That the influence of the old house was unwholesome, he could not
deny; but traces of his early morbid interest still held him there. He argued
that the fever alone was responsible for his nightly phantasies, and that when
the touch abated he would be free from the monstrous visions. Those visions,
however, were of abhorrent vividness and convincingness, and whenever he awaked
he retained a vague sense of having undergone much more than he
remembered."
** – H.P. Lovecraft, The Dreams in the Witch House**
Fight for your life in Mansions of Madness Second Edition, the app-assisted
horror game inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. From the makers of Eldritch
Horror, this fully cooperative game takes you and up to four other players on a
harrowing adventure through the dark and desolate halls and alleyways of Arkham.
Much like the original Mansions of Madness game, the second edition offers a
number of thrilling and confounding scenarios, each with a unique and
unpredictable map, intricate puzzles, and bloodthirsty monsters.
The gameplay of Mansions of Madness Second Edition is modelled after that of
the first edition, however, the game’s companion app and minor changes to the
game system make the experience distinctly different. In the asymmetrical first
edition, one player had to take on the Keeper role, controlling the monsters and
mythos. In this edition, the app takes over that function, spawning creatures,
generating events, and even randomizing the game board to increase the mystery
and anticipation of every round. Additionally, because there is no need for a
Keeper, Mansions of Madness Second Edition can be played as a
single-player game.
The Nightmare Begins
When you sit down to play Mansions of Madness Second Edition, you will select
one of the app’s scenarios to play, each with a different story, duration,
and difficulty. The selected story will determine both the setting and objective
of your mission, however the map, items, and monsters you encounter along the
way will vary from game to game. Where an office may lie behind the door at the
end of the hallway in your first game of Cycle of Eternity, a sitting room may
appear the next time, and a study the time after that. The drawer that once held
a brass key may later contain evidence to help you solve a puzzle, and the yard
in which you once encountered a pair of chanting Cultists may now be home to a
terrifying Deep One. With these ever-changing game elements, you will never play
the same game twice; down each hall and behind every door lies another mystery
for you to uncover.
After selecting the scenario, you and your fellow players will claim
investigator identities. Each investigator has a distinctive story, driving
their quest for the truth, alongside a unique array of traits, skills, and
abilities. Take Minh Thi Phan, for example. A very balanced character, Minh is
smart, cautious, and deeply invested in her quest for the truth. Her levels of
health and sanity are neither exceptional nor lacking but allow you to explore
all avenues in your investigation. Her exceptional vigilance is also apparent in
her special ability, allowing you to reroll one die while resolving a test of
her various skills: strength, agility, observation, lore, influence, and will.
Each investigators characteristics will be balanced differently, some enabling
you to exceed in particular aspects of the game, while perhaps putting yourself
at risk in others.
After you have selected your chosen scenario and investigators, the app will
generate the random elements of your game, including the map, starting items,
monsters, and mythos events. You and your fellow investigators can distribute
the starting items and spells freely at the start, but you should consider this
decision carefully—it will require valuable time to trade later. Once the
items have been allocated, you may proceed. The app will quickly and easily
guide you through the initial set-up and subsequently thrust you into the dark,
mysterious night ahead.
Every Second Counts
Mansions of Madness Second Edition is played over a series of rounds, each made
up of two distinct and threatening phases. During the Investigator Phase, you
and your fellow players will uncover the secrets of Arkham by exploring the
shadows, investigating curious objects, solving complex puzzles, and battling
fearsome monsters. When all investigators have completed their actions, you will
confront the terrifying Mythos phase, comprised of mythos events, monster
activations, and horror checks, mercilessly testing your health and sanity.
Your primary movements around the board will take place during the
Investigator Phase, which allows each player two actions. In order to expand the
map and discover its secrets, you can execute the move, explore, and search
actions. If you are simply traversing between previously revealed locations,
moving can be a simple action, but you will likely face a far more arduous task
should you attempt to flee a nearby monster or enter a new,
undiscovered area.
Exploring the map and searching its shadows for clues are equally uncertain,
each potentially revealing new spaces, items, or information, while also
chancing the appearance of a new monster or challenging puzzle. Utilizing items
or interacting with the people and objects around you may also be critical
moves, but they may cost you precious time all the same. Your final and most
daunting choice of action is to engage with a monster, performing an attack
while putting yourself at risk. However, every monster you eliminate will mean
one less attack to face come the next phase.
Never-Ending Terror
Dread will fill you as each Mythos phase begins. Whether you are coming from
smooth victory or heartbreaking defeat, there is no respite from the horror that
awaits you. Once your Investigator phases are over, you will proceed through
three equally torturous stages of the Mythos phase: mythos events, monster
activations, and horror checks. The mythos events may affect your chosen
investigators, particular areas of the game board, or those who have performed
certain actions, testing a variety of skills. Whichever is headed your way, you
have no way of knowing, and certainly no way of preventing it.
After these events, the monsters will take their opportunity to strike,
moving closer to the nearest investigator and attacking with all their might.
How much damage you take will depend on how well you resist their vicious
assault. Pain and fear are all but inevitable, though you will have to push
through their many side effects in order to continue toward your objective.
Should you survive the monster attacks, you will endure Horror Checks, the last
stage of each Mythos phase. If you are sharp and agile, you may avoid these by
staying far away from active opponents. Any investigator within range of a
monster, however, may be in danger of taking yet another hit to their health or
sanity. The Mythos phase is truly unforgiving.
Frightened Out of Your Wits
The infinite possibilities of Mansions of Madness Second Edition will never fail
to terrify you in new and thrilling ways. When you step through the door, you
never know what you’ll find on the other side. With your dedicated and unique
team of investigators, however, you’re certain to enjoy finding out. Solve
puzzles of the mind, fight unrelenting monsters, and discover the truth as you
press forward through the cursed halls and alleys of Arkham. There’s no way
out…except going through.
The Dice Tower Seal of Excellence is a trademark of The Dice Tower,
LLC and is used with permission.
Conversion kit not included