Are you looking for board games like RISK?
The board game RISK was created by French film director Albert Lamorisse and was first published in France under the name of La Conquête du monde. In 2017, the game celebrated its 60th anniversary. It is still this date of one the best strategy board game out there.
I still remember, when I was 6 or 7-year-old in the beginning of the 80’s, when my cousin got the RISK board game for Christmas. He used to play RISK for hours with my older brother when we were visiting with my parents. Because I was a bit young at the time, they never really asked me to play with them.
A few years later when I was student, I used to spend so many nights playing RISK with my friends for hours and hours. Expanding your territories by attacking your opponents and spreading your army across continents. Defending fiercely against the same opponents and prevent them to reach their objectives.
In RISK, the more you get territories the more you get reinforcement troops at the beginning of your turn. Same if you control an entire continent, you will get bonus troops. When you attack a territory next to yours, you throw 3 dice. Your opponent uses a maximum only 2 dice to defend, one if he only has 1 troop on his territory. So, it is a simple Dice rolling system for attacking and defending.
Of course, there is strategy involve in RISK but also a good part of luck because of this dice rolling system. You can find yourself in a situation where you are attacking a territory held by 5 battalions with your army of 30 battalions and end up giving up because of bad luck in the dice rolling. It can be very frustrating!
I recall the feeling we had when the game was finally over, the concentration and tension dropping suddenly, almost the feeling of emptiness.
RISK is a one of those classic strategy game that I think, you must own.
If you like this type of thrill, and you are looking for a strategic board game that can bring you the kind of enjoyment RISK brought you, then look at those following 13 strategy Board games. They worth a try if you enjoy board games like RISK.
List of Board games you will like if you like RISK
Axis & Allies
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On the scale of things, the rules of Axis & Allies are more complex than the rules of RISK. But don’t get me wrong, Axis & Allies can also be enjoyed by casual gamers, even if the learning curve is bigger. The setup of the game can take between 15 and 30 minutes. The actual game itself can take several hours. If somehow you find RISK a bit too easy, then I would suggest take up the challenge offered to you by Axis & Allies, especially if you are interested in war games and WWII history.
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-6 | 360 min | 12+ |
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Diplomacy
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| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-7 | 360 min | 12+ |
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Kemet is another RISK like game of my selection. Made by the same publisher as Cyclades, another great game that you can find in my list below. Kemet is a board game I absolutely love. It has an Egyptian mythology-based theme to it. Great war game where in which can teleport your army to attack your opponent temples. There is no dice in Kemet, but instead you have combats cards that you need to play in into a fight. You also have the possibility to play divine intervention cards that are like little one shot powers that you can play occasionally. Kemet really a fun game to play, very cleaver in its mechanic. It is also quite quick to play if you compare it to Axis & Allies or Diplomacy.
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-5 | 90-120 min | 13+ |
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Small World
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Small World is another RISK like game I would highly recommend.
Many positive feelings about this war strategy board game:
First of all I have to mention the quality of the content: all the little pieces, the real beautiful artwork and also the quality of the packing with very practical trays to hold everything.
Second of all, the rules are pretty simple. You can get through them in about 15 to 20 minutes. The game will take you about 90 minutes to play or less. Small World is a board game that can be enjoyed by casual gamer, yet there is enough strategy in it to please more hard-core gamers. It definitely doesn’t rely as much on luck as RISK does.
Unlike in RISK where you use a single map to play, in Small Word, you can play with four different maps. The choice of the map will depend of the number of players in the game. (2 to 5 players).
In RISK you just select the colour of your army. In Small World though, you select a Race (wizards, trolls, elves, giants etc…) with different abilities and power associated to it. This random choice of power and abilities combination makes the game very different each time. Like in RISK, will try to conquer territories but thanks to some race special abilities like flying, you won’t need to always conquer adjacent territories.
Also, if your chosen race is in trouble during the game, you can put it in decline and give it up for another race. Again, this makes Small World a very fun game that I would highly recommend.
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-5 | 40-80 min | 8+ |
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Dust
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Another game similar to RISK but in my opinion even better. DUST comes with two settings (and thus two rule books), “Premium” and “Epic”. “Epic” rules are for longer games, 4 to 6 hours. But if you play the “Premium” rules, you can expect the game to take more or less the same time as a game of RISK would. That would be between 2 to 3 hours.
