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Mansions of Madness: Second Edition box art

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

Game ID: GID0201102
Collection Status
Description

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is a fully co-operative, app-driven board game of horror and mystery for one to five players that takes place in the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign. Let the immersive app guide you through the veiled streets of Innsmouth and the haunted corridors of Arkham's cursed mansions as you search for answers and respite. Eight brave investigators stand ready to confront four scenarios of fear and mystery, collecting weapons, tools, and information, solving complex puzzles, and fighting monsters, insanity, and death. Open the door and step inside these hair-raising Mansions of Madness: Second Edition. It will take more than just survival to conquer the evils terrorizing this town.

Year Published
2016
Featured Videos
Review
Mansions of Madness Second Edition Review - Oozingly Good

Mansions of Madness Second Edition Review - Oozingly Good

No Pun Included Mar 23, 2026
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 10
This page: 10
Sentiment: pos 7 · mix 2 · neu 1 · neg 0
Mentions per page
Top
Showing 1–10 of 10
Video Ez8QiIeFlYI Shelf Side game_review at 0:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60771 · mention_pk 153212
Shelf Side - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • App-driven management reduces setup and bookkeeping dramatically across platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac).
  • Smooth UI with clear labeling; unobtrusive interface that integrates narration and flavor text well.
  • Excellent sound design, narration, and contextual flavor that heighten immersion.
  • Puzzles are quick to set up and easily randomized; map variation supports replayability.
  • Four scenarios offer thematic variety; expansions and paid digital scenarios add long-term value.
  • Investigators are distinct with interesting starting distributions and scenario-driven goals.
  • Insanity mechanics add memorable tension and player interaction/role-playing moments.
Cons
  • Menu and end-of-game prompts can be easy to misinterpret, risking accidental game termination without undo.
  • Monster stands and physical minis can be fiddly; storage and stand durability are concerns.
  • Physical component storage is not well organized; home storage solution can be pricey or cumbersome.
  • Solo play is notably harder; some Sandy/“insanity” elements are more punishing with fewer players.
  • Darkness and fire mechanics on the live map would benefit from clearer in-map cues.
  • Some players may find balance issues or randomness frustrating in lower player counts.
Thematic elements
  • Cosmic horror, mystery, and sanity under pressure
  • Lovecraftian investigations across cities, graveyards, docks and mansions
  • Narrative-driven with app-managed state, prompts, and flavor text
Comparison games
  • Eldritch Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • App Assisted — Companion app handles much of the bookkeeping, map progression, clues, NPCs, and story prompts.
  • App-driven state management — Companion app handles much of the bookkeeping, map progression, clues, NPCs, and story prompts.
  • Combat and weapon dynamics — Weapons interact with monster mechanics; app accounts for weapon damage and situational bonuses.
  • Combat: Damage Based — Physical and mental damage is tracked with face-up/face-down cards; wounds and insanity introduce persistent effects.
  • Dice rolling — Players perform stat-based dice checks; elder signs provide successes or failures, sometimes with target numbers.
  • Health and horror tracking via damage cards — Physical and mental damage is tracked with face-up/face-down cards; wounds and insanity introduce persistent effects.
  • Insanity and wind conditions — Insanity alters behavior and objectives; severe insanity can end or drastically shift gameplay dynamics.
  • Investigator vs mythos phases — Rounds alternate between investigator actions and mythos phases, where the game advances the story and triggers events.
  • Narrative choice — Dialogue choices provide information or influence NPCs, enriching storytelling.
  • NPC dialogue trees and flavor text — Dialogue choices provide information or influence NPCs, enriching storytelling.
  • Puzzles and investigations integrated via app — In-app puzzles and prompts drive clues and progression, reducing GM setup time.
  • Scenario-driven maps and tokens — Four scenarios with map tiles, tokens, NPCs, and multiple locations; map layouts vary per scenario.
