Looking for a board game that scratches the Nemesis + Betrayal itch
TL;DR
Looking for a highly replayable, component-heavy board game similar to Nemesis/Betrayal at House on the Hill. Ideally:
-Solo and/or co-op, preferably with semi-co-op/secret betrayal
-Character-based without tons of inventory/equipment management
-Horror/creepy lurking threats
-Exploration and/or a changing board
-Lots of physical components (minis, cards, tiles, tokens, etc.)
-Multiple scenarios/characters/enemies for replayability
-Game can dramatically change mid-game
-Longer/heavier games are fine
Basically: "Dump a huge box of stuff on the table, choose characters, start exploring, and see what horrible thing happens this time."
Main Message:
I'm looking for some board game recommendationsand would love suggestions from people who have played a LOT of hobby/modern board games.
I've really enjoyed Nemesis, but I'm having a hard time finding a copy of the OG (non-expansions), so I'm looking for something that can scratch a similar itch. I'm also a big fan of Betrayal at House on the Hill.
What I really like about these games isn't necessarily just the horror theme. It's the experience of setting up a huge game with lots of physical components, maybe some Monsters, and then having the game create a story as you play.
Things I'm particularly looking for:
- Solo and/or cooperative play would be great. Ideally something that can work solo but is also fun with a group.
- I LOVE semi-cooperative games where everyone starts out working together, but players may have their own secret objectives or someone can potentially sabotage/betray the group to win for themselves.
- I like playing as different characters with unique abilities, but I don't necessarily want a game where I'm constantly managing a huge inventory, tons of equipment, dozens of abilities, crafting, etc.
Creepy/horror elements are a big plus. I love the feeling that there might be something lurking somewhere that we haven't encountered yet.
- Exploration is a big plus. I really enjoyed the room/ ship exploration in Nemesis and the way the board develops as you play.
-I LOVE games with a lot of physical componentsminiatures, cards, tiles, tokens, dice, etc. I actually enjoy the "holy crap, look at all the stuff in this box" aspect of Nemesis. A game that takes a little while to set up because there is a lot to it is totally fine with me.
- High replayability is important. Ideally there are different scenarios, characters, enemies, maps, objectives, combinations, etc. so that you're not essentially playing the same game every time.
- I really like when the game itself can change dramatically as you play. For example, in Betrayal, you start out exploring the house and cooperating, then the Haunt happens and suddenly the entire game changes. Nemesis having a similar feeling where things can start relatively controlled and eventually turn into complete chaos because you thought you all had to go to the pod together but player 1 needed to secretly blow up the ship.
- I don't mind a longer/heavier game. I'm actually looking for something substantial rather than a quick 30-minute game.
- No mandatory companion app would be preferable. I'm not necessarily against an app, but I'd rather own a physical game that I can still play years down the road even if the publisher stops supporting an app. As I understand it, Mansions of Madness you have to use an app to play.
What games would you recommend that fit this general style?