Arkham Horror: Final Hour (2019) Board Game

Arkham Horror: Final Hour is a cooperative board game set in the Lovecraftian universe of Arkham Horror. Released in 2019, it is designed by Todd Michlitsch and Carlo A. Rossi, with art by Fantasy Flight Games. The game is based on the popular Arkham Horror series, known for its immersive storytelling and challenging gameplay.

Game Components of Arkham Horror: Final Hour

Game Board: Represents the Miskatonic University campus.

Ancient One sheets: 3 sheets, each with different levels of difficulty.

Action cards: 60 cards, 10 per Investigator.

Reference cards: 4 cards.

Priority cards: 30 cards.

Item cards: 9 cards.

Clue tokens: 13 tokens.

Investigator tokens and stands: 6 tokens and stands.

Monster tokens: 40 Standard Monster tokens and 15 Special Monster tokens.

Gate tokens: 12 tokens.

Damage tokens: 18 tokens.

Ritual Location token: 1 token.

Health tokens: 12 tokens.

Seal tokens: 8 tokens.

Lead Investigator token: 1 token.

Rulebook: 24-page English rulebook.

How To Setup Arkham Horror: Final Hour

To set up the game, players first choose an Ancient One, which determines the ritual location and three gate locations on the board. Each player selects an Investigator and receives four Priority cards. The game board is populated with monster spaces and coloured zone tags, and walkways are laid out to designate monster movement. Clue tokens are secretly reserved at the start of the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to defend the Earth.

Action Phase: Players draw Action cards, play them face down, and add a Priority card face up.

Resolution: Action cards are resolved in ascending order of Priority cards; top effects are resolved for the first two cards, and bottom effects for the last two.

Ancient One Phase: Priority cards activate events based on the Ancient One, including spawning monsters and damaging locations.

Game Objective: Reverse the ritual by matching Clue tokens. Players must commit three Priority cards with the correct ritual icons to win.

Player Experience

Players experience a chaotic battle to defend the Earth against an endless tide of monsters sweeping across the Miskatonic University campus. The game is fast-paced and high-action, requiring cooperation and strategic planning. Investigators do not have character sheets with special powers; instead, their unique abilities are defined by their Action cards.

Pros

Fast-Paced Gameplay: Playable in under 60 minutes.

Cooperative Experience: Encourages teamwork and strategy.

High Replayability: Different Ancient Ones and random events ensure varied gameplay.

Simple yet Engaging Mechanics: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Lovecraftian Theme: Immersive and thematic, fitting well into the Arkham Horror universe.

Cons

Limited Character Development: No character sheets with special powers.

Complexity for New Players: Some players find the gameplay mechanics and sequence odd or confusing.

One Chance to Win: The ritual reversal attempt is a single, high-stakes action.

Personal Thoughts on Arkham Horror: Final Hour

Arkham Horror: Final Hour is ideal for fans of the Lovecraftian mythos and cooperative board games. It’s a great option for those who enjoy fast-paced, high-action gameplay without the need for lengthy setup or complex character management. However, new players to the Arkham Horror series might find it challenging, and the game’s unique mechanics may not appeal to everyone. Overall, it’s a worthwhile addition to the Arkham Horror Files universe, offering a unique and intense gaming experience.

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