Review · Adventure · PC
Gloomhaven
By the LumiKin editors
Reviewed: 01 May 2026
PC
Flaming Fowl Studios · 2019
LumiScore
58/100
Good
Gloomhaven is a tactical RPG that builds problem solving, strategic thinking, and critical thinking with complex mechanics and challenging dungeons.
Growth (BDS)
42
Risk (RIS)
8
Daily limit
120min
Age guidance
13+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.76 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.07 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.10 | |
Gloomhaven offers a deep and engaging tactical RPG experience, fostering problem-solving, strategic thinking, and critical thinking through its complex mechanics and challenging, randomly generated dungeons. Players can customize their team and adapt to diverse combat scenarios, promoting learning and transfer of skills. The game's focus on strategic decision-making and party management provides a rich cognitive workout.
Design risks
| R1 | Dopamine pressure | 0.17 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.00 | |
While Gloomhaven is largely free of manipulative monetization and social risks, its rogue-like nature involves frequent dying and challenging encounters, which could lead to frustration. The fantasy violence against 'malicious beasts' and 'demons' and elements of 'fear/horror' might be intense for some players, though it's not explicitly rated.
Heads up
- Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $0–0/mo.