The Arkham Horror universe boasts an extensive collection of games, so vast that we've split our coverage into two guides. This guide focuses on the diverse range of board games within the franchise. For those interested in the deck-building card games, please refer to our dedicated Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a renowned franchise of horror-themed board games that has been captivating players for years. These games immerse you and your fellow players in thrilling missions that require teamwork and strategic communication to succeed. With multiple pathways determined by your choices of roles, expansions, and campaigns, each game session offers a unique experience. These games are also excellent for solo play, perfect for those times when you're looking to dive into an hour-plus gaming session alone.

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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 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 interconnect within the broader Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

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 battling monstrous creatures. The game features multiple campaigns, and its significant luck element, combined with the potential for chaos and occult trickery, ensures high replayability.

However, be prepared: this game is challenging. It requires time to set up and teach, and gameplay can last several hours. If luck isn't on your side, sessions can end quickly. If you lose and there are fewer than six players, you can choose another investigator, but you'll start anew, losing any progress. My first attempt with friends on the easiest campaign ended in disaster, and solo play was equally tough. But the thrill of finally winning with your group is unparalleled.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

There are three expansions for Arkham Horror: The Board Game, each adding new depth and scenarios 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 Under the Dark Waves expansion introduces underwater horrors, adding eight new investigators and four new scenarios. It takes you beyond the city limits into the depths of 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 additional investigators. It opens up the French Hill neighborhood, where you'll encounter ghosts and monsters, turning your visit into anything but a peaceful getaway.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

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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 additional investigators, enhancing your base game with new nighttime horrors.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several other board games exist within the Arkham universe, each offering unique standalone adventures that don't require the base Arkham Horror game to play. These titles often come with their own expansions.

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 board game that can accommodate one to eight players. It's the most accessible game in the series, driven primarily by dice rolls. Players roll dice based on their chosen investigator's stats to combat monsters, gather 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 can be played standalone or with the core game. The latest expansion was released in 2018, with no further releases announced yet.

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+
Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition) is an app-driven dungeon crawler set in the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign. It can be played with one to five players, with the app guiding the narrative, setup, and gameplay. The combination of physical pieces and app-driven elements makes for an immersive experience, and the app allows you to pause and resume your game later, although you'll need to set up the physical pieces again.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion

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 to face serpents and other Lovecraftian horrors. It's guided by an app and requires the base game to play.

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

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 collection.

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, with a social deduction component. Best suited for groups of five or six, it has a traitor mechanic, adding a Battlestar Galactica-like atmosphere to the Lovecraftian setting. Sessions can last multiple hours as players navigate the game, trying to identify the traitor while escaping alive.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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 additional 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 global adventure, where players cooperate to complete objectives around the world. It's more accessible than Arkham Horror, with a quicker setup and simpler rules, making it ideal for beginners and mid-range gamers. The focus is on strategy and puzzle-solving, with the first game 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, there are other ways to experience the Arkham universe. Some board games are available online, and there's a new tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) in the franchise.

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror's first TTRPG was released last year, starting with a starter set and followed by 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

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MSRP: $34.99 USD
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 1-3 hours
Ages: 14+
The starter set is designed to be accessible for new players, providing a campaign that guides you through the game without needing an experienced Game Master.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

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 dive deeper into the Arkham Horror universe with the Core Rulebook, which allows you to create your own TTRPG adventures.

Video Game Versions

A digital version, Arkham Horror: Mother's Embrace, was released on Steam in 2021. It's a solo game with gameplay similar to the Mansions of Madness board game expansion, available on Steam and Switch for $19.99. However, it has received mixed reviews due to its story execution and handling of heavy topics.

Additionally, Elder Sign: Omens is available on Steam and mobile platforms, released in 2011. It's affordable at $5.99 and has received mostly positive reviews.

The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of Lovecraft mythos-themed games, the Arkham Horror series is a must-explore. The variety of games offers both solo and multiplayer experiences, each presenting a unique take on the Lovecraftian universe. However, these games can be challenging, with significant luck elements that enhance replayability but may also increase frustration. Setup and learning time can be substantial, though card games tend to be quicker to set up than board games, even without expansions.