The 10 Best Tie-In Board Games (That Actually Work)

Licensed games are usually not good. Most of them are nothing more than cheap ways for game companies to capitalize on popular franchises. A lot of times people are paying for the name rather than the quality of the game. Everyone knows this. The gaming community has universally agreed upon this fact – licensed games are essentially money-making opportunities without much effort put into the game.

However, there are many developers who create great licensed games. Games where the IP influences how the game is played. Games where the mechanics support the theme. Games where the overall experience is similar to watching the original movie/TV show, not just pretending to.

There are very few games that fit these categories, however, they are out there. So, we ranked our top 10 games that meet all these requirements.

The making of this list almost started a whole new type of debate among the members of Meeple Power. This time, instead of arguing about which games are better, the group could agree on the main list. However, the real debate began about what makes a licensed game truly successful. William insisted that the most important thing to consider is how well the game’s mechanics reflect the theme. Janet stated that accessibility is far more important than the theme. Evelyn thought that the best licensed games require pure strategic depth, no matter how well the theme is implemented. Nicholas believed that a strong campaign and long-form engagement were the most important features of a successful licensed game. Billy simply wanted to see games that he could enjoy playing with his friends.

After about three weeks of circular debates (since everyone had valid arguments), we finally arrived at a common consensus; games where the mechanics, the theme and the gameplay come together. Games where the license is not superficial – it is integral to the gameplay experience. Games where you are not playing a generic game with a brand name attached to it, but rather an experience that requires the use of that particular license.

Why Licensed Games Fail (and why these do not)

The vast majority of tie-in games fail due to the developer treating the license as mere window dressing. Developers create a generic game system first, then attach some references to the license to the game. “We built a cooperative game… about ghosts… and we got the Ghostbusters license!”

On the other hand, the best licensed games are developed with the license as the foundation of the game. Developers begin with the license and ask themselves, “What makes this movie/show unique?” “What makes it different from every other movie/show?” Then, they develop the mechanics to express those qualities.

For example, Alien: Isolation does not succeed because it contains aliens. Alien: Isolation succeeds because the hidden movement mechanism conveys the same feelings of Alien – the feeling of being isolated, the feeling of fear, the feeling of having little to no knowledge about what the alien is doing, the feeling of the hunter becoming the hunted. Star Wars: Rebellion does not succeed because it has Star Wars names. Star Wars: Rebellion succeeds because the mechanisms of asymmetry and lack of information between players perfectly illustrate the Rebels vs. Empire struggle. Back to the Future does not succeed because of nostalgia. Back to the Future succeeds because time travel mechanics perfectly capture the time travel aspect of the movie’s plot.

This list consists of games where the license is essential to the gameplay experience. Not games that contain a license. Games where removing the license would fundamentally change the experience.

Who This List Is For

You love playing games based on movies/TV shows you love. But you are tired of seeing games with weak licensing themes. You are looking for games where the licensing theme is integrated seamlessly into the gameplay. Where the mechanics make sense with the licensing theme. Where completing a successful campaign feels like the story of the movie/TV show, not just reading a description of the story.

Additionally, this list is particularly focused on games that offer a high-quality solo experience. Tie-in games are typically created with the idea of providing a multi-player experience. Therefore, we are focusing on the best games that provide a high-quality solo experience.

Solo-specific considerations for tie-in games

When you read through this list, keep an eye out for:

Thematic authenticity: Do the mechanics align with the core elements of the licensing theme? Or did the developer add the licensing theme as an afterthought?

Solo viability: Does the game include a standalone solo mode or can you play the game solo with ease? Will the experience change significantly whether you are playing solo or with multiple players?

Mechanics serving theme: While you are playing, do you feel as though you are experiencing the story? Or are you just moving pieces around a board?

Accessibility: Are the rules easy to understand and follow, especially considering the licensing theme? Or do you need to spend a lot of time studying the rules manual?

Replayability: Can the game remain enjoyable through repeated plays? Or is the game a single-play experience based on the licensing theme?

Rankings

1. Alien: Isolation (2014)

Designers	John Yianni
License	Alien franchise
Solo Playtime	60-90 minutes
Complexity	Medium-High
Setup Time	10 minutes
Automa Quality	Not applicable (Hidden Movement)
Rules Overhead	Moderate
Thematic Integration	Exceptional

Alien: Isolation is what occurs when a designer fully comprehends their licensing theme. There is a single player controlling the Xenomorph (a hidden threat that moves throughout the Nostromo.) Players working cooperatively (in a solo game, you are the human) try to accomplish objectives while attempting to evade the Xenomorph.

