The Arkham Horror universe boasts a rich catalog of games, so diverse that we've had to divide them into two comprehensive guides. In this guide, we'll dive into the various families of board games within the Arkham Horror series. If you're curious about the deck-building card games also part of this universe, be sure to check out our dedicated Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
Arkham Horror is a storied franchise of horror-themed board games where players embark on cooperative missions, requiring robust communication to succeed. The gameplay offers multiple pathways influenced by your choices in roles, expansions, and campaigns. These games also shine as engaging solo experiences, perfect for those times when you can't gather a group but still want to dive into an hour-plus gaming session.
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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If you're eager to skip the detailed descriptions and jump straight to exploring the various games and expansions, feel free to scroll through the catalog above. For those interested in understanding 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 teams of players work together to combat various horrors. As one of six investigators, you'll navigate through Arkham, solving mysteries and battling terrifying creatures. The game offers multiple campaigns and a significant luck component, making each playthrough highly replayable due to the unpredictable nature of dice rolls and encounters.
However, be prepared: the game can be challenging, with a setup and learning curve that requires time. Gameplay sessions can extend over multiple hours, though they can also conclude quickly if luck isn't on your side. In case of defeat, you can choose a new investigator but will start anew, losing any progress made. My initial foray with friends on the easiest campaign was a complete disaster, and even solo play proved challenging. But that first victorious game? It's a moment of triumph that your whole group will celebrate.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
There are three expansions for Arkham Horror: The Board Game, each adding new layers of depth and excitement.
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 aquatic horrors. It introduces eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking your adventures 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+
A medium-sized expansion, Secrets of the Order adds three new scenarios and three new investigators, expanding your exploration to the French Hill neighborhood, complete with its own eerie atmosphere.
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+
The Dead of Night is a smaller, more affordable expansion that adds two scenarios and four new investigators, perfect for those looking to enhance their game without breaking the bank.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Several other board games within the Arkham Horror universe offer standalone adventures, not requiring the base game to play. These games provide unique experiences within the Lovecraftian world, often with 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, one of the earliest games in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling game accommodating one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, focusing on chance and quick gameplay. Players roll dice to complete tasks and navigate through six encounters, using their investigators' stats to fight monsters and uncover clues 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 boasts 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 latest expansion was released in 2018, with no new releases announced since.
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. It supports one to five players and uses an app to guide the narrative, manage dice rolls, and direct gameplay. The app's functionality allows you to pause and resume games at your convenience, though you'll need to set up the physical pieces again. The combination of tactical gameplay and app integration makes for a dynamic and immersive experience.
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 takes you into the jungle, facing Lovecraftian horrors and requiring the base game to play. It maintains the app-driven format, enhancing the narrative with new challenges.
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+
A more budget-friendly expansion, Beyond the Threshold introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity gameplay 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 is a unique game where players attempt to escape a sea of monsters aboard a ship. It features a social deduction element, ideal for larger groups, with one player secretly acting as a traitor. The game draws inspiration from Battlestar Galactica, set within a Lovecraftian context. Sessions can last multiple hours as players navigate the ship, uncovering the traitor while striving to survive.
Unfathomable offers a distinct experience within the Arkham catalog, appealing to fans of social deduction games but may not be for everyone.
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
### Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
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This expansion adds new prelude cards for varied starting conditions, three new monstrous horrors, and introduces new skills, items, and boon cards, further enriching the gameplay.
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, contrasting with the neighborhood-based setting of Arkham Horror. Players travel worldwide to complete objectives, offering a more accessible experience for beginners and mid-range gamers. The game features a quicker setup and simpler rules, focusing on strategy and puzzle-solving. The first edition was released in 2013.
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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There are eight expansions 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
Beyond the traditional board games, the Arkham universe offers digital and tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) experiences.
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Arkham Horror's foray into TTRPGs began last year with a starter set and a core rulebook. I recommend starting with the starter set for a gentle introduction to the rules and gameplay before diving into the full 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, offering a sample campaign that doesn't require an experienced Game Master, making it an excellent entry point into TTRPGs.
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 enjoying the starter set, the Core Rulebook allows you to embark on new adventures within the Arkham Horror universe, ideal for seasoned players.
Video Game Versions
A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. This single-player game offers a solo experience similar to the Mansions of Madness board game expansion. It's available on Steam and Switch for $19.99, though it has received mixed reviews due to its story execution and handling of heavy topics.
Additionally, Elder Sign: Omens is available digitally on Steam and mobile platforms, released in 2011. It's well-received and affordable at $5.99.
The Bottom Line
For fans of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror series is a treasure trove of experiences. The games offer both solo and group play, each presenting a unique take on the Lovecraftian mythos. However, be aware that these games can be challenging, with significant elements of chance that can enhance replayability but also lead to frustration. Setup and learning can take time, though card games tend to be quicker to prepare than board games, even without expansions.
