"Arkham Horror Board Game: Buying Tips"

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast and varied catalogue of games, so extensive that we've divided them into two comprehensive guides. This particular guide focuses on the diverse families of board games within the franchise. If you're looking for details on the deck-building card games, be sure to check out our 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 thrilling missions, requiring teamwork and strategic communication to succeed. Each game offers multiple pathways influenced by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose. These games are also perfect for solo play, ideal for those times when you want to dive into a game without needing a group.

Featured in this article

### Arkham Horror (3rd Edition) See it at Amazon ### Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion See it at Amazon ### Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion See it at Amazon ### Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion See it at Amazon ### Elder Sign See it at Amazon ### Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion See it at Amazon ### Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion See it at Amazon ### Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion See it at Amazon ### Elder Sign: Grave Consequences See it at Asmodee ### Elder Sign: Omens of Ice See it at Asmodee ### Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep See it at Asmodee ### Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition) See it at Amazon ### Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion See it at Amazon ### Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion See it at Amazon ### Unfathomable See it at Amazon ### Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion See it at Amazon ### Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion See it at Amazon ### Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set See it at Amazon ### Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook See it at Amazon

Want to skip the blurbs and go straight to the various games and expansions? Scroll through the catalog above. If you're interested in understanding how all the items relate to one another and to the broader Arkham Horror universe, keep reading.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

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. You can explore Arkham as one of six investigators, solving mysteries and defeating monstrous foes. The game offers several campaigns and a significant luck component, making it highly replayable due to dice rolls and chaotic events.

However, be prepared: this game isn't easy. It requires time to set up and teach, and gameplay can last several hours or be quick depending on luck. If you lose and there are fewer than six players, you can switch investigators but will start over, losing any progress made. My first game on the easiest campaign with friends was challenging, and solo play was no less demanding. That first victorious game, though, is truly rewarding.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

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

Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion

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, taking you from the city to the sea.

Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion

MSRP: $44.99 USD
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+

This medium-sized expansion adds three new scenarios and three investigators. Secrets of the Order expands the game to include the French Hill neighborhood, introducing ghosts and monsters that can turn your exploration into a haunting adventure.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

MSRP: $32.99 USD
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+

The Dead of Night is a smaller expansion with two new scenarios and four investigators, enhancing your nighttime horror experiences in Arkham.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several standalone board games within the Arkham universe offer unique adventures. These games don't require the base Arkham Horror game to play and come with their own expansions.

Elder Sign

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 board game suitable for one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, focusing on dice rolls to complete tasks and navigate encounters. You'll use dice to fight monsters, find clues, and solve mysteries before time runs out.

Elder Sign Expansions

Elder Sign comes with 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 remain uncertain.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

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 for narrative guidance, setup, and play direction. I found the combination of physical pieces and app integration to be engaging, with the app allowing you to pause and resume games at your convenience.

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

MSRP: $69.99 USD
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+

This expansion takes you into the jungle to face Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and is guided by an app.

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

MSRP: $39.19 USD
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+

This more affordable expansion introduces two new investigators, two scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element, making it a great addition to your collection.

Unfathomable

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

Unfathomable is a unique game where players try to escape a sea full of monsters. It includes a social deduction element, similar to Battlestar Galactica, where one player secretly plays as a traitor. Best for groups of five or six, it offers an immersive experience that can last several hours.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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

Eldritch Horror

MSRP: $59.95 USD
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+

Eldritch Horror offers a global adventure compared to the city-focused Arkham Horror. It's more accessible, with quicker setup and simpler rules, ideal for beginners and mid-level gamers. The focus here is on strategy and puzzle-solving, with the first game released in 2013.

Eldritch Horror Expansions

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, each adding new elements to the game.

Other Ways to Play

Beyond the traditional board games, there are other ways to experience the Arkham universe, including online versions and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs).

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror's first TTRPG was released last year, offering a starter set and a core rulebook. I recommend starting with the starter set for an introduction before moving to the rulebook for further adventures.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set

MSRP: $34.99 USD
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+

The starter set is perfect for beginners, providing a sample campaign and eliminating the need for an experienced Game Master.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

MSRP: $49.99 USD
Players: 2-6
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+

The Core Rulebook is ideal for those ready to explore new 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 solo game resembles the Mansions of Madness board game expansion but has received mixed reviews due to its story execution. It's available on Steam and Switch for $19.99.

There's also a digital version of Elder Sign called Elder Sign: Omens, available on Steam and mobile platforms since 2011. It's well-received and affordable at $5.99.

The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror series is a must-explore. The games offer solo and group play options, each presenting a unique take on the Lovecraftian world. However, be aware that these games are challenging, with significant elements of chance that can enhance replayability but also lead to frustration. Setup and learning times can be substantial, though card games tend to be quicker to set up than board games, even without expansions.