The genius part – you never know where the xenomorph is located. You know it’s after you. You know it is coming for you. You can hear it in the ventilation shaft above. You never see it until it’s too late. This is not merely a mechanically impressive feature – it successfully recreates the essence of Alien – isolation, fear, asymmetrical information, the realization that you’re not in control.

Playing solo, you are playing as the human. The Xenomorph is represented by an extremely straightforward AI deck. The AI hunts intelligently. It makes no mistakes. When you run into it, the encounter is indeed serious since the AI is playing optimally. You are not fighting random chance – you are fighting a perfectly rational predator.

Is it still good?: Yes. The hidden movement causes the player to feel tense. The thematic integration is seamless. Alien is an exceptional solo experience.

[William’s In-Depth Analysis Of Alien’s Thematic Integration and Terror Design →]

2. Star Wars: Rebellion (2016)

Designers	Michael Kiesling
License	Star Wars
Solo Playtime	120-180 minutes
Complexity	High
Setup Time	15 minutes
Automa Quality	Good (AI represents the Empire and acts rationally)
Rules Overhead	Moderate-High
Thematic Integration	Exceptional

Star Wars: Rebellion is an asymmetric conflict game. One player commands the Rebel Alliance and the other player commands the Galactic Empire. The goal of the Rebels is to protect their secret base and continue to fight. The Empire’s objective is to discover and destroy the Rebels’ base.

In terms of design, this is phenomenal – the Rebels have limited resources but mobility and hidden information. The Empire has immense military might, but they cannot find the Rebels unless they know exactly where they are. This perfectly illustrates the nature of the Star Wars conflict. The Rebels are not trying to defeat the Empire militarily. They are trying to survive and keep hope alive. The Empire is trying to crush the hopes of the Rebels through sheer military might and the methodical destruction of their bases.

Playing solo, you represent the Rebels. The Empire is represented by an AI that acts according to predetermined rules for searching. The AI has access to the exact amount of information it should have – it doesn’t have any additional information. It simply plays reasonably.

Is it still good?: Yes. The asymmetry allows for two distinct experiences depending on whether you are playing as the Rebels or the Empire. The thematic integration is incredibly tight. The mechanics seem to be expressing the Star Wars universe’s conflicts.

[William’s Review of Asymmetric Narrative Design in Star Wars: Rebellion →]

3. Back to the Future: Dice Through Time (2016)

Designers	Nathan Hajdu
License	Back to the Future
Solo Playtime	45-75 minutes
Complexity	Medium
Setup Time	10 minutes
Automa Quality	Score-based
Rules Overhead	Minimal
Thematic Integration	Good

Back to the Future is a dice-rolling, time-travel-themed game. Players are managing the space-time continuum to ensure that key events from the movies occur at the right time. Players are also working to minimize paradoxes and prevent the collapse of the space-time continuum.

The mechanics complement the theme – players are literally managing multiple timelines in order to ensure that historical events occurred correctly. Dice determine what events occur. Strategy and luck are equally important. Players are working to create situations that will allow the desired outcome to occur.

Playing solo, you are trying to reach a target score. The game does not punish you severely for failing to reach your target score – it is a cooperative game against the forces of chaos, not a competitive game.

Is it still good?: Yes. The theme is accessible. The dice mechanics are familiar but the timeline concept adds an element of surprise. Solo Back to the Future is a less intense experience than the more complex games on this list, but that is intentional.

[Nicholas’s Review of Back to the Future’s Timeline Mechanics →]

4. Terminator Genisys: Fall of Skynet (2016)

Designers	Corey Konieczka
License	Terminator franchise
Solo Playtime	90-120 minutes
Complexity	High
Setup Time	15 minutes
Automa Quality	Very Good (Skynet AI is a legitimate challenge)
Rules Overhead	Moderate
Thematic Integration	Exceptional

Terminator Genisys: Fall of Skynet is a cooperative tactical combat game where players are fighting Terminator robots and attempting to prevent Judgment Day. Players are managing their soldiers, resources, and increasingly desperate situations as the threat escalates.

A great design – Skynet (the AI) escalates in difficulty. Easy to manage early turns. Manageable mid-game. Desperate to manage late-game as Skynet deploys increasingly deadly Terminators. This accurately portrays the escalating threat depicted in the Terminator franchise. The players are not trying to defeat the Terminators in battle. They are trying to survive and maintain hope in the face of a seemingly insurmountable threat.

Playing solo, you control your team of soldiers. Skynet operates according to its pre-determined AI rules and becomes increasingly hostile. The game generates tension as Skynet is relentless and resource-poor.

