The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive array of games, so much so that we've created two comprehensive guides to help you navigate this captivating world. In this guide, we'll focus on the thrilling families of board games. If you're curious about the deck-building card games within the same universe, feel free to check out our dedicated Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
Arkham Horror is a well-established franchise of horror board games that invites you and your fellow players to embark on thrilling missions, requiring ample communication to emerge victorious. Each game offers multiple pathways shaped by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose. These games are also fantastic for solo play, perfect for those times when you can't gather a group for an hour-plus gaming session.
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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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For those eager to dive straight into the various games and expansions, simply scroll through the catalog above. If you're looking for a deeper understanding of how these items interconnect within 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 confront various horrors. You'll explore Arkham as one of six investigators, tackling mysteries and battling terrifying creatures. The game features multiple campaigns and a significant luck component, making each playthrough highly replayable. However, be prepared for a challenge; setup and teaching the game can take time, and sessions might last several hours, depending on luck. My first attempt with friends on the easiest campaign was a disaster, and solo play didn't fare much better. But the thrill of your first victory with your party is truly exhilarating.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
Arkham Horror: The Board Game offers three expansions, each adding depth and new experiences to the base game.
Arkham Horror: Under the 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, dives into aquatic horrors with eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking you from the city to the sea.
Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion
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MSRP: $44.99 USD
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
A medium-sized expansion, Secrets of the Order introduces three new scenarios and three additional investigators, allowing you to explore the haunted French Hill neighborhood.
Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
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MSRP: $32.99 USD
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
The smaller Dead of Night expansion adds two scenarios and four investigators, enhancing your base game experience with nocturnal horrors.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
There are several other board games within the Arkham Horror universe that offer standalone adventures without requiring the base game. These games provide unique experiences and can have their own expansions.
Elder Sign
Elder Sign
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MSRP: $39.99 USD
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 1-2 hours
Ages: 14+
Elder Sign, an early entry in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling game playable with one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, driven primarily by dice rolls to complete tasks and navigate encounters. Your chosen investigator's stats influence your dice rolls as you fight monsters, uncover 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: 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 has six expansions: Unseen Forces, Gates of Arkham, Omens of Ice, Grave Consequences, Omens of the Deep, and Omens of the Pharaoh. Notably, Grave Consequences can be played standalone. 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+
Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition) is an app-driven dungeon crawler set in the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign. It supports one to five players, with the app guiding setup, narrative, and gameplay. I found the blend of physical pieces and app-driven elements engaging, and the ability to pause and resume games is a great feature, though you'll need to reset the board pieces each time.
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+
The Path of The Serpent expansion immerses you in jungle adventures filled with Lovecraftian horrors, requiring the base game.
Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
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MSRP: $39.19 USD
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
The more affordable Beyond the Threshold expansion adds two new investigators, two scenarios, and an insanity mechanic, 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 places you on a boat escaping sea monsters, with a social deduction element that suits larger groups best. One player is secretly a traitor, adding a thrilling layer of mystery and tension reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica. It's a unique experience within the Arkham catalog, ideal for fans of social deduction games.
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
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The From the Abyss expansion introduces new prelude cards, three monstrous horrors, and additional 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 different from the city-focused Arkham Horror. It's more accessible with quicker setup and simpler rules, appealing to beginners and mid-range gamers. The focus here is on strategy and puzzle-solving, with the first game 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 and 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. The starter set is perfect for beginners, offering a sample campaign without needing 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 Hungering Abyss Starter Set is ideal for newcomers to TTRPGs, providing an accessible entry point into the Arkham Horror universe.
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook
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MSRP: $49.99 USD
Players: 2-6
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+
After exploring the starter set, the Core Rulebook allows you to craft your own adventures within the Arkham Horror universe.
Video Game Versions
A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021, offering a solo experience similar to the Mansions of Madness expansion. Available on Steam and Switch for $19.99, it received mixed reviews, with IGN criticizing its story execution. There's also a digital version of Elder Sign, Elder Sign: Omens, available on Steam and mobile platforms for $5.99, which has received mostly positive reviews.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Lovecraftian mythos-themed games, the Arkham Horror universe is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. These games offer unique experiences, many of which can be enjoyed solo or with friends. However, be aware that they can be challenging, with significant elements of chance that enhance replayability but may also lead to frustration. Setup and learning can take time, though card games are generally quicker to set up than board games, even without expansions.
