Arkham Horror: Finding The Right Game For Spooky Season
It’s that time of year when everything is a little spooky. So which Arkham Horror Files game should you dive into?
I’m a huge fan of the Arkham Horror Files games from Fantasy Flight Games. I’ve played just about all of them (the ones I could get my hands on) and I’ve got opinions on all of them. That said, I know this time of year folk are getting together to have a little fun and dive into that world of Creepypasta and the Cthulhu Mythos.
And the Arkham Horror Files universe has a wide variety of games to choose from. Which is right for you? That’s what we’re tackling today.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
I’m starting off with my personal favorite of the batch. Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an Living Card Game (LCG) from Fantasy Flight Games and it’s really the game that hooked me when it comes to the Lovecraftian Mythos. This is about as close to an RPG you can get without actually playing Call of Cthulhu (that’s a different game altogether).
The Revised Core Set is designed for 1-4 players and has the first batch of scenarios you can play included. Each player takes on the role of an investigator with their own deck of cards. Each investigator also has a “role” or class — this determines what cards they have access to and generally what types of things they will be doing. As you get more advanced scenarios and expansions that might always be the case…but that’s a whole OTHER topic.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a bit longer of a time investment. The Revised Core set has a mini-campaign that’s roughly half the size of a full campaign — but it’s enough to give players a real good taste of the game. If you’ve got a group that plays weekly or is looking for a campaign and not a one-off this is a great game for that. And there’s plenty of expansions out now that you can pick-up and keep the horror train rolling.
Co-op, 1-4 player LCG, long(er) Campaign style
Arkham Horror Third Edition (The Board Game)
I’ve often said that if a game makes it to second edition, it must be doing something right. And this is the third edition of the Arkham Horror Board Game, so it’s got to be on the right track, too…right? Well, kind of. The shift from second to third was a big change. The update is fun but it IS a different game than previous editions. That said, the experience is pretty similar. Personally, I like this one. The scenarios are challenging and honestly some of them can be painfully difficult in that special “Arkham Horror” way. Which is kind of the point.
The game itself will seat 1-6 players. It’s a modular board game (each scenario has specific setup instructions). There’s a slew of mechanics this game has from other FFG board games and if you’ve played those other games, you’ll recognize them. That said, the story and setting is distinctly Arkham Horror. It’s a great game to play as a one-and-done game night — perfect for Halloween! But it’s also got a longer tail as there are multiple scenarios and also a few expansions out there, too.
Co-op, 1-6 player board game with dice and cards, single session with multiple scenarios for replayability
Unfathomable
Unfathomable is set in the Arkham Horror Files universe but with a twist: instead of the 1920s it’s actually 1913. Why is that important? Well it’s a decade earlier in the timeline and thus it takes place before all the previous games. That opens up some unique storytelling options. The setting is also on the steamship SS Atlantica. The ship is two days out from port as it’s been traversing the Atlantic Ocean. Everything was going smoothly until some strange events started to happen…
This game is designed for a group and you’ll need at least 3 players and it seats up to 6. And I’ll cut to the point: This is Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game reskinned for Arkham Horror. It’s got the hidden loyalties and “surprise, you’re a psilon” moments. But in this case you’re a fish-person. If you liked BSG: The Board Game give this one a shot.
The reskin is nice looking if nothing else. There’s other changes but if you like the hidden voting and secret identities then Unfathomable is the right game for you. Oh, and it’s 2-4 hours so it’s a solid evening of spooky gaming!
Semi Co-op, 3-6 play board game with hidden roles, bluffing/voting/deception game, Battlestar Galactica reskin for Arkham Horror
Mansions of Madness (Second Edition)
Let me just start by saying that this is an app assisted board game: You will need a digital device to play this game. But don’t be scared off! I’ve written about this game before and it actually uses the app AND the board game very well. Crazy, I know — but for me this is the Gold Standard of how Apps and Board Games can be a hybrid experience and make the experience better for it.
The App controls the puzzles and helps you track things like monster damage. It can also play audio and do other things without getting into spoilers. You, as the player, still have to move around the board and keep things honest. But it’s a good. spooky game experience for 1-5 players. There’s a few different scenarios baked in and there’s a few expansions as well. A single game can take 2-3 hours which makes it good for longer “campaigns” or just a one-off depending on what you’re looking for.
This game and X-COM: The Board Game did app assisted games the best. If you got scared off by other “hybrid games” and want to give them a chance again then start here.
Co-op, 1-5 player App Assisted Board Game with minis and dice, puzzle solving, single sessions with lots of scenarios to play, lots of replay and expansions
Eldritch Horror
If you’ve got a bigger group that 6, then Eldritch Horror is the one for you. It seats up to 8 players and you’re all trying to stop the end of the world. You’ll be globe trotting and working together to figure out the plot of whichever Ancient One is trying to end the world this time. There’s quite a few different adventures to have with this one because of the different Eldritch Horrors you’ll face. This is the one I’ve got the least experience with but the times I did play in a large group it was fun. It’s not quite a “party game” but because it fits so many players it’s pretty easy to get into for new people.
This one isn’t what I call a “light” game but even with a full house games will go (relatively) quick considering most games are 2-4 hours. If you want to have a spooky time with a lot of guests then Eldritch Horror is a good way to punch that ticket to Lovecraftian Horror!
Co-op, 1-8 player board game, not a “party” game but fits a full party, card driven game play
Elder Sign
Of all the Arkham Horror Games listed here this one is the fastest to play. Most games are between 1-2 hours, so if you’ve got a shorter attention span group this is a good fit. It also seats 1-8 players, too. It still captures the essence of a game like Arkham Horror: The Board Game but condenses everything down quite a bit. You’ll have to manage health and sanity and you’ll use a combo of dice and cards, but turns are quicker and things are just faster.
There’s lots of different investigators to try and a few different scenarios, too. The game also has had six expansions so there’s lots more to try out if you like this shorter-style Arkham Horror Files game. Personally, I think I prefer Elder Sign vs Eldritch Horror with a larger group. The speed of play keeps everyone more engaged. I think that’s a good thing when you’ve got that many people.
Co-op, 1-8 player card/dice game, faster turns and shorter overall game time, good for keeping players engaged
Other Games
There’s a few other Arkham Horror games that are out there, too. Final Hour is out of print from what I can tell but you might be able to find a copy at a retailer. And The Road To Innsmouth is more of an escape room-style game. There’s also older editions of a few of these games out there that you might come across, too — Mansions of Madness in particular.
Hopefully this was helpful in trying to narrow down which Arkham Horror Files game would be right for you this spooky season. If you’ve got other non-Arkham Horror game recommendations drop them in the comments!
Arkham Horror: Spooky Time!
