Spooky season is around the corner and what better way to pass the night than a scary board game. From titles about playing with ghosts to games where you escape blood-thirsty aliens, the genre is packed with some amazing and hidden gems.
So, whether you’re seeking spine-tingling chills or good old-fashioned fun, these are the ten best scary board games for adults. This selection includes a range of game durations and modes, so you’re bound to discover something that aligns perfectly with your preferences.
10. One Night Ultimate Werewolf | Best Quick Play Game
Source: Amazon
Hi! This post may contain affiliate links to online stores. If you use a link and buy something, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. See my affiliate disclosure.
Players: 3-10
Age guide: 8+
Time to play: 10 minutes
Complexity: 1.38/5
If you like werewolves, particularly the idea of being one, then you will love One Night Ultimate. There are plenty of characters to go around, making it the perfect board game when you’ve got a full house.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf tests its players’ detective skills. And with a smooth learning curve, even first-time players can easily join in on the fun.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Quick gameplay, perfect for short sessions ✅ Encourages social interaction and deduction ✅ Easy to learn rules ✅ Highly replayable with different outcomes ✅ Compact size, great for travel | ❌ Might not be suitable for those who dislike bluffing games ❌ Limited depth compared to longer board games |
9. Dead of Winter | Best Narrative Experience
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age guide: 13+
Time to play: 60-120 minutes
Complexity: 3.01/5
Fancy yourself an adrenaline-pumping zombie apocalypse adventure? Well, then Dead of the Winter it is. The meta-cooperative psychological title will be the ultimate test of your survival skills.
As a player, you will have two objectives. Work with your teammates to achieve a common goal and work out a plan to achieve a secret personal goal. The best part about the board is the fact that it always ends with either everyone winning and losing or some winning and losing.
Say, you achieve the Main Objective or the Round track markers hit zero. But you have not achieved your personal goal. In that case, you essentially lose the game. To win, a player needs to achieve both the main objective and their personal goal.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Deep narrative and thematic elements ✅ Unique crossroad system introduces dynamic story choices ✅ Strong cooperative gameplay with a potential traitor element ✅ High replay value with different scenarios ✅ Immersive artwork and components | ❌ Can be complex for new board gamers ❌ Game length can be long for some |
8. Betrayal At House On The Hill | Best Haunted Adventure
Source: Amazon
Players: 3-6
Age guide: 12+
Time to play: 60 minutes
Complexity: 2.39/5
Betrayal at House on the Hill masterfully combines suspense, horror, and strategic gameplay into one captivating experience. Six players gather around to take on the chilling secrets of the mansion.
Betrayal is inherently a tile game where players must build their own haunted house while trying to unmask the hidden traitor among them before it’s too late. The base game has enough content to keep you immersed for hundreds of rounds, but the deal gets sweeter with the board game’s wide range of expansion packs.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Dynamic board setup ensures no two games are the same ✅ Multiple scenarios provide varied gameplay ✅ Engaging storytelling elements ✅ Suitable for a wide range of players ✅ Evokes classic haunted house vibes | ❌ Some scenarios can be unbalanced ❌ Rules can be ambiguous at times |
7. Fury of Dracula | Best Gothic Thriller
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age guide: 10+
Time to play: 180 minutes
Complexity: 2.95/5
Fury of Dracula has it all, vampires, horrors, and endless fun. For years, the Count of Dracula had been asleep but now he’s awake. As a hunter, the responsibility to stop him from carrying out his nefarious intentions falls on your shoulders.
And the only way to do that is to collect items and come up with an effective strategy. This game offers the flexibility to be played as both a cooperative and competitive experience.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Asymmetrical gameplay offers varied experiences ✅ Strong thematic elements and artwork ✅ Engaging cat-and-mouse mechanics ✅ Detailed components enhance immersion ✅ Strategic depth for seasoned gamers | ❌ Steeper learning curve for beginners ❌ Longer game duration |
6. Bloodborne: The Board Game | Best Video Game Adaptation
Source: Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age guide: 14+
Time to play: 60 minutes
Complexity: 3.04/5
Bloodborne: The Board Game offers a thrilling experience. Set in the sinister town of Yharnam, gripped by a devastating plague that transforms its inhabitants into nightmarish beasts, players take on the role of a Hunter. Your job is simple – restore peace and order – deliver the town from chaos.
Prepare to confront a multitude of formidable foes, including beasts, monsters, and even corrupted townsfolk. This campaign-driven action-adventure board game demands adaptability and quick thinking in the face of ever-evolving challenges. All in all, Bloodborne: The Board Game promises a hauntingly thrilling adventure that will test your skills and wits as you strive to cleanse Yharnam of its dark curse.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Dynamic board setup ensures no two games are the same ✅ Multiple scenarios provide varied gameplay ✅ Engaging storytelling elements ✅ Suitable for a wide range of players ✅ Evokes classic haunted house vibes | ❌ Some scenarios can be unbalanced ❌ Rules can be ambiguous at times |
5. Mysterium | Best Artistic Design
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-7
Age guide: 10+
Time to play: 42 minutes
Complexity: 1.90/5
Do you live for the thrill of the crime? And are you a fan of ghosts? If so, then Mysterium is just the right adult horror board game for you. With one player taking on the role of a ghost, you and your friends will need to figure out who committed the murder.
