Recs.
Updated
In this updated version of the classic boardgame, the role of the Keeper is replaced by a high quality app, turning the game from a 1 vs many dynamic to a fully cooperative experience where players take the role of one of eight investigators and must work together to solve each scenario and defeat the forces of evil.
Specs
Pros
Pro Incredibly deep stories in each scenario
As players explore a slowly expanding board, they find clues and, occasionally, meet people who help reveal the mystery at the heart of each scenario. Then, as the scenarios draw to a close the action always picks up as you are desperately fighting the forces of evil.
Pro Deep RPG immersion
The win condition for the game is basically to get out of the house alive. Any other scenario where one does not get out they either die or go insane, which is what plays into the immersion of this game, it is more about story and experiencing what it has to offer than "winning".
Pro Lots of replayability
The base game comes with 5 scenarios that include 3 different endings each. Add to the fact that the scenario is built based on a series of multiple choice questions before setup, means no 2 games will be the same.
Also there are many expansions available which with many more scenarios.
Pro RPG experience with the ease of a single session board game
Like all of the Arkham Horror games this pulls in all of the familiar characters and antagonists from Lovecraft's mythos. Unlike the others however it's less about running around closing portals as fast as you can and more about investigating a single scenario in a series of pre-configured locations. It does require a sort of "DM" that the other players play against but it helps that person with the convoluted stuff and lets them enjoy the game as much as the other players.
Cons
Con Does not always result in a great experience
Depending on how many players there are, the scenario chosen and the full understanding of the game held by the players the game can often result in a non functioning experience. There are many moving parts here and they do not always congeal into a working game.