"Arkham Horror Board Game: Ultimate Buying Guide"

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

Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise that offers a thrilling array of horror-themed board games. Players collaborate on missions that require strategic communication to succeed. Each game features 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 want to dive into an immersive experience without needing a group.

Featured in this Article

### Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Grave Consequences

0See it at Asmodee### Elder Sign: Omens of Ice

0See it at Asmodee### Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep

0See it at Asmodee### Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

0See it at Amazon### Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Unfathomable

0See it at Amazon### Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set

0See it at Amazon### Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

0See it at Amazon

If you prefer to jump straight to the list of games and expansions, feel free to scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper understanding of how these items connect within the broader Arkham Horror universe, continue reading below.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

### Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $65.95 USDPlayers: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+

Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where teams of players work together to combat various terrors. As one of six investigators, you'll navigate through Arkham, solving mysteries and battling monstrous creatures. With multiple campaigns to explore and a significant luck element—determined by rolling dice to meet objectives and confront bosses—the game offers high replayability. However, it's not an easy game. It requires time to set up and teach, and gameplay can extend over multiple hours, depending on luck. Even solo play is challenging but rewarding when you finally secure a victory.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions enhance the base game of Arkham Horror, each adding new layers of depth and excitement.

Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion

### Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $59.99 USDPlayers: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+

Under the Dark Waves is the largest expansion, focusing on 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

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $44.99 USDPlayers: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+

This medium-sized expansion adds three new scenarios and three additional investigators. It opens up the French Hill neighborhood, where you'll encounter ghosts and monsters, making for a thrilling exploration.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

### Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $32.99 USDPlayers: 1-4Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+

A smaller, more affordable expansion, Dead of Night includes two new scenarios and four additional investigators to help you face the horrors that lurk in the night.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several other board games exist within the Arkham Horror universe, each offering a unique standalone experience without requiring the base Arkham Horror game. These games feature familiar characters and new adventures.

Elder Sign

### Elder Sign

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $39.99 USDPlayers: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hoursAges: 14+

Elder Sign, one of the earliest games in the Arkham Files series, is a dice-rolling board game for one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, focusing on chance and dice mechanics. Players roll dice based on their investigator's stats to fight monsters, gather clues, and solve mysteries before time runs out.

Elder Sign Expansions

### Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep

0See it at Asmodee### Elder Sign: Grave Consequences

0See it at Asmodee### Elder Sign: Omens of Ice

0See it at Asmodee

Elder Sign has six expansions, each adding new challenges and scenarios. Grave Consequences is unique as a standalone deck that can be played with or without the core game. The last expansion was released in 2018, and no further expansions have been announced.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

### Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $109.95 USDPlayers: 1-5Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+

Mansions of Madness is an app-driven dungeon crawler set within the Arkham universe. It supports one to five players and uses an app to guide the narrative, manage dice rolls, and direct gameplay. The app's ability to save progress makes it convenient for pausing and resuming games. The combination of physical pieces and digital guidance creates an immersive experience.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

Two expansions for Mansions of Madness further enhance the cooperative app-guided experience.

Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion

### Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $69.99 USDPlayers: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+

This expansion transports players to the jungle, facing Lovecraftian horrors. Like the base game, it requires the app and the original game to play.

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

### Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $39.19 USDPlayers: 1-5Playtime: 2-3 hoursAges: 14+

A more affordable expansion, Beyond the Threshold introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity gameplay mechanic, making it an accessible addition to the game.

Unfathomable

### Unfathomable

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $64.99 USDPlayers: 3-6Playtime: 2-4 hoursAges: 14+

Unfathomable challenges players to escape a monster-infested sea on a boat. It supports three to six players, with a social deduction element that adds intrigue. One player is secretly a traitor, adding a layer of mystery and tension. The game, which can take several hours, evokes the atmosphere of Battlestar Galactica within the Lovecraftian mythos. It's a unique experience that may appeal to fans of social deduction games.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

### Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

0See it at Amazon

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

Eldritch Horror

### Eldritch Horror

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $59.95 USDPlayers: 1-4Playtime: 1-3 hoursAges: 14+

Eldritch Horror offers a global adventure, distinct from the city-focused Arkham Horror. Players travel worldwide to complete objectives, with a quicker setup and simpler rules that make it more accessible. The game emphasizes strategy and puzzle-solving, released initially in 2013.

Eldritch Horror Expansions

### Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion

0See it at Amazon### Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion

0See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror has eight expansions, each adding new scenarios and challenges to the base game.

Other Ways to Play

Beyond traditional board games, the Arkham universe offers digital and tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) experiences.

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Last year, Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPGs with a starter set and a core rulebook. The starter set is perfect for beginners, offering a sample campaign that doesn't require 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 AmazonMSRP: $34.99 USDPlayers: 2-4 Playtime: 1-3 hoursAges: 14+

The starter set is designed for new players, providing an accessible entry point into the TTRPG world.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

### Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

0See it at AmazonMSRP: $49.99 USDPlayers: 2-6 Playtime: 1-3 hoursAges: 14+

After trying the starter set, players can dive deeper with the core rulebook, which allows for more extensive TTRPG adventures in the Arkham Horror universe.

Video Game Versions

A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother's Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. It's a single-player game with similarities to the Mansions of Madness board game expansion. Available on Steam and Switch for $19.99, it has received mixed reviews due to its story execution and handling of heavy themes. Additionally, 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-themed games, the Arkham Horror franchise offers a rich and diverse range of experiences. These games are challenging and feature significant elements of chance, enhancing replayability while potentially increasing frustration. Setup and learning can take time, but the unique and immersive nature of each game makes the effort worthwhile. Whether playing solo or with friends, the Arkham Horror universe promises thrilling adventures in the realm of cosmic horror.