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Eldritch Horror box art

Eldritch Horror

Game ID: GID0111473
Game Info
Year
2013
Players
1-8
Age
14+
Playtime
3 min
Collection
Rating
Mechanic profile
Percentile rank vs. all games
Vibe profile
How this game feels to play
Description

Across the globe, ancient evil is stirring. Now, you and your trusted circle of colleagues must travel around the world, working against all odds to hold back the approaching horror. Foul monsters, brutal encounters, and obscure mysteries will take you to your limit and beyond. All the while, you and your fellow investigators must unravel the otherworldy mysteries scattered around the globe in order to push back the gathering mayhem that threatens to overwhelm humanity. The end draws near! Do you have the courage to prevent global destruction?

Eldritch Horror is a co-operative game of terror and adventure in which one to eight players take the roles of globetrotting investigators working to solve mysteries, gather clues, and protect the world from an Ancient One – that is, an elder being intent on destroying our world. Each Ancient One comes with its own unique decks of Mystery and Research cards, which draw you deeper into the lore surrounding each loathsome creature. Discover the true name of Azathoth or battle Cthulhu on the high seas.

While the tasks on these Mystery cards (along with the locations of otherworldly gates, menacing monsters, and helpful clues) will often inform both your travel plans and the dangers you confront, you can find adventure anywhere in the world...even where you least expect it. It is during the Encounter Phase of each turn that players resolve combat or, alternatively, build their investigators' personal stories by reading an encounter narrative from one of several types of Encounter cards. You might go head to head with a monster in Istanbul or find yourself in a tough spot with the crime syndicate in a major city. Maybe you will embark on an expedition to the Pyramids or research a clue you uncover in the unnamed wilderness. You may even find your way through a gate and explore a dimension beyond time and space.

Should you fail an encounter, the cost is steep. If you are fortunate, you will merely incur physical or mental trauma. However, you might also be compelled to take a Condition card, which represents a specific injury or restriction gained throughout your journey, such as a Leg Injury or Amnesia. You could find yourself getting in over your head to acquire assets and receive a Debt condition – or maybe you'll owe a favor to something far more insidious than a debt collector, and enter into a Dark Pact! Whatever your condition, you would be wise to find a resolution with haste; many conditions have a "reckoning effect" which, if triggered, ensure a much more sinister fate.

All the while, the arrival of the Ancient One approaches. Its malign influence is manifested in Eldritch Horror as you draw Mythos Cards, which govern the appearance of otherworldly gates, fearsome monsters, and other ominous elements. Mythos cards keep your investigators under pressure, introducing new threats, even as the arrival of the Great Old One draws nearer! Since the investigators draw a new Mythos card each round, they're certain to have their hands full battling foul creatures and following up on strange rumors, even as they work to solve their three all-important mysteries.

With twelve unique investigators, two hundred-fifty tokens, and over three hundred cards, Eldritch Horror presents an epic, world-spanning adventure with each and every game.

Description

Across the globe, ancient evil is stirring. Now, you and your trusted circle of colleagues must travel around the world, working against all odds to hold back the approaching horror. Foul monsters, brutal encounters, and obscure mysteries will take you to your limit and beyond. All the while, you and your fellow investigators must unravel the otherworldy mysteries scattered around the globe in order to push back the gathering mayhem that threatens to overwhelm humanity. The end draws near! Do you have the courage to prevent global destruction?

Eldritch Horror is a co-operative game of terror and adventure in which one to eight players take the roles of globetrotting investigators working to solve mysteries, gather clues, and protect the world from an Ancient One – that is, an elder being intent on destroying our world. Each Ancient One comes with its own unique decks of Mystery and Research cards, which draw you deeper into the lore surrounding each loathsome creature. Discover the true name of Azathoth or battle Cthulhu on the high seas.

While the tasks on these Mystery cards (along with the locations of otherworldly gates, menacing monsters, and helpful clues) will often inform both your travel plans and the dangers you confront, you can find adventure anywhere in the world...even where you least expect it. It is during the Encounter Phase of each turn that players resolve combat or, alternatively, build their investigators' personal stories by reading an encounter narrative from one of several types of Encounter cards. You might go head to head with a monster in Istanbul or find yourself in a tough spot with the crime syndicate in a major city. Maybe you will embark on an expedition to the Pyramids or research a clue you uncover in the unnamed wilderness. You may even find your way through a gate and explore a dimension beyond time and space.

Should you fail an encounter, the cost is steep. If you are fortunate, you will merely incur physical or mental trauma. However, you might also be compelled to take a Condition card, which represents a specific injury or restriction gained throughout your journey, such as a Leg Injury or Amnesia. You could find yourself getting in over your head to acquire assets and receive a Debt condition – or maybe you'll owe a favor to something far more insidious than a debt collector, and enter into a Dark Pact! Whatever your condition, you would be wise to find a resolution with haste; many conditions have a "reckoning effect" which, if triggered, ensure a much more sinister fate.

All the while, the arrival of the Ancient One approaches. Its malign influence is manifested in Eldritch Horror as you draw Mythos Cards, which govern the appearance of otherworldly gates, fearsome monsters, and other ominous elements. Mythos cards keep your investigators under pressure, introducing new threats, even as the arrival of the Great Old One draws nearer! Since the investigators draw a new Mythos card each round, they're certain to have their hands full battling foul creatures and following up on strange rumors, even as they work to solve their three all-important mysteries.

With twelve unique investigators, two hundred-fifty tokens, and over three hundred cards, Eldritch Horror presents an epic, world-spanning adventure with each and every game.

