Arkham Horror Board Game: Ultimate Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive collection of games, so much so that we've divided them into two comprehensive guides. 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, you can find detailed information in our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise of horror-themed board games where players embark on missions that require teamwork to succeed. Each game offers multiple pathways influenced by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose. These games are also excellent for solo play, perfect for those times when you can't gather a group for an hour or more of gaming.

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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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If you want to skip the detailed descriptions and go straight to the list of games and expansions, feel free to scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper understanding of how these items interconnect within the broader 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 team up to combat various horrors. You can explore Arkham as one of six investigators, solving mysteries and battling terrifying creatures. With multiple campaigns and a significant luck element, the game offers high replayability. However, it's not easy; setup and teaching can take time, and gameplay can last several hours. My first attempt with friends on the easiest campaign was a disaster, and solo play was equally challenging. But the thrill of finally winning with your group is unmatched.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

There are three expansions for Arkham Horror: The Board Game, 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+

The largest expansion, Under the Dark Waves, delves into 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 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 with a lower price point, Dead of Night includes two new scenarios and four investigators to navigate the horrors that emerge at 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 provide unique experiences within the Lovecraftian world and may have 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, one of the earliest games in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling game for one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, driven by dice rolls to complete tasks and navigate encounters. You'll roll dice based on your investigator's stats to fight 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: Omens of the Deep

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Elder Sign: Grave Consequences

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Elder Sign: Omens of Ice

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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 a standalone deck that can be played with or without the core game. The last expansion was released in 2018, and future expansions are 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+

Mansions of Madness is an app-driven dungeon crawler set in the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign. It supports one to five players and uses an app to guide the narrative, setup, and gameplay. I enjoyed the blend of tactical gameplay and app integration, which also allows you to pause and resume your game later, though you'll need to set up the physical pieces again.

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 you into the jungle, facing serpents and Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and is guided by an app.

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, Beyond the Threshold introduces two new investigators, two 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 one player is a secret traitor. It's a lengthy game with a Battlestar Galactica vibe, making it a unique experience within the Arkham catalogue. If you enjoy social deduction games, this might be a great addition to your collection.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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This expansion adds new prelude cards, three new monstrous horrors, and new skills, items, and boon cards, enhancing the game's variety and challenge.

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 Arkham Horror's city focus. It's more accessible with quicker setup and simpler rules, making it suitable for beginners and mid-range gamers. It emphasizes strategy and puzzle-solving, with the first game released 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 the standard board games, you can explore the Arkham universe through online versions of some games or dive into the franchise's tabletop roleplaying games.

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror ventured into tabletop roleplaying with a starter set and a core rulebook released last year. I recommend starting with the starter set to get a feel for the game before moving to the 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+

The starter set is perfect 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+

After enjoying the starter set, you can expand your adventures with the Core Rulebook.

Video Game Versions

A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. It's a solo game similar to the Mansions of Madness board game expansion, available on Steam and Switch for $19.99. However, it received mixed reviews, with IGN giving it a 5 out of 10 due to its story execution and handling of heavy topics.

Another digital version, Elder Sign: Omens, is available on Steam and mobile platforms. Released in 2011, it's affordable at $5.99 and has received mostly positive reviews.

The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror franchise is a must-explore. Many of these games can be played solo or with friends, each offering a unique take on the Lovecraftian universe. However, they are challenging, with significant elements of chance that can enhance replayability but also lead to frustration. Setup and learning can take time, though card games are generally quicker to set up than board games, even without expansions.