As the days get colder and fall weather creeps closer, it’s hard not to get excited about the upcoming festivities. Between creative costumes and party invites, Halloween can be overwhelming in the best way possible, but sometimes, it’s just as fun to experience frights and thrills from the comfort of indoors. What better way to get immersed in the Halloween hype than bone-chilling, story-driven board games? Grab your ghouls and gather around for a scary good time this Halloween with these five board games.
werewords
Number of players: 4-10
In Werewords, your objective is to guess a secret word through “yes” or “no” questions, but not without chaos! One person is selected to be the Mayor, who picks the secret word and answers the Villagers’ “yes” or “no” questions while handing out a limited number of chips instead of speaking. Another person is the Werewolf, who knows what the secret word is and tries to sabotage the efforts of the Villagers. To combat the Werewolf’s efforts, the Seer also knows part of the secret word and assists the Villagers with guessing. Figure out the secret word, uncover the Werewolf, and enjoy a howling good game!
mysterium
Number of players: 2-7
In Mysterium, a group of mediums and a ghost work together to solve a murder. One person is the ghost, and they’re tasked with sharing visions with everyone else–the mediums. Using cards depicting scenes and art, the ghost assigns cards to each player with clues as to who carried out the murder, where it happened, and how. Work together with the ghost to keep the murderer from committing the perfect crime!
haunted mansion: call of the spirits
Number of players: 2-6
Whether you’re a Disney fan or know nothing about the Haunted Mansion franchise, this game is for everyone! You’re exploring the iconic rooms of the manor to make it out as the least-haunted member of the adventure. Rotate the Endless Hallway around Madame Leota’s Séance Room, collect Ghost cards with different point values, and take opportunities to socialize with the ghosts. But beware! You can also collect Haunt cards, and the player with the most of those cards loses points. Finish the game with the most points to win!
one night ultimate vampire
Number of players: 3-10
A vampire is hiding amongst your friend group, and it’s up to you to figure out who it is. With one vampire on the loose, the rest of your group are villagers with different powers. During the secret night phase, townsfolk make choices to swap roles, cause chaos, and ultimately discover who the vampire is. One Night Ultimate Vampire is part of the One Night series, and it can be combined with other games in the series to make larger tournaments!
psycho killer
Number of players: 2-6
Psycho Killer is a satirical, interactive take on your favorite retro slasher films. It’s every man for themselves as you each try to escape the wrath of the Psycho Killer! Dictated by five Psycho Killer cards, each player progresses through the game by playing cards on their turn, then drawing from the top of the deck. If a Psycho Killer card is drawn, you can try to evade the attack or take damage. The game ends when the last Psycho Killer card is drawn, and the player with the lowest amount of injury points wins.