**Elder Sign: Omens for iPad is sold separately and is only compatible on iPads.**
“GAME OF THE WEEK” - G4TV.com
TOUCH ARCADE - 4.5 out of 5
148APPS.COM - 4.5 out of 5
GAMEZEBO- 4.5 out of 5
BOARD GAME GEEK - 3 out of 4
The tense excitement of Elder Sign is now available on your mobile device! Elder Sign: Omens places you in control of up to four intrepid investigators, as they fight to keep all-powerful Ancient Ones from invading our world through a museum’s arcane exhibits!
*Build a team of unique investigators*
*Explore an ever-changing museum*
*Face challenging arcane tasks*
*Save the world from absolute destruction*
*Expand the horror with exciting in-app purchases*
Can you stand against the impending arrival of a malevolent Ancient One?
While Elder Sign: Omens brilliantly conveys the spirit of the Elder Sign dice game, a few noteworthy differences were adopted to optimize the mobile play experience:
-A limited number of available Ancient Ones streamlines the game play experience while offering adjustable levels of difficulty. Face Yig in normal mode, Azathoth in difficult mode, or Cthulhu in very hard mode (in-app purchase required to face Cthulhu).
-A number of subtle changes increase the peril of defending humanity. For example, the random negative effects drawn every midnight are more challenging, and the frequency of “no effect” results has been decreased. Monsters have likewise been altered to make them more difficult.
-Finally, there are no Ally cards in Elder Sign: Omens, which further streamlines play while increasing the overall challenge.
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This version
3.62 (69)
Promo video
N/A
Icon
0.5/0.5
Rating quality
0.6/1.0
Rating volume
0.2/1.0
Heuristic score · not affiliated with Apple or Google.
Signals: version bump ≤ 7 days + review velocity ≥ 1.5× the 7-day median. Both ⇒ Active event; version only ⇒ Recent update; spike only ⇒ High engagement.
Update History
v1.5.0
Apple
released 6/12/2017
Release notesHide notes
This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.
Updated to support 64-bit iOS devices!
Optimizations to reduce overall file size.
Versions observed by AppWolf's store pollers · newest first · up to 50 shown. History begins when an app enters our catalog - earlier versions aren't retroactively visible.
Reviews
Sentiment
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50 of 50 loaded reviews
Apple
1y ago
meh
Its fun, but i disagree with the statement from the dev saying “some games arnt ment to be beat”
the fact that its hard coded some playthroughs are programmed to be doomed from the start is unfair. it takes all the skill out of the game and has you wondering through out the whole playthrough if this is one of them.
i wish they would get rid of the doomsday patch and revert it back to how it used to be to be upon release. having the game autodecide if youll win or lose at the start, regardless of the probabilities, is unfair and takes away from the experience.
- DagonOfSarnath · v1.5.0
Apple
2y ago
Excellent implementation of an excellent game
Each turn, your investigator has several choices of locations to investigate. You investigate by rolling dice and trying to match them to symbols on the location card. Each investigator has their own special ability. One is immune to terror effects. Can can do more than one match with a given roll. One gets extra clue tokens that let you reroll. There’s a lot of luck of course. It’s dice after all. But there’s considerable judgment and strategy too. And the theme is well done.
- Ronbo13 · v1.5.0
Apple
2y ago
Okay game but major balance issues
For .99 cents the game isn’t bad but it’s not good either. The game has major balance issues with the dice rolls. To the point it’s frustrating and there isn’t much joy in the game. Not even the actual board game this game is based off has dice rolls this bad. Unfortunately, doubt the developers of this app will never look into this balance issue and rework the dice rolls to be more fair as it’s all but confirmed they’ve abandoned this app and have no intent on addressing the dice roll balance issues that have plagued this app since day one. Buy at your own risk and be prepared to question your sanity if you do buy this app.
