The Arkham Horror universe is a vast and thrilling collection of board games that immerse players in the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft's mythos. With such an extensive range of options, we've divided our recommendations into two guides. This guide focuses on the diverse families of board games within the franchise. For enthusiasts of the deck-building card games, be sure to check out our comprehensive Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
Arkham Horror is a long-established series of horror board games that thrives on cooperative gameplay. Players must communicate effectively to succeed in missions that branch into various pathways, influenced by the roles, expansions, and campaigns chosen. These games are not only perfect for group play but also offer compelling experiences as solo board games for those times when you want to dive into an hour-plus gaming session alone.
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Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)
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Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion
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Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion
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Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
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Elder Sign
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Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion
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Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion
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Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion
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Elder Sign: Grave Consequences
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Elder Sign: Omens of Ice
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Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep
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Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
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Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion
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Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
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Unfathomable
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Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
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Eldritch Horror
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Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion
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Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
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Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook
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Want to jump straight into browsing the catalog? Feel free to scroll through the list above. For a deeper understanding of how these games and expansions fit into the expansive Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game
Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)
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MSRP: $65.95 USD
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where teams of players work together to combat various horrors. Embark on a journey through Arkham as one of six investigators to unravel mysteries and vanquish terrifying creatures. With multiple campaigns to explore and a significant luck component that involves rolling dice to pass objectives and confront bosses, the game offers high replayability.
However, be prepared: this game can be challenging. It requires time for setup and learning, and gameplay sessions can last several hours. If luck isn't on your side, games can end quickly. If a player's investigator dies and there are fewer than six players, you can choose a new one, but you'll lose any progress made. My initial experience with friends on the easiest campaign was tough, and solo play was equally challenging. The thrill of finally achieving that first victory is truly rewarding.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
There are three expansions for the Arkham Horror board game, each adding depth and new dimensions to the base game.
Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion
Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion
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MSRP: $59.99 USD
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Under the Dark Waves is the largest expansion, focusing on aquatic horrors. It introduces eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking your adventures from the city to the sea.
Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion
Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion
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MSRP: $44.99 USD
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
This medium-sized expansion includes three new scenarios and three additional investigators, allowing you to explore the French Hill neighborhood, which is far from a quaint getaway with its ghosts and monsters.
Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
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MSRP: $32.99 USD
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Dead of Night offers a smaller expansion with two new scenarios and four new investigators to help you navigate the night's terrors.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Several other board games exist as standalone experiences within the Arkham universe. These games don't require the original Arkham Horror to play and offer unique adventures with familiar characters.
Elder Sign
Elder Sign
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MSRP: $39.99 USD
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 1-2 hours
Ages: 14+
Elder Sign is a dice-rolling board game that's part of the Arkham Files franchise. It's highly accessible and primarily driven by dice, where players roll to complete tasks and encounter challenges. It's a standalone game with six expansions, offering a variety of experiences.
Elder Sign Expansions
Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion
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Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion
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Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion
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Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep
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Elder Sign: Grave Consequences
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Elder Sign: Omens of Ice
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Elder Sign offers six expansions, including Unseen Forces, Gates of Arkham, Omens of Ice, Grave Consequences, Omens of the Deep, and Omens of the Pharaoh. Grave Consequences can be played as a standalone deck. The last expansion was released in 2018, and it's unclear if more will follow.
Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
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MSRP: $109.95 USD
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Mansions of Madness is an app-driven dungeon crawler set in the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign. It can be played with one to five players, with the app guiding the narrative and gameplay. I enjoyed the blend of physical pieces and the app, which also allows you to pause and resume your game. Remember to take a picture of your setup if you need to pause, as you'll need to recreate it when you return.
Mansions of Madness Expansions
There are two expansions for Mansions of Madness, both cooperative and app-guided.
Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion
Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion
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MSRP: $69.99 USD
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
This expansion takes you into the jungle, facing Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and is guided by an app.
Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
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MSRP: $39.19 USD
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
A more affordable expansion, Beyond the Threshold adds two new investigators, two scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element.
Unfathomable
Unfathomable
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MSRP: $64.99 USD
Players: 3-6
Playtime: 2-4 hours
Ages: 14+
Unfathomable challenges players to escape a sea of monsters on a boat. It includes a social deduction element, making it immersive for larger groups. One player is secretly a traitor, adding a Battlestar Galactica-like atmosphere to the Lovecraftian setting. It's a unique experience within the Arkham catalogue, perfect for fans of social deduction games.
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
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This expansion introduces new prelude cards, three monstrous horrors, and new skills, items, and boon cards, enhancing the base game's variability.
Eldritch Horror
Eldritch Horror
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MSRP: $59.95 USD
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Eldritch Horror offers a global adventure, with players cooperating to complete objectives worldwide. It's more accessible than Arkham Horror with quicker setup and simpler rules, appealing to beginner and mid-range gamers. It's more focused on strategy and puzzle-solving, with its first release in 2013.
Eldritch Horror Expansions
Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion
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Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion
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Eldritch Horror has eight expansions: Forsaken Lore, Mountains of Madness, Strange Remnants, Under the Pyramids, Signs of Carcosa, The Dreamlands, Cities in Ruin, and Masks of Nyarlathotep.
Other Ways to Play
Beyond the traditional board games, the Arkham universe offers online versions and a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG).
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPGs last year, starting with a starter set and followed by a core rulebook. For beginners, the starter set is an excellent introduction.
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
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MSRP: $34.99 USD
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+
The starter set is perfect for newcomers to TTRPGs, featuring a sample campaign that doesn't require an experienced Game Master.
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook
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MSRP: $49.99 USD
Players: 2-6
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Once you're familiar with the game, the Core Rulebook allows you to embark on new adventures in the Arkham Horror universe.
Video Game Versions
A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother's Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. It's a single-player experience similar to the Mansions of Madness board game expansion, available on Steam and Switch for $19.99. However, it has received mixed reviews due to issues with story execution and handling of heavy topics.
Elder Sign also has a digital version, Elder Sign: Omens, available on Steam and mobile platforms since 2011. It's highly affordable at $5.99 and has garnered positive feedback.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror series is a must-explore. The variety of games allows for both solo and group play, each offering a unique take on the Lovecraftian universe. Keep in mind that these games can be challenging, with significant elements of chance that increase replayability and potential frustration. Setup and learning time are also factors to consider, though card games are generally quicker to set up than board games, even without expansions.
