Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast collection of games, so much so that we've divided our buying guide into two parts. This 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 gameplay branching based on chosen roles, expansions, and campaigns. These games also offer excellent solo experiences for those times when gathering a group proves challenging.

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Want to jump straight to the games and expansions? Browse the catalog above. For a deeper dive into the connections between these games and the broader 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 team up to combat various terrors. Choose from six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat monstrous foes. Multiple campaigns offer high replayability due to the significant luck element and the unpredictable nature of chaos and occult events. Be warned: this game presents a significant challenge, with lengthy setup and playtime. While solo play is possible, victory requires significant skill and luck.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions enhance the base game:

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

These standalone games offer separate Arkham adventures, unconnected to the main Arkham Horror game:

Elder Sign

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

A dice-rolling game, the most accessible in the Arkham Files franchise. Players work together to solve mysteries before time runs out, rolling dice to complete tasks and battle monsters. Six physical expansions are available.

Elder Sign Expansions

Elder Sign features 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, offering a unique experience with tactical gameplay and narrative guidance. The app handles setup, narrative, and results, allowing for easy pausing and resuming.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

Two app-driven expansions exist: Path of The Serpent and Beyond the Threshold.

Unfathomable

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

A social deduction game set on a ship beset by monsters. One player is secretly a traitor, creating an immersive experience for larger groups.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Adds new prelude cards, monsters, skills, items, and boon cards.

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

Eight expansions are 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 board games, explore online versions and the Arkham Horror roleplaying game:

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

The Hungering Abyss Starter Set offers an accessible entry point, while the Core Rulebook expands possibilities.

Video Game Versions

Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace (Steam, Switch) and Elder Sign: Omens (Steam, mobile) offer digital alternatives.

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror offers diverse and engaging experiences for Lovecraft fans, playable solo or with friends. However, the games' difficulty, luck element, and setup time should be considered.