The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive range of games, so much so that we've divided them into two guides for clarity. In this comprehensive buying guide, we'll delve into the various families of board games within this chilling franchise. If you're interested in the deck-building card games that also fall under the Arkham Horror umbrella, be sure to check out our dedicated Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
Arkham Horror is a well-established franchise renowned for its immersive horror-themed board games. Players collaborate to navigate missions that require substantial communication to succeed. Each game offers multiple pathways, influenced by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose. These games are not only perfect for group play but also serve as excellent solo board games for those times when you want to dive into a thrilling adventure alone.
Featured in this article
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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 skip the blurbs and go straight to the various games and expansions? Scroll through the catalog above. If you're interested in the nitty-gritty of how all the items relate to one another and to the broader Arkham Horror universe, read on 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 horrors. Embark on a journey through Arkham as one of six investigators, solving mysteries and battling terrifying creatures. With multiple campaigns to explore and a significant luck component that involves rolling dice to meet objectives and defeat bosses, the game offers high replayability. However, be prepared for a challenge; setup and teaching the game can take time, and gameplay might stretch over several hours. If luck isn't on your side, games can end quickly. Losing an investigator means starting anew with another, which can be frustrating. My first attempt with friends on the easiest campaign was a disaster, and even solo play was tough. But the thrill of that first victory with your team is truly rewarding.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
There are three expansions for the Arkham Horror board game, each adding depth and new experiences 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+
The largest expansion, Under the Dark Waves, introduces underwater horrors. It includes eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking players 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 adds three new scenarios and three new investigators, expanding the game to include the French Hill neighborhood, where ghosts and monsters await.
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 expansion with a lower price point, Dead of Night adds two new scenarios and four new investigators, perfect for extending your adventures into the night.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Several other board games exist within the Arkham Horror universe, each offering unique adventures. These games are standalone and do not require the base Arkham Horror game to play.
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 first games in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling board game suitable for one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, driven primarily by dice rolls to complete tasks and navigate through six encounters. Players use their investigators' 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: Unseen Forces, Gates of Arkham, Omens of Ice, Grave Consequences, Omens of the Deep, and Omens of the Pharaoh. Grave Consequences is a standalone deck playable with or without the core game. The last expansion was released in 2018, and future releases 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+
This app-driven dungeon crawler is a standalone game 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 and gameplay, including setup, roll results, and play direction. The app also allows you to pause and resume games later, though you'll need to re-set up the physical pieces. I enjoyed the blend of tactical gameplay and the app's guidance, making for an immersive experience.
Mansions of Madness Expansions
There are two cooperative expansions for Mansions of Madness, both guided by the app.
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 serpents and Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and is app-guided.
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+
This more affordable expansion introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element, enhancing the game's accessibility.
Unfathomable
Unfathomable
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MSRP: $64.99 USD
Players: 3-6
Playtime: 2-4 hours
Ages: 14+
Unfathomable is a unique game where players try to escape a sea of monsters on a boat. It includes a social deduction component, making it best for groups of five or six. One player is secretly a traitor, adding a layer of intrigue reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica. Sessions can last multiple hours as players work to identify the traitor and escape. It's a love-it-or-hate-it game, particularly appealing to fans of social deduction.
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
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This expansion introduces new prelude cards, three new monstrous horrors, and additional skills, items, and boon cards, enhancing the game's variety and challenge.
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 more global experience than the city-focused Arkham Horror. Players travel around the world to complete objectives, making it more accessible for beginners and mid-range gamers. It has a quicker setup and simpler rules than Arkham Horror, focusing more on strategy and puzzle-solving. The first game in the series was 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: 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 standard board games, you can explore the Arkham universe through online versions or tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs).
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPGs with a starter set and a core rulebook released last year. I recommend starting with the starter set to get a feel for the rules and gameplay before moving on to the rulebook for more adventures.
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 beginners, 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 starter set, the Core Rulebook allows you to create your own 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 single-player game, similar to the Mansions of Madness board game, is available on Steam and Switch for $19.99. However, it has received mixed reviews, with IGN scoring it a 5 due to its handling of heavy topics.
Another digital option is Elder Sign: Omens, available on Steam and mobile platforms since 2011. It's priced at $5.99 and has 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 a rich, immersive experience that can be enjoyed both solo and with friends. However, be aware that they can be challenging, with a significant element of chance that enhances replayability but can also lead to frustration. Setup and learning can take time, though card games within the series tend to be quicker to set up than the board games, even without expansions.
