Top 10 HORROR Tabletops for HALLOWEEN!

At number 10, we have The Thing: The Boardgame from 2022, an intense tabletop adaptation of the iconic 1982 horror film. In this game, you and your friends take on the roles of survivors trapped in an Antarctic research station, trying to escape while facing the threat of an alien shapeshifter. One or more players are secretly infected by the alien, adding a layer of deception and paranoia to the gameplay. The core mechanic revolves around hidden roles and trust, where players must collaborate to gather resources and repair equipment, all while figuring out who among them might be The Thing. Tensions rise as accusations fly, and each decision could lead to survival or betrayal. It’s a perfect choice for fans of deduction and psychological horror.

Fury of Dracula (Third/Fourth Edition) from 2015 is a tense and atmospheric tabletop game perfect for Halloween, where players step into the roles of vampire hunters pursuing the infamous Count Dracula across Europe. One player controls Dracula, using hidden movement to evade capture while spreading terror and spawning vampires, while the other players take on the role of hunters, cooperating to track down the Count and stop his plans. The core mechanic revolves around Dracula’s secret movements, as he lays traps and evades detection, while the hunters gather clues and prepare for the inevitable final showdown. With each hunter bringing unique abilities and teamwork being crucial, Fury of Dracula blends strategy, deduction, and gothic horror into a gripping cat-and-mouse experience.

Eldritch Horror from 2013 is an intense, globe-spanning cooperative game where players take on the role of investigators racing against time to stop an ancient, world-ending evil from awakening. Set in the 1920s, this game draws heavily from H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos, where players travel to different cities, face terrifying monsters, and solve mysteries. The core mechanic revolves around completing encounters through skill checks, which use dice rolls to determine success or failure. As the doom track advances, players must balance exploration with the constant threat of their minds and bodies breaking under the pressure of cosmic horrors. It’s a race against time to seal the gates and defeat the Ancient One before it’s too late.

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is a cooperative horror board game set in H.P. Lovecraft’s eerie universe, where players explore a mansion filled with dark mysteries, lurking monsters, and spine-chilling encounters. This game, unlike many traditional tabletop games, uses a digital app as its core mechanic. The app guides players through scenarios, controlling the map layout, enemies, and random events. As investigators, you’ll work together to gather clues, solve puzzles, and battle supernatural threats, all while trying to keep your sanity intact. The app-driven storytelling and immersive atmosphere make it perfect for a terrifying and unpredictable Halloween game night.

Dawn of the Zeds (Third Edition) from 2016 is a cooperative survival horror board game where players must defend the town of Farmingdale from waves of relentless zombies. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the game combines the feel of classic zombie movies with deep strategy, as you manage resources, heroes, and civilians to fend off the advancing hordes. The core mechanic revolves around managing multiple tracks representing zombie movement, while using a combination of card-driven events and dice-based combat to fight off the undead. It challenges players to make tough decisions under pressure, balancing between scavenging for supplies, healing wounded townsfolk, and repelling the Zeds before they overrun the town. With its cinematic tension and challenging gameplay, it’s perfect for fans of strategic, narrative-driven zombie survival experiences.

Blood on the Clocktower is a social deduction game released in 2022, offering a thrilling blend of strategy, deception, and teamwork. Set in a mysterious village plagued by a malevolent demon, players take on the roles of townsfolk and must work together to uncover the identity of the evil among them. The core mechanic revolves around players engaging in discussions and accusations, using their unique character abilities to gather information and outsmart their opponents. Unlike traditional social deduction games, Blood on the Clocktower allows players to influence the game’s outcome even after their characters have been eliminated, maintaining engagement and excitement throughout the experience. With its deep narrative elements and the potential for unexpected twists, this game is perfect for Halloween gatherings where strategy meets suspense.

Nemesis from 2018 is a semi-cooperative survival horror board game that immerses players in the terrifying atmosphere of a spaceship overrun by hostile alien creatures. Set aboard the spaceship Nemesis, players take on the roles of various crew members, each with unique abilities and objectives. As the game unfolds, players must navigate the ship’s dark corridors, complete critical missions, and ultimately survive the nightmarish encounters with the alien invaders. The core mechanic of Nemesis revolves around a blend of exploration, strategic movement, and resource management, where players must balance their personal goals with the collective need for survival. The tension builds as players can never fully trust each other; hidden agendas and betrayal add to the horror, making every decision crucial as they attempt to escape the horrors of the Nemesis.

Kingdom Death: Monster is a unique and intense cooperative board game released in 2015 that plunges players into a dark, survival horror world. Set in a nightmarish realm inhabited by grotesque monsters, the game tasks players with leading a group of survivors from their settlement in a desperate bid for survival against relentless threats. The core mechanic revolves around a blend of resource management, strategic combat, and narrative-driven events. Players must hunt fearsome creatures, gather resources, and build their settlement while facing the psychological horrors of the world. The game is known for its striking artwork, detailed miniatures, and an innovative ‘hunt and showdown’ system that keeps the gameplay dynamic and immersive. As you delve into this hauntingly beautiful game, you’ll experience thrilling battles and tough decisions that can lead to both triumph and tragedy, making it a perfect choice for horror enthusiasts this Halloween.

Cthulhu: Death May Die is a cooperative board game that immerses players in the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos, where they must confront the ancient and powerful beings known as the Great Old Ones. In this game, players take on the roles of unique investigators, each with their own abilities and backstory, as they navigate through scenarios filled with dark cults, horrific monsters, and cosmic dread. The core mechanic revolves around a blend of action and madness: as players take actions to uncover clues, fight off monstrous threats, and attempt to stop the Great Old One from awakening, they accumulate madness points, which can unlock powerful abilities but also risk driving their characters insane. The game culminates in a climactic showdown, where players must combine their strengths to confront the Great Old One, making strategic decisions that could determine their survival. With its engaging narrative, thematic depth, and dynamic gameplay, Cthulhu: Death May Die captures the essence of horror and teamwork, making it a thrilling addition to any tabletop collection.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game, released in 2016, immerses players in the eerie and suspenseful world of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos. This cooperative living card game allows players to assume the roles of investigators trying to unravel mysteries and confront horrors in the fictional town of Arkham. The core mechanic revolves around a blend of deck-building and scenario-based gameplay, where players create customized investigator decks to tackle various challenges and narrative-driven scenarios. As the story unfolds, players must manage their resources, make critical decisions, and face terrifying encounters, all while working together to prevent the ancient evils from rising. With its rich storytelling, unique character abilities, and the ever-looming threat of madness, Arkham Horror: The Card Game offers a thrilling experience perfect for Halloween gaming sessions.