Table of Contents
Here is a list of the 10 highest-rated horror board games according to reviews from customers and experts from around the web:
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
MSRP: USA $49.95, UK £44.99, Canada $64.95, Australia $84.95, Europe €49.95; Player Count: 1 to 4 players; Age Rating: 12+; Score: 8.3/10
Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a unique cooperative Living Card Game (LCG) from Fantasy Flight Games. Players take on the role of investigators in a Lovecraftian world, battling supernatural creatures and ancient evils. The game is playable solo or with up to four players, making it a great choice for those who prefer to play alone or with a small group.
The game is relatively complex, but the rules are easy to understand once you get the hang of them. Players must work together to investigate clues and solve mysteries while managing their resources and battling monsters. The game’s narrative is driven by scenarios, each with its own unique challenges and objectives.
What sets Arkham Horror: The Card Game apart from other cooperative games is its unique deck-building system. Players start with a basic deck of cards but can customize and upgrade their deck over time by purchasing new cards and upgrading existing ones. This allows players to tailor their deck to their playstyle and the challenges they face, making each playthrough a unique experience.
The game’s components are of high quality, with beautiful artwork and detailed miniatures. The game’s Lovecraftian theme is expertly captured in the art and design, creating a truly immersive experience for players.
One of the drawbacks of the game is its price point, which is on the higher end for board games. However, the game’s high replayability and unique deck-building system make it a worthwhile investment for fans of cooperative games and Lovecraftian horror.
Overall, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a fantastic choice for fans of cooperative games and Lovecraftian horror. Its unique deck-building system, immersive theme, and high replayability make it a must-play for those who enjoy challenging and immersive gameplay. With a score of 8.3/10, it’s clear that Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a favourite among gamers and a great addition to any board game collection.
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
MSRP: USA $99.95, UK £89.99, Canada $129.95, Australia $169.95, Europe €99.95; Player Count: 1 to 5 players; Age Rating: 14+; Score: 8.2/10
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is a thrilling cooperative game from Fantasy Flight Games. Players take on the role of investigators in a Lovecraftian world, exploring haunted mansions and battling supernatural creatures. The game is playable solo or with up to five players, making it a great choice for those who prefer to play alone or with a larger group.
The game is a bit more complex than some other cooperative games, but the rules are intuitive and easy to learn. Players must work together to investigate clues, solve puzzles, and battle monsters while managing their resources and avoiding traps and other hazards. The game’s narrative is driven by scenarios, each with its own unique challenges and objectives.
One of the standout features of Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is its use of a digital companion app. The app handles many of the game’s mechanics, such as setting up the game board, managing the AI-controlled enemies, and providing clues and story elements. This allows the game to have a high degree of randomness and variability, making each playthrough a unique experience.
The game’s components are of high quality, with beautiful artwork and detailed miniatures. The game’s Lovecraftian theme is expertly captured in the art and design, creating a truly immersive experience for players.
One of the drawbacks of the game is its high price point, which may be a barrier for some players. However, the game’s high replayability and immersive gameplay make it a worthwhile investment for fans of cooperative games and Lovecraftian horror.
Overall, Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is an excellent choice for fans of cooperative games and Lovecraftian horror. Its use of a digital companion app, immersive theme, and high replayability make it a must-play for those who enjoy challenging and immersive gameplay. With a score of 8.2/10, it’s clear that Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is a favourite among gamers and a great addition to any board game collection.
Kingdom Death: Monster
MSRP: USA $140.00, UK £105.00, Canada $190.00, Australia $245.00, Europe €150.00; Player Count: 1 to 6 players; Age Rating: 18+; Score: 8.2/10
Kingdom Death: Monster is a highly acclaimed cooperative game from Kingdom Death. Players take on the role of survivors in a dark and dangerous world, fighting for survival against horrific monsters and other dangers. The game is playable solo or with up to six players, making it a great choice for those who prefer to play alone or with a larger group.
