Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a diverse catalogue of games, so much so that we've split our coverage into two guides. This buying guide focuses on the various families of board games within the franchise. For those interested in the deck-building card games, we invite you to visit our dedicated Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise known for its immersive horror-themed board games. Players embark on cooperative missions, requiring strategic communication to succeed. Each game offers multiple pathways influenced by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose, making them suitable for both group and solo play, ideal for those times when you want to dive into a thrilling game alone.

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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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For those eager to jump straight to the games and expansions, feel free to scroll through the catalog above. If you're keen to understand how these items connect within the broader 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 teams of players work together to combat various terrors. Embark on a journey through Arkham as one of six investigators, solving mysteries and battling horrific beasts. With multiple campaigns to explore and a significant luck component, the game offers high replayability. Be prepared for a challenging experience that may take time to set up and learn, but the satisfaction of a successful game is unparalleled.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

There are three expansions available for Arkham Horror, 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+

The largest expansion, Under the Dark Waves, introduces underwater horrors, featuring eight new investigators and four new scenarios that take you beyond the city into 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 for exploration amidst ghosts and monsters.

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 expansion that includes two new scenarios and four new investigators, perfect for delving into the mysteries that unfold in the dead of 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.

Elder Sign

Elder Sign

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

One of the earliest games in the Arkham Files franchise, Elder Sign is a dice-rolling game suitable for one to eight players. It's an accessible game where dice rolls drive the action, allowing players to combat monsters, find 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, including Unseen Forces, Gates of Arkham, Omens of Ice, Grave Consequences, Omens of the Deep, and Omens of the Pharaoh. The last expansion was released in 2018, and it's unclear if more will follow.

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 the Arkham universe to life, allowing one to five players to explore narratives guided by the app. The app manages setup, narrative progression, and roll results, offering a seamless experience that you can pause and resume at your convenience.

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 ventures into the jungle, introducing new Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and uses the app for guidance.

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 adds two new investigators, two scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element, enhancing the core experience.

Unfathomable

Unfathomable

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

Set on a boat surrounded by sea monsters, Unfathomable incorporates a social deduction element where players must identify the traitor among them. It's best with five or six players and offers a unique, immersive experience reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica but with a Lovecraftian twist.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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This expansion introduces new prelude cards, three new monstrous horrors, and additional skills, items, and boon cards, 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, distinct from the city-focused Arkham Horror. With quicker setup and simpler rules, it's more accessible for beginners and mid-range gamers, focusing on strategy and puzzle-solving.

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, 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 traditional board games, you can explore the Arkham universe through online versions or the franchise's tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG).

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPGs with a starter set and a core rulebook, providing new ways to experience the universe.

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.

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 trying the starter set, players can delve deeper with the Core Rulebook for ongoing TTRPG 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 experience akin to the Mansions of Madness board game expansion, available on Steam and Switch for $19.99. However, it has received mixed reviews, particularly for its handling of heavy topics. Additionally, Elder Sign: Omens is available on Steam and mobile platforms, praised for its affordability and positive reception.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian mythos, the Arkham Horror series offers a rich and varied gaming experience. The games are challenging, with elements of chance that enhance replayability, though setup and learning can be time-consuming. Whether you play solo or with friends, the Arkham Horror universe promises thrilling adventures in the world of horror gaming.