Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast array of games, so much so that we've divided them into two guides. This buying guide focuses on the board games; for the deck-building card games, please see our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-running franchise of cooperative horror board games. Players collaborate to complete missions, with multiple pathways determined by chosen roles, expansions, and campaigns. These games also excel as solo experiences for those times when gathering a group proves difficult.

Featured in this article:

Want to jump straight to the games and expansions? Browse the catalog above. For a deeper dive into the connections between the games and the Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

MSRP: $65.95 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where players team up against various terrors. Choose from six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat horrific beasts across multiple campaigns. The game features a significant luck element, influencing objective completion and boss battles, leading to high replayability. Be warned: this is a challenging game with a lengthy setup and playtime.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions enhance Arkham Horror: The Board Game:

Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion (MSRP: $59.99 USD, 1-6 players, 2-3 hours, 14+): A large expansion focusing on underwater horrors, introducing eight new investigators and four scenarios.

Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion (MSRP: $44.99 USD, 1-6 players, 2-3 hours, 14+): A medium-sized expansion with three new scenarios, three investigators, and a new location to explore.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion (MSRP: $32.99 USD, 1-4 players, 2-3 hours, 14+): A smaller expansion offering two scenarios and four investigators.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several standalone board games exist within the Arkham Horror universe, unconnected to the core game. Each offers a unique adventure with familiar characters:

Elder Sign

MSRP: $39.99 USD Players: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hours Ages: 14+

A dice-rolling game playable by one to eight players, Elder Sign is the most accessible game in the Arkham Files franchise. Gameplay revolves around dice rolls to complete tasks and overcome encounters.

Elder Sign Expansions

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 standalone.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

MSRP: $109.95 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

An app-driven dungeon crawler, Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition) is a standalone game in the Arkham Horror universe. The app guides setup, gameplay, and narrative.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

Two app-driven expansions are available:

Mansions of Madness: Path of the Serpent Expansion (MSRP: $69.99 USD, 1-5 players, 2-3 hours, 14+): A jungle-themed expansion.

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion (MSRP: $39.19 USD, 1-5 players, 2-3 hours, 14+): A more affordable expansion introducing new investigators, scenarios, and an insanity mechanic.

Unfathomable

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

A social deduction game where players escape a monster-infested sea on a boat. One player is secretly a traitor.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion: Introduces new prelude cards, monsters, skills, items, and boon cards.

Eldritch Horror

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

Eldritch Horror is a globe-trotting cooperative game with simpler rules and faster setup than Arkham Horror.

Eldritch Horror Expansions

Eight expansions are 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

Explore the Arkham Horror universe through online versions of some games and the franchise's tabletop roleplaying game:

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

A TTRPG with a starter set and core rulebook.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set (MSRP: $34.99 USD, 2-4 players, 1-3 hours, 14+): An accessible starter set.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Core Rulebook (MSRP: $49.99 USD, 2-6 players, 1-3 hours, 14+): The core rulebook for continued adventures.

Video Game Versions

Digital versions exist for Arkham Horror and Elder Sign.

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror offers diverse Lovecraftian experiences, playable solo or with friends. While challenging and requiring significant setup time, the high replayability and unique gameplay make them worthwhile for fans of the genre.