As the chill of autumn finally settles in, the days grow shorter, and an eerie darkness begins to loom. Shadows flicker across the game board, whispering secrets through the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards, while the air thickens with a thrilling tension. With every creak of the table and rustle of game pieces, the ghosts of forgotten tales invite you to join their haunting revelry. Get ready to discover our favorite spooky board games—each one guaranteed to cast a spell of excitement and unease, perfect for those cozy nights in when the veil between worlds feels particularly thin. Whether you’re looking for chilling narratives, thrilling mysteries, or just some spine-tingling fun, these games will bring an extra layer of delight to your gatherings!
Here are our favorite picks of spooky board games that will keep you on the edge of your seat:
Atheneum: Mystic Library
Game Overview:
In Atheneum: Mystic Library, players step into the role of ambitious scholars who forgot to study for their magic exams! In exchange for a late-night study session in the library, said students agree to clean and organize the shelves. Following laid-out objectives, players will complete compartments, clear out spiders, and light the occasional candle as they work towards having the most points at the game’s end.
The game combines elements of tile placement and resource management, allowing players to craft their strategies as turns progress. Though each turn presents players with the opportunity to acquire new titles, unlock special abilities, and outmaneuver their opponents, the limited number of turns and the shifting cards create a race to organize their section as requested and claim victory.
Our Choice Explained:
There is much to love about Atheneum: Mystic Library—the charming little books, the beautifully designed meeples and tokens, and the family-friendly theme, among other features! While not necessarily spooky, Atheneum is suitable for casual and seasoned gamers alike and is one of our go-to games this time of year. The richly themed gameplay immerses players in a world of academia, where the pursuit of wisdom is both rewarding and challenging, but also includes a touch of magic. The game fosters a competitive atmosphere, making it a great choice for groups looking to engage in a strategic challenge.
Check out our full review of Atheneum to explore our gameplay experience and insights in greater detail!
Cauldron
Game Overview:
Cauldron is a fantasy board game that immerses players in a whimsical world of potion-making and spellcasting. Players take on the roles of aspiring magic users such as a Druid, Shaman, or Witch, racing to brew the most powerful potions before the others can. Using an innovative action selection system, players gather ingredients, mix potions, and cast spells, all while navigating a vibrant, modular game board filled with magical creatures and hidden ingredients. As players progress, they must carefully manage their resources and make tactical decisions to outwit their opponents. With a unique combination of resource management and tactical decision-making, Cauldron keeps players engaged and encourages interaction as they vie for the title of the ultimate potion master.
Our Choice Explained:
Cauldron brings a lot to the table – fantastic artwork, dynamic gameplay, and family-friendly fun. Though a little hard to come by these days, it has remained one of the most played games in our collection. Yes, there are quite a few games with the “collect ingredients and brew a potion” concept, but Cauldron stands apart from them all, in our opinion, and really sets the bar so much higher for us when looking at games of that genre. Cauldron offers a delightfully spooky experience year-round that will appeal to families and gaming enthusiasts alike.
Ghostel
Game Overview:
Ghostel is a thrilling dice game that invites players to embrace their inner phantoms and scare away unsuspecting hotel guests. Set in the eerie Creepstone Manor, recently transformed into a hotel for the living, players assume the roles of ghostly minions working for the resident specter, Spookie. Your mission? To terrify the warm-bodied patrons and reclaim the manor as your haunted domain.
Our Choice Explained:
With its blend of randomness and strategy, Ghostel offers a unique and entertaining experience, perfect for those looking to out-scare their friends and emerge as the top ghost! It is important not to be thrown off by the lack of custom dice used in Ghostel as there really is no need for them. At its base or with the optional expansions, Ghostel has proven itself over and over again to be a hit with our game group – a blend of new and experienced gamers from different gaming backgrounds – and is one we look forward to playing every year around this time.
For all the spooky details and our final verdict on Ghostel, you can find our complete review on Board Game Geek!