- Alpha_Ryvius · v1.5.0
Apple
2y ago
Not well designed
I really wanted to like this app because I enjoy the board game version but this is just too awkward to use. It takes several minutes for the game to load after you pick your team and elder god. There should be some way to skip the intro garbage and ust play the game but every time you have to wait for the game to finish the silly little animation thing at the start. I don't play this very often precisely for this reason. I actually tried to play again this morning but the app just locked up during the first quest and I had to restart my phone to get out of it at all. This could have been a great game but it's just not very well designed from a UX standpoint.
- zandergraphics · v1.5.0
Apple
3y ago
This game is waaaaaay to hard
Don’t get or spend any money on it. Even on easy you can’t win. If you like losing EVERY SINGLE TIME then get it. I like FF board games… this is nothing like that, almost unbeatable.
- Fobaxax · v1.5.0
Apple
3y ago
Abandoned software
Hasn’t been updated in five years. Lots of bugs on the iPhone. 13 freezes doesn’t respond to input and so on. Skip it.
- jsaenz · v1.5.0
Apple
4y ago
Great Game !
I have played omens for a few years and still enjoy it. I have one suggestion, make difficulty a selection in the pre museum screen and not have a difficulty bond to a old one.
- Nightcap86 · v1.5.0
Apple
4y ago
Very good iOS port.
This game runs smooth and is true to the table top game. Very few things like spells work a bit different but once you get the rules down super solid.
The only bummer is if you turn off your phone screen during a movie scene it completely freezes and you lose progress. Exiting by flipping it up out of the way does it too but only during movies. Usually everything loads back in just fine if it is in between turns.
I defeated Nyarlathotep(no spoilers but SUPER tough fight) my break ended during the movie so I had to shut off my screen and when I came back to it, it was stuck and I lost my entire game.
I have screenshots of the win and the movies that play but my unlockable character is still locked.
I will try to win again but that felt like a once in a while good luck streak to win.
P.S. if anyone from Famtasy Flight sees this, is there a way to restore or get my investigator unlocked? If not no biggie but I am curious.
- Chunkestyle · v1.5.0
Apple
4y ago
Like playing slots at a casino(not in a good way)
The variability of playing anything above easy feels like the rolls are absolutely against you, giving you everything but the results you need. Makes the game feel frustrating and not at all like you have a chance. I’ve had to start over on just the second level so many times, I may just delete the game out of pure frustration.
- Zaxion_Kai · v1.5.0
Apple
4y ago
No sound
Just bought the game and there’s no sound on the iPad or iPhone.
- Marly_Coffman · v1.5.0
Apple
5y ago
Fun but now buggy
Been playing since it came out, but now it crashes on launch.
- Yellowkryptonite · v1.5.0
Apple
5y ago
Great app. One of my favorites.
I’ve played this a ton and enjoy it.
Just wish they would update the app to fit modern phones. iPhone 12 just launched and this app is still designed for screens from 5 years ago. 🤔
Full screen please.
- Patrick Kerwin · v1.5.0
Apple
6y ago
Abandoned?
Edit: 3 years and counting since an update. :(
———
I used to play this almost every day; I have all the DLC. One of the best games of its time on the app store.
Except now, it's been seemingly abandoned; nearly 2.5 years sinxe the last update.
I check back in periodically to see if anything new is up, but am consistently disappointed.
- Tx_Hobbes · v1.5.0
Apple
7y ago
Hard but worth it!!!
This game can be awesome and very much captures the atmosphere of H. P. Lovecraft’s works.
It can be a little fickle in that sometimes you get dealt a losing selection of events but even that helps you learn how to prioritize which event you’ll attack first.
As with the tabletop version, choosing the right character for the right event is CRITICAL!
The expansion adds more challenging encounters some of which are insanely difficult (seriously, Ithaqua difficulty level is actually labelled “Insane!”).
Great game though occasionally frustrating. Worth purchasing!