The game’s over once you find all the answers. But don’t worry, Mysterium offers a bunch of different scenarios, so you can always go back for round two.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Unique blend of deduction and communication ✅ Gorgeous artwork and components ✅ Engaging cooperative gameplay ✅ Suitable for a wide age range ✅ Replayable with different clues and outcomes | ❌ Some might find the abstract communication challenging ❌ Requires a minimum of 3 players |
4. Eldritch Horror | Best Lovecraftian Adventure
Source: Amazon
Players: 1-5
Age guide: 14+
Time to play: 90-120 minutes
Complexity: 2.45/5
With the fate of the entire world hanging in the balance, you and your friends have the ultimate responsibility of keeping the horrors at bay. Eldritch Horror ropes in players thanks to its expansive lore, with each scenario holding the potential to change the direction of the game.
There are several different Ancient Ones, the forces threatening the world as you know it. Each of them comes with its own set of Mystery and Research cards, adding more layers to the game. So, gear up for an adventure around the world as you take on the stuff of nightmares and the most mind-boggling mysteries.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Quick gameplay, perfect for short sessions ✅ Encourages social interaction and deduction ✅ Easy to learn rules ✅ Highly replayable with different outcomes ✅ Compact size, great for travel | ❌ Might not be suitable for those who dislike bluffing games ❌ Limited depth compared to longer board games |
3. Cthulhu: Death May Die | Best Horror Cooperative Game
Source: Amazon
Players: 1-5
Age guide: 14+
Time to play: 90-120 minutes
Complexity: 2.45/5
Cthulhu: Death May Die is a Lovercraft-themed masterpiece. The board game offers everything that Eldritch Horror does but better. This time instead of keeping the Ancient Gods at bay, players will be responsible for summoning to destroy them for good.
With the stakes way higher, Cthulhu: Death May Die offers a much more thrilling experience. The game unfolds in an episodic format, taking place both before and after the summoning of the Elder Ones.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Expansive world exploration and narrative ✅ Challenging cooperative gameplay ✅ Rich thematic elements tied to Lovecraftian lore ✅ Multiple scenarios and expansions available ✅ High-quality components and artwork. | ❌ Complex ruleset can be daunting for new players ❌ Longer game duration |
2. Nemesis
Source: Amazon
Players: 1-5
Age guide: 12+
Time to play: 90-180 minutes
Complexity: 3.44/5
With elements similar to Alien, Nemesis puts players in the middle of a ship overrun by hostile aliens. Your goal is to race against time and escape your attackers. Each character in the game is fleshed out with particular traits tailored to specific situations.
Nemesis has all the makings of a pulse-pounding, climactic game. And with its meticulously crafted components, the board game manages to effectively rope in players.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Quick gameplay, perfect for short sessions ✅ Encourages social interaction and deduction ✅ Easy to learn rules ✅ Highly replayable with different outcomes ✅ Compact size, great for travel | ❌ Might not be suitable for those who dislike bluffing games ❌ Limited depth compared to longer board games |
1.Mansions of Madness
Source: Amazon
Players: 1-5
Age guide: 14+
Time to play: 120–180 minutes
Complexity: 2.67/5
Immersed in the enthralling Lovecraftian themes, Mansions of Madness stands as a long-time favorite among die-hard fans of the horror genre. You will be asked to solve different puzzles, strike down formidable foes, and work with other players for the most effective strategies.
You can even play the game on your own if your friends cancel. However, you will need to download the app for a spellbinding experience.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Engaging storytelling and scenarios ✅ App integration enhances gameplay ✅ High-quality components and miniatures ✅ Deeply thematic and immersive ✅ Varied difficulty levels cater to different players | ❌ Reliance on the app might not be for everyone ❌ Limited depth compared to longer board games |
Summing Up The 10 Best Scary Board Games for Adults
So, these were our top 10 picks for the best scary board games for adults. Whether you fancy the supernatural or love the thrill of being chased by terrifying monsters, this list has something for everyone. Didn’t see something that should be on the list? Feel free to drop us a suggestion!
Hopefully, you found a good entryway into the genre. For more spooky recommendations, check out 13 Best Horror Board Games for a Spooky Halloween.
Hamza, your post really resonated with me! It took me back to my own experiences dealing with similar issues. Your insights into the matter are so refreshing. I wonder, have you considered the impact of socio-cultural factors on this? Also, how can we apply these lessons to our day-to-day lives? I think these angles could provide extra depth to your already compelling narrative. I remember when I was in a similar situation and let me tell you, it was quite an eye-opener! Looking forward to your thoughts on this, Hamza. Keep up the great work!