If you love the cooperative and chilling gameplay of Eldritch Horror, you're in for a treat. Whether you're a casual player or a new enthusiast intrigued by horror-themed games, this list will guide you through some of the best horror tabletop games that capture the essence of Eldritch Horror.

From battling ancient evils to solving eerie mysteries, these games offer a mix of thrilling adventures and strategic gameplay. Get ready to explore the top 15 board games that will immerse you in the dark and mysterious worlds of horror board gaming.

👉 Related Article - Eldritch Horror In-Depth review.

Disclosure: This article is not a review. It is a quick overview of these games. The article includes games based on our own opinions. We have played some of the games, but not all of them. The games are not sorted in any particular order. If you want to learn more about a particular game, click on the included links!

Saw a mistake? We are just human, and some errors can happen. If you saw a mistake in the article, let us know in the comments below or send us a message.

Eldritch Horror Alternatives, if You Love the Horror/Mystery Theme

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

Gameplay Mechanics: Cooperative play, deck building, scenario-driven.

Thematic Elements: Lovecraftian horror, investigation, ancient evils.

Player Interaction: High, with collaborative strategy and deck customization.

Theme and Playability: Players build decks and navigate through scenarios, uncovering mysteries and battling horrors in a narrative-driven experience.

Strong Points: Similar to Eldritch Horror, the deep narrative and strategic deck-building make for a highly engaging game.

Weak Points: The game can be complex and requires investment in expansions for full enjoyment.

Personal Opinion: Arkham Horror: The Card Game offers a deeply customizable and immersive experience, perfect for fans of narrative-driven horror games although personally I prefer Marvel Champions. 

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Mansions of Madness

Gameplay Mechanics: App-driven gameplay, exploration, puzzle-solving

Thematic Elements: Horror, investigation, supernatural encounters

Player Interaction: High, with team-based exploration and problem-solving

Theme and Playability: Mansions of Madness uses an app to guide players through eerie scenarios, combining physical exploration with digital storytelling. This creates a highly atmospheric and interactive experience.

Strong Points: The app's integration adds a modern twist to traditional board gaming, making the game highly replayable and immersive.

Weak Points: For some, the need for an app can be a barrier, and the setup can be complex.

Personal Opinion: Mansions of Madness's blend of technology and traditional board game elements makes it a standout for those looking for a spooky, interactive adventure.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Betrayal at House on the Hill

Gameplay Mechanics: Tile placement, scenario-driven, hidden traitor.

Thematic Elements: Haunted house, supernatural horror, betrayal.

Player Interaction: High, with cooperative play that turns competitive.

Theme and Playability: In Betrayal at House on the Hill, players explore a haunted mansion filled with supernatural events until one player becomes the traitor. This shift adds a layer of suspense and excitement.

Strong Points: The game's engaging scenarios and high replayability keep players coming back for more, with each game offering a unique experience.

Weak Points: Some scenarios can be unbalanced, and the game relies on a fair amount of luck.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

Gameplay Mechanics: Cooperative play, resource management, hidden objectives.

Thematic Elements: Zombie apocalypse, survival, betrayal.

Player Interaction: High, with teamwork and potential for hidden betrayal.

Theme and Playability: Set in a post-apocalyptic winter, players must survive zombie attacks while managing resources and trust within the group. The hidden objectives add an element of suspicion and intrigue.

Strong Points: The tense atmosphere and deep strategy make for a gripping experience, with variable player goals adding replayability.

Weak Points: The rules are complex, and the game can run long, which may not suit casual gamers.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Fury of Dracula

Gameplay Mechanics: Hidden movement, deduction, combat.

Thematic Elements: Gothic horror, vampire hunting, pursuit.

Player Interaction: High, with one player as Dracula and others as hunters.

Theme and Playability: Hunters chase Dracula across Europe using deduction and strategy to thwart his plans. The asymmetrical gameplay adds depth and excitement.

Strong Points: The atmospheric setting and strategic depth make each session engaging and immersive.

Weak Points: The playtime can be long, and the game requires a dedicated group to enjoy fully.

BGG link here.

Zombicide

Gameplay Mechanics: Cooperative play, miniatures, dice rolling

Thematic Elements: Zombie outbreak, survival, combat

Player Interaction: High, with collaborative strategy and combat

Theme and Playability: Players work together to complete objectives while battling hordes of zombies. Fast paced board game with detailed miniatures.

Strong Points: High replayability and exciting combat sequences keep the game dynamic and fun. It's an action-packed game that's perfect for fans of cooperative zombie survival.

Weak Points: The game can become repetitive, and the setup time can be lengthy.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu

Gameplay Mechanics: Cooperative play, resource management, action points.

Thematic Elements: Lovecraftian horror, ancient evils, investigation.

Player Interaction: High, with collaborative strategy and problem-solving.

Theme and Playability: Players must seal portals and prevent the rise of Cthulhu and other ancient evils. The game combines the cooperative mechanics of Pandemic with a Lovecraftian twist.

Strong Points: The thematic integration with the Cthulhu Mythos adds a fresh layer to the classic Pandemic mechanics.

Weak Points: The game can be very challenging and requires good teamwork.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Shadows of Brimstone

Gameplay Mechanics: Dungeon crawl, cooperative play, character progression.

