Risk is a board game franchise that’s been around for a long, long time. Throughout the years, there have been many editions of the game to hit the shelves, so let’s go over the best ones that are available.
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Risk (Revised Edition)
I have a very long history of playing this specific Risk, and although I’d typically opt to play with a more exciting Risk these days, Risk (Revised Edition) is the best edition for a classic game of Risk.
Risk (Revised Edition) benefits from maintaining the classic Risk game whilst adding a few extra optional features, such as objectives, capital cities, and factories. If you only want to spice up your Risk game a little without it revolving around another franchise or adding a million rules, then this is the way to go.
Just don’t get scarred for life by throwing dozens upon dozens of soldiers into one province and losing to the same pip every time. I get flashbacks of the Alaska Incident to this day…
Risk: Plants Vs. Zombies
Risk: Plants Vs. Zombies is a very interesting case, for it provides a two-player Risk game with a whole new tower defense game mode. In some respects, this edition will be one of the worst Risks for many, and yet I can’t help but praise it.
The franchise is sorely lacking in two-player Risk games, and this Plants Vs. Zombies edition provides a whole new extra game to check out. Although I can’t rate this Risk as high as the others, it’s definitely one of the best thanks to how accessible and unique it is. No other Risk games have a whole other game attached to them.
If you’re in the need of a two-player risk, then Risk: Plants Vs. Zombies will provide you with a unique experience.
Risk: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition
Risk: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition takes the players through the turmoil of Middle Earth. This edition of Risk is largely the same as the base game if you ignore the thematic art style. However, with the ring snaking its way through Middle Earth, both sides are presented with a secondary winning condition.
This game contains sites of power and leaders to elevate the base game with added strategy, but the feature that will grab everyone’s attention is the ring on the board. The forces of good will be trying to protect the ring as it slowly advances, and the forces of evil will be trying to find the ring with incredibly low odds.
Naturally, the basic winning condition of killing all your foes is in effect here, although neither side can afford to neglect the ring, making for an interesting playthrough every time.
Risk: Star Wars Clone Wars Edition
Whether you’re a fan of the Clone Wars or not, Risk: Star Wars Clone Wars Edition adds interesting new mechanics to the Risk game that provide what feels like an entirely new game. I’ve played this game a lot, and it’s always a fast-paced and unpredictable game that I can’t get enough of.
In Risk: Star Wars The Clone Wars Edition, 2 to 4 players will be put into two teams: the Separatists and the Republic. Joining the regular battalions will be three different types of aircraft that buff the army they’re attached to; and cards with special abilities keep changing the tides of war with surprise attacks and battle bonuses.
As the games progress, the evil Darth Sidious grows in power. At any point before their turn, the Separatists can call Order 66 to change the galaxy. How early or late this is played is a key factor, and calling it can seriously harm the Republic, but leaves the Separatists very vulnerable to a game-ending Republic strike.
Risk: Game of Thrones
Risk: Game of Thrones may not reinvent the game, but it adds many features that elevate Risk into a deeper strategic game. With more than one way to win, castles, objectives, and two maps you can play across (Westeros and Essos), this edition beefs up the game you know and love.
You don’t need to enjoy the show to enjoy Risk: Game of Thrones. If you ignore the thematic dressings, you’ll notice a richer Risk experience thanks to the many other systems that are supported. I love the options that this edition brings and I find myself ruminating over my possibilities like a deranged monarch before sailing my forces across the continent for a surprise attack.
Fair warning, however, as Risk: Game of Thrones is considerably longer thanks to the decision-making and options the game can give you, but the other winning conditions can curb the game from going on for too long.
Risk: Star Wars
Take to the cold void of space to engage in galactic combat in Risk: Star Wars. Interestingly, the board of this game takes place over the final stand of the rebellion over Endor instead of complete galactic conquest as one may assume.
What makes Risk: Star Wars special is the asymmetry and the many special pieces that make combat thrilling. The Rebellion will be trying to destroy the Death Star at the center of the board, whereas the Empire will be trying to destroy every Rebellion ship.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of the game, however, is that the board looks like a Tie Fighter, with the wings showing the health points for the special ships on the board, like the Millenium Falcon or the Executor.
Risk Godstorm
I was incredibly excited to play Risk Godstorm when I received it, likely more excited than any other Risk game. In this edition of Risk, each player will be controlling a pantheon of gods and their loyal followers as they do battle across a mythical land, Atlantis, and the Underworld.
Risk Godstorm only plays over five rounds, which is appealing to anyone who dislikes Risk thanks to the drawn-out games. In these five turns, you need to control as much of the boards as you can, using your abilities and gods to succeed in battle.
When a unit dies, it gets sent to the underworld, where it can return to the land of the living, or do battle with the other damned souls. Risk Godstorm also facilitates for two players, making this incredible game available for as many as possible.
Risk Legacy
I adore legacy games. The unique and utterly personal narratives they display and force everyone to play around is exciting, and Risk Legacy is no different. But it’s more than just a legacy game, it’s also an incredible Risk game.
Every game of Risk Legacy changes the field of battle for all future games. As players name continents, build bunkers, found cities, and permanently upgrade territories, the field of battle will change and evolve as players do battle on it.
Some parts of the game even stay locked until specific objectives are completed, meaning whole decks and rules are off-limits until the constant wars and battles bring them to light. This incredibly exciting and consequential gameplay makes every decision you make important.
Risk 2210 A.D.
Risk 2210 A.D. is the culmination of all the best parts of other Risk games. With a changing board, unique commanders, two maps, two-player accessibility, and classic Risk gameplay, this edition has something for everyone.
The futuristic style of Risk 2210 A.D. is refreshing, and compliments the advanced mechanics of the game. You will do battle across both a futuristic Earth and Moon, with regular battalions and unique and modelled commanders that will change the tide of battle.
Devastation Markers will make the board game slightly different every game, allowing for replayability. This is one of my favorite Risk board games, and I’m not alone in that opinion.
Risk Europe
We have finally arrived at what simply must be the greatest Risk game of all time: Risk Europe. Advertised as a premium Risk game, when I brought this behemoth out to play it’s all we played for sessions to come. It’s what I believe to be the perfect Risk game.
In Risk Europe, the game has changed. The best part by far is how combat has significantly improved. Instead of regular battalions and the basic dice combat structure, combat now has four stages, with each of the four unit types getting a chance to do something unique. The depth of combat in Risk Europe allows it to be incredibly tactical whilst remaining quintessentially Risk.
The litany of other improvements also elevate Risk Europe to something beyond Risk, however, to a level of strategy and systems that to me combine to make one of the greatest strategy board games out there — not just the best Risk game.
Now that you have a lineup of incredible Risk games, why don’t you pick one out for you and friends to hate each other over?
