The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive catalogue of games, so much so that we've divided them into two comprehensive guides. In this guide, we'll delve into the various families of board games. For those interested in the deck-building card games within the same universe, be sure to visit our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

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

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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 dive straight into the games and expansions, feel free to scroll through the catalog above. If you're curious about how these items interconnect and fit into the broader 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 journey through Arkham as one of six investigators, solving mysteries and defeating terrifying creatures. With multiple campaigns to explore and a significant luck element involving dice rolls for objectives and encounters, the game offers high replayability. However, be prepared: setup and teaching the game can take time, and gameplay may last several hours. My initial experience on the easiest campaign with friends was a disaster, and solo play was equally challenging. That first victorious game, though, is a cause for celebration.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

There are three expansions for Arkham Horror: The Board Game, each adding depth to the core experience.

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+

The largest expansion, Under the Dark Waves, delves into underwater horrors. It introduces eight new investigators and four new scenarios, expanding the game's setting 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, 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

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

A smaller, more affordable expansion, Dead of Night adds two scenarios and four investigators, enriching the base game's nighttime horror experience.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several other board games exist as separate universes within the Arkham Horror franchise. These games do not require the core Arkham Horror game and offer unique, standalone adventures with 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, an early entry in the Arkham Files franchise, is a dice-rolling game accommodating one to eight players. It's the most accessible of the series, focusing on dice rolls to complete tasks and navigate 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: 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 can be played standalone, and the last expansion was released in 2018.

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+

An app-driven dungeon crawler set in the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign, Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition) supports one to five players. The app guides the narrative, setup, and gameplay, making it easy to pause and resume sessions. Combining tactical gameplay with digital storytelling creates a compelling experience.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion

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

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

0See it at Amazon! 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, enhancing the base game's accessibility.

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 filled with monsters on a boat. With a social deduction element reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica, it's best played with five or six players, where one is a hidden traitor. The game offers a unique, immersive experience, though it's not for everyone.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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

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 cooperative experience, different from Arkham Horror's city-based setting. It's more accessible, with a quicker setup and simpler rules, focusing on strategy and puzzle-solving. The first game in the series was 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 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 traditional board games, the Arkham universe offers online versions and a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) experience.

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Last year, Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPG with a starter set and a core rulebook. The starter set is perfect for beginners, offering a sample campaign without the need for an experienced Game Master.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set

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+

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

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 delve deeper into the universe with the core rulebook, allowing for more extensive TTRPG adventures.

Video Game Versions

A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. It's a solo game akin to the Mansions of Madness board game, available on Steam and Switch for $19.99. Despite mixed reviews due to its narrative shortcomings, it offers a unique solo experience within the universe. Elder Sign: Omens, another digital offering, is available on Steam and mobile platforms for $5.99 and has received mostly positive feedback.

The Bottom Line

As a fan of Lovecraft mythos-themed games, the Arkham Horror universe is a treasure trove worth exploring. The games offer both solo and multiplayer experiences, each presenting a unique take on the Lovecraftian worlds. However, be prepared for challenging gameplay with a significant luck element, which can enhance replayability but also lead to frustration. Setup and learning time can be substantial, though card games tend to be quicker to prepare than board games, even without expansions.