Like RISK, the players will fight for the world domination. They can buy units, each unit having different costs. The plastics miniatures figures that compose your army which include tanks, mechanized Armor Units, fighters, bombers are very nicely made and durable. Each player gets around 130 units. The board itself looks great and is made of six pieces that fits together.
During each round, each player will have to draw a card and reveal it simultaneously. It will determine what types of moves players will make and what special abilities they can use during the turn. Each card has five elements to them: Combat score, movement Score, production Score, special ability, tiebreaker stars.
There is a lot of player intersection during each game, the combat phases are quick and easy and run smoothly. DUST is definitely a fast-paced attacking wargame that I would recommend you try!
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-6 | 240 min | 12+ |
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Eclipse
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A game of Eclipse places you in control of a vast interstellar civilization, competing for success with its rivals. You will explore new star systems, research technologies, and build spaceships to wage war with. There are many potential paths to victory, so you need to plan your strategy according to the strengths and weaknesses of your species, while paying attention to the other civilizations’ endeavors.
The shadows of the great civilizations are about to eclipse the galaxy. Lead your people to victory!
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-6 | 60-200 min | 14+ |
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Cyclades
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| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-5 | 60-90 min | 13+ |
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Blood Rage
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For a Viking there are many pathways to glory. You can invade and pillage the land for its rewards, crush your opponents in epic battles, fulfill quests, increase your clan’s stats, or even die gloriously either in battle or from Ragnarok, the ultimate inescapable doom.
Most player strategies are guided by the cards drafted at the beginning of each of the three game rounds (or Ages). These ‘Gods Gifts’ grant you numerous boons for your clan including: increased Viking strength and devious battle strategies, upgrades to your clan, or even the aid of legendary creatures from Norse mythology. They may also include various quests, from dominating specific provinces, to having lots of your Vikings sent to Valhalla. Most of these cards are aligned with one of the Norse gods, hinting at the kind of strategy they support. For example, Thor gives more glory for victory in battle, Heimdall grants you foresight and surprises, Try strengthens you in battle, while the trickster Loki actually rewards you for losing battles, or punishes the winner.
Players must choose their strategies carefully during the draft phase, but also be ready to adapt and react to their opponents’ strategies as the action phase unfolds. Battles are decided not only by the strength of the figures involved, but also by cards played in secret. By observing your opponent actions and allegiances to specific gods, you may predict what card they are likely to play, and plan accordingly. Winning battles is not always the best course of action, as the right card can get you even more rewards by being crushed. The only losing strategy in Blood Rage is to shy away from battle and a glorious death!
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-4 | 120-180 min | 14+ |
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Inis
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Become one of Ireland’s first chieftains in in is, a two-to-four player board game designed by Christian Martinez. In is invites you to experience the magnificent deeds of Irish myth as you explore the island’s enchanted landscape and claim territory for your clans. The game’s elegant mechanics combine card drafting and area control to produce a system rich in strategic options and interpersonal interactions.
Brilliantly Crafted tiles give every game a unique, gradually unfolding geography, while original art brings Ireland’s ancient epics and audacious heroes to life.
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-4 | 60-90 min | 14+ |
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A Game of Thrones Second Edition
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King Robert Baratheon is dead, and the seven crowns governing the lands of Westeros are getting ready for war. The armies assemble, and the crows fly, the battle of the kings becomes inevitable.
Based on George RR Martin’s Game Of Throne series, A Game of Thrones: The board game, allows players (3 to 6 players) to take control of one of Westeros’ great Houses and embark on an epic struggle to the conquest of the Iron Throne. Immerse yourself in a game of power struggles, conquests of territory, and diplomacy in the world of the Iron Throne.
In a A Game Of Throne: Board game, you will recruit armies, conquer territories and form alliances. Take control of your House and control as many Castles and Fortresses as possible to claim the Iron Throne.
With this new edition, A Game of Throne has new illustrations and simplified rules to help you immerse yourself in the game.
Dive into the world of Westeros, be cunning and diplomatic because the house that will control the most castles and fortress after 10 turns will win the game.
What’s new in this second edition?
This second edition of the game brings many improvements. It incorporates elements of previous extensions such as ports, garrisons, Wildling cards, and Siege engines. It also offers novelties such as screens to hide its programming, while the Battle Course maps bring uncertainty in combat.
The box contains 138 units of marbled plastic! The printing error on the game board has been corrected.
Overall, this is just a fantastic strategy board game, a deep game with very interesting and well-oiled mechanics.
