The classic dungeon-crawling fantasy board game HeroQuest is getting a new expansion on August 1. HeroQuest has received many expansions over its 35-plus year history, but The Crypt of Perpetual Darkness Quest Pack has a unique hook: It was written and designed by massive tabletop RPG fan and actor Joe Manganiello (Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Magic Mike, True Blood). This expansion was previously exclusive to crowdfunding backers for HeroQuest’s relaunch, but soon all players will be able to embark on quests created by Manganiello.
You can preorder Joe Manganiello’s The Crypt of Perpetual Darkness Quest Pack at Amazon for $35. While Amazon currently lists the release date as August 1, your local game store might have copies starting July 15. To play the expansion, you will either need a copy of HeroQuest Game System or HeroQuest: First Light.
$35 | Releases August 1
This premium version of The Crypt of Perpetual Darkness includes 10 pre-made quests created by Manganiello. According to the expansion’s official description, the journey sends player into a deep underground lair in search of a hidden crypt said to contain a powerful artifact. The box includes the full 10-quest campaign, plus a new Black Dragon miniature and other additional gameplay materials to use while playing through the adventure. Everything in the quest pack features stylish new art and graphic design to match the atmosphere of the new dungeon-crawling storyline. Here’s a look at everything included:
- Questbook with 10 pre-made quests from Joe Manganiello
- 1 metallic Black Dragon miniature
- 8 black dice
- 1 pad of character sheets
- 20 foil-embellished game cards
- 2 cardboard tile sheets
Like with other HeroQuest expansions, you can also use these pieces to create your own custom quests and dungeons beyond the campaign included in the box.
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For those who have never player HeroQuest before, the game is essentially a streamlined tabletop RPG packaged into a boardgame format designed for two to five players, with one player controlling the various evil bosses and their minions, while the rest control one of several pre-made heroes like the Barbarian, Wizard, Dwarf, or Elf who explore dungeons and complete quests. This makes for a fast-paced game focused on combat and exploration that’s easy to set up and learn, but still offers much of the customization, continuity, and replayability of pen-and-paper RPGs.
The game originally launched in 1989 and was out of print for several years until it returned with the HeroQuest Game System (2nd Edition), thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign. You can pick up a copy for $91.60 at Amazon, which is very close to the lowest price this year. Though the retailer briefly sold it for under $50 in early 2024, the price has trended up ever since–it hasn’t dropped below $85 since Black Friday. The price has bounced between $90 and $110 throughout 2025 (so far). HeroQuest’s MSRP is $135.
There is a cheaper path to accessing the new expansion. Earlier this year, Avalon Hill released HeroQuest: First Light, which is a smaller, standalone expansion that includes everything you need to play–albeit with fewer quests, heroes, monsters, and dungeon pieces– for just $50.
While both HeroQuest Game System and First Light come with everything you need to play–including rules for creating your own custom adventures–there are also numerous other official expansions like the upcoming Crypt of Perpetual Darkness that add new pre-made quests, new playable heroes, bosses, dungeon tiles, and more. Check out the list below for more HeroQuest Quest Packs and expansion. Generally, Quest
