The 10 best board games based on H.P. Lovecraft, ranked

The gripping darkness of H.P. Lovecraft’s stories has inspired some undeniably great video game and tabletop adaptions. In this list, we’re highlighting the best Lovecraftian board games and analyzing how well they establish the spellbinding tension and shadowy atmosphere of the original works. 

10. Elder Sign

The darkened halls of The Miskatonic University Museum hold numerous occult artifacts and primeval knowledge that’s under threat from the Ancient One, a demon from another dimension. In Elder Sign, you and your team of fellow investigators must explore the museum after nightfall and collect coveted symbols that will seal away this evil.

You’ll find the signature Elder Signs when you defeat the game’s randomized scenario cards, which require you to roll dice to match the card’s tasks. Every time the clock strikes midnight, the Ancient One unleashes a new threat.

9. Munchkin Cthulhu

Battle the great and powerful Cthulhu, but this time with insanely goofy thematics and wacky dungeon-crawling gameplay. Munchkin Cthulhu is a standalone board game in the Munchkin series that pits a team of adventurers against the most iconic monster in the Lovecraftian Mythos. You’ll find all kinds of recognizable signatures from the source material, including dark curses, mysterious cultists, and globs of evil goo. It’s a great parody version of the classic TTRPG. 

8. Cthulhu Wars

Do you love the Cthulhu Mythos but are tired of playing as a lowly human investigator? Cthulhu Wars takes place in a scenario in which the Ancient Ones from the beyond have already taken over Earth and are now proceeding to war amongst themselves. You’ll take on the role of a terrifying monster hell-bent on destruction and gather power equivalent to the number of cultists and gates under your control. The miniatures in this box are a must for collectors.

7. Cthulhu Fluxx

If you’re looking for something simpler than the other Lovecraft board games on this list, then Cthulhu Fluxx is a great pick. The game’s rules change rapidly, ensuring that no two playthroughs are quite the same. Madness and other status cards will affect both how you play and whether or not you can win. Ancient artifacts like the Necronomicon allow you to move monsters over to other players. Secret roles like the Cultist are incredibly fun when you finally get to reveal them.

6. Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu

Though Reign of Cthulhu borrows many elements from the classic Pandemic, it has several excellent twists in both its gameplay and theme that make it a distinct experience. Instead of preventing outbreaks, you’ll have to close portals to the beyond. You’ll also have to stop the cultists from meeting in the towns of Arkham, Innsmouth, Dunwich, and Kingsport. You might be surprised at how great this tabletop title is; I’d even go so far as to argue that it’s more engaging than the original Pandemic. 

5. Eldritch Horror

While most Lovecraftian board games feature claustrophobic adventures in small towns and haunted houses, Eldritch Horror does just the opposite. This time, your team of heroes will travel all across the globe to stop the impending apocalypse. The gameplay is great and offers considerable variety depending on the encounter cards you draw and the Ancient One you’re up against. However, the story scenario here feels too abstract to fully capitalize on the best aspects of Lovecraft’s tales.

4. Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Tread carefully through the darkened rooms and corridors of the Mansions of Madness to gather clues and uncover mysterious secrets from the beyond. This highly immersive tabletop experience includes four signature scenarios, all with their own layout and hidden puzzles. To play, you’ll need to download the game’s companion app on either your mobile device or Steam. The app helps you manage room setup and determine the outcome of combat encounters. It also presents a series of puzzles that you’ll have to solve to avoid insanity.

3. Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

The Arkham Horror board game is a classic Lovecraftian adventure in which anywhere from one to eight players race around town to close the rifts between worlds that threaten to unleash the apocalypse. The 1920s aesthetics are excellent, and the game map itself establishes an engaging world. Combat with monsters is satisfying, and you’ll find more replay value here than in Mansions of Madness. However, it doesn’t quite have the same storytelling depth as the card game that goes by the same name.

2. Cthulhu: Death May Die

Cthulhu: Death May Die is an epic showdown against the Great Old One that’s insanely enjoyable yet wickedly difficult. You and your fellow players are attempting to defeat a death-worshiping cult and interrupt their summoning ritual. But when you arrive, it’s too late: the madness from beyond has slipped through into your world. Like the aforementioned Elder Sign, the game leans heavily on rolling dice. However, this mechanic works a little bit better here since the gameplay is less swingy. The figurines in this horror board game are especially awesome for collectors. The artwork is also great.

1. Arkham Horror: The Card Game

The best board game adaption of H.P. Lovecraft’s original works is undoubtedly Arkham Horror: The Card Game, an expansive, highly immersive delve into the Eldritch darkness. Build and customize your deck to give your investigator the tools and allies they need to survive the base game’s three-part campaign. Then, bolster your card collection with Mythos packs and campaign expansions, introducing new, highly immersive stories you’ll enjoy playing numerous times. Beating the game’s most difficult encounters brings immense satisfaction, but even when the darkness consumes you instead, you’ll still have a great time in this downright classic.