The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast collection of board games, each offering a unique dive into the eerie realms of H.P. Lovecraft's mythos. With so many options available, we've crafted two guides to help you navigate this chilling universe. This buying guide focuses on the board game families within Arkham Horror, while our companion guide delves into the deck-building card games found in the Arkham Horror: The Card Game universe.
Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise of horror-themed board games that immerse you and your fellow players in thrilling missions requiring teamwork and strategy to triumph. The games offer multiple pathways influenced by your choice of roles, expansions, and campaigns. These titles are not only perfect for group play but also make excellent solo board games for those times when you want to delve into the horror alone.
Featured in this article
### 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 dive straight into the various games and expansions? 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)
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $65.95 USDPlayers: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 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. The game offers numerous campaigns and a significant luck element, making each playthrough highly replayable. However, be prepared for a challenge; the setup and learning curve can be steep, and gameplay can extend over several hours.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
There are three expansions available for the Arkham Horror board game, each adding new layers of depth and excitement.
Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion
### Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $59.99 USDPlayers: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+
Under the Dark Waves is the largest expansion, introducing underwater horrors with eight new investigators and four new scenarios. Venture beyond the city limits into the sea for a thrilling new adventure.
Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion
### Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $44.99 USDPlayers: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+
This medium-sized expansion adds three new scenarios and three more investigators, opening up the French Hill neighborhood. Explore this area, but beware of the ghosts and monsters that lurk within.
Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
### Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $32.99 USDPlayers: 1-4Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+
The Dead of Night expansion is smaller in size and price, offering two new scenarios and four new investigators to enhance your gameplay experience during the darkest hours.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Several other board games within the Arkham Horror universe provide standalone adventures, each offering a unique exploration of the Lovecraftian world.
Elder Sign
### Elder Sign
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $39.99 USDPlayers: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hoursAges: 14+
Elder Sign is one of the earliest games in the Arkham Files franchise, a dice-rolling game playable with one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, with gameplay driven by dice rolls. Players use their chosen investigators' stats to combat monsters, find clues, and solve mysteries before time runs out.
Elder Sign Expansions
### Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep
0See it at Asmodee### Elder Sign: Grave Consequences
0See it at Asmodee### 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. The last expansion was released in 2018, with no further expansions announced.
Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
### Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $109.95 USDPlayers: 1-5Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 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 and gameplay, making it easy to pause and resume your session. The combination of tactical gameplay and app integration creates a seamless experience.
Mansions of Madness Expansions
Two expansions enhance the Mansions of Madness experience, both cooperative and app-guided.
Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion
### Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $69.99 USDPlayers: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+
This expansion takes you into the jungle, facing serpents and other Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game to play and continues the app-driven gameplay.
Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
### Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $39.19 USDPlayers: 1-5Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+
This more affordable expansion introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity element, making it an accessible addition to your collection.
Unfathomable
### Unfathomable
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $64.99 USDPlayers: 3-6Playtime: 2-4 hoursAges: 14+
Unfathomable puts players on a boat, trying to escape a sea of monsters. It includes a social deduction element, making it best for groups of five or six. Identify the traitor among you while trying to survive, reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica but with a Lovecraftian twist.
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 base game's variability and challenge.
Eldritch Horror
### Eldritch Horror
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $59.95 USDPlayers: 1-4Playtime: 1-3 hoursAges: 14+
Eldritch Horror offers a global adventure, with players traveling worldwide to complete objectives. It's more accessible than Arkham Horror, with a quicker setup and simpler rules, making it ideal for beginners and intermediate gamers. Focus on strategy and puzzle-solving for a rewarding experience.
Eldritch Horror Expansions
### Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion
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Eight expansions are available for Eldritch Horror, including 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
Explore additional ways to engage with the Arkham universe, from digital versions to tabletop role-playing games.
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Arkham Horror ventured into tabletop role-playing games last year, starting with a starter set and followed by a comprehensive rulebook.
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
### Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $34.99 USDPlayers: 2-4 Playtime: 1-3 hoursAges: 14+
The starter set is perfect for beginners, offering 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
0See it at AmazonMSRP: $49.99 USDPlayers: 2-6 Playtime: 1-3 hoursAges: 14+
Once familiar with the starter set, 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. This single-player game is similar to the Mansions of Madness board game but has received mixed reviews due to its story execution. Available on Steam and Switch for $19.99, it's an option for solo adventurers.
Elder Sign also has a digital version, Elder Sign: Omens, available on Steam and mobile platforms since 2011. It's well-reviewed and affordable at $5.99.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror universe is a treasure trove of thrilling experiences. Many of these games offer solo play alongside group adventures, providing flexibility and immersion. However, be aware that these games can be challenging, with significant luck elements and setup times. While the card games are generally quicker to set up, the board games offer a deeper, more complex dive into the Lovecraftian worlds.
