How to Buy Risk: A Comprehensive Guide

Your Guide to buying the best Risk

Overview

This buying guide is designed to provide comprehensive guidance to help you find the perfect Risk game for you. We'll look at all the different types of Risk games, their features and pricing, as well as what to look for in a quality Risk game. With our help, you should have all the information necessary to find the perfect Risk game that fits your interests, budget, and gaming experience.

Key features

  1. Game Objectives: What do you want to accomplish in the game? Do you want to win or just have a good time?
  2. Number of Players: Risk is usually played with 2-6 players, although there are variations which can support more. Consider if you want to include more people in the game.
  3. Length of Play: How much time do you have available to play? Risk can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to play, depending on the number of players.
  4. Game Version: Risk comes in several versions, including classic, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings. Consider which version appeals to you the most.
  5. Replayability: Risk can be played multiple times, as the goal is to conquer as many territories as possible. Consider if you want a game with long-term value.
  6. Age Range: Risk is suitable for ages 8 and up. Consider the age range of the players, as this will determine the appropriate game version.

See the most popular Risk on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Strategic Thinking: Risk encourages players to strategize and plan in order to win the game. Players must utilize various tactics, such as gaining/managing resources, forming alliances, and making calculated risks to secure territory.
  • Diplomatic Skills: Risk is a game of diplomatic negotiation. Players must convince others to cooperate and work together in order to achieve victory, or at least make sure that they don't get eliminated early. This can be a great training ground for real-world diplomacy skills.
  • Time Commitment: Risk can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on how many players there are and how quickly the game moves along. This makes it a great game for short or long gaming sessions.
  • Replayability: Risk is a highly replayable game as the board and game pieces change every time the game is played and the outcome can be different each time, depending on the strategies employed and the alliances formed.
  • Competition: Risk is a competitive game where players must outmaneuver their opponents in order to win. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a challenge.

Cons

  • Cost: Risk can be relatively expensive, depending on the edition and type of game you choose.
  • Time: Risk typically requires an investment of time, with games lasting hours.
  • Strategy: Risk requires a good deal of strategy and thought, which can be too difficult for younger players.
  • Difficulty: Risk can prove to be difficult even for experienced players, resulting in a challenging game experience.
  • Luck: Risk relies heavily on the luck of the dice rolls, which can make the game less enjoyable if you’re unlucky.

Best alternatives

  1. Axis & Allies - a strategy board-game of World War II from a global perspective
  2. Small World - a fantasy-style strategy board game where players battle for control of a fantasy realm
  3. Catan - a board game where players compete to establish settlements and build roads to gain resources and increase their score
  4. Tigris & Euphrates - a strategy board game set in the ancient fertile crescent where players compete to build the most advanced civilization
  5. Carcassonne - a tile-based board game where players compete to develop their own cities by placing tiles and scoring points
  6. Power Grid - a strategy board game where players compete to buy and manage power plants, connecting them to cities in order to win

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Dice - a set of six-sided dice used to determine attack and defense outcomes.
  • Game Board - a foldable game board featuring a map of the world and 42 territories.
  • Cards - a set of 42 Territory cards as well as cards that can be used to reinforce your army.
  • Tokens - 42 plastic tokens that represent troops.
  • Rulebook - that includes game play instructions as well as strategies and tactics.

Common questions

  1. What is the objective of Risk?
    The objective of Risk is to be the first player to successfully gain control of all territories on the game board and eliminate the other players.
  2. How many players can play Risk?
    Risk can be played with 2-6 players.
  3. What type of game is Risk?
    Risk is a strategy-based board game.
  4. What materials are used in Risk?
    Risk includes a game board, cards, tokens, dice, and instructions.
  5. How long does a typical game of Risk take to play?
    A typical game of Risk can take anywhere between 1-6 hours depending on the number of players and the skill level of the players.
  6. Are there any expansions available for Risk?
    Yes, there are several expansions available for Risk, including Risk Europe, Risk 2210 A.D., and Risk Legacy.

Trivia

In the 1970s, Hasbro ran an advertisement in the US for the game Risk with the slogan 'Fight for World Domination'. This was a cheeky reference to the game's goal of conquering the world. The advert was so successful that it is still remembered today, making it an iconic part of the game’s history. The slogan has even been used by other companies for their own campaigns. Source: Hasbro.

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.