The game is extremely complex and requires a significant amount of setup and preparation, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Players must work together to hunt monsters, gather resources, and build their settlements while managing their survivors’ needs and abilities. The game’s narrative is driven by a series of interconnected events and storylines, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities.
One of the standout features of Kingdom Death: Monster is its use of detailed miniatures and high-quality components. The game’s art and design are top-notch, creating a truly immersive experience for players. The game’s mature and often graphic content is not suitable for younger players, making it an adult-oriented game.
The game’s high price point may be a barrier for some players, but the game’s high replayability and depth of gameplay make it a worthwhile investment for serious gamers. The game is designed to be played over multiple sessions, with each session building on the previous one and advancing the game’s storyline.
Overall, Kingdom Death: Monster is an excellent choice for fans of complex and immersive cooperative games. Its high-quality components, mature content, and depth of gameplay make it a must-play for those who enjoy challenging and immersive gameplay. With a score of 8.2/10, it’s clear that Kingdom Death: Monster is a favourite among serious gamers and a great addition to any board game collection.
Cthulhu: Death May Die
MSRP: USA $140.00, UK £99.99, Canada $179.95, Australia $239.95, Europe €140.00; Player Count: 2 to 5 players; Age Rating: 14+; Score: 8.1/10
Cthulhu: Death May Die is a cooperative game from CMON, set in a Lovecraftian world of horror and mystery. Players take on the roles of investigators, fighting against the forces of darkness to prevent the rise of the Great Old One, Cthulhu.
The game is designed for 2 to 5 players, making it a great choice for those who prefer to play with a small group. Players must work together to investigate locations, fight monsters, and uncover clues, using a variety of weapons and abilities to stay alive.
One of the standout features of Cthulhu: Death May Die is its use of a unique action-selection mechanic, which allows players to choose their actions based on their current state of mind. This adds an additional layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully manage their mental and physical health in order to succeed.
The game’s mature themes and graphic content make it best suited for older players, with an age rating of 14+. The game’s high-quality components, including detailed miniatures and beautifully illustrated cards and tiles, create an immersive experience for players.
While the game is relatively expensive, its high replayability and depth of gameplay make it a great investment for serious gamers. The game’s scenarios are designed to be played over multiple sessions, with each session building on the previous one and advancing the game’s storyline.
Overall, Cthulhu: Death May Die is an excellent choice for fans of cooperative games and Lovecraftian horror. Its unique action-selection mechanic, high-quality components, and depth of gameplay make it a standout in the genre. With a score of 8.1/10, it’s clear that Cthulhu: Death May Die is a fan favourite and a must-have for any serious board game collection.
Eldritch Horror
MSRP: USA $59.95, UK £49.99, Canada $79.99, Australia $99.99, Europe €59.95; Player Count: 1 to 8 players; Age Rating: 14+; Score: 7.9/10
Eldritch Horror is a cooperative board game from Fantasy Flight Games, set in the Lovecraftian world of horror and mystery. The game is designed for 1 to 8 players, making it a great choice for larger groups or solo play.
In Eldritch Horror, players take on the roles of investigators who must travel the world to solve mysteries, fight monsters, and prevent the rise of an ancient evil. Each game is driven by a unique story, with a variety of characters, locations, and monsters to encounter.
The game’s mechanics are streamlined and easy to learn, but still provide a high level of depth and strategy. Players must manage their resources, make tough decisions, and work together to overcome the challenges they face.
Eldritch Horror’s mature themes and graphic content make it best suited for older players, with an age rating of 14+. The game’s high-quality components, including detailed miniatures and beautifully illustrated cards and tiles, create an immersive experience for players.
At an MSRP of $59.95 in the US, Eldritch Horror is one of the more affordable games on this list, making it a great choice for those on a budget. Its replayability and depth of gameplay make it a great investment for serious gamers, and its large player count means that it can be played with a variety of group sizes.
