Arkham Horror Board Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a rich catalogue of games, so extensive that we've split our guides into two parts. In this buying guide, we'll explore the various families of board games within the franchise. If you're interested in the deck-building card games also part of this universe, check out our dedicated guide on Arkham Horror: The Card Game.

Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise of horror board games where players embark on missions, requiring communication and teamwork to succeed. These games offer multiple pathways shaped by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose. They're also fantastic for solo play, perfect for those times when you can't gather a group for a lengthy 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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To skip the details and go straight to the games and expansions, scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper understanding of how these items interconnect within the Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

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 collaborate to combat various horrors. Choose from six investigators to navigate through Arkham, solve mysteries, and defeat terrifying creatures. The game offers multiple campaigns and significant replayability due to its luck-based mechanics and the ever-present threat of chaos and occult trickery.

Be prepared: this game can be challenging, requiring time to set up and learn. Gameplay may span several hours, though it can be quicker if luck isn't on your side. If you lose with fewer than six players, you can continue with a new investigator, but you'll start anew, losing any progress made. My first attempt with friends on the easiest campaign was a disaster, and solo play didn't fare much better. But the satisfaction of that first win is unbeatable.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

There are three expansions for the Arkham Horror board game, each adding new depth to the base game.

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+

Under the Dark Waves is the largest expansion, focusing on aquatic horrors. It introduces eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking you 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+

This medium-sized expansion adds three new scenarios and three investigators, opening up the French Hill neighborhood. Be wary of ghosts and monsters that might disrupt your journey.

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 two new scenarios and four new investigators to help you navigate the eerie night.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several other board games exist within the Arkham universe, each offering standalone adventures without requiring the base Arkham Horror game. These games use familiar characters and provide unique experiences.

Elder Sign

Elder Sign

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MSRP: $39.99 USD
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 1-2 hours
Ages: 14+

Elder Sign is a dice-rolling game for one to eight players, part of the Arkham Files franchise. It's the most accessible game in the series, driven by dice rolls to complete tasks and encounter challenges. Players use their investigators' stats to 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: 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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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 can be played standalone or with the core game. The last expansion was released in 2018, with no further releases 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 Arkham universe. The second edition is a standalone game that shares the universe with Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign. It supports one to five players and uses an app to guide the narrative, setup, and gameplay. The app's ability to save progress is handy for pausing and resuming games.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

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

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 players into the jungle, facing serpents and other Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and uses an 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+

This more affordable expansion introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element.

Unfathomable

Unfathomable

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MSRP: $64.99 USD
Players: 3-6
Playtime: 2-4 hours
Ages: 14+

Unfathomable involves escaping a sea of monsters on a boat, with a social deduction component. It's best for groups of five or six, where a traitor is hidden among the players. The game evokes Battlestar Galactica vibes within the Lovecraftian mythos, requiring multiple hours to navigate and determine friend from foe.

Unfathomable offers a unique experience, appealing to fans of social deduction games.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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This expansion adds new prelude cards, monstrous horrors, skills, items, and boon cards to enhance the game.

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 city-focused Arkham Horror. It's more accessible, with a quicker setup and simpler rules, appealing to beginner and mid-range gamers. The game emphasizes strategy and puzzle-solving, with the first release 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 traditional board games, you can explore the Arkham universe through online play or tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs).

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPGs last year with a starter set followed by a core rulebook. Start with the accessible starter set before diving into the core 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+

This starter set is perfect for beginners, featuring a sample campaign and no need for an experienced Game Master.

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+

Once you're comfortable with the starter set, the core rulebook allows you to create new adventures in the Arkham Horror universe.

Video Game Versions

A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother's Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. It's a solo game with mixed reviews, particularly criticized for its handling of heavy topics. It's available on Steam and Switch for $19.99.

Elder Sign also has a digital version, Elder Sign: Omens, available on Steam and mobile platforms since 2011. It's affordable at $5.99 and has received positive reviews.

The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror franchise offers a diverse range of experiences. Many games support solo play, making them versatile for different gaming preferences. However, they are challenging, with significant setup and learning times, and a heavy reliance on chance, which can both enhance replayability and increase frustration.