User Reviews (11 - 21 of 81)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

Acceptable game for the price of a penny (plus shipping)

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: September 08, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I got this game with a bundle of others at a used book store. I have spent several hours playing it at a time, and it is addictive if you enjoy strategy games. The simultaneous turn feature makes games more interesting. It is based on the classic Risk board, but you can play with optional new provinces and land connections. Hawaii connects Japan and the Western US. New Zealand connects South America and Eastern Australia. The Falkland Islands connect Argentina to Africa. There are increased values for holding an entire continent.
Asia=8
North America=6
Europe=6
Africa=5
South America=4
Australasia=4
A new system of dice uses different colors based on the size of the army. The way it works is each color has an increasing number of sixes the larger your army is. A 40 man army will roll a black die that has a high percentage of sixes on its sides, while a 5 man army rolls a white die that has only one six on its sides. There is an ability to make one SURGE attack per turn, which allows you to attack a province two spaces away- the first province in the ordinary attacks, and the second province in the surge attack. This allows you to tighten your border provinces or complete the ownership of a country you otherwise wouldn't be able to, and thus get the army bonus for the next turn. Armies are given based both on the total number of provinces held, as well as a primary focus on the number of CONNECTED provinces within an empire- before considering bonuses for continents or cards. Unlike original Risk, there are a limit of armies you can place in a single province each turn. You can place one army for the province itself, and an additional army for each adjacent province you own. This way it is harder to make huge armies directly on your borders, but it also makes your interior defences stronger. There are a few options for how beginning territories are determined. There is a random deal, a territory grab-like original Risk, or an election system. Each player gets a the same number of points to bid on every province, and they appear to be bid on in random order. Some provinces go for up to 250 points, depending on if their location is strategic, such as the Middle East. Other provinces can go for as low as 10 points, so it is possible for one player to have 20 provinces at the start while others only have 4 or 5. I do enjoy the election system, but it is very time consuming.

This is a good game for a penny. My main complaint is the tournament mode. There are about a dozen pre-set game scenarios that increase in difficulty, and you have to play them all in order. It is very frustrating because you cannot save a game BEFORE a new scenario starts, you can only save it in the middle and resume it there. So if I get to a particularly hard level 6 scenarios in, I can't just start over at scenario 6 if I fail to beat it. I have to start all over at the first one- and that is the feature that really made me stop playing the game. Otherwise it is enjoyable.

excellent pc game but don't believe the claim it can be played online

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: October 05, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game as a birthday gift to my brother because we loved to play the board game, and he now lives out of state. The box claims it can be played online. I was extremely disappointed to find out that was not the case!! The link provided is for Zone.com which now appears to be games.msn.com, and the latter no longer supports online play of this game.

I spent hours sending emails to amazon.com, the manufacturer's of the game, the support folks listed in the documentation, etc. -- trying to find out who they could guide me to that supports it. No response from anyone except amazon.com, who washed their hands of it.

I spent many more hours scouring gaming web sites and found many that offered it for download...but most were not clear if it could be played there or just downloaded. So here comes many more hours sending emails to them. In the end I still have not found anywhere to play it.

Of course, there are sites that offer the original Risk game...but read on.

Besides the above issue, the game itself is AWESOME!! I'll never go back to the original Risk now that I've played it.

It includes capabilities to play against the computer or with someone else (in the room). There are options to change the point values of each continent, to randomly place armies at the start of the game (instead of each player manually placing them), or to hold an "election" which will decide the deployment. You may choose to have two additional points awarded when you own a territory shown on a set of cards you turn in, and the table for turning in sets adds a "12" level. You can play "same time" instead of "turn-based" if you want to add another monkey wrench, play "tournament" style, or opt for a version called "capital risk".

You decide which generals to play against, instead of, or in addition to, other live opponents - and each general is ranked so you can determine how tough an enemy you want to tackle (I took an easy one and won my first and only game so far so other reviewers might be right about the challenge in this).

There are a couple of new territories that can be added beyond those on the board game, and you can switch the "mid-east" link between continents on or off. There are provisions for making alliances with other players, including the AI (artificial intelligence...the PC). And lastly, you can play a shorter 80% or 60% world domination game.

By the way, I had to set my compatibility mode for Winblows '95 or '98 for use on my Vista machine because the PC would lock up part way through one of the tutorials (and who knows what else wouldn't have worked). After that no problemo.

excellent pc game but don't believe the claim it can be played online

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: October 05, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game as a birthday gift to my brother because we loved to play the board game, and he now lives out of state. The box claims it can be played online. I was extremely disappointed to find out that was not the case!! The link provided is for Zone.com which now appears to be games.msn.com, and the latter no longer supports online play of this game.