Overall, Eldritch Horror is an excellent choice for fans of cooperative games and Lovecraftian horror. Its streamlined mechanics, high-quality components, and depth of gameplay make it a standout in the genre. With a score of 7.9/10, it’s clear that Eldritch Horror is a fan favourite and a must-have for any serious board game collection.
Betrayal at House on the Hill
MSRP: USA $49.95, UK £29.99, Canada $64.95, Australia $84.95, Europe €49.95; Player Count: 3 to 6 players; Age Rating: 12+; Score: 7.7/10
Betrayal at House on the Hill is a classic horror-themed board game from Avalon Hill, designed for 3 to 6 players. The game’s modular design creates a unique experience every time it’s played, as players explore a haunted house and encounter new rooms and events.
As players explore the house, they must work together to survive against various haunts and monsters. However, halfway through the game, one player will turn traitor and become the antagonist, leading to a thrilling and unpredictable finale.
The game’s mechanics are easy to learn, making it a great choice for beginners, but the unique and ever-changing gameplay provides a high level of replayability. With an age rating of 12+, the game is suitable for a wide range of players, and its accessible gameplay makes it a great choice for family game nights.
At an MSRP of $49.95 in the US and £29.99 in the UK, Betrayal at House on the Hill is one of the more affordable games on this list, making it an excellent value for the fun and excitement it provides.
With a score of 7.7/10, Betrayal at House on the Hill is a beloved classic that has stood the test of time. Its unique gameplay and immersive theme make it a great choice for fans of horror and adventure games, and its accessible mechanics make it a great choice for beginners looking to dive into the world of board gaming.
Dead of Winter
MSRP: USA $59.95, UK £39.99, Canada $74.95, Australia $99.95, Europe €59.95; Player Count: 2 to 5 players; Age Rating: 12+; Score: 7.7/10
Dead of Winter is a thrilling game of survival and betrayal set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Designed for 2 to 5 players, the game challenges players to work together to survive against a horde of undead, while also dealing with their own personal goals and objectives.
The game’s unique Crossroads mechanic keeps things interesting by presenting players with challenging decisions and unexpected events, which can either help or hinder their progress. At the same time, one player may be a traitor working against the group, leading to tense and exciting moments of suspicion and mistrust.
With an age rating of 12+, Dead of Winter is suitable for a wide range of players, and its accessible mechanics make it a great choice for beginners looking to dive into the world of board gaming. With an MSRP of $59.95 in the US and £39.99 in the UK, the game provides great value for the hours of fun and excitement it provides.
With a score of 7.7/10, Dead of Winter is a popular and well-regarded game in the board gaming community, loved for its tense and immersive gameplay, unique mechanics, and thrilling theme. It’s a great choice for fans of zombie movies and survival horror, and its accessible gameplay and cooperative mechanics make it a great choice for beginners and seasoned gamers alike.
Unfathomable
MSRP of $79.99 in the USA, £69.99 in the UK, $99.99 in Canada, €89.99 in Europe, and AUD $129.99 in Australia, Unfathomable is designed for 3 to 6 players aged 14 and up. The game has a current score of 7.9/10.
Unfathomable is a Lovecraftian-themed board game set aboard a submarine in the early 20th century. Players take on the roles of crew members who must work together to navigate the treacherous waters and complete missions while also dealing with the growing threat of mysterious creatures lurking in the depths.
In Unfathomable, players must cooperate and communicate effectively to manage the submarine’s resources and make critical decisions, such as when to use weapons, repair damage, or search for supplies. But beware, as some players may secretly be traitors working against the crew’s goals.
One of the standout features of Unfathomable is its unique sanity system, where players must balance their mental stability with their actions and surroundings. As they encounter increasingly horrific events, their sanity will deteriorate, leading to dangerous consequences if left unchecked.
Unfathomable offers a high level of replayability, with multiple mission objectives, different traitor roles, and various character abilities that can be combined in different ways. The game also has beautiful artwork and miniatures that enhance the immersive atmosphere.
