SEED GAME#2800 BGG all-time

Arena: The Contest(2019)

★ 8.4 BGG1–8 playersWeight 2.81
Action QueueCooperative GameDice Rolling

Games like Arena: The Contest

Looking for games like Arena: The Contest? It puts everyone on the same side, sweating one shared problem that fights back — built on asymmetric powers that make your side play unlike any other and pulling together against a game that fights back. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

Descent: Legends of the Dark(2021)

★ 7.91–4 players120 minWeight 2.7
ISO Match
73/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 5 more

Cooperative GameDice RollingGrid Movement

Champions of Hara(2018)

★ 7.11–4 playersWeight 3.1
ISO Match
71/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 5 more

Area MovementCooperative GameGrid Movement

Mechs vs. Minions(2016)

★ 8.02–4 players60 minWeight 2.5
ISO Match
69/100

Shares Action Queue + 4 more

Action QueueBiasCooperative Game

Zombicide(2012)

★ 7.11–6 players60 minWeight 2.5
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 5 more

Action PointsCooperative GameDice Rolling

Dungeons & Dragons: The Legend of Drizzt Board Game(2011)

★ 7.21–5 players60 minWeight 2.6
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 4 more

Cooperative GameDice RollingGrid Movement

Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon Board Game(2011)

★ 7.11–5 players60 minWeight 2.6
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 4 more

Cooperative GameDice RollingGrid Movement

Dungeons & Dragons: Castle Ravenloft Board Game(2010)

★ 7.01–5 players60 minWeight 2.5
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 4 more

Cooperative GameDice RollingGrid Movement

Dungeons & Dragons: Temple of Elemental Evil Board Game(2015)

★ 7.31–5 players60 minWeight 2.5
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 4 more

Cooperative GameDice RollingGrid Movement

Shadows of Brimstone: Cursed Tombs of Khamuntet(2025)

★ 9.31–4 players120 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 4 more

Cooperative GameDice RollingGrid Movement

MegaMetroCity(2019)

★ 8.81–4 players45 minWeight 2.3
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 5 more

Action PointsCooperative GameDice Rolling

Shadows of Brimstone: Gates of Valhalla(2023)

★ 8.41–4 playersWeight 3.0
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 4 more

Cooperative GameDice RollingGrid Movement

Shadows of Brimstone: Valley of the Serpent Kings(2023)

★ 8.51–4 playersWeight 3.3
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Cooperative Game + 4 more

Cooperative GameDice RollingGrid Movement

As an Amazon Associate, ISO earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability vary; ISO never displays prices. Affiliate links are marked rel="sponsored" per FTC guidelines.

IS

Get picks tuned to your shelf

This list is built from community data. Sign in to ISO and log what you own — your personal feed factors in your complexity preferences, play history, and the games already on your shelf.

Get personalized recommendations →

Free · no credit card · 2-minute setup

More recommendation lists