- Caledronius · v1.5.0
Apple
7y ago
Unskippable Cinematics and Bad Design
Long unakippable cinemaatics at the start and end of every match. It's not that the game is too random, it's that the randomness is poorly planned and feels even more punishing and demoralizing than it is. Rally questionable game design.
- JWHuwitz · v1.5.0
Apple
7y ago
Impossible to win
Waste of money. Game relies on the roll of the dice. I played one game where I never achieved a roll to complete the task. Recommend Catan instead
- DisneyDamsel98 · v1.5.0
Apple
7y ago
Was great years ago, but now crap.
I bought this game years ago, but the lack of support has brought it to its knees literally. I can’t even get through a game at this point without it freezing up. Do not buy unless they fix.
- Supermansabotage · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Waste
Waste of money and time.
- Joet777 · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Amazing Games
This game is wonderful. At first glance, one might think luck is the only requirement to win the game, but actually technic is also important. Basically you need to choose the CORRECT characters for the mission and to use resources efficiently. But certain adventures (one or two) in the game can be too luck dependent and this is a little bit annoying. DLC contains newly designed adventures and they definitely worse the price. But nevertheless this is the game that you won’t play twice after you succeed, so it is reasonable to make it difficult. LOL.
P.S. Hint: This game can be soloed with only one investigator and it’s interesting (and perhaps helpful) to do so, especially when against SOME monster.
- Mutnau · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Fun, but practically impossible
This game would be a lot more fun if it were more possible to win. The main issue is that the game itself doesn’t scale and it’s too luck-heavy.
The game sometimes (and usually) starts you off against tasks that require far more preparation and items than you start with, making it near impossible to get the ball rolling. Even if you do manage to beat an early task, the game can easily spiral out of control.
As with most games involving dice, this game is a little too dependent on luck. Even if you’re fully stocked and armed to the teeth, you can still scrub out and fail the task, potentially getting killed off right off the bat. There’s very little strategy involved.
However, this app is probably better than buying the actual board game and getting frustrated at how much money you spent on that, so I would recommend the app over the board game if you NEED to play it. All in all, though, save your money and buy something like Ascension instead.
- odd_duck_21 · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Sound No longer works.
The sound no longer works for this game. Please fix.
- ThornOfEnvy · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Won't work
Literally just bought this game and it keeps telling unable to download.
- JonathanOK · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Fantastic IOS port
Like the title says, this is probably the best or one of the best board game ports I’ve ever played.
Its a little annoying that the expansions are all priced so high, but its hard to complain when the physical game is 10x more expensive.
Super fun, this could easily be played in a group on a tablet as well, the only thing that you are missing by not playing the physical copy is the dice chucking but again thats okay!
Don’t understand why it is ranked so low as of when I’m writing this review.
- LiLxDRUMMERxBOY a · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
IPhone X
We need iPhone X full screen support! Great game though it’s a perfect example of how to take a board game and make it a video game.
Now if they only made an iOS version of Arkham Horror card game, Arkham Horror & Eldritch Horror.
- Sanguinous Rex · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Fantastic game, however...
This game is great! Really well ported to iOS. The problem is there is no skip button for the intro video!!!!!! Having watched it around a hundred times now I’m fed up!!!!
- PeterSzG126 · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Crazy difficult!
Go read the blogs before you buy, people. I sure didn’t, and everyone agrees that this game is nearly impossible to win, even on the so-called easy levels. Everything is trying to make you lose the game, and the one time I actually got enough elder signs, the doom track advanced and I STILL LOST. I want my $3.99 back.
- Reformed Cultist · v1.5.0
Apple
8y ago
Great game - faulty update
The game is addictive and the expansions (small extra cost) really create some interesting variants. With the recent update however, the sound no longer works quite right and lost the ability to skip through the opening story and other story elements (which takes awhile - really don’t enjoy sitting through that every time).