Overall, Unfathomable is an excellent choice for fans of cooperative games and Lovecraftian horror. With its engaging gameplay mechanics, atmospheric setting, and traitor mechanics, it is sure to provide a thrilling and suspenseful experience for all players.
Blood Rage
MSRP: USA $59.95, UK £49.99, Canada $79.95, Australia $104.95, Europe €59.95; Player Count: 2 to 4 players; Age Rating: 14+; Score: 7.6/10
Blood Rage is a Viking-themed strategy game where players take on the role of different clans, competing for control of a mythical realm.
In Blood Rage, players must strategically manage resources to gain control of different areas on the game board. Players draft cards to recruit powerful Viking warriors, monsters, and gods to aid in their conquests. Combat is resolved using a unique card-based system, where players must carefully choose which cards to play to gain the upper hand in battle.
One of the most interesting aspects of Blood Rage is the game’s unique ‘Rage’ mechanic. This represents the fury of the Viking warriors and allows players to carry out devastating actions, but it is a limited resource, so players must use it wisely.
Blood Rage has excellent replayability, thanks to the many different cards available to players and the various strategies that can be used to win the game. The game also has stunning artwork and well-designed miniatures, making it an immersive experience for players.
Overall, Blood Rage is an excellent choice for gamers who enjoy strategic gameplay and immersive settings. While it may be a bit more complex than some of the other games on this list, it is still very accessible to new players and provides a satisfying challenge.
Ghost Stories
MSRP: USA $49.95, UK £34.99, Canada $64.95, Australia $84.95, Europe €49.95; Player Count: 1 to 4 players; Age Rating: 12+; Score: 7.6/10
Ghost Stories is a cooperative game for 1 to 4 players that challenges players to work together to defend a village from an army of ghosts and demons. With an age rating of 12+, the game is accessible to a wide range of players, and its thrilling gameplay and engaging theme make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced players.
The game’s unique mechanics and challenging difficulty level provide a great sense of tension and excitement, and players will need to use their wits and strategic thinking to overcome the relentless onslaught of supernatural enemies. With an MSRP of $49.95 in the US and £34.99 in the UK, Ghost Stories offers great value for the hours of entertainment it provides.
With a score of 7.6/10, Ghost Stories is a well-regarded game in the board gaming community, loved for its engaging theme, unique mechanics, and challenging gameplay. The game’s high replayability and cooperative mechanics make it a great choice for those looking to play with friends and family, and its accessible rules make it a great entry point for those new to the world of board gaming. Overall, Ghost Stories is a great choice for those looking for a thrilling and engaging cooperative game that provides hours of fun and entertainment.
Number 1 of the 10 highest-rated horror board games
Zombicide 2nd Edition
MSRP is $59.95 in the US, £49.99 in the UK, $79.95 in Canada, $104.95 in Australia, and €59.95 in Europe. It can be played by 2 to 6 players aged 14 and up, with a playing time of 60 to 180 minutes depending on the chosen scenario.
Zombicide 2nd Edition is our number-one choice for zombie horror board games. It brings a fresh take on the classic zombie theme with its streamlined gameplay, stunning miniatures, and endless replayability. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, and players must work together to complete objectives and survive the onslaught of the undead.
Zombicide 2nd Edition is an updated version of the original game, with streamlined rules and gameplay mechanics that make it more accessible to new players. The game includes six different survivors, each with their own unique abilities, and numerous types of zombies with different strengths and weaknesses.
The game also includes over 150 detailed miniatures, depicting survivors, zombies, and environmental elements, making it a joy to look at and play. The modular game board allows for endless replayability, with a variety of different scenarios and objectives to choose from.
Overall, Zombicide 2nd Edition is an excellent choice for fans of horror and board games alike. Its streamlined gameplay and stunning miniatures make it a great option for both experienced gamers and newcomers to the genre.