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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 47
This page: 47
Sentiment: pos 38 · mix 3 · neu 3 · neg 0
Mentions per page
Showing 1–47 of 47
Video WafjMS6TaTM Top List at 7:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67948 · mention_pk 164244
Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 7:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Plethora of characters with special abilities
  • Infinite replayability
  • Variety in investigator choice
Cons
  • Ended up being bloated despite promising to be streamlined
  • Replaced Arkham Horror for them, but Arkham Horror gets a bad rap for being too bloated itself.
Thematic elements
  • Investigating and fighting elder gods like Cthulhu
  • World
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Action Point Allowance — Players roam the world trying to close gates and face the old one.
  • cooperative play — Players take on the role of investigators working together.
  • Variable player powers — Each investigator has a special ability.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • But today, we're going to be talking about another top 10 list.
  • So, what do we mean by variable player powers? Well, I'll tell you what we mean by variable player powers. It means that each player is going to have a different ability, right?
  • It's a tragedy that Forbidden Stars is out of print and it looks like it's never going to be making a comeback in its current form.
  • Rising Sun is one of the best produced games we have ever played yet.
  • This is a hidden traitor game.
  • Blood on the Clocktower presents itself as something a little bit different to the norm, even though it isn't.
  • The fact is, there's so many of these people that once again, it provides you with infinite replayability.
  • And it's just wonderful playing this game for like 8 to 12 hours waiting for the variations in races to do their thing and make a compelling story for you to tell for years to come.
  • Station 4 is a masterpiece of design.
  • The fact that you can use other people's characters and in effect they use other people's special abilities means that this turns the variable player powers mechanism on its head and kind of pisses in its own mouth.
  • All of the player abilities are absolutely [ __ ] awesome.
  • There are an astonishing 238 alien. Sorry, sorry, sorry people. Sorry to offend anyone. Sentient abilities available for this game.
  • Cosmic Encounter, probably one of the most popular games ever made.
  • In terms of everything we've spoken about in the games we just listed, Cosmic Encounter delivers everything that they've got, but bucket loads more.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qy9ymg-CZX8 Unknown Channel Analysis at 10:25 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 66177 · mention_pk 160850
Unknown Channel - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 10:25 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Array
  • Lovecraftian horror
  • Campaign-like investigation and survival
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
  • Gloomhaven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this video is brought to you by ascension
  • BGG weight number is a community rating where literally anyone can vote between a 1 through five on how complex or heavy they think the game is
  • the more I looked into this community rating system the more I didn't like it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mPcTiKf4dIc Watch It Played Discussion at 9:33:18
video_pk 66042 · mention_pk 160510
Watch It Played - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 9:33:18 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • mechanisms over theme for the win
  • Stories can be great the first time around but I think atmosphere is way more important
  • I like feeling immersed in the aesthetic and setting of a game
  • if you can get someone invested in the story of what they're doing I have seen time and time again how that can increase their capacity to learn the rules because now they have a sense of motivation
  • for me if a board game tries too hard to tell me a specific story it takes away from my experience
  • I like ludo-narrative Harmony when mechanics match story and it's great when the story Jump Start strategy
  • Ludo stands for play and narrative so it's where those two things meet
  • if the story is poorly written poorly read or it was just more story than what the players were looking for it's not going to work
  • English isn't my native language and others around me aren't very fluent in English and reading well
  • one thing I expected with Rodney standing next to those shelves of coin games was for him to take one out and talk about how games can retell stories
  • if some players really want to embrace the story of a game while others aren't in the mood for elaborate theatrics or dramatic readings those story elements they just they won't land
  • I'm glad there's a wide spectrum of games to choose from so that everyone can find something that provides enjoyment for them and the other players that they game with
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video H-jiaEptrx0 Dungeon Dive Top 10 List at 22:44 sentiment: positive
video_pk 65954 · mention_pk 160171
Dungeon Dive - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 22:44 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • globetrotting pulp adventure feel
  • strong art and modular expansion system
  • accessible Lovecraft-inspired horror without being too grim
Cons
  • can feel derivative of Arkham Horror lineage
  • learning curve for new players
Thematic elements
  • cosmic horror with pulp adventure flavor
  • global, pulpy science-fantasy horror adventures
  • shared narrative across modular encounters and campaigns
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • app-backed/GM-like structure — scenarios with a rotating set of encounters and events.
  • Cooperative Game — players cooperate as investigators to close gates and stop threats.
  • cooperative play — players cooperate as investigators to close gates and stop threats.
  • Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game — scenarios with a rotating set of encounters and events.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This top 10 list is a top 10 curated list and it's a little bit of a weird thing so let's talk about that for a minute.
  • Hand of Fate ordeals offers up so much you so many unique qualities that I don't see in a lot of games and that's why it is on this list.
  • Escape the Dark Castle is practically a party game and that's the way I like to end a long day of playing more complex and involved games.
  • Popper's Ladder really is a win-win-win all around and that's why it is something that I would recommend for the family weight category.
  • Eldritch Horror truly becomes a globe trotting pulp Adventure game of the highest order.
  • Tales From The Red Dragon Inn is a narrative Skirmish game; it's like a Saturday morning cartoon come to life on your tabletop.
  • Gloomhaven truly belongs in a collection like this.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CbBc9YRMuPU Rolls in the Family Top List at 19:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 65487 · mention_pk 159174
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 19:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Highly thematic and immersive
  • Strong role-playing elements
  • Vast amount of content with expansions
  • Satisfying to play with the right group
Cons
  • Long periods without playing it
  • Can be hard to get to the table
  • Debate over whether to read cards aloud or keep them blind
Thematic elements
  • cosmic horror
  • storytelling through cards
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Nemesis
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Adventure cards — Players draw and resolve adventure cards that present narrative choices and challenges.
  • cooperative play — Players work together against the game.
  • Dice rolling — Used for skill checks and combat resolution.
  • set collection — Collecting items, spells, and clues.
  • Storytelling — The game relies heavily on narrative presented through cards and player choices.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Meaningful strategic decisions that then feed into a lot of random outcomes and very entertaining random outcomes.
  • The game does the best like chain reaction type experience that I think I've seen in a game.
  • It feels like Ethnos meets Quacks of Quedlinburg.
  • It's got the same element as a game like Quacks where you might just have a bad round drawing. But it feels even worse in this game because you're playing a big two plus hour game and have a bigger overarching strategy. So for it to really not pan out it stings more.
  • Number one goes to Arcs.
  • This is the marriage of those two [heavy conflict interactions and trick taking].
  • When you're able to pull something off, it feels like this game is so satisfying.
  • Having the cards push you in different directions and like I can't do what I want, but how can I make something work? I find a lot more kind of compelling and replayable.
  • It is a very rewarding game.
  • I think he even recently said it's his top game.
  • So much so that he was the one that requested to put it on our wedding registry.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XizJDrXTL28 watch it played Product Review at 0:40
video_pk 65411 · mention_pk 159076
watch it played - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:40 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • hi everyone welcome back to watch it played
  • but all of these were designed by unique dice towers
  • I played Eldritch Horror recently with this one and there's no question about it it added to the Thematic feel while playing and these take up a very small footprint on the table when you're playing which I liked because Eldritch Horror already took up my entire table.
