Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition (BASE GAME) | Horror Game | Mystery Board Game for Teens and Adults | Ages 14 and up | 1-5 Players | Average Playtime 2-3 hrs | Made by Fantasy Flight Games

Mansions of Madness isn't just a game; it's an immersive journey into the heart of darkness. If you're a fan of Lovecraftian horror and enjoy spine-tingling suspense, this game is a must-have addition to your collection.What sets Mansions of Madness apart from other board games is its ability to transport players into a world of chilling mystery and intrigue. Set in the eerie universe of H.P. Lovecraft, each scenario plunges you into a haunted mansion or sinister locale, where ancient secrets and eldritch horrors lurk around every corner. As you explore the dimly lit corridors and uncover hidden clues, you'll feel a sense of unease and anticipation that keeps you on the edge of your seat.One of the game's most impressive features is its use of technology to enhance the gameplay experience. The companion app serves as your guide and storyteller, generating randomized events, controlling enemy movements, and providing atmospheric sound effects that ratchet up the tension to heart-pounding levels. Whether you're facing off against cultists, zombies, or unspeakable monsters, the app ensures that each game feels fresh and unpredictable.Mansions of Madness is also a game of strategy and deduction. As you and your fellow investigators work together to solve puzzles, decipher cryptic messages, and confront otherworldly threats, you'll need to use all your wits and cunning to survive. With multiple characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities and strengths, there's no shortage of ways to approach each scenario, ensuring that every game is a thrilling and unpredictable adventure.In conclusion, Mansions of Madness is a must-have for any horror enthusiast or board game aficionado. Its immersive storytelling, innovative gameplay mechanics, and atmospheric presentation combine to create an unforgettable gaming experience that will haunt your dreams long after the game is over. So gather your courage, dim the lights, and prepare to enter a world of terror and madness like no other.

I used to play D&D 5e, but could never hone the necessary DM skills to put a game together, so I figured I'd give Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition a try--I just love an immersive RPG /dungeon crawl experience, and this game pulls it off BEAUTIFULLY!While I am a huge fan of This War of Mine, Waste Knights 2nd Edition, Fallout and similar rpg games, this is the first app driven rpg which I've had the pleasure of experiencing, and I keep wanting to play it again. While the game is intuitive in many respects, you'll definitely need to study the rules and do a few playthroughs during which you write down questions you have, so you can keep notes on what you'll have to share with other players.For me, I needed straightforward notes on: 1) which skill checks are needed for various actions (Strength Test for Heavy Weapons, Agility for Bladed Weapons, etc) 2)How to use the app during the Mythos Phase when Monsters will spawn and attack you/how Horror Checks are done 3)how to attack monsters using various levels of weapons and spells 4)Understand how Damage and Horror cards function. Once you understand these elements, you're ready to play--Remember, the app times you, and if you're taking too long when taking actions/making decisions, you will risk losing the game--so learn the rules!Mansions of Madness second Edition is worth the money spent on it, worth the time you invest learning to play it--it is a solid, well crafted story experience which will challenge you and entertain you. If you're unable to read the app text on your phone because it displays too small, download Steam on your laptop, and download the app for free there.My one complaint about this boardgame, it is that the app doesn't really allow you to go back to look up certain things--if you don't pay attention to some text, don't try to go back or the game will at times restart, asking once again for the investigators being used, while new starting items will be generated. Other than this, I'm loving this game, and can't wait to play it with friends!

If you aren't familiar with Lovecraft this may be more like a 4 out of 5, but still really good. The thing to keep in mind is the scenario structure. You're going through all the scenarios (20+ in this box I believe) and trying to "beat" each scenario. In other words it's not like a traditional board game where you're playing against each other using the same boards and the same pieces every time. The map, enemies, items, etc. are all different depending on the scenario. This is a cooperative game as well so the players work as a team trying to solve a mystery.The rules aren't easy but they're by no means hard to learn either. A large chunk of it is just learning to use the companion app, which does half of the work for you honestly. There are definitely some weird situation where you won't be sure what the ruling is but I don't mind looking these up on the internet occasionally and the rulebook often has them covered.The structure kind of reminds me of a video game in how you can sometimes get stuck on a scenario but then eventually beat it and move on to the next one. Don't worry if you don't like video games though. It's just a comparison I drew because the progression is similar. You don't have to be stuck either. You can play whatever scenario you want. Overall the game takes a little bit of dedication but it's not intimidating to play by any stretch, and you'll have even more fun if you've read a few Lovecraft stories but it's not required.