- GamerAlan · v1.5.0
Apple
9y ago
Pretty but broken
The dice mechanic is broken. Pretty much impossible to achieve anything. Encounter win ratio is 3/10 which is ridiculous.
- ArtieAP · v1.5.0
Apple
9y ago
Fantastic Game!
Love this game - challenging, but once you get used to the mechanics, quite fun and definitely winnable. Awesome that the developers just updated it to be 64bit!
- Phoeneix · v1.4.4
Apple
9y ago
Favorite iOS Boardgame
So many boardgames that make it onto iOS just don't capture my imagination, but this one's different. Maybe it's the fact that it's cooperative rather than competitive. Maybe it's because winning is so rare that you can enjoy a good game even if you lose. Whatever it is, this one's my favorite, and I'm glad they took the time to update it to 64-bit.
- Ubisububi · v1.5.0
Apple
9y ago
Please update this to 64 bit!
Please update this to 64 bit!
- Taxburdett · v1.4.4
Apple
9y ago
Practically Unwinnable
Almost impossible to win at any difficulty. The glyph rolls almost never give you a matching marker until your third roll if any, forcing you to be penalized time and time again, destroying your HP and Sanity while the computer racks up Doom counters and monsters on the board. There's almost no rhyme or reason to the A.I.; you will either be crushingly defeated or just narrowly beaten. There is no winning in The Elder Sign. Don't bother with this at all.
- Eddie Villegas · v1.4.4
Apple
9y ago
Disappointing
Elder Sign is one of my favorite board games, so of coarse I bought it on the App Store. It's way harder than the board game. The dice rolls are close to impossible to get right. I'm up to a hard challenge but it's so hard I can't get my wife to even play it anymore. Love it cause it has sooo much potential but it's mostly just disappointing
- AaronAceAllison · v1.4.4
Apple
9y ago
Not much fun
I wanted to like this game. I really did. I'm a big Lovecraft fan. The thing is, this game isn't much fun because winning is just stupid difficult. I'm not afraid of a challenge but with no wins after a couple dozen games, there's not much motivation to keep playing. I'm sorry I paid for it. It's been deleted. For good.
- grilo_joe · v1.4.4
Apple
9y ago
Great board game to video game transition
I'm so surprised to see how low this game is rated. It's such a fantastic gameplay experience with great art and mood setting. It's smart, challenging, complex but also immensely satisfying.
I played the board game version two or three times with friends and enjoyed it, so I recently decided to pick up the video game version. First off, like the board game, the video game is not a gimme to win. It's a combination of luck, skill, and understanding of the various gameplay tactics. (Backstory, Elder sign is a simplified version of Arkham Horror, which is a six hour marathon of a game).
It took me a little while to learn the mechanics of the video game version, like how to focus the glyphs on a roll (basically, save the glyph you want). And it took even longer to get really good at learning how to select teams, how to manage resources like your spell and unique item cards, and how to send the right investigator in for a particular challenge. Sometimes luck isn't on your side and you get bad rolls, or you get loaded up on hard adventures. But sometimes it all comes together and it's much more satisfying for not always being easy.
I've gotten to the point where I can usually beat the basic games. I liked the game so much that I purchased all three expansions and I have yet to beat any of those, but I'm getting close.
The expansions also give you new investigators. The Cthulhu expansion gives awesome investigators, the Alaska one has some good ones, but I wasn't excited about the investigators from the Egypt expansion (although Egypt has my favorite actual gameplay from any expansion).
In short, get this if you want to sink your teeth into a game and spend some time building your skills in it. If you want a fast game that you can play a few times, win and move on, it's probably not the right pick.
- Unaragazza · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Major bug in the glyph rolls
I like the idea behind this game, and I can imagine that I'd like the board game. But, as others have said, the glyph rolls just do not seem random.
Example from my last game: my investigator deploys yellow and red glyphs, needs a Peril roll, does not get it in 4 or 5 rolls. Failed adventure. Next adventure, my investigator deploys a red glyph, needs a few Lore rolls, does not get it the entire time. These are easy adventures, impossible to complete because the dice do not ever show what you need.