  • this is a premium item and the real reason you want to have it is because it looks so good on the table it it brings something extra and unique
  • this is a watch it PL Dice Tower
  • again thanks to Unique dice towers for sending along these items for us to share with you
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video g5Blb7iq24Q watch it played Analysis at 1:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 65311 · mention_pk 158958
watch it played - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Insert provides plenty of room for sleeved or unsleeved cards.
  • Accommodates the base game and the first expansion with room to grow.
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • hi everyone welcome to watch it played
  • the utterly useless insert
  • it becomes a glorious mess
  • I've resigned myself in most cases to just opening it up chucking that insert and then bagging everything up into Bunches of little baggies
  • it's it's a nuisance
  • I'm a gamer I want to get the game out and on the table and be playing it as soon as possible
  • I'm always on the lookout for a better alternative
  • I did want to share them with you
  • so I thought this elder tour insert was excellent
  • not anymore look at these trays
  • so everything can be sorted and organized neatly
  • and then this insert arrived
  • he's done a great job once again of organizing everything
  • so you can keep them like that at the table if you want I imagine that's exactly what I'm going to do
  • and then when I'm ready to put it all way how simple is that going to be
  • if you don't have the time or the interest to put into something like this but you have a game in your collection that you'd like to upgrade with these great great inserts then I'd suggest you check out his website
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video x1jKnkzTflM Shelfside Discussion at 5:04 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 64388 · mention_pk 157839
Shelfside - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 5:04 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • cosmic horror, investigation, and cooperation against eldritch forces
  • Lovecraftian global horror and eldritch investigations
  • cooperative, modular scenarios with escalating threats
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Investigators work together to close gates and seal horrors.
  • cooperative_play — Investigators work together to close gates and seal horrors.
  • Modular board — Mythos deck and gate system generate variable encounters.
  • modular_scenario_and_mythos — Mythos deck and gate system generate variable encounters.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the first thing I do after I unbox everything of course is just throw away the sensor I know it hurts but it's for the greater good
  • notice how they're both fantasy flight
  • but we have Game of Thrones right here
  • this is for every single faction
  • the reason why they're so cool is because these dividers
  • these planer boxes that they store the FFG carts so well
  • these tiny ffq cards and given with sleeves they fit in this area really well
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video B_rcAwySccg The Dungeon Dive Review at 0:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61329 · mention_pk 153994
The Dungeon Dive - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • streamlined relative to Arkham Horror Second Edition
  • strong thematic scope and variety via expansions
  • easy to learn relative to similar games
Cons
  • still complex and heavy on rules
  • investigators die frequently which can slow the game or become resource constraints
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian eldritch investigations with investigators racing against time and cosmic forces
  • Worldwide, cosmic horror inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos
  • global-scale, interwoven investigations with modular decks and evolving mythos
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror Second Edition
  • Mansions of Madness
  • Cthulhu Death May Die
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to investigate locations, collect assets, and fend off monsters and mythos events.
  • cooperative_play — Players work together to investigate locations, collect assets, and fend off monsters and mythos events.
  • Events — Mythos phase introduces global events, monsters, and story twists.
  • investigator_health_and_sanity — Investigators track health and sanity, with death tokens and consequences.
  • Modular board — Base game plus expansions add more decks (encounters, items, spells) and new complications.
  • modular_decks_and_cards — Base game plus expansions add more decks (encounters, items, spells) and new complications.
  • mythos_deck_and_events — Mythos phase introduces global events, monsters, and story twists.
  • pre_set_up_board — On-table setup is designed to minimize downtime and focus on gameplay.
  • Variable Set-up: Board — On-table setup is designed to minimize downtime and focus on gameplay.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this is a game that replaced arkham horror second edition for me i think it is the battery of the two games
  • i love these small box expansions as a matter of fact these are the only expansions i have for the game
  • once you have the game set up on the table you really never have to go back in the box to dig through other components
  • the investigators die a lot the investigators in this game really are kind of a resource
  • Mansions of Madness and Cthulhu Death May Die are another one of his popular series
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tKOEsyApYII Shelfside Review at 5:16 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 60781 · mention_pk 153227
Shelfside - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 5:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • High-quality components and art
  • Strong Lovecraftian atmosphere and theme
  • Deep narrative potential and role-playing feel
  • Expansions notably increase variety and replayability
Cons
  • Heavy complexity and lengthy setup
  • Balance issues and repetitive encounter decks
  • Healing is limited and some investigators feel disadvantaged
  • Encounters can feel loosely tied to the Ancient One
  • Downtime can be significant at larger player counts
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian cosmic horror with humanity confronting ancient beings
  • 1920s global globe-trotting investigations across cities and gateways to other worlds
  • emergent, encounter-driven narrative formed by decks and scenarios
Comparison games
  • Mansions of Madness
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Character progression and backstories — Investigators gain items, allies, and abilities that reflect their backstories.
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to research clues, close gates, and defeat the Ancient One.
  • cooperative play — Players work together to research clues, close gates, and defeat the Ancient One.
  • Debt mechanic — Debt can be taken to acquire powerful items when funds are short.
  • Doom/doom tracker and gate/monster spawning — Mythos phase advances the doom track and spawns threats across the globe.
  • Double-sided cards — Spells and conditions use front/back faces to add tension and uncertainty.
  • Encounter deck and Mythos deck — Cards drive events, with double-sided cards hiding outcomes until triggered.
  • Expeditions, research encounters, artifacts — Multiple decks provide artifacts, spells, and side quests to enhance play.
  • Loans — Debt can be taken to acquire powerful items when funds are short.
  • Multi-use cards — Spells and conditions use front/back faces to add tension and uncertainty.
  • Skill checks and dice rolls — Encounters resolve via skill checks using dice to determine outcomes.
  • Two-action turns per investigator — Each investigator typically performs two actions per turn; encounters interrupt the flow.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Eldritch Horror is a cooperative globe-trotting experience.
  • The Lovecraftian theme with flavor text and wonderfully drawn art from every piece is amazing.
  • The stage is set up to allow great scenarios for you to imagine the world and your investigators' place within it.
  • It's called Cthulhu: The Role-Playing Game combined with a cooperative board game.
  • The six out of ten is mainly because we're evaluating just the out-of-the-box experience since it's definitely not as good as it could be and needs expansions.
  • Expansions are absolutely mandatory; Forsaken, etc., to patch up the vanilla experience.
  • Healing is very difficult since at most you can recover only one health and one sanity.
  • Lovecraft should not be a rigid puzzle to be solved but rather should strap you in for an ominous ride so you're never quite feeling safe in between the mysteries.
  • I can't rate Eldritch Horror lower than an 8 out of 10.
  • I personally give Eldritch Horror a 9 out of 10.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5Kw8w3wsFDQ Shelfside Discussion at 2:46 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 60736 · mention_pk 153175
Shelfside - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • Rich theme
  • High replayability
Cons
  • Complex rules
  • Long play time
Thematic elements
  • Array
  • Horror mystery investigations across global locales
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Players collaborate to defeat shared threats and solve mysteries
  • cooperative play — Players collaborate to defeat shared threats and solve mysteries
  • deduction — Clues and story elements drive progression of the mystery
  • Investigation / Story Elements — Clues and story elements drive progression of the mystery
  • Unique player powers — Investigators each have unique abilities affecting play
  • Variable player powers — Investigators each have unique abilities affecting play
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this isn't what i meant by board games
  • this is just kind of boring there's not enough going on