Is it still good?: Yes. The tactical combat mechanics are solid. The escalation of difficulty is thematically fitting. The solo design is intentional and well-executed.

[Evelyn’s Analytical Review of Terminator’s Resource Management →]

5. Eldritch Horror (2013)

Designers	Kevin Wilson
License	Lovecraftian/Cthulhu Mythos
Solo Playtime	90-120 minutes (per Scenario)
Complexity	Medium-Heavy
Setup Time	10 minutes
Automa Quality	Not applicable (Cooperative)
Rules Overhead	Moderate
Thematic Integration	Exceptional

In Eldritch Horror, you’re investigating locations around the world to stop cosmic events from unfolding. You’ll travel to new locations, gather clues, and attempt to stop the emergence of ancient deities. The theme is woven into almost every element of gameplay — locations have secrets; investigators have psychological baggage; encounters can corrupt your mind or destroy your body. The sense of growing panic and inability to cope with the increasing danger felt throughout the game is reflective of the themes found in Lovecraftian horror literature.

When played solo, you control one to four investigators depending on the number of players indicated on the box cover. The difficulty of the game increases according to the number of investigators you choose to control. Since you’re playing a cooperative game, you’re not ever going to be at the mercy of chance or the roll of a dice, you’re always going to be at the mercy of the sheer force of the cosmic horrors you’re attempting to prevent.

Does it still hold up? Yes. The game features so many different locations, that you’ll never run out of new environments to explore. The variety of possible encounters, each with their own narrative twist, will create new moments of surprise throughout the game. The solo version of Eldritch Horror is a very compelling horror experience.

[Nicholas’s Deep Dive into Eldritch Horror’s Investigation Mechanics → ]

6. Ghostbusters: The Board Game (2019)

Designers	Duane Maxwell
License	Ghostbusters Film Franchise
Solo Playtime	60-90 minutes
Complexity	Medium
Setup Time	10 minutes
Automa Quality	Not applicable (Cooperative)
Rules Overhead	Minimal
Thematic Integration	Strong

In Ghostbusters: The Board Game, you and your fellow players will work together to capture ghosts. Each player manages a different Ghostbuster. You manage your equipment (Proton Packs, Traps, etc.), coordinate your strategy to effectively capture ghosts and limit the chaos caused by these spirits.

The theme is fun and easy to understand, but also mechanically interesting. You have to make strategic decisions about how to position your Ghostbusters to capture the ghosts. The resource management (Proton Pack Ammo, PKE Meter, etc.) adds another layer of strategy to the game.

Playing the game solo, you control all the Ghostbusters. The ghost encounters are tough but doable. The game rewards strategic thinking, but doesn’t penalize you for making poor decisions.

Does it still hold up? Yes. The theme is fun, and the mechanics allow you to feel like a real Ghostbuster. The solo Ghostbusters experience is a good way to get started with cooperative gaming.

[Janet’s Analysis of Ghostbusters’ Accessible Design → ]

7. Jaws (2019)

Designers	Kevin Lanzing
License	Jaws Film
Solo Playtime	90-120 minutes
Complexity	Medium
Setup Time	10 minutes
Automa Quality	Good (Sharks are controlled by Cards)
Rules Overhead	Moderate
Thematic Integration	Excellent

Jaws is an asymmetric game where one player controls the shark and the other players try to hunt it. When you’re playing solo, the shark is controlled by a simple deck of cards that determine its movements and attacks.

The asymmetry of the game is perfect for capturing the struggle between the shark and the people trying to kill it in the film. The shark is the apex predator and is fast and deadly. Humans are vulnerable and must work together to overcome the shark.

When playing solo as a hunter, you’re desperate to find and kill a superior threat. When you’re playing solo as the shark in multi-player, you’re trying to avoid the coordinated hunters.

Does it still hold up? Yes. The asymmetry provides two distinct play experiences. The game integrates the theme perfectly. Solo Jaws is a tense and frightening experience.

[Billy’s Investigation of Jaws’s Asymmetrical Conflict → ]

8. Zombicide (2012)

Designers	Raphaël Guiton & Jean-Baptiste Laplanche
License	Zombie Media / The Walking Dead
Solo Playtime	60-120 minutes (Per Scenario)
Complexity	Medium
Setup Time	15 minutes
Automa Quality	Not applicable (Cooperative)
Rules Overhead	Minimal
Thematic Integration	Strong

Zombicide is a cooperative game where you’re working with your fellow survivors to survive and complete objectives in a zombie-infested town. Each player manages their own survivor, and you all must work together to manage ammo, position yourselves strategically, and manage the zombie threat as it escalates during the game.

