Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast collection of games, so much so that we've divided them into two guides. This buying guide focuses on the various board games; for the deck-building card games, please see our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-running franchise of cooperative horror board games. Players collaborate to complete missions, with multiple pathways determined by chosen roles, expansions, and campaigns. These games also offer excellent solo experiences for those times when gathering a group isn't feasible.

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To jump directly to specific games and expansions, scroll through the catalog above. For a detailed overview of the games and their connections within the Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

MSRP: $65.95 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where players work together against various terrors. Players choose from six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat horrific creatures. Multiple campaigns offer high replayability due to the significant luck element and the potential for chaotic events. However, it's a challenging game with a lengthy setup and playtime. Solo play is also possible.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions add depth to the base game:

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

These standalone games offer separate Arkham adventures, featuring familiar characters.

Elder Sign

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

Elder Sign, a dice-rolling game, is the most accessible in the Arkham Files franchise. Gameplay revolves around dice rolls to complete tasks and overcome encounters. It features six physical expansions.

Elder Sign Expansions

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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 standalone.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

MSRP: $109.95 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

An app-driven dungeon crawler, the second edition is a standalone game. The app manages setup, narrative, and gameplay.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

(Path of the Serpent: Jungle setting, app-guided.) (Beyond the Threshold: Two new investigators, two new scenarios, insanity mechanic.)

Unfathomable

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

A social deduction game set on a boat escaping sea monsters. One player is a traitor.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Eldritch Horror

MSRP: $59.95 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

A globe-trotting cooperative game with simpler rules and quicker setup than Arkham Horror. Focuses on strategy and puzzle-solving.

Eldritch Horror Expansions

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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

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

(Hungering Abyss Starter Set: Accessible entry point for TTRPG newcomers.) (Core Rulebook: For continued adventures.)

Video Game Versions

(Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace: Single-player digital game, available on Steam and Switch.) (Elder Sign: Omens: Digital version available on Steam and mobile platforms.)

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror offers diverse and engaging Lovecraftian experiences, playable solo or with friends. While challenging and possessing a significant luck element, the high replayability and unique game mechanics make them worthwhile for fans of the genre. The card games generally offer a simpler setup compared to the board games.