Thematic Elements: Western horror, supernatural threats, exploration.

Player Interaction: High, with team-based dungeon crawling and strategy.

Theme and Playability: Players explore dark mines and face supernatural horrors in a Western setting, combining horror and adventure elements.

Strong Points: The immersive theme and character customization provide a rich and engaging experience.

Weak Points: The setup can be complex, and the playtime can be extended. Relatively more expensive than alternatives.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Kingdom Death: Monster

Gameplay Mechanics: Cooperative play, survival, monster hunting

Thematic Elements: Dark fantasy, horror, character progression

Player Interaction: High, with team-based strategy and survival

Theme and Playability: Players build a settlement and hunt monstrous creatures in a dark, nightmarish world, combining strategic depth with rich thematic elements.

Strong Points: Deep strategy, detailed miniatures, and an immersive theme make the game highly engaging.

Weak Points: The game is expensive and has complex rules, making it less accessible to casual players.

BGG link here.

Nemesis

Gameplay Mechanics: Cooperative play, hidden traitor, survival.

Thematic Elements: Sci-fi horror, alien threat, exploration.

Player Interaction: High, with teamwork and potential betrayal.

Theme and Playability: Players must survive on a spaceship infested with hostile aliens, working together while suspecting hidden motives. The game's tension and suspense make for a thrilling experience.

Strong Points: The tense atmosphere and immersive theme keep players on edge, with high replayability due to the hidden traitor mechanics.

Weak Points: The setup is complex, and the game can run long, requiring a dedicated group. Quite expensive as well.

Personal Opinion: If you're not intimated by its complexity, Nemesis delivers a thrilling and suspenseful experience, perfect for fans of sci-fi horror and cooperative play.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

The Others

Gameplay Mechanics: Asymmetrical play, cooperative play, resource management.

Thematic Elements: Apocalypse, sin-based horror, tactical combat.

Player Interaction: High, with one player controlling the sins and others working together.

Theme and Playability: Players face off against embodiments of the seven deadly sins in a tactical and thematic battle. The game's unique mechanics and rich theme make it stand out.

Strong Points: The unique theme and strategic depth provide a fresh take on horror board gaming.

Weak Points: The game can be complex and requires dedicated players to fully enjoy the experience.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Darkest Night

Gameplay Mechanics: Cooperative play, action points, variable player powers

Thematic Elements: Fantasy horror, dark magic, heroic quests

Player Interaction: High, with team-based strategy and problem-solving

Theme and Playability: Players work together to defeat a powerful necromancer and save their kingdom from darkness. The game combines strategic depth with an engaging fantasy horror theme.

Strong Points: The game offers compelling blend of fantasy and horror with deep strategy, high replayability, and an immersive theme that keeps players engaged.

Weak Points: It can be challenging for new players and has complex rules that require a bit of learning.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Descent: Journeys in the Dark

Gameplay Mechanics: Dungeon crawling, cooperative play, hero progression.

Thematic Elements: Fantasy, horror, adventure, tactical combat.

Player Interaction: High, with cooperative play against an overlord or AI.

Theme and Playability: Players embark on quests, battling monsters and uncovering treasures in a richly detailed fantasy world. The game combines dungeon crawling with tactical combat.

Strong Points: Deep character customization, engaging combat, and expansive storytelling.

Weak Points: The setup can be complex, and the playtime can be lengthy, which might not be ideal for casual players.

Personal Opinion:  Newer, more flashy versions of Descent are available now, but the theme there is quite different of Eldritch Horror, so they did not make in this list.

BGG link here.

Mysterium

Gameplay Mechanics: Cooperative play, deduction, communication

Thematic Elements: Ghostly mystery, supernatural, haunted mansion

Player Interaction: High, with players working together to interpret visions

Theme and Playability: One player acts as a ghost, giving clues through visions to help others solve a murder mystery. The unique gameplay mechanics create an engaging and spooky experience.

Strong Points: Unique gameplay, beautiful artwork, and an engaging theme make Mysterium a standout game.

Weak Points: The game requires the right group dynamic and has limited replayability once all the mysteries are solved.

Personal Opinion: Mysterium is fantastic for those who enjoy cooperative deduction and supernatural themes. It offers a unique and visually stunning experience.

BGG link here.

Buy on Amazon here.

Conclusion

If you enjoy the cooperative and chilling gameplay of Eldritch Horror, these 20 board games will keep you on the edge of your seat. From the deep strategy and rich narratives of Arkham Horror and Mansions of Madness to the intense survival and deduction in Nemesis and Mysterium, there's something here for every fan of horror tabletop games. Each game offers a unique blend of gameplay mechanics and thematic elements, ensuring endless hours of thrilling adventure and strategic depth.

Ready to expand your horror board game collection? Visit our website, www.joyful-games.com, for more recommendations and reviews.

Don't forget to share your favorite horror board games in the comments below.

Which game from this list are you most excited to try? 

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Do you enjoy the mystic, dark fantasy style but want a simpler game to play with your friends?

The Spheres of Life: Mythical Forest is a competitive fantasy card game for 2-7 Players. Learn to play within 20 minutes, set up in 5 minutes, and play in 20-30 minutes!