I spent hours sending emails to amazon.com, the manufacturer's of the game, the support folks listed in the documentation, etc. -- trying to find out who they could guide me to that supports it. No response from anyone except amazon.com, who washed their hands of it.

I spent many more hours scouring gaming web sites and found many that offered it for download...but most were not clear if it could be played there or just downloaded. So here comes many more hours sending emails to them. In the end I still have not found anywhere to play it.

Of course, there are sites that offer the original Risk game...but read on.

Besides the above issue, the game itself is AWESOME!! I'll never go back to the original Risk now that I've played it.

It includes capabilities to play against the computer or with someone else (in the room). There are options to change the point values of each continent, to randomly place armies at the start of the game (instead of each player manually placing them), or to hold an "election" which will decide the deployment. You may choose to have two additional points awarded when you own a territory shown on a set of cards you turn in, and the table for turning in sets adds a "12" level. You can play "same time" instead of "turn-based" if you want to add another monkey wrench, play "tournament" style, or opt for a version called "capital risk".

You decide which generals to play against, instead of, or in addition to, other live opponents - and each general is ranked so you can determine how tough an enemy you want to tackle (I took an easy one and won my first and only game so far so other reviewers might be right about the challenge in this).

There are a couple of new territories that can be added beyond those on the board game, and you can switch the "mid-east" link between continents on or off. There are provisions for making alliances with other players, including the AI (artificial intelligence...the PC). And lastly, you can play a shorter 80% or 60% world domination game.

By the way, I had to set my compatibility mode for Winblows '95 or '98 for use on my Vista machine because the PC would lock up part way through one of the tutorials (and who knows what else wouldn't have worked). After that no problemo.

Sucks as no 2 player LAN games possible

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: January 16, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game for me and my wife to play, only to find out after installing it that LAN play requires THREE players minimum. The cover and documentation says "UP TO 8 PLAYERS LAN", and FAILS to mention this little drawback. Not to mention the screenshot in the LAN setup instructions have a picture of the single player screen, so it LOOKS like if you can add computer players too. Very misleading. I had to go their support website to confirm 2 player LAN is not supported. VERY DISAPPOINTED. DON'T BUY IF YOU WANT TO PLAY 2 PLAYERS.

Just as cool as the boardgame and better.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 18, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Excellent price for the great game. Amazon does it again.
This game is great fun, especially if you have played and love the board game. It has many added features as well as the Basic game, only now you don't have to worry about losing all those tiny little figures!

The computer version allows you to reveal parts of the map that weren't available in the original, which really changes the whole playing field. I like that they added these options without sacrificing the original. I love choices with games.
There are also other levels and features that are cool to explore.

Check out some online game reviews for more details of all the expandable ways to play the game.

Just as cool as the boardgame and better.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 18, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Excellent price for the great game. Amazon does it again.
This game is great fun, especially if you have played and love the board game. It has many added features as well as the Basic game, only now you don't have to worry about losing all those tiny little figures!

The computer version allows you to reveal parts of the map that weren't available in the original, which really changes the whole playing field. I like that they added these options without sacrificing the original. I love choices with games.
There are also other levels and features that are cool to explore.

Check out some online game reviews for more details of all the expandable ways to play the game.

Good Risk game, needs more network functionality

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: May 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Risk board game has many varieties. The board game itself is one of the most successful and strategic games of all time. It gives the player the chance to exercise many options. It means that you don't have to play in a particular way to win the game. Given a particular board game state, two players can have two different strategies which are valid and both may lead to victory. This is what makes Risk exciting to play in the first place.

Now when it comes to computer games, you are either dealing with AI players or dealing with other humans through the software. Both experiences are different than sitting with a bunch of friends over a table in someone's house.

Nevertheless, the computer version can give you an experience that you may not get otherwise elsewhere. For example, in this version of Risk, you can have endless number of games with the AI and master your tactical muscles. Tactics, as you know are an important layer on which you need to construct your strategy. Repeated games against AI is very similar to repeated games against computer Chess players. It makes you focus on the game. You can no longer take advantage of your opponents' mistakes. This is good because it reduces your unforced errors.

Risk II offers the usual user interface and classic turn-based mode for the Risk board game. It also provides visual effects which some players may find relaxing and amusing. They have now introduced simultaneous game play with phases which somewhat accelerates the game play. The winning strategies however remain the same.