  • Skill checks with dice and elder signs — Players perform stat-based dice checks; elder signs provide successes or failures, sometimes with target numbers.
  • Two actions per investigator turn — Each investigator has two actions per turn and can repeat actions; decisions drive puzzle solving and exploration.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this app just saves so much time
  • a great UI where nothing's obtrusive and symbols are clearly labeled
  • the narration at the beginning and end of each scenario it just really pulls you into the world
  • you can download another one for five dollars from a collection of three and start playing right away
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video fX1HHko617I Unknown Channel game_review at 2:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 29557 · mention_pk 86817
Unknown Channel - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • App handles heavy lifting of rules and provides tension and ambiance
  • Randomized maps for replayability and new experiences
  • Seamless learning curve; quick to pick up for a big box game
  • Cohesive Lovecraftian experience with strong thematic integration
  • Accessible setup and play experience that still delivers depth
Cons
  • High initial price
  • Puzzles can be uneven in difficulty; one Mastermind-style puzzle was very time-consuming
  • Reliance on the app may reduce the tactile feel of the first edition's components
  • Launch content feels limited in scope with fewer scenarios and similar endings
Thematic elements
  • Lovecraftian cosmic horror, investigation, sanity, and atmospheric suspense.
  • A Lovecraftian mansion with shifting rooms and ancient horrors, explored by investigators under the watch of a Keeper.
  • emergent, app-driven story where the Keeper seeds events and players uncover clues and threats.
Comparison games
  • Star Wars: Rebellion
  • Mansions of Madness (First Edition)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • App Assisted — The app handles setup, map generation, event narration, and many rule aspects, shaping pacing and tension.
  • App-assisted rules and narration — The app handles setup, map generation, event narration, and many rule aspects, shaping pacing and tension.
  • Combat resolved by dice and resource tracking — Combat uses dice and Elder Sign mechanics to determine success; damage is tracked and monsters are managed via cards.
  • Combat: Dice — Combat uses dice and Elder Sign mechanics to determine success; damage is tracked and monsters are managed via cards.
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to solve puzzles, discover clues, and survive threats.
  • cooperative play — Players work together to solve puzzles, discover clues, and survive threats.
  • Puzzle solving — In-game puzzles must be solved to progress, with a variety of puzzle types created or guided by the app.
  • Sanity/insanity tracking — Insanity cards and sanity tracks affect players, driving tension and roleplay opportunities.
  • Tile/room exploration — Modular, expandable board with rooms and doors that players explore to uncover hazards and rewards.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • one of the best game experiences we've had this year
  • the app is a winner it's incredibly seamless
  • the experience you get in mansions of madness is terrific
  • the puzzles are handled really well in the app
  • the app does most of the heavy lifting of the rules
  • it replaces the cumbersome combat mechanic with roll some dice
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video FhWgUXC8PrY Unknown Channel top_10_list at 20:28 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 12149 · mention_pk 115044
Unknown Channel - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 20:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • immersive storytelling and scenario variety
  • strong cooperative experience
Cons
  • lengthy sessions
  • text heavy; reading can bog down play
Thematic elements
  • cooperative mystery solving with monsters
  • Lovecraftian mansion, mystery and exploration
  • narrative-driven scenarios guided by an app
Comparison games
  • Time Stories
  • Chronicles of Crime
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • App Assisted — An app directs setup, monsters, and scenario progress.
  • app-assisted scenarios — An app directs setup, monsters, and scenario progress.
