Arkham Horror (Third Edition)

Fantasy Flight Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Arclight Games · Board game · 2018
1–6 · best 3 Solo 120–180 min Weight 3.4/5
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love diving into dense narratives and facing cosmic horrors with your friends, Arkham Horror (Third Edition) is a feast of tension and strategy!

Highlights
  • Deep Lovecraftian thematic immersion
  • Intense and challenging cooperation
  • Modular board, high replayability
  • Rich and engaging narrative
  • Variable player powers
Keep in mind
  • Games can be lengthy
  • Rules have a learning curve
  • Significant language dependency
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our interactive rules guide and exclusive illustrated infographic.
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About the game
Get ready to dive into the chaos of Arkham in 1926, a period of cultural effervescence and growing shadows. While the world celebrates the post-war era, an ancient threat stirs at the edges of reality, ready to transform our planet into its dark dominion. In Arkham Horror (Third Edition), you and your friends take on the roles of fearless investigators, the last line of defense against the Ancient Ones – cosmic entities lurking beyond the veil. This is a cooperative game for 1 to 6 players, where collaboration is key to survival. Inspired by the terrifying tales of H.P. Lovecraft, the game challenges you to unravel mysteries, gather vital clues, confront horrifying monsters, and seek out tools and allies that might, just might, give humanity a fighting chance. The modular board ensures that each game is a new adventure, with the city of Arkham revealing itself in unpredictable ways. You'll need to manage your resources, perform stat checks with dice rolls to overcome challenges, and utilize your investigator's unique powers to prevent the darkness from consuming everything. Will you manage to stop the approaching horror, or will Arkham succumb to cosmic madness?
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Arkham Horror (Third Edition) English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC
5 OK
6 OK
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Game details

Families

Components: Standees Game: Arkham Horror Game: Arkham Horror (Third Edition) Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Series: Arkham Horror Files (Fantasy Flight Games) Theme: Cthulhu Mythos
Publisher Fantasy Flight Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Arclight Games, Asterion Press, Delta Vision Publishing, Edge Entertainment
Designer Kevin Wilson, Nikki Valens, Richard Launius
Artist Anders Finér, Justin Adams, W. T. Arnold
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can participate in Arkham Horror (Third Edition)?
The game is designed for 1 to 6 players, making it super versatile for solo play or with a larger group of friends.
What is the average game duration?
Get ready for an epic session! A game typically lasts between 120 and 180 minutes, so set aside a good amount of time for your Arkham adventure.
Is it a very complex game for beginners?
It has a complexity weight of 3.37/5, which places it in the category of more robust games. It's not super simple for beginners, but the cooperative experience helps with the learning process.
Do I need to know Lovecraft's mythology to play?
It's not mandatory, but knowing H.P. Lovecraft's universe definitely enhances the immersion and appreciation of the game's dark atmosphere and cosmic horrors. But even without prior knowledge, the story unfolds in a captivating way!
Are the components of good quality?
Yes, Fantasy Flight Games is known for the quality of its components. You can expect a robust modular board, illustrated cards, and standees that help create the atmosphere.
Does the game have a lot of English text?
Yes, the game has a significant language dependency. For a complete and fluid experience, it's ideal for players to have a good grasp of English or use a reference translation.
What is the main objective of the game?
The main objective is to cooperate to prevent the 'Ancient Ones' from awakening and destroying the world. This usually involves gathering clues, solving mysteries, and confronting monsters before the doom track runs out!