  • it's only been like five minutes
  • Relax dude it's just a board game aren't these like 10 bucks
  • thanks for watching the video guys this video was inspired by ideas from
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cXwiXhYEvFE Shelfside Discussion at 5:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60716 · mention_pk 153149
Shelfside - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 5:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Global exploration with Lovecraftian flavor
  • Cooperative play against a common threat
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Array
  • Global Lovecraftian mysteries, racing around the world to prevent Great Old Ones
  • Collaborative investigation with global scale
Comparison games
  • Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition
  • Eclipse
  • Star Wars Rebellion
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative actions — Players work together to solve mysteries and defeat ancient beings
  • cooperative investigation — Players work together to solve mysteries and defeat ancient beings
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • ameritrash games are just better than euro games they just are
  • minis the minis
  • this is ameritrash
  • you might as well just all play your little crossword puzzle or just play actual solitaire
  • dead of winter this is this frigid iceland there's so many things to fight other humans zombies mutated monsters
  • twilight imperium the fourth edition
  • i can control imperial star destroyers atats and there's even a death star
  • you travel across the globe from london to rome to africa to solve these mysteries to defeat the legendary Shub
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video n2W8nS_RHJY Drive Thru Games Top List at 40:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60141 · mention_pk 152594
Drive Thru Games - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 40:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Epic scope and strong storytelling
  • Many expansions and campaign options
Cons
  • Can be long and heavy for new players
  • Setup and maintenance-intensive
Thematic elements
  • cooperative eldritch horror across the world
  • Lovecraftian global mystery
  • epic storytelling, globe-trotting
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Mansions of Madness
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to resolve an overarching threat
  • cooperative play — Players work together to resolve an overarching threat
  • Expansions and scenarios — Rich ecosystem of adventures and add-ons
  • Modular board — World map with encounters across many locations
  • Modular map with large scope — World map with encounters across many locations
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • that's number 50, that's Stone Age
  • Just One is really a party game to me
  • it's app assisted... and the stories evolve
  • Monk ala... activate all these other spots on the board
  • it's almost like watching a TV show
  • the app lets you hint and push through
  • Steam has two sets of rules - advanced and normal
  • Unlock is probably for me my favorites of this sort of escape room puzzle solving thing
  • Airlines Europe is almost like a train game but it's an airline game
  • Eldritch Horror... big map and globe-trotting encounters
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video lPnnbDjhn2U Rolls in the Family Top List at 8:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 31638 · mention_pk 93192
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:05 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • vast variety of scenarios, strong thematic integration, memorable comeback moments
Cons
  • rules can be dense, can feel grindy between peaks
Thematic elements
  • cooperative mystery with high randomness and situational swing
  • global mythos-driven investigations across exotic locales
  • big sandbox horror with episodic mysteries and varying outcomes
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
  • Petersen-era Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative campaign — players work together to solve mysteries and prevent eldritch threats, with variable encounters
  • highly swingy randomness — encounters and results swing based on cards and dice, creating huge highs and lows
  • long form campaign rhythm — campaign-style play with evolving threats and player progression
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the narrative it does ends up being a fun experience
  • it's the story. there's almost I find when I'm playing it and horrible things are happening
  • through the ages... a grand historical journey
  • epic and full-day experience
  • you can draft up to your point level and duke it out to the end
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VM_xglr7DfU Board Stupid Top List at 15:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 31539 · mention_pk 92923
Board Stupid - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 15:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Deep Lovecraftian theme and immersion
  • Strong narrative and modular encounters
  • High replay value with scalable difficulty
Cons
  • Complex rules can be intimidating to new players
  • Sometimes long setup and downtime
Thematic elements
  • mythos horror, ritual threats
  • Lovecraftian global mythos; investigators travel the world
  • story-driven investigations with escalating dread
Comparison games
  • Horrified
  • Cthulhu: Death May Die
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • global map with events — world map encounters drive the narrative and threats
  • investigator skills and tests — characters have varied skill checks and encounters to overcome
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Cooperative games are normally like very thematic.
  • you’re not playing against each other you’re trying everybody together to solve the mechanic to solve the problem.
  • it's a really friendly game that will everybody try to win or lose together.
  • the desert moves around and blows around the desert… the desert is actually trying to kill you.
  • it’s brutally punishing.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UUrpOjmfHrA Board Gaming Ramblings Top List at 6:13 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 29708 · mention_pk 87231
Board Gaming Ramblings - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It's just for fun.
  • We don't like all the games and you probably don't like all the games that we like either.
  • This is for me an E game as well because I don't remember.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video WoyWR9aLmd4 The Broken Meeple Top List sentiment: mixed
video_pk 13601 · mention_pk 39733
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
none
Cons
  • has specific cards that are so problematic they get removed from every game
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's not even a game it's just like a story
  • why is it there this is the game about inventions and this is basically telling me to make cutesy patterns with tiles
  • the bane of my freaking life this horrible game
  • I just want to feel like right I can do this I can do this
  • just design one good game one good game one good mode
  • why can't I tell you
  • they just made them a lot worse
  • it's a red flag to the game is going to suck
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7K8fkuv9KPc Rolls in the Family Top List at 1:06:58 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13173 · mention_pk 38532
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:06:58 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • rich, cinematic feel with high highs and dramatic lows
  • high variability and replayability with many expansions
  • strong group storytelling and memorable moments
Cons
  • rules can be dense; learning curve sharp
  • daemon-like variability can lead to gut-wunching losses
Thematic elements
  • cosmic horror, exploration, and mystery with unpredictable events
  • Lovecraftian investigations across a sprawling map
  • sandbox-driven storytelling with shifting threats
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • dice-driven encounters — random encounters and events shape the narrative and difficulty
  • Semi-cooperative — players cooperate to solve mysteries but may have diverging goals
  • semi-cooperative play — players cooperate to solve mysteries but may have diverging goals
  • Unique player powers — characters have distinct abilities and growth paths
  • Variable player powers — characters have distinct abilities and growth paths
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Age of Innovation feels like it delivers the pinnacle experience of that kind of whole system.
  • Twilight Struggle is a borderline masterpiece.
  • The arc of Twilight Struggle is so exciting; tension grows across the board.
  • This is Mage Knight Ultimate Edition—changing it to cooperative mode is incredible; I’d never go back.
  • Eldritch Horror highs are the top board game experiences I’ve had.
  • Agricola is the best board game we have ever played and it has stayed at the top for years.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video o_ZAxb-_AA8 Rolls in the Family Top List at 31:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13154 · mention_pk 38465
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 31:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Deep thematic experience
  • Lots of expansions and replayability
Cons
  • Very long play sessions
  • High learning curve
Thematic elements
  • investigators battling eldritch entities
  • Lovecraftian cosmic horror
  • story-driven, lore-rich
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative_play — Players cooperate to close gates and defeat monsters.
  • dice_fighting_and_encounters — Combat and encounters with monsters and equal risk rewards.
  • investigator_selection — Choose investigators with unique starting stats and abilities.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's so nostalgic that it's like so much of me wants to own it