  • cooperative exploration — Players explore rooms, solve mysteries, and combat monsters.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a filler type where you are drawing cards and you're trying to curate a hand of cards where everything synergizes well with each other
  • the heart and soul of that is realms and that is why Naveen dislikes it is why i really enjoy it
  • gosh the dice selection is so restrictive
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SM25kp56eS4 The Broken Meeple discussion at 0:00 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 11754 · mention_pk 34474
The Broken Meeple - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Horror
  • Mystery
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I'm not as much of a completionist as I used to be
  • I've got so much content in there already that probably still isn't played
  • I've just kind of given up on Kickstarter
  • Board game geek is kind of guilty for that
  • I'm playing games to enjoy them and yes I play to win but I play to win in the spirit of the game
  • Why am I spending this much money on a gamble it's not worth it
  • These are the ones I like or these are Trends I don't like these are mechanics I don't like
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video FyuIeobM7Yw Shaun Baby Gameplays game_review at 0:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7292 · mention_pk 21553
Shaun Baby Gameplays - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Strong narrative drive with tense cooperative gameplay
  • Convenient app-driven setup and scenario variety
  • High replayability through variable layouts and expansions
  • Atmosphere and tension-building pacing that evokes Lovecraftian horror
Cons
  • Expensive expansions and a few component quirks (notably bases)
  • Some fiddly rules and occasional long play sessions
  • High upfront cost and uneven value across expansions due to mission count
Thematic elements
  • Cooperative investigation, puzzle-solving, and survival under simulated time pressure within a story-driven scenario
  • A Lovecraftian haunted mansion in the Arkham universe, with investigators exploring a sprawling estate and confronting eldritch threats
  • Narrative-driven, scenario-based play guided by a companion app that reveals content and progression
Comparison games
  • Resident Evil (video game/franchise)
  • Arkham Horror (board game)
  • Mansions of Madness (First Edition)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • App-assisted game master — A companion app runs the scenario, tracks monsters, reveals clues, and advances the story
  • cooperative play — Players collaborate to achieve shared objectives while managing scarce resources
  • Exploration and puzzle solving — Investigators explore rooms, interact with the environment, and solve puzzles to progress
  • Resource management — Limited ammo, healing items, and time influence choices and risk assessment
  • Variable scenarios and replayability — The app and expansions alter layouts, monsters, and content for differing playthroughs
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • The app makes this setup breezy.
  • Losing is really fun in this game.
  • This game is a perfect example of that.
  • It's a very cutthroat game.
  • The app will switch out the layout, switch out the tiles, switch out the monsters.
  • This game is narrative-driven and highly thematic.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 98t-R9G5Iqw Dice Tower top_10_list at 21:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7200 · mention_pk 21317
Dice Tower - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 21:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Incredibly immersive with app integration
  • Excellent miniatures and components
  • Cohesive story-driven scenarios
  • Great for game night centerpiece
  • Extensive content with expansions
  • Best Fantasy Flight Cthulhu game
Cons
  • Difficult to get to table
  • Requires significant time commitment (1-4 hours)
  • Needs shorter scenarios
Thematic elements
  • Cthulhu investigations and mysteries
  • Lovecraftian horror
  • App-driven cooperative narrative game
Comparison games
  • Eldritch Horror
  • Arkham Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • app integration — Mobile app controls scenarios and surprises
  • cooperative investigation — Team solves puzzles and mysteries
  • Miniature-Driven Board — High-quality miniatures on beautiful board
  • Scenario Variation — App provides different scenarios and mysteries
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It's like a gumbo. You want to have a little bit of worker placement? Cool. You want to have a little bit of interesting card play? Cool.
  • You're trying to colonize the moon, baby.
  • I love that there's just positive interaction that is people trigger the incomes.
  • When do I kill my people? Like when do I use them for such a strong action and then reset them down to one?
  • This game is stupid good.
  • Don't be an alpha player. Done. This game is fantastic.
  • Look what we all made.
