The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive range of games, so much so that we've divided them into two guides. In this buying guide, we'll explore the various families of board games. If you're interested in the deck-building card games within the same universe, you can find more details in our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise renowned for its horror-themed board games. These games immerse you and your fellow players in missions that demand cooperation and communication to succeed. With multiple pathways influenced by different roles, expansions, and campaigns, the games offer diverse experiences. They're also excellent choices for solo play, perfect for those times when you can't gather a group for an extended gaming session.
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Want to skip the descriptions and go straight to the various games and expansions? Scroll through the catalog above. For a detailed understanding of how these items interconnect within the broader Arkham Horror universe, continue reading below.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game
0See it at Amazon 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. You can journey through Arkham as one of six investigators to solve mysteries and battle terrifying creatures. The game features multiple campaigns and a significant luck element, which involves rolling dice to meet objectives and confront bosses, enhancing its replayability.
However, be prepared for a challenging experience. The setup and learning curve can be time-consuming, and gameplay sessions can last several hours, depending on your group's luck. If you lose with fewer than six players, you can choose a new investigator, but you'll restart from scratch, losing any progress. My first attempt with friends on the easiest campaign was a disaster, and solo play didn't fare much better. That first victorious game, however, will be a moment of triumph for your group.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
There are three expansions for the Arkham Horror: The Board Game, each adding new layers of depth to the base game.
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $59.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+ Under the Dark Waves is the largest expansion, focusing on underwater horrors. It introduces eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking you beyond the city and into the sea.
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $44.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+ This medium-sized expansion adds three new scenarios and three new investigators. It opens up the French Hill neighborhood, where you'll encounter ghosts and monsters, turning a potential quaint French getaway into a nightmarish adventure.
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $32.99 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+ Dead of Night is a smaller box expansion with a more affordable price. It includes two new scenarios and four new investigators to help you navigate the horrors that come at night.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Several other board games exist within the Arkham universe but stand independently from the main Arkham Horror game. Each offers a unique standalone adventure using familiar characters from the broader Arkham universe, and some have their own expansions.
Elder Sign
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $39.99 USD Players: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hours Ages: 14+ Elder Sign is one of the earliest games in the Arkham Files franchise and is a dice-rolling board game for one to eight players. It's the most accessible and luck-based game in the series, featuring six expansions. Gameplay revolves around rolling dice to complete tasks and navigate encounters, using your investigator's stats to fight monsters, gather clues, and solve mysteries before time runs out.
Elder Sign Expansions
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0See it at Asmodee Elder Sign has six expansions: 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 game or with the core game. The last expansion was released in 2018, with no further expansions announced.
Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
0See it at Amazon 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 supports one to five players and uses an app to guide the narrative, setup, and gameplay. I found the blend of tactical pieces and app-driven gameplay engaging, and the app's ability to pause and resume games is a handy feature, though you'll need to set up the physical board again.
Mansions of Madness Expansions
There are two expansions for Mansions of Madness, both cooperative and app-guided.
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $69.99 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+ This expansion takes you into the jungle, where you'll face serpents and Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and is also guided by an app.
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $39.19 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+ This more affordable expansion introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element, making it an accessible addition to your collection.
Unfathomable
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $64.99 USD Players: 3-6 Playtime: 2-4 hours Ages: 14+ Unfathomable is a social deduction game set on a boat escaping from sea monsters. It's best with five or six players and includes a traitor mechanic, reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica but set in the Lovecraftian universe. Sessions can last several hours as you navigate the game, trying to identify the traitor while working to survive.
Unfathomable offers a unique experience within the Arkham catalog, appealing to fans of social deduction games but may not be for everyone.
0See it at Amazon This expansion introduces new prelude cards, three new monstrous horrors, and new skills, items, and boon cards, adding variety to the game.
Eldritch Horror
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $59.95 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+ Eldritch Horror offers a global adventure, contrasting with the more localized setting of Arkham Horror. It's designed to be more accessible with a quicker setup and simpler rules, appealing to beginner and intermediate gamers. The game emphasizes strategy and puzzle-solving and was first released in 2013.
Eldritch Horror Expansions
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0See it at Amazon 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
In addition to the board games, there are other ways to explore the Arkham universe. You can play some of these games online or dive into the franchise's tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) offerings.
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Arkham Horror's foray into TTRPGs started late last year with a starter set followed by a core rulebook. I recommend starting with the starter set to get familiar with the rules and gameplay before diving into the core rulebook for your own adventures.
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $34.99 USD Players: 2-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+ The starter set is perfect for beginners, offering a sample campaign that doesn't require an experienced Game Master.
0See it at Amazon MSRP: $49.99 USD Players: 2-6 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+ After experiencing the starter set, the Core Rulebook allows you to continue your TTRPG adventures in the Arkham Horror universe.
Video Game Versions
A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. This solo game has similarities to the Mansions of Madness board game expansion and is available on Steam and Switch for $19.99. However, it received mixed reviews, with IGN giving it a 5 out of 10 for its lackluster story execution and handling of heavy topics.
Elder Sign also has a digital version, Elder Sign: Omens, released in 2011. Available on Steam and mobile platforms for $5.99, it has received mostly positive reviews.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror universe is a treasure trove worth exploring. These games offer diverse experiences, many of which can be enjoyed solo or with friends. However, be aware that they can be challenging, with significant luck elements that enhance replayability but may also lead to frustration. Setup and learning time can be substantial, though card games are generally easier to get into than the board games, even without expansions.
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