9 Best Paranormal Activity Board Games to Play in 2024

If you're into paranormal activity and love board games, check out these top picks. They’ll surely spook your game night!
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Mysterium coverBetrayal at House on the Hill coverGhost Stories cover

Buckle up, folks! We’ve been on the hunt for the best board games that bring a spine-tingling experience of paranormal activity right to your living room. For our list, we sought games with gripping narratives, eerie vibes, and thrilling gameplay. From haunted mansions to ghost-infested towns, these picks promise to keep you and your friends on the edge of your seats. Perfect for game nights, these titles offer a mix of cooperative and competitive elements. So, get ready to summon the spirits and unravel mysteries as we present our top choices in the realm of paranormal activity!

On this list:

9 Mysterium

Mysterium cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-7
  • Play Time: 42 minutes

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This game is like Clue with a paranormal twist. One player is a ghost giving clues, while others are psychics trying to solve a murder. The beautiful artwork adds to the eerie feeling. We enjoyed playing this on Halloween night, and it got everyone into the spooky spirit. Plus, the replay value is high because the ghost’s clues can be interpreted in many ways.

8 Betrayal at House on the Hill

Betrayal at House on the Hill cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 3-6
  • Play Time: 60 minutes

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This game has you exploring a haunted house, which builds itself as you play. We loved the twist where one player becomes the traitor. Each game feels fresh because the house layout changes every time. When we played, Dave turned out to be the traitor and gave us all a good scare!

7 Ghost Stories

Ghost Stories cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60 minutes

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We felt like ghostbusters with this one! Players work together to protect a village from vengeful spirits. It’s challenging and requires good strategy and teamwork. The tension builds as more spirits appear. We barely managed to save the village, making it a thrilling experience.

6 Scooby-Doo: Betrayal at Mystery Mansion

Scooby-Doo: Betrayal at Mystery Mansion cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 3-5
  • Play Time: 25-50 minutes

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A fun twist on Betrayal at House on the Hill, but with Scooby-Doo characters! We had a blast solving mysteries with the gang. It’s lighter and more family-friendly. If you’ve got kids or are a fan of Scooby-Doo, this one’s a hit.

5 Arkham Horror: The Card Game

Arkham Horror: The Card Game cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-2
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

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This card game is based on H.P. Lovecraft’s stories. It’s a cooperative game where you investigate strange events in Arkham. The story-driven gameplay keeps you hooked. We found ourselves really invested in our characters and the outcomes of our actions.

4 Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

Mansions of Madness: Second Edition cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 120-180 minutes

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This one’s a blend of a board game and app integration. You explore a mansion, solve puzzles, and battle monsters. The app keeps the story moving and adds a ton of atmosphere. We loved how immersive it felt, like stepping into a horror movie.

3 Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 100 minutes

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We had to survive a zombie apocalypse during winter. It’s cooperative, but there’s a twist: someone might be a betrayer. The thematic storytelling and moral choices had us debating our every move. Dave almost got us all killed by hoarding supplies!

2 Elder Sign

Elder Sign cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-8
  • Play Time: 90 minutes

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Think of it as a quicker, dice-based version of Arkham Horror. You collect clues, fight monsters, and try to fend off ancient evils. We liked that it’s faster to play, but still offers a lot of the same thrills and chills.

1 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

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This is our top pick! It’s an epic game that combines dungeon crawling with rich storytelling. We had so many memorable moments, like when we narrowly escaped from a cave of horrors! It’s complex and time-consuming, but oh so worth it. The immersive experience made it our favorite by far.

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.