Murder of Crows
Game Overview:
Murder of Crows is a playful twist on words where players race to be the first to spell the word “murder” using letter cards from their hands. In addition to the Wild Crow card, which offers versatile abilities, the game features five distinct letter cards, each with its own special power that activates upon being played. Players must strategically use these powers while managing their hands to outsmart their opponents and complete the word. With its blend of set collection, tactical play, and charming artwork, A Murder of Crows offers a fun and engaging experience for players of all ages.
Our Choice Explained:
Though a little morbid in theme, Murder of Crows tells some great, spooky narratives when all is said and done. This card game is so much more than “just a little filler” to play in between larger games or waiting around for trick-or-treaters to appear at the door. It does play quickly but is also packed with strategy and interaction that keeps players engaged. Each turn offers a chance to outmaneuver opponents with clever card plays, and the unique powers of the letter cards add depth to the gameplay. Whether you’re drawing cards or spelling out words, Murder of Crows creates an atmosphere of friendly competition and fun, making it a memorable addition to any game night, especially during the Halloween season.
To find out more about what makes Murder of Crows a standout choice, read our full review!
Pagan: Fate of Roanoke
Game Overview:
Set in the tumultuous year of 1587, Pagan: Fate of Roanoke plunges players into a village gripped by fear and chaos as a malevolent witch threatens its very existence. The desperate mayor enlists the help of a famous Witch Hunter, who arrives to establish a covert base of operations and rally god-fearing allies. Players will assume the roles of either the Witch Hunter or the Witch, each with unique strategies and objectives.
The Witch Hunter must gather evidence to identify and eliminate the true Witch while protecting the innocent townsfolk from wrongful execution. Meanwhile, the Witch player skillfully navigates their relationships with villagers, gathering secrets and ingredients for powerful potions to aid in their dark ritual. As the tension escalates, players will engage in strategic planning, deception, and resource management, with the fate of Roanoke hanging in the balance.
Our Choice Explained:
The blend of thematic artwork, tactical gameplay, and numerous options for deck construction in Pagan: Fate of Roanoke offers players plenty of challenges and tools to outsmart each other in a race against time, as the line between good and evil blurs in the shadows of the village. This engaging and atmospheric game is designed for those who enjoy a mix of strategy, intrigue, and deduction, ensuring an unforgettable experience. The expansions allow for new cards and strategies to be swapped in and out of each player’s constructed deck. Pagan is a great game designed specifically for two, which is why it often hits our table – its strategic depth and engaging mechanics make it a perfect choice for couples and friends alike.
The Night Cage
Game Overview:
In The Night Cage, players find themselves trapped in a labyrinthine world of shadows, struggling to escape a dark and oppressive prison. Each player takes on the role of a faceless prisoner, navigating a constantly shifting grid of tiles that represent the eerie maze. As they explore the depths of the Night Cage, players must work together to uncover paths, gather essential resources, and ultimately find the exit.
The game emphasizes cooperation and strategic planning, as players face a variety of challenges, including terrifying creatures lurking in the dark and the ever-present threat of being consumed by the shadows. Each turn, players will draw tiles to expand and/or destroy parts of the labyrinth, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty as the maze evolves around them.
Our Choice Explained:
With its unique mechanic of darkness and light, The Night Cage requires players to illuminate their surroundings while avoiding the encroaching gloom. The thematic elements of horror and suspense are woven into every aspect of the game, creating an immersive experience that tests both teamwork and individual strategy. As players uncover the secrets of the Night Cage, they must confront their fears and make critical decisions to escape the grasp of the darkness and the monsters it contains before it’s too late. We’re a big fan of co-op games and The Night Cage is one that certainly has gotten – and kept – us talking!
For an in-depth analysis of the gameplay and our thoughts on its strengths and weaknesses, check out our full review of The Night Cage!
