HORRIFIED: WORLD OF MONSTERS Board Game Review: The Best One Yet!
What’s in the Box?
Horrified: World of Monsters is the fourth installment in the Horrified series by Ravensburger, and it brings some exciting new additions. This version introduces four new monsters: Cthulhu, the Yeti, the Sphinx, and the Jiangshi—each with its own unique challenge board. The game supports up to five players and includes all the standard game pieces you’d expect from a Horrified title. If you already own Horrified: Greek Monsters, be sure to read the rules carefully because you can combine monsters from both versions for even more variety.
Gameplay & Design
In terms of design, Horrified: World of Monsters takes a huge step forward. The standout addition is Cthulhu, the "monster of all monsters," and Ravensburger really makes Cthulhu’s presence felt by requiring two separate boards to defeat him. The game stays true to the Horrified formula while amplifying the experience: a battlefield centered around an epic portal, well-crafted character pieces that feel powerful enough to take on the monsters, and some of the most unique legend designs in the series. It’s a whimsical, yet intense monster hunt, and World of Monsters nails the balance perfectly.
When it comes to gameplay, the core mechanics remain familiar—you still take actions, gather items, and solve puzzles to defeat the monsters. The big difference is that this version lets you bring in the Greek monsters as well, adding even more flexibility and fun to the experience.
Feedback
I don’t have much to critique here. Each of the four monsters presents a fun and unique challenge with varying degrees of difficulty. The only possible improvement would be to include another single monster, but even then, the ability to mix and match monsters from World of Monsters and Greek Monsters makes up for it. If future expansions combined American or Universal monsters, it would be incredible, but as it stands, this game is already close to perfect.
Verdict
Each installment of Horrified has built on its predecessor, refining at least one aspect of the gameplay. Horrified: Greek Monsters came close to perfection, but World of Monsters takes it a step further. It enhances the most enjoyable elements of the franchise while introducing even more creative puzzles for each monster—Cthulhu even has a second phase! Best of all, this is the first game in the series that lets you mix and match monsters from different Horrified games, fulfilling a long-time fan wish.
Well done, Ravensburger—well done.