mechanics, making it an exceptional board game experience.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
The Cardboard Herald, Jack EddyVideo

The Cardboard Herald presents an in-depth review of Frosthaven, praising it as an improvement over Gloomhaven. The review highlights the game's polished nature, engaging elements, and exceptional combat and progression systems, despite its acknowledged complexity.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
GideonsGaming, Gaming GideonVideo

The reviewer considers Frosthaven one of the greatest board games ever made, praising its deep complexity, engaging cooperative combat, and satisfying progression, despite some minor criticisms regarding outpost attacks and an obtuse puzzle book.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
quill18, quill18Video

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Frosthaven as a master class in game design and a spiritual successor to the excellent Gloomhaven, particularly highlighting the enhanced player interaction and control through the new town management features.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Tabletop Gaming Magazine, Alexandra SonechkinaArticle

Frosthaven successfully matches and improves upon Gloomhaven's ambition by adding a rewarding outpost phase and deeper tactical combat. Despite its massive setup footprint and overwhelming rules overhead, it is a must-play legacy dungeon crawler.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Shut Up & Sit Down, Tom BrewsterVideo

This Shut Up & Sit Down review thoroughly examines the physical board game Frosthaven, a massive sequel to Gloomhaven. It delves into the game's core mechanics, strategic depth, and overall player experience, emphasizing its satisfying and challenging system.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Gideon's Gaming, Gaming GideonArticle

Frosthaven is a massively complex and rewarding co-op dungeon crawler with incredible character progression, but it suffers from severe setup drag, clunky rulebook organization, and an annoying legacy sticker system.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Co-op Board GamesArticleTop List

Frosthaven is a highly ambitious cooperative campaign game that expands on its predecessor with engaging town-building and deep card-driven tactical combat. It offers immense replayability and an improved narrative, making it an excellent experience for dedicated gaming groups, despite its high complexity and demanding setup.

See list
90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
PolygonArticleTop List

Frosthaven is hailed as a highly anticipated and massive cooperative RPG board game that expands upon its predecessor, Gloomhaven, by integrating new encounters, creatures, characters, and an engaging base-building element, providing a truly remarkable experience.

See list
90
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
Meeple Mountain, Andrew Holmes, Jesse Fletcher, David McMillan, Will HareArticle

This collaborative review praises Frosthaven as a massive, highly anticipated sequel that delivers more of the beloved Gloomhaven experience. While acknowledging the game's huge scale and weight necessitate careful organization for setup, the overall impression is overwhelmingly positive.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
IGN, Matt ThrowerArticle

Frosthaven is a massive, content-rich cooperative campaign game that retains the brilliant tactical combat and card-driven mechanics of its predecessor while introducing an engaging town-building and defense system between dungeons.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Unfiltered Gamer, Unfiltered GamerVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Frosthaven, praising its high-quality components, excellent storyline, and numerous wonderful features and additions that provide a long-lasting and enjoyable experience, despite acknowledging the extensive rulebook reading required.

Stay in the loop

Fresh reviews, hyped games and top lists — straight to your inbox, once a week.

Board Game Verdict

© 2026 Board Game Verdict

AboutMethodologyEthicsFAQContact usPrivacy policy·····