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

Arkham Horror is a long-standing franchise renowned for its immersive horror board games. Players embark on thrilling missions that require teamwork and strategic communication to triumph. Each game offers multiple pathways, shaped by the roles, expansions, and campaigns you choose. These games are also fantastic for solo play, perfect for those times when you can't gather a group but still want to dive into an engaging game for over an hour.

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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 explore the various games and expansions without the detailed descriptions, simply scroll through the catalog above. However, if you're keen to understand how each item interconnects 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 teams of players work together to combat various horrors. As one of six investigators, you journey through Arkham to solve mysteries and defeat monstrous creatures. With multiple campaigns and a significant luck component, where dice rolls determine success in objectives and battles, the game offers high replayability. However, it's not easy; setup and teaching can take time, and gameplay may last several hours. It's also playable solo, though my initial experiences, both with friends and alone, were challenging. That first winning game, though, is a triumph worth celebrating.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

There are three expansions for 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, introduces underwater horrors with eight new investigators and four new scenarios, taking you beyond the city into 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, expanding the game to include the French Hill neighborhood, where ghostly and monstrous encounters await.

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, more affordable expansion with two new scenarios and four new investigators, enhancing your nocturnal adventures in Arkham.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

Several other board games within the Arkham universe offer standalone experiences, not requiring the base Arkham Horror game. Each game presents unique adventures within the Lovecraftian setting, often featuring familiar characters.

Elder Sign

Elder Sign

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MSRP: $39.99 USD
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 1-2 hours
Ages: 14+
One of the earliest games in the Arkham Files franchise, Elder Sign is a dice-rolling board game playable with one to eight players. It's the most accessible in terms of chance-based gameplay, with dice rolls driving the action as you complete tasks and navigate six encounters to solve mysteries before time expires.

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. Notably, Grave Consequences is a standalone deck playable with or without the core game. The last expansion was released in 2018, with no further expansions announced.

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 immerses players in the Arkham universe, compatible with one to five players. The app guides setup and gameplay, managing narrative, roll results, and play direction. It's a thrilling blend of physical and digital elements, allowing for paused games to be resumed later, though you'll need to reset the board pieces.

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 ventures into jungle depths with new Lovecraftian horrors. It requires the base game and is app-guided.

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+
A more affordable expansion, Beyond the Threshold introduces two new investigators, two new scenarios, and an insanity gameplay element.

Unfathomable

Unfathomable

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MSRP: $64.99 USD
Players: 3-6
Playtime: 2-4 hours
Ages: 14+
Unfathomable challenges players to escape a monster-infested boat, featuring a social deduction element ideal for larger groups. One player is secretly a traitor, adding tension as you navigate survival and betrayal. It's a unique, immersive experience within the Arkham universe, reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica but with a Lovecraftian twist.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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This expansion adds new prelude cards, three monstrous horrors, and new skills, items, and boon cards, enhancing the base game's variety and challenge.

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 distinct from the city-centric Arkham Horror. It's more accessible with quicker setup and simpler rules, focusing on strategy and puzzle-solving. Released in 2013, it's a great entry point for newcomers and seasoned gamers alike.

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, each adding new dimensions to the game.

Other Ways to Play

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

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Last year, Arkham Horror ventured into TTRPG with a starter set and subsequent core rulebook. The starter set is ideal for beginners, providing a sample campaign and no need for 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+
This starter set is perfect for newcomers to TTRPGs, offering an accessible entry into the Arkham universe.

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 mastering the starter set, the Core Rulebook allows for further 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, reminiscent of the Mansions of Madness expansion, has mixed reviews due to its story execution and handling of heavy topics. It's available on Steam and Switch for $19.99.

Additionally, Elder Sign: Omens is a digital version of Elder Sign, available on Steam and mobile platforms for $5.99, and has received mostly positive reviews.

The Bottom Line

For fans of Lovecraftian-themed games, the Arkham Horror universe is a must-explore. With options for solo and group play, each game offers a unique take on the Lovecraftian mythos. However, be prepared for challenging gameplay, significant luck elements, and time-consuming setup and learning phases. Card games within the series are generally quicker to set up than the board games, even without expansions.