The Others
Game Overview:
We enjoy our fair share of post-apocalyptic content, but The Others by Guillotine Games happens smack dab in the middle of it. The seven Sins have manifested and are wreaking havoc alongside the Horsemen and other potent figures. They have corrupted much of mankind to their campaign of chaos and it is up to a small few to stand against them refusing to give up without a fight. Players must skirt the line between corruption and salvation as they work together against the imposed mechanics of the current Sin to accomplish missions and survive another day.
Our Choice Explained:
As soon as you start to expand beyond the base game, the amount of replayability in this game is phenomenal with tons of customization for both the heroes and the person acting as the enemies. It’s not only that but every game we have played has been such a well-balanced session that we never felt any given game was going to be an obvious win for one side or the other. The number of nail-biting moments where a winner really did come down to a single, if not the very last, roll of the dice or tactical decision in the final turn has kept us coming back to this one versus many experience for years now, and we don’t expect to stop any time soon. This truly is not only a game for this list, but just about any scenario in which someone asks us to recommend a game to them.
The Village Crone
Game Overview:
While stepping into the shoes of cunning witches in the quaint yet superstitious village of Wickersby, The Village Crone challenges players to outwit their opponents and become the most powerful witch. Each player takes on the role of a witch who seeks to gather ingredients, cast spells, and influence the villagers while navigating the ever-watchful eyes of the town’s authority. The game revolves around a unique blend of resource management and area control, offering rich gameplay and immersive mechanics, making it a captivating experience for both casual and seasoned gamers.
Our Choice Explained:
This one has a special place in our hearts because it was one of the first board games we bought together. The theme plays out so well and is perfect for this time of year. That being said, it does still make the occasional appearance throughout the year when we are in the mood for some spooky fun.
Zombie Dice
(Photo courtesy of gmattie via BGG.com)
Game Overview:
Zombie Dice is a fast-paced dice game where players take on the role of hungry zombies trying to munch on as many brains as possible. The game consists of colorful dice, each depicting brains, shotgun blasts, and footprints. On their turn, players roll a selection of dice, aiming to collect brains while avoiding shotgun blasts that can end their turn. The more brains they collect, the higher their score, but if they roll too many shotgun blasts, they risk losing all their hard-earned brains for that round. Players can choose to roll again to increase their score but must balance the risk of losing it all.
Our Choice Explained:
Zombie Dice is easy to learn and still has enough decision-making depth to keep everyone interested for a quick game or two. There are a few versions of this game, and even this genre, if you dig deep enough. The expansions are great too, but not needed to get a great experience from rolling this one out on game night.
Zombie Kidz Evolution
Game Overview:
An introduction to legacy games, Zombie Kids Evolution is an engaging cooperative board game where players assume the roles of brave kids defending their school from a horde of zombies. Set in a vibrant, cartoonish world, the game features a unique campaign system that evolves as players progress through various missions.
Players work together to complete objectives, such as closing gates and defeating zombies, all while strategizing their moves to fend off the undead threat. As they successfully complete challenges, the game introduces new elements and upgrades, making each session fresh and exciting.
Our Choice Explained:
Zombie Kidz is a game we picked up on a whim back in 2019 and one we have not put down since. Though we have long finished our first campaign through the game, we enjoy going back and playing it at any of its various stages when the mood strikes – with or without the kids in our group! With its cheap price point and mix of teamwork, strategy, and evolving gameplay mechanics, Zombie Kidz offers a thrilling experience for families and gamers alike, combining the fun of a zombie apocalypse with a lighthearted touch.
Discover the unique elements that make Zombie Kidz Evolution a standout game by visiting our comprehensive review!
With so many thrilling options to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect game to bring some spooky fun to your Halloween festivities. Whether you’re facing off against hordes of zombies, unraveling dark mysteries, or navigating haunted houses, these games are bound to create unforgettable memories with friends and family. So, gather your crew, dim the lights, and dive into these chilling games this Halloween season—happy haunting!
All product photos used in this article were taken and edited by Krista unless otherwise stated.