Yes, random dice based games result in this kind of behavior. But for me, this is consistent. Easy was easy, normal so far has been impossible.
I don't chalk this up to deliberate programming as some other reviewers have. I believe this is a bug that needs to be addressed. Particularly since it is obviously not happening to all players, based on the reviews.
- FerociousBeastX · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Excellent game. Expect to die. A lot.
First of all, in the last week I've played between 2 to 3 dozen rounds of this and have yet to beat the baddie once. Let me tell you why that is, and also why this game is a fantastic little horror gem. I have a deep seated love for the Lovecraft mythos and a general understanding of what a game emulating Lovecraft's themes should include, and this game does it well.
Anyone that says this game is "too hard" either 1) doesn't understand the nature of the game or 2) the nature of Lovecraft's works.
Let me address these 2 points. First of all, the nature of the game: the foundation of this game is dice rolls. Your ultimate success is based on chance and is altogether subject to RNG. There are certain guidelines that the game abides by (for example, difficulty levels, investigator selections, tool use timing and risks taken) and there is little that you, as a player, can do to manipulate the random aspects of this game. That doesn't mean you are powerless. As I listed above there are ways you can guide the general direction of the game, and influence ultimate goals, abilities and requirements.
Second, subject matter. Lovecraft's universe is a scary place and you as a member of the human race most often will end up succumbing to madness and ultimate failure, which you should expect from a cosmic horror game or piece of literature. Even when you "win", you're still just a meaningless human that doesn't hold a candle to the madness and chaos that is the eldritch existence and it's implications.
My first game I had no idea what I was doing and was going on adventures left and right with no thought to what I could do to affect the outcome and often ended in very little success (that is, total failure). I estimate I've about 2 or 3 dozen plays or so. My most recent game played I got to 9 elder signs (of 10 needed... So close!), and pulled an unfortunate combo of 2 doom tokens at the stroke of midnight which put me over the limit and ended the game. So I have gotten close to winning, once.
It should also be noted that I've only played this game on easy, that is, against Yig, and have yet to beat him. There is plenty of replay value here as long as you expect not to "win". You should expect to lose, to fight tooth and nail, to claw your way out of insanity's pit, to assess your last game and try to figure out what you could have done differently, or simply get back on the horse that tossed you for the 50th time.
- AngryByte · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Could of been good
I can't win and I can't play with other people
- spaceace90278 · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Skewed Results
As I absolutely love the tabletop game itself, this one is terrible.
The programming skews the results badly. It either makes you fail every time or you succeed every time. It never feels quite like real dice.
I can usually tell right away that I am going to fail or pass a test as soon as the first dice are rolled.
Too much money for this kind of randomness.
- Xcutionist · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Fun, great art and atmosphere
I had a lot of fun playing this game. I liked building my team, and choosing which encounter to go after next. My first win came with one remaining investigator and a nearly full doom track, leading to an exciting conclusion. Looks like there will be more maps, monsters, and investigators in the next update. I look forward to it!
- Logical Eagle · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Beautiful but cheats
First the positive: game looks great. Artwork is nicely done and emulates art from the board game very well. The bad side, and it's a big one, is the game flat out skews the dice rolls. I want truly random outcomes...this game doesn't do that. I have the boards game and have never had as many failed rolls as this thing throws at you. Waste of money.
- NWSkyDriver · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
A strategy game that will torment you!
First off, the game does not cheat. You have to find the right mix of investigators for the adventures and be careful about playing spells, clues and red and yellow dice rolls. If you come out swinging as soon as the game starts, you will be devoured! You can win this game! Though it might be by a very close call!! It is brutal and challenging!
- Brook V · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Cheap Tactics
First the good: it's beautiful game using the artwork that makes FFG's board games so atmospheric. In addition, the game has run smoothly for me with no technical issues.
