RateItAll: The Opinion Network

To be a master Risk player, you have to make the sound of jackboots marching down cobblestone streets whenever you capture a territory. The variant versions that have been created in recent years pale in comparison to the original.

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog's thoughts on Risk at the Star Wars premire he crashed still get me goin':

"This is Risk, a game normally played by 12 year olds..."

I played in high school when I had nothing better to do. It was fun but it wouldn't be my first choice.

I play it all the time wen the nabors come over we some times camp in the backyard and play RISK all night some times we play teams wich is cool

What a great game! It is easy to learn, easy to play and resolves itself in a timely fashion.

I find risk a little tiring to play, but regardless, it IS the ultimate board game and it deserves to be at the top of the list.

Risk is even more fun if you add more rules to it, for instance, "territory grab" is where you get to choose where your provinces are. Choosing a Capital province always takes strategy, making sure it is well-guarded by surronding area's. Tatical move is after the attack turn, you transport your troops into other provinces. Throwing some diplomacy is always fun, declaring war, alliances, border agreements, just to name a few.

The way I play it, Risk isn't about luck, it's about cunning diplomacy, making agreements sound good, then using it to your advantage. For instance, one game I was playing a couple friends. It was later in the game, so it was hard to take over a province. I came up with a deal between Kamatchaka and Alaska, so that we would reconquer it back and forth. The object of that was so we would gain risk cars every turn. I would end up keeping both provinces because my turn was last. Eventually I came up with a massive army of 110 men in the Ukraine, I crushed army's leading me to Kamatchaka, since I went last, it was my turn to conquer it, and he had moved his army's else where. I ended up conquering the world in one turn.

Of course, the normal way is good, just not as good.

UPDATE: Only go in Europe if you're ready for full-scale invasions, keep Ukraine heavily guarded.

I played the computer version and liked it so I bought the board game version and I don't know what it is but it just wasn't as enjoyable... any ideas?

Love the board game. . .love the PC game. . .I know, I know, the games take hours, but it is one of the best games (other than chess) that force you to think a few moves ahead. . .

Boring, too much dice rolling and even as a kid I knew they weren't going to be fighting great wars over Yakustk.

Surpassed greatly by Axis & Allies which was similar in concept but much more detailed and actually had a modicum of strategy beyond lucky dice.

Risk (developed in the 50's) has got to be the ultimate board game for early teenage boys, and I remember it with a grin (and snarl) on my now contorted face. Geography, soldiers, conquest, strategy, alliances, and cutthroat competition, Risk had it all for my budding Napoleon ambitions. While some reviewers complain about the chance factor (i.e. often cruel rolls of the dice), chance should be integral as the "fog of war" is full of random events and fate. I would play now if I had some loser friends (~grins~) who also like Risk. Odd that such a winning military based game was invented by a Frenchman, namely Albert Lamorisse (sorry, couldn't resist).

What a great game! Probably my favorite board game. Breat strategy available to you, and i mean, come on! you get to conquer the world! You get to make alliances, break them, whatever. An excellent game.

Good way to teach kids geography. It's fun the first few times, but it gets old after awhile.

This is an OK game but relies too much on luck. You could have an army of 40 against an army of 10 and lose evrything youve wotked so hard for. It can get very annoying. Do not play though if youre going through a rough patch with a mate. It will ruin the friendship - LOL.

If you ever really wanted to get to know someone, this game is for you because it shows the true nature of the players (and gives you plenty of get-to-know-you time). You'll be best friends (or worst enemies) by the end of it!

I always enjoyed this, when I was about fourteen. I got into more serious war-games about that time and left this behind. (I left that behind several years later as well) I have since played with my kids and enjoyed it a fair bit.

It's a really good game. But like I said before it is very long and if you have somewhere to go don't start it.

I have three generations of Risk, so I can see its evolution. The mission cards make the game more mysterious and more fun.

I love this game! To me you first 3 turns will make or break you. Very time consuming, but well worth it!

It provides a safe, blood-free way of taking over the world. Besides, how often does the United States get to attack Canada? Militarily, I mean.