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The Arkham Horror universe boasts an expansive catalog of games, so extensive that we've split our coverage into two guides. This buying guide focuses on the diverse range of board games within the franchise. For those interested in the deck-building card games, you can find detailed information in 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 that require strategic communication to emerge victorious. Each game offers 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 hour-plus gaming session without a group.

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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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If you want to skip the detailed descriptions and go straight to the various games and expansions, feel free to scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper understanding of how these items interconnect within the broader 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 horrors. Embark on a journey through Arkham as one of six investigators, solving mysteries and defeating terrifying creatures. With multiple campaigns and a significant luck component, the game offers high replayability. However, it's not an easy game; setup and teaching can take time, and gameplay can last several hours. My first attempt with friends on the easiest campaign was a disaster, and solo play was equally challenging. But the thrill of finally winning with your party is unmatched.

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

Arkham Horror: Under 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 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

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MSRP: $44.99 USD
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Ages: 14+
This medium-sized expansion includes three new scenarios and three new investigators. Secrets of the Order opens up the French Hill neighborhood, where you'll encounter ghosts and monsters that make your visit far from a quaint 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 a lower price point. It adds two new scenarios and four new investigators to help you navigate the horrors that lurk in the night.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several other board games exist within the Arkham universe, each offering a unique, standalone adventure. These games don't require the base Arkham Horror game and come with their own expansions.

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 board game for one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, driven primarily by dice rolls. Players must complete tasks and navigate six encounters to solve the mystery 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 unclear if more will follow.

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 is a standalone game 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, roll results, and gameplay direction. The combination of tactical pieces and the app enhances the experience, and the app allows you to pause and resume your game later, though you'll need to set up the physical pieces again.

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+
This expansion takes you into the jungle, facing serpents and Lovecraftian horrors. It's guided by an app and requires 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+
This more affordable expansion introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element, making it an accessible addition to your game.

Unfathomable

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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 of monsters on a boat. It includes a social deduction component, making it ideal for larger groups. One player is secretly a traitor, adding a Battlestar Galactica-like tension to the Lovecraftian setting. Sessions can last multiple hours as you navigate the game, trying to identify the traitor while escaping alive.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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This expansion introduces new prelude cards, three new monstrous horrors (Shoggoth, the Drowned Spirit, and the Grasping Tendril), and new skills, items, and boon cards, enhancing the game's variety and challenge.

Eldritch Horror

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MSRP: $59.95 USD
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+
Eldritch Horror offers a global adventure, contrasting with Arkham Horror's city-centric focus. Players travel worldwide to complete objectives, making it more accessible for beginners and mid-range gamers. It has a quicker setup and simpler rules than Arkham Horror, focusing more 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, you can explore the Arkham universe through online versions of some games and the franchise's first tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG).

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror released its first TTRPG 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 rulebook for more 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 perfect for beginners, offering a sample campaign that doesn't require 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 trying the starter set, you can expand your TTRPG adventures with the Core Rulebook.

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, Elder Sign: Omens, released in 2011, is available on Steam and mobile platforms for $5.99 and has received mostly positive reviews.

The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of Lovecraftian mythos-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 worlds. However, be prepared for challenging gameplay with significant elements of chance, which can enhance replayability but also lead to frustration. Setup and learning times can be lengthy, though card games are generally quicker to set up than board games, even without expansions.