This is a solid game that you can use for hours and enjoy an addictive strategy game.

In comparison with other Risk-variations available in the market, the network play isn't very strong as there is no concept of a lobby where you can go and find players.

If you want to know more about strategies used in this game or discover more Risk game variations, try Total Diplomacy: The Art of Winning RISK which contains numerous tactics and strategy guides and scenarios. It also has a dedicated website.

[Declaration: I am the author of Total Diplomacy]

Good Risk game, needs more network functionality

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: May 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Risk board game has many varieties. The board game itself is one of the most successful and strategic games of all time. It gives the player the chance to exercise many options. It means that you don't have to play in a particular way to win the game. Given a particular board game state, two players can have two different strategies which are valid and both may lead to victory. This is what makes Risk exciting to play in the first place.

Now when it comes to computer games, you are either dealing with AI players or dealing with other humans through the software. Both experiences are different than sitting with a bunch of friends over a table in someone's house.

Nevertheless, the computer version can give you an experience that you may not get otherwise elsewhere. For example, in this version of Risk, you can have endless number of games with the AI and master your tactical muscles. Tactics, as you know are an important layer on which you need to construct your strategy. Repeated games against AI is very similar to repeated games against computer Chess players. It makes you focus on the game. You can no longer take advantage of your opponents' mistakes. This is good because it reduces your unforced errors.

Risk II offers the usual user interface and classic turn-based mode for the Risk board game. It also provides visual effects which some players may find relaxing and amusing. They have now introduced simultaneous game play with phases which somewhat accelerates the game play. The winning strategies however remain the same.

This is a solid game that you can use for hours and enjoy an addictive strategy game.

In comparison with other Risk-variations available in the market, the network play isn't very strong as there is no concept of a lobby where you can go and find players.

If you want to know more about strategies used in this game or discover more Risk game variations, try Total Diplomacy: The Art of Winning RISK which contains numerous tactics and strategy guides and scenarios. It also has a dedicated website.

[Declaration: I am the author of Total Diplomacy]

Truly a disappointment--falls FAR short of potential.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 9 / 13
Date: June 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

First the good news: you can play classic risk by yourself or with a friend and let the computer take care of some of the work. (The board game is still MUCH more fun with friends!) More good news: you can play "same time," which is a really interesting twist on the classic game, and it's only feasible on the computer--all players issue simultaneous battle orders! It's offers some brain-tweaking fun to figure it all out.

The bad news: the AI (the computer players) are dumb as posts, and I'm not much of a gamer. I could have gotten to harder AIs, but I didn't have the patience to work my way through all of the lower levels. Why not let us play at a harder setting to begin with? More bad news: no saving games! Worst of all: you have to endure a slow pace! Unlike the original computer Risk, which came out in the late 1980s, you can't just flip through the battles--the game only allows you to speed it up a tad: so you could be playing speed games on the computer, but it won't let you! Tedious!

While "same time" is really interesting, the fact that you're stuck playing AI numbskulls detracts a lot. This game is best-suited for young players, perhaps ages 9-14.

I look forward to seeing Castle Risk and Risk 2210 on the computer, as well as further variations such as "same time". And I look forward to the obvious corrections demanded by this game.

Truly a disappointment--falls FAR short of potential.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 9 / 13
Date: June 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

First the good news: you can play classic risk by yourself or with a friend and let the computer take care of some of the work. (The board game is still MUCH more fun with friends!) More good news: you can play "same time," which is a really interesting twist on the classic game, and it's only feasible on the computer--all players issue simultaneous battle orders! It's offers some brain-tweaking fun to figure it all out.

The bad news: the AI (the computer players) are dumb as posts, and I'm not much of a gamer. I could have gotten to harder AIs, but I didn't have the patience to work my way through all of the lower levels. Why not let us play at a harder setting to begin with? More bad news: no saving games! Worst of all: you have to endure a slow pace! Unlike the original computer Risk, which came out in the late 1980s, you can't just flip through the battles--the game only allows you to speed it up a tad: so you could be playing speed games on the computer, but it won't let you! Tedious!

While "same time" is really interesting, the fact that you're stuck playing AI numbskulls detracts a lot. This game is best-suited for young players, perhaps ages 9-14.

I look forward to seeing Castle Risk and Risk 2210 on the computer, as well as further variations such as "same time". And I look forward to the obvious corrections demanded by this game.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next 

Actions