The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive range of games, so much so that we've created two comprehensive guides to cover them all. This buying guide will delve into the various families of board games within the franchise. For those interested in the deck-building card games, you can find detailed information in our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise renowned for its immersive horror-themed board games. Players embark on thrilling missions that require strategic communication to succeed. Each game offers multiple pathways influenced by roles, expansions, and campaigns. These games are not only perfect for group play but also serve as excellent solo experiences, ideal for those times when you want to dive into a game by yourself.
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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 want to skip the detailed descriptions and go directly to the games and expansions, feel free to scroll through the catalog above. For those interested in understanding how these items interrelate 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 combat various horrors. As one of six investigators, you'll journey through Arkham to solve mysteries and confront terrifying creatures. The game offers multiple campaigns and a significant luck component, making each playthrough highly replayable. However, it's not an easy game; setup and teaching can take time, and gameplay can last several hours. My first experience on the easiest campaign was challenging, whether playing with friends or solo. The satisfaction of finally winning is incredibly rewarding.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
There are three expansions for Arkham Horror: The Board Game, each adding depth to the core experience.
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, delves into the horrors beneath the sea. It introduces eight new investigators and four new scenarios, expanding the game beyond the city into the ocean.
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 investigators. Secrets of the Order introduces the French Hill neighborhood, where you'll encounter ghosts and monsters amidst a seemingly quaint setting.
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+
Dead of Night is a smaller expansion with a more affordable price point. It includes two new scenarios and four new investigators to enhance your nighttime adventures.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Several other board games within the Arkham Horror universe offer standalone adventures. These games don't require the base Arkham Horror game, allowing you to explore different facets of the universe with familiar characters.
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 suitable for one to eight players. It's the most accessible of the series, focusing on chance and dice rolls. Players use dice to complete tasks and navigate encounters, racing against time to solve mysteries.
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. Grave Consequences is a standalone deck that can be played with or without the core game. The last expansion was released in 2018, and no further expansions have been announced.
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. The app guides players through setup and gameplay, offering a narrative-driven experience. The combination of physical pieces and digital elements enhances the game's immersion. The app also allows you to save and resume games, though you'll need to set up the board again.
Mansions of Madness Expansions
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 transports players to a jungle setting, where they'll face Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and uses the app to guide gameplay.
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+
Beyond the Threshold adds two new investigators, two new scenarios, and introduces an insanity gameplay mechanic. Its lower price makes 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 filled with monsters on a boat. It includes a social deduction element, where one player is secretly a traitor. The game is best with five or six players and can take several hours. Its immersive experience may appeal to fans of Battlestar Galactica or other social deduction games.
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 base game's replayability.
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 Arkham Horror, with players traveling worldwide to complete objectives. It's designed to be more accessible with quicker setup and simpler rules, making it ideal for beginners and mid-level gamers. The game emphasizes strategy and puzzle-solving, and the first edition 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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There are eight expansions 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
Beyond the traditional board games, you can explore the Arkham universe through online versions or the franchise's first tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG).
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPG territory last year with a starter set and a core rulebook. The starter set is ideal for beginners, offering a sample campaign and no need for an experienced Game Master.
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 those new to TTRPGs, offering a straightforward introduction to the game's mechanics and narrative.
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+
After mastering the starter set, the Core Rulebook allows you to continue your adventures with more depth and customization.
Video Game Versions
A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. This solo 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 some criticizing its story execution and handling of heavy topics.
Additionally, a digital version of Elder Sign, Elder Sign: Omens, is available on Steam and mobile platforms. Released in 2011, it has garnered mostly positive reviews and is priced at $5.99.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror franchise is definitely worth exploring. The games offer both group and solo play options, each presenting a unique take on the Lovecraftian universe. However, they are challenging, with significant elements of chance that enhance replayability but can also lead to frustration. Setup and learning times can be substantial, though card games are generally easier to get started with than board games, even without expansions.
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