  • I think this quite possibly could be my top game
  • the Mind Games I really like the mind games
  • the combination of bag building and push your luck is just really nice
  • we'll be seeing Twilight Imperium on Caitlyn's no we will not
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Y4YSfgAvvt4 Board Game Hangover Top List at 6:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12701 · mention_pk 37057
Board Game Hangover - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • deep, thematic experience
  • strong adventure atmosphere
  • great for long sessions
Cons
  • can be lengthy and heavy
  • steep learning curve
Thematic elements
  • horror adventure and monster slaying
  • cosmic horror adventure across multiple scenarios
  • serious, epic
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • campaign_progression — long-form scenarios with evolving threats and upgrades
  • Cooperative Game — players work together to solve mysteries and prevent catastrophe
  • cooperative_play — players work together to solve mysteries and prevent catastrophe
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's easy to get for everyone, even kids
  • zero setup time you just roll some dices
  • my top played game for seven years straight
  • it's amazing i love it
  • don't judge this game's horrible cover
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video q4W3eKy98Ow Board Game Design Lab Interview at 35:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12497 · mention_pk 36450
Board Game Design Lab - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 35:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Preserves Arkham Horror feel while improving accessibility
  • Character-driven storytelling with personal arcs
Cons
  • Can be lengthy and rule-heavy
  • Complex to learn for new players
Thematic elements
  • global mystery with atmospheric horror and exploration
  • world-spanning investigations against eldritch horrors
  • story-driven, immersive experience
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror (Second Edition)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative play with exploration and encounters — Players collaborate to close gates and gather artifacts across the world.
  • investigation-driven progression — Character skills and item tracking influence success.
  • world-spanning encounters and event cards — Events drive exploration and tension with variable outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Paranoia at the core of Battle Star Galactica.
  • I try to leave room for side projects to keep ideas flowing.
  • The most important thing is to make games and keep making them.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vpnUwXUKF_U Rolls in the Family Top List at 1:05:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12516 · mention_pk 36500
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:05:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed_to_positive
Pros
  • Rich thematic integration and memorable moments
  • High variability with expansions and scenarios
  • Strong cooperative play with shared narrative
Cons
  • Can be swingy due to randomness and encounter results
  • Complex setup and occasional pacing drag
Thematic elements
  • investigation and survival against eldritch threats
  • Lovecraftian, cosmic horror adventures
  • campaign-style, scenario-based with modular hard-events
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
  • Mage Knight (for tactical depth)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative teamwork — Players join forces to defeat or resolve encounters and threats.
  • deduction — Investigative play with escalating stakes and hidden objectives.
  • Event and encounter resolution — Events drive escalating challenges and story momentum.
  • Events — Events drive escalating challenges and story momentum.
  • Research, clues, and gate mechanics — Investigative play with escalating stakes and hidden objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the partner Dynamics in tiu are so fun because you can't talk to each other
  • it's the best card game trick-taking game
  • this is the game that we keep coming back to for group drama and big moments
  • you can't beat the drama at the end when both teams are close to a thousand points
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zre_vtDfROA Board Game Hangover Discussion at 10:47 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11105 · mention_pk 32674
Board Game Hangover - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 10:47 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • high thematic immersion
  • variety of scenarios
Cons
  • long playtime
  • complex rules
Thematic elements
  • mythos survival
  • cosmic horror investigators
  • campaign/unfolding scenarios
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Descent
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative play — players cooperate to stop eldritch threats
  • Dice Checks — dice checks determine success of abilities and events
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Hive is a simple two-player game yet it's for gamers because there's a lot of decisions it almost feels chess-like it's zero luck
  • this video is going to go head-to-head and find the best board games for gamers under budget
  • 75 not that bad for five really good games for gamers
  • it's going to be the most expensive ice cream
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xRHKmAyD3SU Board to Death TV - Board Game Reviews Discussion at 0:25 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10418 · mention_pk 30676
Board to Death TV - Board Game Reviews - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:25 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Cooperative play for 1–8 players
  • Global scale and rich narrative
  • Ancient One specific mystery decks
  • High replayability through varied encounters
  • Strong thematic flavor and personality
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian horror, mystery, cosmic dread
  • Global scale investigations across the world against Ancient Ones
  • Narrative-driven with per Ancient One mysteries
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Ancient One mystery decks — Each Ancient One has its own deck of mysteries driving play
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to prevent catastrophe and solve mysteries
  • cooperative play — Players work together to prevent catastrophe and solve mysteries
  • Global travel and investigation — Investigators travel around the world pursuing clues and events
  • Narrative choice — Story and flavor drive forward the encounter flow
  • Narrative-driven progression — Story and flavor drive forward the encounter flow
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • If you're familiar with Arkham Horror, Eldritch Horror is a sister game to Arkham and Eldritch Horror takes your fight against the Ancient Ones to a global scale.
  • The investigators now are going to travel around the globe and the mechanics are brand new.
  • The point is not to close gates but to solve the mysteries that are unique to each ancient one.
  • It's filled with narrative, it's filled with personality and story, and a desperate struggle that investigators continue to fight.
  • Essentially a miniatures unit combat across a field of battle for two to four players, but instead of miniatures, we have flat discs and those discs are flipped on the board as you activate units.
  • It's very portable and it's got four factions in the box.
  • It's a spectacular new design based on the Battle system.
  • You've got the left, center, right sections
  • Brand new minis that are 28 millimeter.
  • The GL gameplay has been refined.
  • There's fog of war.
  • There's a unique scenario system that has you playing different games every single time with different armies.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pTSEl6eLUWQ Board Game Design Lab Interview at 5:24 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10132 · mention_pk 29824
Board Game Design Lab - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 5:24 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • rich, cooperative storytelling
  • tension from probabilistic outcomes
  • dense investigative atmosphere
Cons
  • complex setup
  • long play sessions
Thematic elements
  • Cosmic horror, investigation, teamwork
  • Global Lovecraft-inspired investigations across varied locales
  • Story-driven with scenario threads and player collaboration
Comparison games
  • Mansions of Madness
  • Legacy of Dragonholt
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • app-assisted cohesion (second edition) — companion app guides progression and keeps story cohesive
  • clue tokens / investigation cues — tokens learned through exploration to bolster later rolls
  • custom eight-sided dice — dice provide a granular success/failure spectrum with investigation cues
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the dice themselves are storytellers
  • it's the interaction that makes it a game
  • listen to your players and ask if they have the options they want
  • you want to be part of the story and help tell it
  • start with a vision document to keep you on track
  • templates speed up the process and keep things consistent
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SWywgQS_5UM Board Game Hangover Top List at 7:58 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9233 · mention_pk 27221
Board Game Hangover - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 7:58 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Open world feeling
  • Huge adventure game
  • What got Noah into board games
  • Amazing first experience with board games
  • Still holds up well
Cons
  • Takes a lot of time to play
  • Significant downtime between turns
  • Downtime not enjoyable anymore
Thematic elements
  • Cosmic horror and Cthulhu mythos
  • Global adventure
  • Adventure game
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Adventure — Huge adventure traveling through the world
