Quick Specs
Family / Cooperative / Monster-Bashing Adventure
10+
~1.8/5 (Light–Medium)
1–5 (best at 3–5)
~30–60 min
Cooperative Play, Action Point Allocation, Area Movement, Monster Abilities, Set Collection, Variable Player Powers
Horrified is the cooperative monster-bashing game that lets you live out your classic Universal Horror dreams without anyone actually screaming at you… unless it’s in laughter. Players take on heroes trying to save the town from iconic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, or the Mummy, each with unique abilities and challenges. It’s light enough for families but deep enough to feel strategic—and the tension ramps up nicely as each monster’s power comes into play.
What it is
This is a cooperative game where players must use movement, item collection, and teamwork to defeat monsters before the town is overrun. Each monster has a unique ability and win condition, which keeps every game fresh and ensures players need to adapt their strategy based on which threats appear first.
The setup
Players select heroes with different abilities and start at key locations on the town board. Monsters are placed on their starting spaces, each with an AI movement pattern. Items and special tools are distributed, and the hero action deck is ready for play. The game progresses in turns alternating between hero actions and monster actions.
How it plays
On a turn, each hero performs two actions: move, attack, trade items, or prepare for a special action. Monsters move and attack automatically according to their AI cards, and their powers often force players to cooperate strategically. Heroes win by completing objectives that neutralize each monster, while monsters win if they overwhelm the town by defeating heroes or spreading terror. Timing, positioning, and communication are key.
Why the pacing works
- Early game: players explore, collect items, and gauge monster patterns
- Midgame: monsters become a pressing threat, and teamwork starts to matter more
- Late game: high-stakes decisions—coordinated attacks and resource management can make or break victory
Table feel
Horrified is highly interactive and cooperative. Players are constantly discussing moves, sharing items, and planning attacks, which makes it perfect for families or groups that enjoy teamwork. Best at 3–5, where multiple heroes can synergize and cover more ground, but it still plays fine solo or with two players using all available heroes.
Who it’s for
- Families and casual groups who want cooperative adventure and thematic monsters
- Players who enjoy planning, teamwork, and managing multiple threats
- Best for game nights where everyone wants a shared challenge without elimination
- You’ll like it if you enjoy iconic monsters, light strategy, and fun hero powers
Less ideal for
- Not great for highly competitive groups or those who dislike cooperative play
- Avoid if you want heavy strategy; the game is approachable and leans toward fun tension
- Also note: monster abilities scale with the number of players, so adjust accordingly
Desert Meeples Beginner Tip + Verdict
New to Horrified? Focus on coordinating heroes early, using each power to complement others. Prioritize monsters that spread terror quickly and don’t get greedy—sometimes one monster is more urgent than a tempting item pick. Communication is your best tool.
Verdict: Horrified is a fantastic family-friendly co-op: tense, fun, and thematic, with enough variety in monsters and hero abilities to keep each session fresh. It’s a perfect introduction to cooperative adventure games for mixed-age tables.
