Great Board Games To Play If you Like Risk

I’m a sucker for Risk, and have played many editions over the years. However, it’s nice to spice things up and play other dudes-on-a-map wargames. As this is my favorite genre of board game, I gladly present to you some of the best board games to play if you like Risk.

878 Vikings

878 Vikings is a lesser-known board game set during the Viking invasions of England. Although it may seem rather removed from Risk, the staple of moving around your minis to fight your opponents is the same.

878 Vikings benefit from its own special dice and two different sides with two different winning objectives. The British must repel the tides of Vikings that keep seeming to invade the shores and attack and pillage cities. With different systems and approaches to playing the game, the asymmetry 878 Vikings provides a natural step up from Risk, offering more inherent replayability.

This is the perfect next step if you want something that shares the same vibe as Risk but takes things up a notch and goes into its own direction.

War of the Ring

War of the Ring is a huge board game that should only be taken on if both parties are ready for it. With loads of rules, complications, minis, and cards, War of the Ring simulates the epic tales of the film franchise perfectly.

Both sides in War of the Ring have different objectives and systems to such a degree that it’s like you’re both playing different games. However, the quintessential practice of moving figures around and rolling dice is the same. It’s like Risk if a million more rules and additions were thrown upon it.

If you’re ready to graduate Risk and take on something much more complicated but rewarding, you can dive into War of the Ring.

Star Wars Rebellion

Star Wars: Rebellion is a grand game that takes the formula of Risk, and Star Wars-ifies it. Yet another asymmetrical game for two players, Star Wars: Rebellion offers the side of the Empire and the Rebellion in cosmic dudes-on-a-map gameplay.

The Empire in Star Wars: Rebellion will be seeking out the Rebel base by chauffeuring their many units, aircraft, and even the Death Star, to different planets they suspect may be harboring the Rebels. They, on the other hand, will be carrying out sabotage and guerrilla warfare to take down the mighty Empire.

If you’re looking for something more thematic and interesting than Risk, then Star Wars: Rebellion may provide the tense gaming experience you’re looking for.

A War of Whispers

I’ve recommended A War of Whispers before, and I’ll do so till the cows come home. If you’re tired of being the ones in charge of the armies in Risk, then why don’t you play as agents manipulating the conflicts behind the scenes?

In A War of Whispers, each player is an agent and will secretly vy for different end states for each of the factions on the board. As each player takes their turn, they’ll be mustering, moving, and ordering troops to fight. Despite having the same appeal as Risk, with the map and the battles, it’s a very political and intriguing game.

For an alternative take on the classic Risk-esque formula, A War of Whispers is an excellent board game that puts you in a position of secrecy and guile.

Small World

Small World is a wonderfully succinct and tight board game about setting up and retiring empires as every player battles to control the most land throughout the game.

Unlike Risk, you won’t use armies on the board to battle other regions, as you’ll send your off-board tokens to conquer instead. As you run out of tokens for a race, you can put them into decline. This means you can play as another race, but you’ll still benefit from the previous race’s presence by earning victory points for their dominated regions.

In a tight game of constant conquest and knowing when to call it quits, Small World provides a refreshing new take on what war games can be.

Inis

Inis is like Risk, but if it was an epic fantasy adventure and if everyone got along every once in a while. Playing on a procedurally-generated map with multiple win conditions, Inis provides an exciting game that feels like Risk with a rich story added to the experience.

You and other players will explore new lands while working toward your victory condition. But this means that you must refrain from fighting with others and instead come together at festivals. There are no dice in Inis, but the combat benefits from a more fleshed-out system.

If you’ve ever wanted your Risk games to have more of a narrative, then Inis is the perfect board game for you to try.

Twilight Imperium

Where to even begin with Twilight Imperium? This is such a colossal and classic game that it may feel completely removed from Risk. However, for those who enjoy Risk and also love more complex and dramatic board games, you can’t get much better than Twilight Imperium.

As though a literal space opera, each player will take on a different race in a bid against each other to claim the stars. As everyone slowly makes their way toward the center of the galaxy with their multitude of ships and units, the border everyone shares grows longer and longer.

A very economic and political game, Twilight Imperium is Risk on steroids. Could you handle it?

Kemet

Kemet is a tight and innovative war game that combines so many ideas I’m surprised it runs as well and as quickly as it does.

In a twist on the typical Risk-like formula of sniping weak targets and lugging your units around to establish areas of control, Kemet immediately springs everyone into the action with one-way teleports and promoting aggression. In this game, you gain a victory point for every battle you win that you start, and you only need to get eight points.

Kemet doesn’t use dice, but it uses a dramatic sleight-of-hand deck system that makes every battle so much more interesting than standard dice. Additionally, the inclusion of other epic units that you can field (that nobody else can!) makes Kemet a quick epic that doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Axis & Allies

I’m surprised that Axis & Allies is the only World War 2 game on this list. Although it’s a war game, it’s a much more serious one than Risk, making it a great next option for those wanting a more strategic and grounded experience.

In Axis & Allies, you’ll build up an economy and try to maintain it while fighting off your foes. As the teams begin in the same positions at the start of each game, Axis & Allies acts more like a strategic puzzle players can keep trying to get right and experiment with.

If you’re ready for a war game with more systems and unit types, Axis & Allies is a must-try.

Nexus Ops

Nexus Ops is a popular recommendation for Risk substitutes, and I can see why. In a war game with many unit types and a map that’ll be slightly different every time you play it, Nexus Ops allows for a tight game of exploration and conquest.

The game is won through victory points, although it is possible to eliminate a player to call the end of the game quicker. Every army will have access to the same types of units, making it more symmetrical than other titles on this list to be more familiar for Risk fans, although which units a player chooses is up to them.

In a board tied up with conflicts spanning many rounds, mines holding untold riches, and strange beasts that you’ll be waging war with, Nexus Ops is a deceptively simple war game similar to Risk.

With these excellent suggestions of Risk-adjacent board games, you can start your next game night with your new favorite.

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