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Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

by Jason Apr 05,2025

The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive catalogue of games, so much so that we've divided them into two guides for better navigation. This guide focuses on the diverse families of board games within the franchise. For those interested in the deck-building card games, you can find detailed information in our separate Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise renowned for its immersive horror board games. Players collaborate on missions that require effective communication to succeed. The games offer 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're unable to gather a group for an hour-plus gaming session.

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 looking to quickly browse the various games and expansions, simply scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper understanding of how these items interconnect within the Arkham Horror universe, continue reading below.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $65.95 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where teams work together to combat various horrors. Players embark on a journey through Arkham as one of six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat monstrous creatures. The game offers multiple campaigns, and its significant luck-based mechanics, involving dice rolls for objectives and encounters, enhance its replayability.

However, it's important to note that the game can be challenging. It requires time for setup and teaching, with gameplay sessions lasting several hours, though they can be quicker depending on luck. If players lose and there are fewer than six players, they can choose another investigator but will start anew, losing any progress made. My first experience with friends on the easiest campaign was tough, and solo play was equally challenging. Completing your first successful game will be a triumph to celebrate.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Arkham Horror features three expansions, each adding new layers of depth to the base game.

Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion

Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $59.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Under the Dark Waves is the largest expansion, focusing on underwater horrors. It introduces eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking players from the city to the sea.

Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion

Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $44.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This medium-sized expansion includes three new scenarios and three additional investigators, exploring the French Hill neighborhood, where players must navigate ghostly and monstrous threats.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $32.99 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

The Dead of Night is a smaller expansion with a more affordable price, adding two new scenarios and four additional investigators to enhance your nighttime adventures.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several other board games within the Arkham Horror universe offer standalone experiences, not requiring the base Arkham Horror game. Each provides a unique adventure within the Lovecraftian world, often featuring familiar characters.

Elder Sign

Elder Sign

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $39.99 USD Players: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hours Ages: 14+

Elder Sign, one of the first games in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling game accommodating one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, focusing on chance and luck. Players roll dice to complete tasks and navigate through encounters, aiming to 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: 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 latest expansion was released in 2018, with no further releases confirmed.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

0See it at Amazon 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, manage roll results, and direct gameplay. I found the combination of physical pieces and the app engaging, and the app's ability to pause and resume games is a great feature, though you'll need to set up the board 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

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $69.99 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This expansion transports players to a jungle setting filled with Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and is guided by the app.

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $39.19 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This more affordable expansion adds two new investigators, two new scenarios, and introduces an insanity gameplay element.

Unfathomable

Unfathomable

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $64.99 USD Players: 3-6 Playtime: 2-4 hours Ages: 14+

Unfathomable challenges players to escape a sea of monsters on a boat, best suited for groups of five or six. It includes a social deduction element, reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica, where one player is a traitor. This game is unique within the Arkham catalogue, appealing to fans of social deduction games.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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

Eldritch Horror

Eldritch Horror

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $59.95 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

Eldritch Horror offers a global adventure, contrasting with the more localized setting of Arkham Horror. It's more accessible for beginners and mid-range gamers, with quicker setup and simpler rules. The game emphasizes strategy and puzzle-solving, with its first release 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 traditional board games, the Arkham universe offers other ways to engage with its world. Some board games are available online, and the franchise has ventured into tabletop roleplaying games.

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror's first tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) was released last year, starting with a starter set followed by a core rulebook. I recommend starting with the starter set to get a feel for the game before diving into the rulebook.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set

0See it at Amazon 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

0See it at Amazon MSRP: $49.99 USD Players: 2-6 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

After trying the starter set, players can purchase the Core Rulebook to continue their TTRPG 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, is available on Steam and Switch for $19.99. However, it has received mixed reviews, with IGN giving it a 5 out of 10 due to its story execution and handling of heavy topics.

Additionally, a digital version of Elder Sign, Elder Sign: Omens, is available on Steam and mobile platforms. Released in 2011, it has received mostly positive reviews and is priced at $5.99.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror franchise is a must-explore. The games offer both solo and multiplayer experiences, each presenting a unique take on the Lovecraftian universe. However, they are challenging, with significant elements of chance that can increase both replayability and frustration. Setup and learning times can be lengthy, though card games are generally easier to set up than board games, even without expansions.

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