  • Cooperative — Group of investigators fight against Cthulhu and monsters
  • Item collection — Get items to help fight enemies
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • if ever somebody says that he has the top 10 games of all time never trust them it's in their opinion
  • if i could give a game 11 out of 10 clank legacy would be it
  • this is the reason why i fell in love with board games in general
  • it's my favorite solo game for sure the more i play it the more i want to play it
  • to be honest right now probably next year it will be different maybe tomorrow it will be different
  • the unknowing like what's gonna happen what's his agenda it's just an amazing experience
  • if you like deck building then i think you definitely like clank legacy like a lot
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4fTyCaoIFt0 Rolls in the Family Top List at 6:44 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8914 · mention_pk 26299
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:44 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • great atmosphere
  • strong lore
  • solid cooperative play
Cons
  • rules heavy
  • long sessions
Thematic elements
  • Investigate ancient horrors
  • Lovecraftian horror world
  • Campaign-driven investigations
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative — team tries to avert catastrophes across scenarios
  • Dice rolling — dice determine action outcomes
  • dice_rolling — dice determine action outcomes
  • scenario_campaign — linked adventures with variable threats
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Wingspan got I got four plays of wingspan in this last year and now that thinking back on it I did have a couple that I introduced it to earlier in the year
  • I played 49 games of Uno 49 sessions
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PWL9yirB40s Our Family Plays Games Discussion at 26:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8640 · mention_pk 25435
Our Family Plays Games - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 26:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • cooperative play
  • big-world feel
  • story-driven
Cons
  • lots of tiny pieces
  • complex setup
Thematic elements
Comparison games
  • Keystone North America
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • enlightened growth makes you a better person
  • our goal is to make this world a better place one board gamer at a time
  • this is a game that my students would love
  • it's a quick get it in where you can fit it in
  • an excellent analogy because trying to keep a bunch of plates spinning can be quite frustrating
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video h9fUWDqdN-0 Rolls in the Family Top List at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8354 · mention_pk 24592
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • excellent cooperative experiences with high replay value
  • scales well with player count
Cons
  • can feel punishing or tragic when things go poorly
Thematic elements
  • cooperative struggle against eldritch forces
  • mythos-driven investigation across a sprawling map
  • sandbox of encounters with variable difficulty
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
  • Gloomhaven (co-op latently)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative play — players work together to avert cosmic threats
  • modular scenario structure — scenarios generate unique experiences each session
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • "it's a sandbox of fun"
  • "the rules are very, very simple"
  • "playing the long game"
  • "this is one of the best co-op games"
  • "the setup time for the size of the box is one of the best ratios"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video IMheT1-Tso4 UndeadVikingVideos Review at 1:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8416 · mention_pk 24741
UndeadVikingVideos - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • streamlined rules compared to Arkham Horror
  • rich thematic integration with Lovecraft Mythos
  • narrative emphasis and storytelling
  • two-player play is workable and engaging
  • high-quality components and a helpful reference guide
  • tension via Doom/Omen mechanics and gate/monster dynamics
  • dynamic spell and condition cards add flavorful variety
Cons
  • high difficulty and punishing outcomes can be brutal
  • potential for player overwhelm and perceived lack of actions
  • rules can still be intricate for new players
  • board size and components can be fiddly to manage
  • expansions are anticipated and add cost
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian horror, cosmic dread, teamwork against a world-spanning threat
  • Global Lovecraftian investigation across major cities, gates, and eldritch entities tied to the Cthulhu Mythos
  • emergent, scenario-driven with evolving mysteries and mythos encounters
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Elder Sign
  • Mansions of Madness
  • Touch of Evil
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Clues, mysteries, and investigations — Clues advance mysteries; solving them progresses toward victory or triggers penalties.
  • Conditional encounters and reckoning — Tests can cause injuries, insanity, or other conditions that shape the narrative.
  • cooperative play — Players work together to close gates, defeat monsters, and solve mysteries.
  • Doom track and Omen track — Tracks that push the game toward an endgame catastrophe and drive urgency.
  • Endgame escalation and epic monsters — If doom advances enough, Cthulhu or other ancient beings may rise, altering the game end.
  • Investigator cards with unique abilities — Each investigator has distinct stats, starting equipment, and special abilities.
  • Item reserve and assets — An item reserve where players can plan access to weapons, allies, and artifacts.
  • Mythos deck and gate/monster spawning — Mythos cards trigger gates, monsters, clues, encounters, and various global effects.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Arkham Horror is my number one game of all time
  • I like this game more than I like Arkham Horror and I know it's like my number one game of all time
  • this game is all about like kind of the mystery and weighing your options and your choices if you will
  • this is the most fun I've had all year long playing this game
  • the cooperative game should kick my ass the first time I play it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rVz5b8lIo7M Board Game Hangover Discussion at 3:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7362 · mention_pk 21785
Board Game Hangover - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:03 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed to positive
Pros
  • strong thematic feel
  • cooperative tension and horror atmosphere
Cons
  • downtime and complexity can be high
  • rule depth can be intimidating for new players
Thematic elements
  • mythos horrors and cosmic threats
  • cosmic horror setting with investigators worldwide
  • grim, atmospheric cooperative mystery
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Nemesis
  • Cosmic Encounter
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative exploration and skill checks — players collectively investigate mysteries, draw encounter cards, and test skills to seal or defeat threats
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • start the game with superpowers give each player a starting ability of equal value or let them pick between two
  • simultaneous turns at the start of every round plan as a team then everyone takes their actions and encounters at the same time
  • you paid for the game you better make sure you have fun playing it
  • this small tweak helps to keep the tension without the headache of constant noise building up
  • if this video gets 500 likes we'll dust off that Eldritch Horror house rule video
  • the last game loses and the next one gets picked, adding an extra layer of strategic fun
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pS16mWQI9uc Rolls in the Family Discussion at 19:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7043 · mention_pk 20875
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 19:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Huge scope and variability; strong thematic pull; many expansions
Cons
  • Can be lengthy and complex; occasional downtime between turns
Thematic elements
  • Epic, sprawling cooperative horror
  • Global Lovecraftian investigations
  • Massive sandbox with variety of scenarios
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Descent: Journeys in the Dark
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Investigators travel the world to prevent a global catastrophe
  • Cooperative play on a global map — Investigators travel the world to prevent a global catastrophe
  • Events — Dynamic encounters and a scalable threat track
  • Sandbox scenarios with random events — Dynamic encounters and a scalable threat track
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This goes to Times Up Title Recall. Ryan's now calibrating how many more plays.
  • Carcassonne is a classic. I would totally be down to still play Carcassonne.
  • The OG of Quacks of Quedlinburg. We have the OG of it.
  • This is Summoner Wars being a fantastic game.
  • The decks have their own identities. Day-long KeyForge experiences are special.
  • The 3D Santorini with god powers is just incredible.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Q7nfR0oWiuk Rolls and the Family Top 10 List at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6458 · mention_pk 19090
Rolls and the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • massive content variety and replayability
  • great table presence and thematic depth
Cons
  • very long, heavy learning curve
  • expensive to collect all content
Thematic elements
  • epic, collaborative assault on ancient horrors
  • cosmic horror investigation around the globe
  • sandbox-like mystery with multiple potential outcomes
