Arkham Horror

The year is 1926, and it is the height of the Roaring Twenties. Flappers dance till dawn in smoke-filled speakeasies drinking alcohol supplied by rum runners and the mob. It's a celebration to end all celebrations in the aftermath of the war to end all wars.

Yet a dark shadow grows in the city of Arkham. Alien entities known as Ancient Ones lurk in the emptiness beyond space and time, writhing at the gates between worlds. These gates have begun to open and must be closed before the Ancient Ones make our world their ruined domination.

Only a handful of investigators stand against the Arkham Horror. Will they Prevail?

Arkham Horror is a cooperative adventure game themed around H.P Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. Players choose from 16 Investigators and take to the streets of Arkham. Before the game, one of the eight Ancient Ones is chosen and it's up to the Investigators to prevent it from breaking into our world. During the course of the game, players will upgrade their characters by acquiring skills, allies, items, weapons, and spells. It's up to the players to clean out the streets of Arkham by fighting many different types of monsters, but their main goal is to close portals to other dimensions that are opening up around town. With too many portals open the Ancient One awakens and the players only have one last chance to save the world. Defeat the Ancient One in combat!

BoardGameGeek Info

Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Published in: 2005
My Rating: 9.0
BGG Rating: 7.03
BGG Rank: 431
Players: 1-8
Ages: 14+
Duration: 3:00
Complexity: 3.5844 / 5

Acquired: September 2005
Eager to Play: Yes
Plays: 8
Last Played: January 18, 2011
Time Spent: 18:00

This is a cooperative horror game set in the world of H.P. Lovecraft's mythos. Players take on the role of investigators who must race to close and seal dimensional gates before a Great Old One rises and likely kills or renders insane the party, while also fending off "lesser" monsters who wander the streets of Arkham. It can be played as a lite role playing game or as a strategy game with some role playing elements.

There is great tension as the players are usually outnumbered and rather doomed, which is fitting with the setting. Each player's character is unique, and each round players may adjust their stats which allows for some wonderful tactical moments.

The game is long but worth the time, especially if you play up the role of your character, which will give rise to a good story.

Arkham Horror

Eight plays