  • I'm so sorry I'm over here. (Said repeatedly in Project Elite)
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jsVkwdoTLtY The Broken Meeple top_10_list at 23:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5964 · mention_pk 100029
The Broken Meeple - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 23:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Scenario-based length makes it accessible
  • App does excellent job maintaining immersion
  • Great Lovecraftian atmosphere and theming
  • Can be played solo or multiplayer
  • Soundtrack and ambient sound effects enhance immersion
  • Quality writing and narrative
Cons
  • Miniatures are poor quality and distracting
  • Miniature placement is cumbersome
  • Miniatures difficult to identify with expansions
Thematic elements
  • Investigation of cosmic horror mysteries
  • Lovecraftian mansions and locations
  • Scenario-based storytelling with app integration
Comparison games
  • Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • App Assisted — App provides story guidance, sound effects, and narrative elements
  • App-driven gameplay — App provides story guidance, sound effects, and narrative elements
  • Combat System — Narrative-driven combat with descriptive options
  • deduction — Players solve puzzles throughout scenarios
  • Puzzle solving — Players solve puzzles throughout scenarios
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • good mechanics will make a game good but a good theme will bring me back for the second play
  • Luke's law: theme makes a game a lot better for me
  • immersion is not just a case of oh the game has a good theme but it's how immersed in the world am I
  • there is a little bit of a difference between the two [thematic and immersive]
  • it doesn't matter how rich that story you make it would still suck as a game
  • I feel like I'm just basically telling my own MCU movie
  • the world feels alive and therefore I'm going to get immersed in it
  • when I'm playing the game I don't feel like I'm just playing a bunch of mechanics I feel like I'm telling my character story
  • I am invested in what people are doing I am role playing my character
  • this is a very dark game okay and not for the fainthearted not for the easily triggered
  • I have never sweated in a card game so much before
  • you will be sucked into this world and you will care about the characters
  • the king of all campaign story driven games that I know of
  • some of the best writing I have seen in any campaign game to date
  • regardless of what kind of world you'd find yourself immersed in remember to come back to reality at some point and still remember it's only a game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video sfynkh_guXM Foster the Meeple top_10_list at 6:04 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4798 · mention_pk 14079
Foster the Meeple - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:04 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • App creates atmosphere and tone
  • Diverse scenarios
  • Recently got new expansion
  • Character specialization
Cons
  • Very difficult
Thematic elements
  • Cthulhu horror
  • app-driven atmosphere
  • investigation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Star Wars in a box
  • We are talking about objectively the best games in the whole wide world
  • The limit does not exist
  • As mean as a game as you can play
  • I love not knowing what's going to happen
  • It's perfect
  • Root is my type of game
  • Most played game of all time
  • This is phenomenal
  • If you're in a horror movie is not everything dependent on luck
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rQr5a_v4Gv0 The Secret Cabal top_50_list at 8:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1806 · mention_pk 5217
The Secret Cabal - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Strong narrative flow and puzzle variety
  • Enhanced app-driven experience improves immersion
Cons
  • Complex setup and occasional app glitches
  • Some players felt setup loads the table with tedium
Thematic elements
  • Story-driven, puzzle and exploration focus
  • Arkham Horror universe; Lovecraftian exploration
  • App-driven narrative with modular story tiles
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • App-driven exploration — the app guides exploration and story events
  • cooperative exploration — players work together to solve puzzles and progress
  • Modular tiles / scenarios — randomized rooms and encounters shape each game
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I dare say this is the best game that they have ever put out
  • it's actually interesting variation of strategy
  • I love the asymmetric play, it's really cool
  • I walk away from that game thinking about what I did and how I could have done better
  • I am a huge mind Clash fan
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dKtNBEs5vQI OPG Voices general_discussion at 6:18 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 554 · mention_pk 1664
OPG Voices - Mansions of Madness: Second Edition video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • immersive theme
  • strong atmosphere
Cons
  • long playtime
  • setup complexity
Thematic elements
  • mystery, exploration
  • Mansions, Lovecraftian horror
  • app-driven storytelling
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • app integration — an app controls exploration, monsters, and puzzles
  • cooperative play — players work together to solve scenarios
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the apps really made it immersive in Mansions of Madness
  • open drafting, set collection, take-that in Buried Treasure
  • please play as many games as possible and listen to other podcasters
  • truth is the state of being the case
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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