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The Arkham Horror universe boasts an expansive catalog of games, prompting us to split our coverage into two comprehensive guides. This buying guide delves into the various families of board games within the Arkham Horror franchise. For enthusiasts interested in the deck-building card games, we invite you to explore our dedicated Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.
Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise renowned for its horror-themed board games. These games immerse players in cooperative missions that demand robust communication to succeed. Depending on the roles, expansions, and campaigns chosen, players can navigate through numerous pathways. These games are also excellent options for solo play, perfect for those times when gathering a group isn't possible.
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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, you can scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper understanding of how these items interconnect within the expansive 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 terrors. Embark on a journey through Arkham as one of six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat horrific beasts. With multiple campaigns to explore and a significant luck component involving dice rolls for objectives and boss encounters, the game offers high replayability. However, it's not an easy game; setup and teaching can take time, and gameplay can extend over several hours, or be swift if luck is not on your side. Solo play is also an option, though my initial experiences, both with friends and solo, were challenging. Completing that first winning game is a triumphant moment for the whole party.
Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions
There are three expansions for the Arkham Horror: The Board Game, each adding a new layer of depth.
Arkham Horror: Under the 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 underwater horrors. It introduces eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking the adventure from the city to the sea.
Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion
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MSRP: $44.99 USD
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Secrets of the Order is a medium-sized expansion with three new scenarios and three additional investigators. It opens up the French Hill neighborhood, filled with ghosts and monsters, far from a quaint French getaway.
Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
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MSRP: $32.99 USD
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Dead of Night is a smaller expansion with two new scenarios and four new investigators to navigate the horrors that come alive in the dead of night.
Other Arkham Horror Board Games
Several other board games within the Arkham universe offer standalone adventures, not requiring the base Arkham Horror game. These games provide unique experiences with familiar characters from the Arkham Files.
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 six encounters. Players roll dice based on their investigator's stats to fight monsters, uncover 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: 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 last expansion was released in 2018, and it's currently unknown if more will follow.
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+
This app-driven dungeon crawler exists within the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign. Players can enjoy it with one to five players, using an app to guide the narrative, setup, and gameplay. The app enhances the experience by managing narrative elements, roll results, and play direction. I appreciate the combination of tactical pieces and the app's guidance, especially its ability to save progress for later sessions, though physical setup must be redone.
Mansions of Madness Expansions
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+
The Path of The Serpent expansion ventures into the jungle, facing serpents and Lovecraftian horrors. Like the base game, it requires the app and the base game to play.
Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
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MSRP: $39.19 USD
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Beyond the Threshold is a more affordable expansion that introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element, making it an accessible addition to the game.
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, playable with three to six players, ideally suited for groups of five or six. It includes a social deduction component, reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica, where a traitor lurks among the players. The game, set in a Lovecraftian mythos, can last multiple hours as players navigate the game, figuring out who to trust while trying to survive. It's a unique experience within the Arkham catalog, appealing to fans of social deduction games.
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
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The From the Abyss expansion adds new prelude cards for varied starting conditions, three new monstrous horrors (Shoggoth, the Drowned Spirit, and the Grasping Tendril), and new skills, items, and boon cards.
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 more global adventure than the city-centric Arkham Horror. Players travel worldwide to complete objectives, making it more accessible to beginners and mid-range gamers. It features 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: 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, the Arkham universe offers additional ways to engage with its lore. Some board games are available online, and the franchise has ventured into tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs).
The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game
Arkham Horror's first 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 rules and gameplay before diving into the core rulebook for more extensive adventures.
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 highly accessible for beginners, featuring a sample campaign and no need for an experienced Game Master.
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, the Core Rulebook allows for further exploration of 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 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. Another digital option, Elder Sign: Omens, released in 2011, is available on Steam and mobile platforms for $5.99 and has garnered mostly positive reviews.
The Bottom Line
For fans of Lovecraftian mythos-themed games, the Arkham Horror franchise is a treasure trove worth exploring. The games offer both solo and group play, each presenting a unique take on the Lovecraftian worlds. However, they are challenging, with significant elements of chance that enhance replayability but can also lead to frustration. Setup and learning times can be lengthy, though card games tend to be quicker to set up than board games, even without expansions.
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