I will begin this series of articles with a classic game - Risk. This is not my first choice, nor is it my last... this list is not in any specific order, just my top 10 choices and Risk is most certainly up there.
Risk was probably my first experience with playing a 'war game', I don't remember how old I was, but I'd say it was the early 80's and I was maybe between 9 and 11 years old the first time I gave this classic game a go. This is a game that can be played countless times with different outcomes. Every time you play it will be a different game and every time you play with a different person you will have a different experience - it is the same game, but the game play, strategy and outcome will differ time and time again. A lot of house rules can change the feel and play of the game too, and to top it off, there are a LOT of versions of this game... here are the versions of Risk I personally own, and my comments on each of them. I have played them all at least 3 or 4 times, and some probably dozens. The original Risk probably has had as many as 100 plays over the last two decades if I had been keeping track.
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RISK
The classic edition is the best! There are dozens of versions of this game going back to the 1960's, but I specifically picked this image because it is the edition that I bought a few years ago when I started to get back into boardgaming pretty heavily, and it is the version I currently use and has quickly become one of my favorites (aside from the 40th Anniversary Edition), the game has seen many different types of incarnations and has had different maps and miniatures. The first time I played this I recall having wooden blocks. I really prefer these little plastic miniatures of soldiers, cavalry and cannons much better, it helps add to the feel of the game in my opinion. While there are many other versions (as shown below), the classic Risk is still one of my favorites and always a good choice to hit the gaming table with.
RISK 2210 A.D.
This is not one of my favorite versions of the game, in fact, it is probably one of my least favorite versions of Risk. I get the feeling that Hasbro was grasping at straws, trying to come up with twists on Risk to resell the game over and over... while they had some awesome hits (Like Risk Godstorm for example), this one was (in my opinion) a foul ball. I won't go so far as to say the game is bad, because it is not, it has a pretty solid mechanic based on the original, and it does play nicely, I think the reason it isn't one of my favorites is I just get the feeling that I wasted $30 on a game I already had with some new graphics added and some new robot pieces. However, I will give it credit where credit is due, my son's Brandon and Parker both love this game and enjoy the new setting (The Sci-Fi theme really does it for the kids).
RISK Lord of the Rings Trilogy
There are several different versions of Risk with the Lord of the Rings theme. I have the Trilogy edition that is shown in the photo above. There is also a non Trilogy edition set that apparently only featured the LOTR story up to the Two Towers, it does have an expansion that adds another half of the board and new pieces and a bonus 2 player game that is centered around the siege of Minas Tirith (but it is my understanding this expansion is quite hard to find, I did try a few ebay searches for it and have come up with nothing). It might be well worth tracking down this version of the game just for the two player game that is included, but for the meantime, the Trilogy edition I have is fine for me. I actually got a second copy at TRU not too long ago for $5, which I quickly purchased. If anything, the extra minis will come in handy for an epic game at some point in the future. The Trilogy version of the game basically allows you to take Risk and lets you put it into the LOTR setting for some world domination in middle earth, and while it isn't as good as Fantasy Flights "War of the Ring" game, it is still a nice one to have in the collection if you are looking for a ligher game.
RISK Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Risk in the Star Wars universe... what more could you ask for? This version of Risk is a lot of fun and really captures the feel of the Clone Wars. You can play as the Republic Clone Troopers or the Separatists and do battle in the Star Wars universe. One of the better versions of Risk in my opinion.
RISK Godstorm
Without a doubt this is one of my favorite versions of Risk if not my absolute favorite. It would probably be a draw between this and the original classic Risk. The theme of Risk Godstorm fits me perfectly with the different mythological armies (Greek, Celtic, Babylonian, Egyptian and Norse). The game play is similar to classic Risk with the modified theme and some added bonuses, this game also adds an underworld to the mix to allow your armies to continue fighting even after death!
RISK Star Wars: The Original Trilogy Edition
This is a neat version of the game, specifically because it can be played with three factions (Rebels, Empire or Hutts), each faction has their own victory conditions to win the game, which makes this less about flat out domination and more about strategy and possible alliances. I've had a lot of fun with this game, and I think the three factions and strategy aspect make this game play better than Clone Wars, but I still think I'd have to say I like the feeling of the Clone Wars edition better.
RISK Transformers
Probably the worse Risk game in the bunch, and obviously thrown together by Hasbro to cash in on the transformers movie (Kind of the same feeling I get with Rick 2210). Although this would probably be my last choice of Risk games to play, it is still fun because it is Rick, and I can't complain and say it is a 'bad' game, because it really isn't, just not the best and I have some problems going into it feeling like Hasbro is just trying to cash in on another version of Rick. One thing I will say though, is that the kids really enjoy it because of the whole Transformers theme. This game came with a classic set of Risk rules and Transformer Risk rules.
RISK 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition
This is a pretty nifty looking game of Risk, it came out in 99 or 2000 (I can't recall which one at the moment and as I type this, I find I am too lazy to hunt around on the net for the answer). I will say that it has a nice new game map and each was numbered because they were limited edition. Each army had metal miniatures in a small cloth sack and the dice were also limited edition and pretty cool looking. This is an awesome set to get if you want a really nice one to have on hand for gaming, although many people have bought this as a collector's item and not to play, and to be honest, I feel like I am way to cautious when I try to play this because of the 'Limited Edition' feeling to it, I'd rather play the original $20 version of Risk in case anyone spills a drink or anything ans ruins the board and stack of cards (cough cough NATE cough cough).
This is a pretty nifty looking game of Risk, it came out in 99 or 2000 (I can't recall which one at the moment and as I type this, I find I am too lazy to hunt around on the net for the answer). I will say that it has a nice new game map and each was numbered because they were limited edition. Each army had metal miniatures in a small cloth sack and the dice were also limited edition and pretty cool looking. This is an awesome set to get if you want a really nice one to have on hand for gaming, although many people have bought this as a collector's item and not to play, and to be honest, I feel like I am way to cautious when I try to play this because of the 'Limited Edition' feeling to it, I'd rather play the original $20 version of Risk in case anyone spills a drink or anything ans ruins the board and stack of cards (cough cough NATE cough cough).
Castle RISK / Super RISK
This version has been released in a few different variations and different packaging, but essentially is the same game with some modified graphics, pieces and cards. My version of this game is a double set (not the one shown), one side is the standard RISK game and the other side is the Castle version. It has been released under "Super Rick" and I think maybe also "Risk II", but I can't be positive on that last one, so don't take my word for it. I haven't looked into this game's history in years.
In the game of Castle Risk, you are on a map of Europe rather than the word and you start off the game with one castle and try to capture all of the other castles from your opponent's to win.
In closing...
That is not a complete list of all the risk games by any means, there are quite a few I can think of off the top of my head that are not on this list (because I do not own them - this list only contains the Risk games currently in my gaming closet). Other versions of this game include some titles such as Risk Revised Edition, Risk Black Ops, Risk Express (which I really want), Risk Napoleon, Risk Narnia and more.
So to sum it up, the Risk line of game gives you some excellent choices of games to play and you can always guarantee a fun time. It is playable with children from ages 7 or 8 up through adult wargamers with a lot of experience.
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