The best games by Richard Launius 🇺🇸👨 2026

Elder Sign is a cooperative dice game set in the universe of H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, specifically the year 1926. Players assume the roles of investigators in a museum filled with occult artifacts and eldritch symbols. Their mission is to prevent the arrival of an Ancient One, a powerful entity from another dimension poised to wreak havoc on Earth.

Back from the dead and better than ever! Run Fight or Die: Reloaded is a revised edition of Richard Launius's original game.

Defenders of the Realm is a cooperative fantasy board game that immerses players in a desperate struggle to protect Monarch City and its surrounding lands from a host of encroaching evils. Players take on the roles of the King's Champions, each with unique abilities, to fend off waves of orcs, dragons, undead, and demons.

Players assume the role of fearsome rogues with countless dark conquests behind them. A formidable enemy looms: Archerex, the Lord of Dragons, guarding unimaginable treasure. As players fight to defeat the dragon and gather as many riches as possible, they must also consider the loyalty of their allies, as betrayal may lead to their downfall. The game features various victory conditions and encourages constant interaction among players as they scheme to become the most dreaded rogue.

Arkham Horror (Third Edition) is a cooperative board game set in the atmospheric backdrop of 1926 Arkham, at the height of the Roaring Twenties. This edition offers a rich narrative experience based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, where players become investigators battling against the encroaching darkness of the Ancient Ones, otherworldly beings threatening to overrun our world.

The notorious villains of Gotham City have once again put the city in danger. Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Commissioner Gordon, and the Gotham City police, along with the unlikely help of Catwoman, are all that stand between peace and total destruction.

Despite being scorned by the world, a team of heroic mutants known as the X-Men tirelessly fights to protect humanity from the dark schemes of villains. Dive into the action with a fast-paced, cooperative dice-driven card game for one to six players, where you assemble a team of iconic heroes like Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, and Jubilee, embarking on dangerous missions worldwide. Face eight different scenarios, each presenting unique challenges and culminating in a relentless showdown against villains like Dark Phoenix, Magneto, or the Hellfire Club.

Brave adventurers from across the realm venture into the Skull Cave to seek their fortune. Gold, treasures, and dangerous encounters await behind every door, so players must gather their gear, sharpen their swords, and beware of goblins.

Players assume the roles of cults seeking to summon an ancient evil and bring about the end of humanity. Each cult competes to be the first to evoke their god while fending off daring investigators trying to seal the door to the beyond. Players use a variable hand of spell cards to navigate areas or prepare spells, activating powerful abilities as they send cultists to different locations. Balancing their actions is crucial, as drawing too much attention can lead to unwanted consequences from the investigators and the game ending abruptly if they collect too many Elder Signs. The first cult to raise its summoning track to 9 wins by awakening their Elder God, signifying the world's doom.

A competitive fantasy game designed by Richard Launius, players take on the role of adventurers with unique abilities in a strategic dice game for 3 to 5 players. The aim is to collect the most points by battling or fleeing from the dragon and gathering treasures and gold in the dungeon. Players roll seven specially designed dice to focus on collecting treasures, fighting the dragon, protecting themselves, or escaping, while navigating the potential interference from their opponents.

Myrgos, the powerful and kind dragon king, has passed away, leaving the land in uncertainty. Only one of his remaining apprentices can ascend to the title of "Draco Magi" by collecting rare gemstones required for a succession spell. Players take turns deploying their dragon cards on battlefields, engaging in ranged and melee combat to secure jewels while managing their decks and strategizing against opponents.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world over 50 years after the nuclear war, players become defenders of the last known refuge of humanity, known as The Last Stand. They must unite to fend off four clans of raiders and threatening mutants while navigating mutated character abilities from venturing into radioactive areas. The game blends adventure elements with conflict resolution and features numerous miniatures, including leader figures of the invading clans.

Arkham Horror is a cooperative adventure board game set in the 1920s, deeply rooted in H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. It offers a rich narrative experience as players take on the roles of investigators in the eerie city of Arkham.

1-4 players embark on a crash course with wild foes, deadly environments, and unrestrained psychological horror. Each player controls a facet of Colonel George Taylor's psyche, working together to survive the challenges of the Planet of the Apes. Based on the classic film, it promises an exciting adventure in an unfamiliar land and is designed for fans of the genre and the movie series.

Players control a band of disturbed cultists trying to summon their chosen Lovecraftian god. Using action dice, they visit various locations in Arkham, activate abilities, and engage in combat with other players. The aim is to fulfill dark conspiracies, defeat feared investigators, and control key locations to earn victory points, with the first player to reach 13 points winning the game and bringing the world to an end. Custom action dice allow movement and various actions, but as the game progresses and cultists descend further into madness, achieving desired outcomes becomes increasingly difficult.