This game offers one of the most immersive experiences in board gaming, to date. While there certainly isn’t a shortage of lovecraftian theme in board gaming, Mansions of Madness stands out.

The base set comes with four scenarios, each with a a few different endings. For example, there is an ending resulting in failure, or two separate endings if you succeed, based on your path to victory. This is possible because of the companion app, that can change what tiles come out, what monsters spawn, and what events happen. In my experience, this helps extend the replayability, but the scenarios aren’t going to be something you’ll replay immediately and expect the same level of puzzling immersion.

That said, there are multiple easy to extend the fun. There are expansion boxes you can purchase, filled with new minis and tiles, but there are also expansion scenarios you can purchase through the app, which require no further components. Even more, there are fan made scenarios (Valkyrie app) that can help extend the life of the core set, as well.

The main criticism many players will have with this game involves teh RNG component. Indeed, it is a heavy dice rolling game, with further randomization from the app. In my experience, this provided some incredibly tense moments, and equal parts excitement/celebration and frustration/disappointment, depending on the roll. In most cases, the games remained very close and very exciting, until the very end.

Overall, this is a game that will continue to make it to the table for years to come. Given its length, it likely won’t make it every week, but any time it is suggested, I’d be more than happy to play.

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Information for this review is based on my plays with 2 players.