The Arkham Horror universe boasts a rich catalogue of games, so extensive that we've divided them into two comprehensive guides. This buying guide explores the various families of board games within the franchise. For enthusiasts of deck-building card games, we invite you to visit our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise that delivers immersive horror-themed board gaming experiences. Players collaborate on missions, requiring significant communication to succeed. The games offer multiple pathways, shaped by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose, making them excellent for both group play and solo sessions, perfect for those times when you want to dive into a game for over an hour without company.
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 explore the catalog directly, feel free to scroll through the list above. For a deeper understanding of how these games interconnect within the 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 unite to combat various horrors. Embark on a journey through Arkham as one of six investigators, solving mysteries and confronting monstrous adversaries. With multiple campaigns to explore and a significant luck component, the game offers high replayability. Be prepared for a challenge, as setup and learning can take time, and gameplay may extend over several hours or conclude quickly if luck isn't on your side. Even in defeat, you can switch investigators, though you'll lose progress. My first adventure with friends on the easiest campaign was a disaster, and solo play was equally tough. The thrill of finally winning with your team is incredibly rewarding.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
Enhance your Arkham Horror experience with three expansions, each adding 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+
This expansive addition introduces aquatic horrors with eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking you beyond the city into the ominous depths of 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 investigators, allowing you to explore the haunted French Hill neighborhood, adding a twist to your Arkham adventure.
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+
A smaller, more affordable expansion, it brings two new scenarios and four investigators, perfect for delving deeper into the night-time horrors of Arkham.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Beyond the core Arkham Horror game, there are standalone games that offer unique adventures within the same universe, each 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, an early entry in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling game that accommodates up to eight players. It's the most accessible in the series, relying heavily on dice rolls to navigate challenges, fight monsters, 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, including standalone decks like Grave Consequences. The last expansion was released in 2018, and future releases remain uncertain.
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+
This app-driven dungeon crawler brings a new dimension to the Arkham universe. The second edition is standalone and uses an app to guide narrative and gameplay, enhancing the experience with tactical elements. The app's ability to save progress is handy for interrupted games, though you'll need to set up the physical components 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+
Venture into the jungle with this expansion, facing Lovecraftian horrors guided by the app. Requires the base game to play.
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 affordable expansion, it introduces new investigators, scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element, enhancing your experience at a lower cost.
Unfathomable
Unfathomable
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MSRP: $64.99 USD
Players: 3-6
Playtime: 2-4 hours
Ages: 14+
Unfathomable offers a unique experience where players must escape a sea of monsters aboard a boat, with a social deduction twist. One player is a traitor, adding tension and intrigue to the game. Best for larger groups, it echoes the feel of Battlestar Galactica in a Lovecraftian setting. Sessions can last multiple hours as you navigate the game's challenges and mysteries.
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, enriching the game's variety and depth.
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, where players travel worldwide to complete objectives. It's more accessible than Arkham Horror, with quicker setup and simpler rules, making it appealing to a broader range of gamers. The game focuses on strategy and puzzle-solving, providing a different but equally engaging experience.
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 available for Eldritch Horror, each adding new layers and challenges to the game.
Other Ways to Play
The Arkham universe extends beyond traditional board games, offering online play and a new tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG).
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Last year, Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPGs with a starter set and a core rulebook. Start with the accessible starter set before diving into the rulebook for more extensive 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 ideal for beginners, offering 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+
For those ready to explore further, the Core Rulebook offers new adventures in the Arkham Horror universe.
Video Game Versions
A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. This single-player game, similar to the Mansions of Madness board game, has mixed reviews due to its story execution and handling of heavy themes. It's available on Steam and Switch for $19.99.
Elder Sign: Omens, released in 2011, is also available digitally on Steam and mobile platforms for $5.99, receiving mostly positive reviews.
The Bottom Line
For fans of Lovecraftian mythos, the Arkham Horror universe is a treasure trove of engaging and challenging gameplay. Whether you prefer solo adventures or group sessions, these games offer unique experiences within the rich tapestry of the Lovecraftian worlds. Be prepared for a steep learning curve and the influence of chance, which adds both replayability and potential frustration. While setup and learning can take time, the rewards of mastering these games are well worth the effort.
