Arkham Horror Board Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive range of board games, so extensive in fact, that we've split our recommendations into two guides. In this guide, we'll explore the various families of board games within the franchise. If you're looking for details on the deck-building card games within the same universe, be sure to check out our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise renowned for its horror-themed board games. Players collaborate on missions, requiring effective communication to succeed. Each game offers multiple pathways, influenced by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose. These games are also excellent for solo play, perfect for those times when you can't gather a group to dive into an hour-plus gaming session.

Featured in this article

### Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign

0See it at Amazon### 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: Grave Consequences

0See it at Asmodee### Elder Sign: Omens of Ice

0See it at Asmodee### Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep

0See it at Asmodee### Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

0See it at Amazon### Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Unfathomable

0See it at Amazon### Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror

0See it at Amazon### 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

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

0See it at AmazonWant 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 broad Arkham Horror universe in general, read on 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. With multiple campaigns to explore and a significant luck component, including rolling dice to overcome objectives and bosses, the game offers high replayability.

However, be prepared for a challenge; setup and teaching the game can take time, and gameplay can span multiple hours. If luck isn't on your side, sessions can end quickly. In the event of defeat, players can choose another investigator, but you'll start anew, losing any progress. My first attempt with friends on the easiest campaign was a disaster, and solo play wasn't any easier. But the thrill of that first victory with your team is exhilarating.

Arkahm Horror: The Board Game Expansions

There are three expansions for the 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

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $59.99 USDPlayers: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+Under the Dark Waves is the largest expansion, introducing aquatic horrors. It includes eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking your adventure from the city to the sea.

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 investigators, exploring the haunted French Hill neighborhood.

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+Dead of Night is a smaller expansion with two new scenarios and four investigators, perfect for those looking to expand their game at a more affordable price.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Beyond the main Arkham Horror series, several standalone board games offer unique adventures within the same universe, not requiring the base game.

Elder Sign

### Elder Sign

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $39.99 USDPlayers: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hoursAges: 14+Elder Sign, an early entry in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling board game accommodating one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, driven primarily by dice mechanics. Players roll to complete tasks and navigate six encounters, using their investigator's stats to fight monsters, gather clues, and solve mysteries against the clock.

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

0See it at AsmodeeElder Sign offers 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 further expansions currently planned.

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 2nd Edition 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, setup, and gameplay, including roll results and play direction. The blend of physical components and app integration makes for an engaging experience. If you need to pause your game, the app allows you to resume later, though you'll need to reset the physical pieces.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

There are two expansions for Mansions of Madness, both app-guided and cooperative.

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+Path of The Serpent takes you into the jungle to face serpents and Lovecraftian horrors. This expansion requires the base game and uses an app for guidance.

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 scenarios, and an insanity mechanic, enhancing your game experience.

Unfathomable

### Unfathomable

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $64.99 USDPlayers: 3-6Playtime: 2-4 hoursAges: 14+Unfathomable offers a unique social deduction experience as players try to escape a sea of monsters on a boat. Designed for three to six players, with an optimal group size of five or six, it features a traitor mechanic, reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica but set in the Lovecraftian universe. Sessions can last multiple hours as players navigate the game to uncover the traitor and escape alive. This game can be a polarizing experience, ideal for fans of social deduction games.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

### Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

0See it at AmazonThis expansion adds new prelude cards for varied starting conditions, three new monstrous horrors (Shoggoth, the Drowned Spirit, and the Grasping Tendril), along with new skills, items, and boon cards.

Eldritch Horror

### Eldritch Horror

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $59.95 USDPlayers: 1-4Playtime: 1-3 hoursAges: 14+Eldritch Horror offers a global cooperative experience, distinct from the city-focused Arkham Horror. Players travel worldwide to complete objectives, with a quicker setup and simpler rules, making it more accessible to new and mid-level gamers. The focus is on strategy and puzzle-solving, with the first release in 2013.

Eldritch Horor 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

0See it at AmazonEldritch Horror has eight expansions available: 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 traditional board games, the Arkham universe can be explored through online versions and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs).

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPGs last year, releasing a starter set followed by a core rulebook. Start with the accessible starter set before diving into the core rulebook for deeper adventures.

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 basics, the Core Rulebook allows for more expansive TTRPG adventures in 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 akin to the Mansions of Madness board game. Available on Steam and Switch for $19.99, it has received mixed reviews due to its storytelling. Meanwhile, Elder Sign: Omens, released in 2011, is available on Steam and mobile platforms for $5.99 and has garnered mostly positive reviews.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror series is a treasure trove of thrilling experiences. Whether playing solo or with friends, each game offers a unique take on the mythos. Be aware, though, these games are challenging, with a significant luck factor that can enhance replayability while also adding frustration. Setup and learning can take time, but the effort is rewarding for those who love immersive horror gaming.