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • character progression through expansion content — investigators gain new abilities and items over time
  • global investigation and scenario-based play — players explore mysteries across a board full of varied encounters
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's the quickest cooperative game on my list
  • bang for your buck in 10 minutes is unmatched
  • the energy around the table is fantastic
  • the deck-building and progression in Mage Knight is like nothing else
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1kWAa1fLsrk Going Analog Discussion at 2:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5335 · mention_pk 15865
Going Analog - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • strong thematic immersion
  • high replayability
  • cooperative tension
Cons
  • rule complexity
  • long playtime
Thematic elements
  • cosmic horror and exploration
  • cooperative Lovecraftian investigations worldwide
  • story-driven mythos
Comparison games
  • Gaia Project
  • Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
  • Twilight Imperium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative play — Players work together to solve mysteries against the game.
  • Dice-driven actions — Dice determine success of actions/tests.
  • story/quest progression — Mythos cards drive scenarios and encounters.
  • Variable player powers — Investigators have unique abilities.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • sanity
  • you are hundred percent in this so far
  • the components are great
  • cloud nine
  • it's an epic, but heavy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video eCQVk8c6mJ4 Rolls in the Family Top List at 18:34 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4954 · mention_pk 14736
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 18:34 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • epic scale and variability
  • great group replayability with expansions
Cons
  • teaching can be lengthy
  • game length can be long for some groups
Thematic elements
  • cooperative exploration, cosmic horror
  • Lovecraftian world-spanning investigations
  • sandbox-like, high variability with expansions
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Gloomhaven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — players work together against the game system
  • cooperative play — players work together against the game system
  • planning and resource management — team tasks and checks drive the pace of play
  • Resource management — team tasks and checks drive the pace of play
  • variable encounters — numerous encounter decks create unpredictable stories
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the sandbox of what's going to happen in this epic Cooperative experience
  • the bane of Arkham Horror's existence was the stupid gate burst
  • best bang for the buck
  • 75 plays
  • epic 3D maps
  • nostalgic for me
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video q5bfkNSCWv0 UndeadVikingVideos Discussion at 1:36:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4123 · mention_pk 12067
UndeadVikingVideos - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:36:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • rich theme and production
  • strong cooperative experience
Cons
  • heavy setup
  • can be lengthy and complex for newcomers
Thematic elements
  • cosmic dread, investigators facing eldritch threats
  • cooperative Lovecraftian horror
  • campaign-style mythos with escalating complexity
Comparison games
  • Ark Nova
  • Vantage look-alikes
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative play — players work together to prevent global disasters
  • epidemic/arduous event track — the mythos cards drive escalating challenges and discoveries
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This is the five best games we played in 2025 and five games we're looking forward to playing in 2026.
  • I interviewed Reiner yesterday. It was fun.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video gmo4rr01yZE Rolls in the Family Top List at 27:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4060 · mention_pk 11874
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 27:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Epic scale with memorable, high-energy conclusions
  • Rich theme and narrative stakes
  • Powerful moments of teamwork and near-misses
Cons
  • Long playtime can be daunting
  • Brutal moments may frustrate newcomers
Thematic elements
  • Cooperative horror battling cosmic threats
  • Lovecraftian mythos with global-scale investigations
  • Narrative, high-stakes, cinematic investigations
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
  • Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to solve mysteries and seal wells of doom.
  • cooperative play — Players work together to solve mysteries and seal wells of doom.
  • Events — Mythos cards dictate escalating threats and complications.
  • Investigator variance — Each character has unique abilities shaping strategy.
  • Mysterious mythos / event deck — Mythos cards dictate escalating threats and complications.
  • Unique player powers — Each character has unique abilities shaping strategy.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • There’s really no one clear best strategy.
  • The feel around the table is a little bit more interactive than just a normal drafting.
  • This is the first dice builder I’ve ever played.
  • Sandboxy open it does feel like it’s got some bloat to it, but man, it’s still incredibly fun.
  • The final play together finished really, really strong.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ihsD_n-q690 Rolls in the Family Top List at 13:58 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3691 · mention_pk 10872
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 13:58 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Strong thematic immersion
  • Memorable, tense moments with a group
Cons
  • Rules can be heavy for new players
  • Complex setup with many components
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian mythos and eldritch threats
  • Global, cosmic-horror investigations with escalating doom
  • Cooperative, with episodic mysteries and doom progression
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • The Call of Cthulhu Card Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative exploration and investigation — Players cooperate to solve mysteries and close gates
  • Mythos/doom track — Mythos phase introduces new threats; doom increments toward a loss
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this one could potentially. we'll see.
  • you just want to play it again right after you get done because every time you play, it just feels like you're going to get just such interesting and different situations
  • the game state just changes drastically
  • it's wildly interactive
  • one of my like mustplay with you while you were here cuz I'm enamored with it right now
  • Planet Unknown... the best game in the month
  • Simultaneous play means you feel like you did so much in an hour
  • this is an absolute must own in my collection
  • absolutely a homerun purchase
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _lkUGHHmh9Y Rolls in the Family Top List at 22:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3528 · mention_pk 10499
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 22:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive with caveats
Pros
  • strong thematic atmosphere and tension
  • variety between sessions depending on setup
  • cooperative potential with rich narrative
Cons
  • long play time and complexity can overwhelm new players
  • setup and learning curve are significant
  • experience varies greatly with group composition and setup
Thematic elements
  • cosmic horror with investigative narrative and escalating danger
  • mythos-inspired global Lovecraftian investigations
  • semi-cooperative with multiple player objectives and evolving mysteries
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror (Second Edition)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — players work together but each has individual goals
  • cooperative play with personal objectives — players work together but each has individual goals
  • mystery and clues — players solve mysteries through clues and card effects
  • Randomness and luck — outcomes swing with gates, encounters, and draws
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the variety of the aliens is just incredible
  • it's not only the mechanics of what's happening but a lot of what's happening between players at the table
  • it's pretty group dependent
  • I just love the pressure when a team is on you
  • you need four people exactly four that are going to want to play a card game
  • the strategy of it is so much deeper
  • you've got to take off the training wheels for you Daniel, it's time for ride the Mage Knight bike on your own
  • the rule book is dense and hard to learn
  • it's a doozy
  • it's eight hours long and an all day experience
  • you really want six people, that's the ideal
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 43vBuy49fDo Rolls in the Family Top List at 2:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3001 · mention_pk 8748
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • high variability with expansions keeps the game fresh
  • great group activity with a lot of replayability
Cons
  • complexity and setup can be lengthy
  • tokens/decks can get unwieldy with many expansions
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian horror, investigation, and eldritch mystery
  • Global Lovecraftian investigations across multiple continents
  • cooperative, scenario-driven with high variability
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — players work together to survive and solve mysteries rather than compete
  • cooperative play — players work together to survive and solve mysteries rather than compete