The Bad: The game cheats. There's no other way to say it. Play the easy boss and almost every roll seems to give you what you need. Move up to the next difficulty boss and suddenly you can even roll a single Investigation (the most abundant result on all the dice) when needed.
That's no to say the game can't be won, it just means that the game is PROGRAMMED to stop you. The difficulty is artificial and has no connection to the boss itself, it's just written into the programming.
In other words, you're playing with a cheater.
Whether it's cheating to make you win or cheating to make you lose, it's a disingenuous experience. Some people may not mind but I can't stand this type of idea in gaming. And shame on the makers of this game for violating the spirit of gamesmanship.
So basically I've had my money stolen by tricksters when I just wanted a way to play this game digitally on the go. I suppose I'll have to just break out the physical version when I have time if I want to experience the TRUE game.
- n107 · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Awesome game
Best translation from board to phone that I could ask for. I have a few nitpicks though.
I would have liked a tutorial instead of videos, but after I poked around the menus, I'm extremely happy.
This one I'm torn on. Expansions are cool and all, but the three expansions they offer here are actually the complete core game from the table top. Or at least two are. After seeing that, I felt like I paid for an incomplete game. HOWEVER: this game is a lot cheaper than most table top translation games (by half almost) so, I kind of like the idea that I'm buying a smaller version to see if I like it. Which I do. And I will buy the expansions.
So, that's my cons, my pros are that its every bit the experience you get from the table top playing solo.
I highly recommend the game.
- MCoverKT · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Hate to love it.
An evil little slot machine that will repeatedly bite you in the butt in sometimes downright unfair ways (I'm looking at you, midnight effect right before midnight). But it's pretty, and given that it has me coming back for more again and again and again, it would hardly make sense for me to rate the game low. I'm obviously entertained, and the pleasure quite outweighs the frequent frustration. If you like your games challenging--REALLY challenging--you can consider this a recommendation.
- hlb · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Not worth the price.
I would first like to say that this game is definitely beatable. I have won 80% of the time. That's out of about 10 games or so. Saying that, I would say it's not worth the money. They give only 4 bosses to play, and you have to pay way to much to unlock more. Also they only have maybe half the characters available and the rest have to be purchased. I'm already getting bored with the bosses and will not be spending more money to unlock the rest. They should change it. Thanks for a fun, yet too expensive game.
- Supermcghie · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
A Fantastic Game
I don't ordinarily leave many reviews but when I saw how low-rated this app was, I had to sign in. I've spent dozens of hours with this game since I originally bought it. It's very well designed and the game is intended to be challenging—you really have to play and lose a few times before you start to grasp the underlying strategies.
Finally, understand that this is Lovecraft. The entire mythos is based on the concept that mankind is fighting a losing battle against overwhelming dark forces and victory does not come easy or cheap.
- Vandaexpress · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Ramos up too fast
The tasks become way too tough after the first "easy" level.
- Snag1313 · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Game is not hard once you figure out the styles
This is a great game and It convinced me to buy the board game and both expansions along with Eldritch Horror.
- Kdl88 · v1.4.4
Apple
10y ago
Works great, not hard, helped with board game.
As the title says, the app isn't hard or impossible. As with most ffg card/board games, it's complex but that's what I love so much about them. These sort of board games needs to be fully understood prior to judgement, learn the rules to the game, then play it.
Why I'm so appreciative that ffg released this app is because I was hesitant of purchasing the board game due to how complex the gameplay might be. After playing (and learning the game) for a couple days and went right out and bought the hard copy. The gameplay on the hard copy is just as amazing, if not more. I recommend that as well!
LEARN THE GAME, THEN PASS JUDGMENT.
- Judaschrist · v1.4.4
Player Voice for this app
Complaint themes, feature requests, churn signals, and CSV export - on the Pro and Agency plans.