The theme is simple yet mechanically interesting. Every decision you make impacts the game state — Where you move determines where the next zombies spawn. What you shoot determines how much ammo you have left. The objectives you decide to pursue affect your survival chances. The game creates an emergent sense of tension and panic through the mechanical systems that reflect the zombie-survival fantasy.

In solo mode, you control a team of survivors. The zombies are challenging but not frustratingly so. The game rewards strategic placement of your survivors and wise use of your ammo.

Does it still hold up? Yes. The zombie mechanics create a sense of escalating danger. The modular design of the game allows for varying levels of difficulty and new experiences with each play-through. The long-form campaigns in solo Zombicide provide a deep and engaging experience.

[Nicholas’s Campaign Analysis of Zombicide’s Long Form Survival → ]

9. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle (2016)

Designers	Andrew Wolf
License	Harry Potter
Solo Playtime	45-75 minutes
Complexity	Medium
Setup Time	10 minutes
Automa Quality	Not applicable (Cooperative)
Rules Overhead	Minimal
Thematic Integration	Good

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle is a cooperative deck-building game where you’re the student wizards at Hogwarts, collecting and building your spell decks, and fighting against the Dark Arts. The game takes place over seven years of school, and as you progress, the challenges become increasingly difficult.

The theme is accessible and fun — You’re learning spells, acquiring gear, and working with your house-mates. The deck-building system is easy to understand. The seven-year campaign mirrors the progression of the books.

When playing solo, you control a team of students. The game adjusts the difficulty level based on the number of students you’ve chosen to control. The cooperative aspect ensures that failing is due to poor strategic choices rather than chance.

Does it still hold up? Yes. The theme is accessible to fans of the series. The deck-building process is rewarding. The solo Hogwarts Battle experience is a great introduction to cooperative gameplay for fans of the franchise.

[Janet’s Accessibility Analysis of Harry Potter’s Gateway Design → ]

10. Marvel: Crisis Protocol (2021)

Designers	Eric M. Lang
License	Marvel Universe
Solo Playtime	60-90 minutes
Complexity	Medium-Heavy
Setup Time	15 minutes
Automa Quality	Moderate (Requires Opponent AI)
Rules Overhead	Moderate-High
Thematic Integration	Good

Marvel: Crisis Protocol is a tactical combat game where you’re commanding teams of Marvel Superheroes in battles across the city. You’re responsible for positioning your characters, utilizing their special abilities and managing your resources while battling against opponents (or AI in solo).

The mechanical systems in Marvel: Crisis Protocol support the fantasy of super-powered combat — Each character has unique abilities that match their comic book counterparts. Positioning is important. Special abilities add excitement to the battle. The modular scenario design creates a wide variety of tactical situations.

When playing solo, you’re battling against an AI-controlled opponent. The AI uses logic to position itself and utilize its special abilities. Your team of heroes must coordinate their actions to defeat the enemy.

Does it still hold up? Yes. The unique abilities of each character create a distinct experience for each play session. The tactical positioning is exciting. The modular designs create a new set of challenges each time you play.

[Evelyn’s Tactical Analysis of Marvel’s Combat Systems → ]

Games That Were Left Off And Why We’re Still Arguing About Them

We were able to leave off countless licensed board games that functioned mechanically well. Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu did a great job integrating the Lovecraft license (but Eldritch Horror does it better). Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Board Game has good mechanics and good theme integration. Game of Thrones: The Board Game has more complex mechanics than most games, but it may be too complicated for casual gamers.

William was adamant that we needed to highlight games with stronger connections to the narrative of the franchise. Janet wanted games that were easier to access and that would appeal to casual gamers. Evelyn wanted games with pure tactical depth. Nicholas wanted games that supported longer campaigns. Billy wanted games that added a social/party game component.

Ultimately, the 10 games listed above represent the intersection of all the needs — Games where the license is relevant, where mechanics support the theme, where solo play works well and where you can experience the original story through the game systems.

If your favorite movie or TV show tie-in game wasn’t included, please know that a Top Ten List of the best licensed games will inevitably leave someones favorite game off the list. Anyone can clearly see that there are hundreds of licensed board games out there, and therefore, there are certainly many that could have been included. Go ahead and disagree with us in the comments section — We’ve spent enough arguing among ourselves.

The purpose of this article is to simply demonstrate that licensed board games don’t have to be money grabs. When a designer treats both the original material and game design with respect, magic occurs. The ten games below demonstrate that licensed games can be truly exceptional.

Each individual game has a deeper dive, written by whoever has the greatest insight into what makes that game work because when a licensed game actually treats its IP with respect, that should be recognized.