The Arkham Horror universe boasts an expansive collection of board games, so much so that we've divided them into two guides for ease of navigation. In this comprehensive buying guide, we'll explore the various families of board games within this chilling universe. If you're interested in the deck-building card games that also fall under the Arkham Horror banner, you can find detailed information in our dedicated Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
The Arkham Horror franchise is renowned for its immersive horror-themed board games. Players collaborate to tackle missions, requiring substantial communication to emerge victorious. Each game offers multiple pathways, shaped by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose. These games are not only perfect for group play but also excel as solo experiences for those times when you're flying solo.
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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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If you're eager to jump straight to the various games and expansions, feel free to scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper understanding of how these items interconnect and fit into the broader Arkham Horror universe, continue reading below.
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 players team up to combat various terrors. Embark on a journey through Arkham as one of six investigators, solving mysteries and battling horrific creatures. With multiple campaigns and a significant luck component, the game offers high replayability. Be prepared, though; it's not an easy game, requiring time for setup and learning, and gameplay sessions can last several hours. My first adventure with friends on the easiest campaign was challenging, but completing that first winning game is a rewarding experience.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
There are three expansions for Arkham Horror: The Board Game, each adding depth 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 players beyond the city and into 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. It opens up the French Hill neighborhood, where you'll encounter ghosts and monsters, far from a quaint getaway.
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+
A smaller box expansion with a lower price point, Dead of Night adds two scenarios and four new investigators to navigate the horrors in the dead of night.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Several other board games exist within the Arkham Horror universe but are separate from the core game. These standalone titles offer unique adventures within the Lovecraftian world.
Elder Sign
Elder Sign
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MSRP: $39.99 USD
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 1-2 hours
Ages: 14+
Elder Sign, one of the earliest games in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling game suitable for one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, relying heavily on dice to complete tasks and navigate six encounters. Players roll dice based on their chosen investigator's stats to fight monsters, find clues, and solve mysteries before time runs out.
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: 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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Elder Sign has six expansions, with Grave Consequences being a standalone deck playable with or without the core game. The last expansion was released in 2018, and future expansions are uncertain.
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. Playable with one to five players, the app guides the narrative, setup, and gameplay. I enjoyed the combination of tactical gameplay and the app's interactivity, which also allows you to pause and resume later, although you'll need to reset the physical board.
Mansions of Madness Expansions
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 ventures into the jungle, introducing serpents and other Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and is guided by an app.
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, making it an accessible addition to your collection.
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. With a social deduction component, it's best suited for groups of five or six, where one player is secretly a traitor. It evokes the atmosphere of Battlestar Galactica within the Lovecraftian mythos. Sessions can last multiple hours as players navigate the game, trying to identify the traitor while working to survive.
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
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This expansion adds new prelude cards, three monstrous horrors, and new skills, items, and boon cards, enhancing the game's variety and depth.
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 cooperative experience, contrasting with the neighborhood-focused Arkham Horror. It's more accessible, with quicker setup and simpler rules, appealing to beginner and mid-range gamers. It's about strategy and puzzle-solving, released 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, each adding new layers of gameplay and narrative.
Other Ways to Play
Beyond these board games, you can explore the Arkham universe through online versions of some games or delve into the franchise's tabletop roleplaying game offerings.
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Arkham Horror ventured into tabletop roleplaying with a starter set and a core rulebook. The starter set is ideal for beginners, providing a sample campaign and not requiring an experienced Game Master.
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 core starter set is perfect for those new to TTRPGs, offering an accessible entry point.
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 familiar with 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. It has received mixed reviews, with IGN noting a 5 out of 10 due to story execution issues.
Elder Sign also has a digital version, Elder Sign: Omens, available on Steam and mobile platforms since 2011. It's affordable at $5.99 and has garnered mostly positive reviews.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror series is a must-explore. These games offer both group and solo play, presenting unique takes on the Lovecraftian worlds. However, they are challenging, with significant elements of chance that enhance replayability and can also lead to frustration. Setup and learning time can be considerable, though card games generally require less setup than board games, even without expansions.
