Best 14 Classic Literature Board Games Reviewed in 2024
Whether you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes or the eerie tales of Lovecraft, classic literature-themed board games offer a chance to step into your favorite stories. In our top 14 list, we focus on games that capture the essence and atmosphere of these timeless reads. We’ve selected games that are accessible for new players, but still challenging for seasoned gamers. From solving mysteries with Holmes to surviving the terrors of Middle-earth, these board games promise excitement, strategy, and a dash of nostalgia. So round up your book-loving friends and get ready to embark on some literary adventures!
On this list:
- Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases
- Mysterium
- Betrayal at House on the Hill
- The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
- Watson & Holmes: From the Diaries of 221B
- Arkham Horror: The Card Game
- A Study in Emerald (Second Edition)
- Call of Cthulhu: The Card Game
- Cosmic Encounter
- Dracula’s Feast
- The 7th Continent
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
- Mystery Express
14 Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition takes you into H.P. Lovecraft’s world. This game is cooperative and uses an app to provide an immersive story experience. We found the mix of narrative and exploration to be thrilling. The app integration helps guide new players, making it easy to focus on the adventure. Plus, who doesn’t get a kick out of fighting eldritch horrors with friends?
13 Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases
If you fancy yourself a sleuth, this game is for you. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective tasks you with solving intricate mysteries. It’s all about piecing together clues and using logic to crack cases. We loved how it made us feel like we were part of a Sherlock Holmes story. It’s also replayable, which means you’ll have several nights of detective work ahead.
12 Mysterium
Mysterium is a game where one player is a ghost giving clues to the others, who are psychics trying to solve a murder. The art is stunning, and the game is both cooperative and spooky. We got a kick out of interpreting the abstract visions and debating our theories. It’s like Clue but with a mystical twist!
11 Betrayal at House on the Hill
Betrayal at House on the Hill starts as a cooperative exploration game but soon reveals a traitor among you. We loved the shifting dynamics and the rich, suspenseful storylines. It feels like living through a horror novel, with twists and turns that kept us on our toes. It’s a great introduction to narrative-driven games.
10 The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
Set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, this game lets you become part of the epic saga. Journeys in Middle-earth is app-driven, which adds to the immersive experience. We found the game to be a perfect blend of strategy and storytelling. It’s like reading the novels but with a more hands-on approach.
9 Watson & Holmes: From the Diaries of 221B
This game pits you against other players in a race to solve crimes in Sherlock Holmes’ London. Each case offers different challenges, making the game both competitive and engaging. We enjoyed the head-to-head puzzle-solving aspect, and it truly captures the essence of classic literature’s most famous detective.
8 Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a cooperative game that delivers a similar spooky and immersive experience as Mansions of Madness. You dive into the world of H.P. Lovecraft, full of eerie mysteries and spine-chilling horrors. We’ve had some nail-biting evenings thanks to this game.
7 A Study in Emerald (Second Edition)
We chose this because it blends detective work with a historical and supernatural twist, much like Pride and Prejudice. It’s based on a story by Neil Gaiman which is a mix of classic literature and intrigue.
6 Call of Cthulhu: The Card Game
Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos, this card game pits players against cosmic horrors. It’s a living card game, which means it’s always evolving. We loved the strategic depth and the creepy atmosphere. It’s perfect for Lovecraft fans and card game enthusiasts alike.
5 Cosmic Encounter
Not classical literature in the strictest sense, but the strategic alliances, betrayals, and negotiations felt like being in a grand sci-fi epic. Each alien race has unique abilities, offering tons of replay value. We had a blast with the unpredictable gameplay and shifting dynamics.
4 Dracula’s Feast
A quick and fun social deduction game where you try to unmask Dracula among the guests at a dinner party. The game is simple to learn and offers a lot of laughs. We enjoyed the lighthearted theme and fast-paced rounds. It’s a great pick for casual gaming nights.
3 The 7th Continent
Inspired by the choose-your-own-adventure books, The 7th Continent offers a massive, replayable survival adventure. We were drawn in by the story and the sandbox nature of the game. It’s like reading a gripping novel, but your actions shape the plot. Ideal for those who love deep narratives.
2 Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
This game is perfect for fans of classic literature who enjoy solving mysteries. It’s like being a character in a detective novel.