  • scenario/deck-driven encounters — encounters and mythos/encounter decks drive the sequence of events
  • variable setup and expansion-driven variability — base game plus many expansions create unique configurations and challenges
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a variability machine
  • it's an incredible experience and one I absolutely do not regret having
  • it's packed full with incredible stuff
  • it's one of fantasy flight's living card games
  • Marvel United tops of the list for both of us
  • start the addiction
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video WzHDSjUbOD4 No Rolls Barred Top List at 12:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2347 · mention_pk 6882
No Rolls Barred - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 12:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Deep theme and vast content
  • High thematic immersion with rich components
Cons
  • Complex rules and lengthy play sessions
  • Requires commitment from a full group
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian horror and mythos
  • Global investigations against Old Gods
  • cooperative investigative drama across the globe
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
  • Mansions of Madness
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — investigators work together to solve mysteries and close gates
  • cooperative play — investigators work together to solve mysteries and close gates
  • Dice-driven check mechanics — various skill checks determine outcomes of encounters
  • Global investigations — scenarios span multiple locations and mythos events
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's the best time and boy do we have some creepy crawlers for you
  • for most lists for nrb i try to feature mostly games we haven't covered before but for this one i'm going to be covering a few ones that we have
  • it's a pulpy cinematic style game for movie fans and zombie heads alike
  • it's a heady tense and brutal deduction game
  • there's no horror experience like nemesis
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video -vt6ftI_8HE Rolls in the Family Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1400 · mention_pk 4074
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • thematic, memorable experience
  • high variability and replayability due to randomized Ancient One, investigator decks, and gates
  • strong narrative with memorable moments and dramatic tension
  • cooperative play allows new players to learn and contribute
  • extensive expansion support increases variety and longevity
Cons
  • bear of a setup with many components and shuffling
  • high difficulty and variance can produce long sessions with potentially unsatisfying outcomes
  • upkeep can be tedious with many effects to resolve during Reckoning
  • base game lacks sufficient variety without expansions
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian horror, cosmic dread, mystery and adventure
  • Global-scale Lovecraftian mystery featuring investigators battling the eldritch forces to seal gates and stop an Ancient One
  • narrative-driven, sandbox, emergent storytelling
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to manage encounters and plan actions against a shifting Mythos phase.
  • cooperative play — Players work together to manage encounters and plan actions against a shifting Mythos phase.
  • dice-based skill checks — Investigator attributes are used to roll dice to resolve encounters and actions; outcomes depend on luck and character stats.
  • doom/Mythos phase — A phase where new events, monsters, gates, and the Doom track increase the challenge and escalate the game.
  • exploration across locations and gates — Travel across the globe, enter gates, fight monsters, and close gates to prevent the Ancient One from awakening.
  • item/deck customization — Characters upgrade with items, artifacts, and spells that modify abilities and dice results.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • one of the best games at delivering a thematic memorable experience
  • Sandbox of Endless Possibilities
  • The sweet spot is in three to five
  • the highs of Eldritch are highs like no other game
  • if you want an epic and thematic Cooperative game that is capable of generating a wide range of moments with no two games feeling the same
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video IjZGYaCKR_w Drive Thru Games Top List at 28:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1048 · mention_pk 2994
Drive Thru Games - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 28:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • world-spanning adventure
  • unique character interactions
  • procedural storytelling
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Cosmic horror
  • Global supernatural adventure
  • Exploratory
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I do not do a ton of solo gaming but I do enjoy it
  • The best stories emerge from the chaos of gameplay
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qe-Apez24nU Rolls in the Family Analysis at 0:31 sentiment: positive
video_pk 683 · mention_pk 1996
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:31 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • more streamlined than Arkham Horror
  • strong replayability with variability
  • clearer, simpler action flow
Cons
  • still lengthy sessions
  • variability relies on expansions
Thematic elements
  • Cosmic dread, cults, global investigations
  • World-spanning Lovecraftian horror with global threats
  • Procedural, event-driven with a global scale and campaign feel
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to manage global threats and investigations.
  • cooperative_play — Players work together to manage global threats and investigations.
  • global_threat_tracks_and_events — Global threat progression and mythos events drive the game.
  • streamlined_action_economy — Actions are simplified relative to Arkham Horror, reducing clutter.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • No more gate burst. Praise the Lord.
  • it's leaning into the variability of the game and delivering a completely unique experience every time you play.
  • the systems really streamlined from Arkham Horror to Eldritch Horror.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zeOU5Qmd3Hg The Cardboard Herald Top List at 6:39
video_pk 373 · mention_pk 1140
The Cardboard Herald - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:39 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • cosmic horror investigation and cooperation
  • global Lovecraftian horror across multiple sites
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — players work together to solve mysteries while managing resources and disasters
  • cooperative play — players work together to solve mysteries while managing resources and disasters
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • number 10 pallet swapped illustrations
  • palette swaps of one color to another
  • sexy but space wasting insert
  • it's just demeaning
  • big floppy rulebooks
  • overly homogenized or equitable values
  • implicit rather than explicit rules or really just not having clearly defined rules in your freaking rule book
  • squared corners on cards
  • lack of color blind accessibility options
  • once someone puts six stars out then their turn is the last turn and there's no ability for anyone else to recover from that
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Ttpw1MBgVjc Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Analysis at 2:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 133 · mention_pk 370
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Clear player avatars front and center
  • Conveys action and horror perfectly
  • Beautiful composition with tentacled monster
  • Intriguing pyramid element in background
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Horror
  • Lovecraftian
  • Dark
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative — Horror action game with player avatars
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • The box cover makes a promise to the customer
  • Every box cover tells me what I'm going to be doing and how I'm going to be feeling
  • This artist is one of the best board game artists working in the industry right now
  • This is how you do it
  • This cover is a mess
  • Striking iconic design
  • The box cover is not selling the game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ed5xdqkPO7Q Rolls in the Family Top List at 23:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 40 · mention_pk 108
Rolls in the Family - Eldritch Horror video thumbnail
Click to watch at 23:33 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Sandboxy feel with high variability
  • Expansions add more variety and story depth
  • Iconic theme and production quality
Cons
  • Can feel slow or punishing in some runs
  • Less approachable for casual players
Thematic elements
  • Mythos, exploration, and team-based peril
  • Lovecraftian cosmic horror investigations
  • Sandbox-like with changing events and expansions
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
  • Arkham Horror (older editions)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • character roles and abilities — Different investigators with unique strengths and limits
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together against the game to avert based catastrophes
  • cooperative play — Players work together against the game to avert based catastrophes
  • Events — A rotating deck of events and encounters shapes the story
  • scenario/event card system — A rotating deck of events and encounters shapes the story
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the dynamic map element, which that's unique to Catacombs, the other ones just have a static board, is a huge part of the fun of the experience.
  • it's a game that allows as much thinking as you want.
  • there's nothing like it.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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