The fans of the book and TV series will absolutely love it but for those who aren’t (there are still some!), it’s still an excellent board game. Might be a good way to get into one of the greatest fantasy series of all time.
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 3-6 | 120-240 min | 14+ |
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Cry Havoc
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| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-4 | 90-120 min | 1o+ |
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Twilight Imperium
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In Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition, players lead unique alien factions vying for control of the galaxy. The game blends economic strategy, as players manage trade goods and resources, with grand-scale decision-making in areas like diplomacy, warfare, and political maneuvering. The economic aspect shines in the trade mechanic, where players negotiate deals and manage their economies to fuel their expansion.
The components are exceptional, featuring detailed miniatures, a modular galaxy map, and beautifully illustrated cards. The production quality enhances the immersive experience, reinforcing the grandeur of interstellar conquest.
Though best known for its epic scope, Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition is also celebrated as one of the best economic board games due to its engaging trade and resource systems. It’s a must-play for those who love long, strategic games that combine economics, politics, and galactic-scale storytelling. If you’re ready for a monumental gaming experience, this is a crown jewel for any board game collection.
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 3-6 | 180-240 min | 14+ |
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1775: Rebellion
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It is the sequel of 1812:The Invasion of Canada released in 2012.
The year is 1775. The American colonies have begun to stockpile arms and organize militia in outrage over new taxes imposed upon them by Great Britain. On April 18th, militia members ambush a column of 700 British Redcoats ordered to seize stockpiled arms. 273 British soldiers are killed or wounded before they reach safety in Boston. The American Revolution has begun!
Players take the roles of the American Continental Army and Patriots against the British Army and the Loyalists. Each side tries to control the colonies, provinces and territories. They call on the aid of Native Americans, as well as the German Hessians and French Army in order to successfully birth a revolution or quell the rebellion.
The four factions each use their own deck of cards to move their units into positions. Battles are resolved quickly with custom dice. If you can control an entire colony, province or territory you raise a flag. When the game ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the side with the most flag markers is the winner.
1775: Rebellion is a control board game, where players fight for different are of the map. It is a great strategy board game, where players are going to use dice to attack opponents and card to move their troops around or for the special events on them. But the game is also a lot of fun to play.
There is 3 different scenarios in the game, and the tactical and strategic decisions in the game make it highly replayable.
1775: Rebellion is really fantastic war game , really easy to learn. It will definitely be liked by players that enjoy historical board games and more specifically the American revolution period.
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 60-120 min | 10+ |
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RISK EUROPE
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What about embarking in some epic medieval battles? This is exactly what this version of the game Risk Europe offers you.
I really want to finish my list of best strategy board games with, in my opinion, one of the best RISK game version released so far.
RISK Europe was released in 2016 by Hasbro and I feel this strategy board game deserve to be brought under the spotlight as it is a pure gem.
Unlike Risk Classic, Risk Europe has each player choose a starting capital for their Kingdom which will give them unique strengths and abilities. There are Castles to build and the rounds are organized with Kong’s order cards which give the possibility to carry out actions among four different ones.
To win the game you have to be the first player to control 7 crowns at the end of a round. The crowns can be bought or conquered.
The “pros” of RISK Europe are:
– The map is absolutely beautiful
– The 4 armies (French, Germanic, Byzantine and Scandinavian) have their own figures
– The arrival of siege weapons, archers and knights along with the traditional footmen and cavalry.
– The 8 capital cities and their bonuses (Paris, London, Madrid, Berlin, Kiev, Constantinople, Stockholm and Rome)
– The starting placement, the action order cards and the mechanics of a round in itself
– Taxes and expenses that allow you to buy units, crowns but also STRONG CASTLES.
In short. this game is exceptional and is pretty cheap to buy too. RISK Europe is perfect for anyone looking for a slightly less simplistic version than the classic RISK edition.
| Players | Playing time | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-4 | 45-180 min | 14+ |
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Best Strategy Board Games:Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my selection of strategy board games that I think might appeal to people that love playing RISK and would like a chance of scenery. If you feel though that I forgot to mention a board game, please feel free and leave a comment below, I will edit the post accordingly.
A good list that’s missing Nexus Ops!
Fair point Jake, Nexus Ops could well be the 13th RISK like game on the list!
Will wait a bit a see if other readers comments suggest any other games and will add a section to the post that I will call “reader suggestion”
thanks