RISK Review

RISK is finally here! I have to admit that I'm a bit baffled as to why EA waited so long to release RISK on the App Store. Now RISK has to deal with "clone" competitors, too, many of which tout more features than this official version. Still, while this is a somewhat flawed and bare-bones release, it's very approachable and is still a good strategy game overall.

For newcomers, RISK is a game of world domination. Three to six players compete on a single world map, vying for total control. Each turn consists of three phases: Draft, Attack, and Fortify. During Draft, you're awarded troops based on how much territory you control, and you assign them to the territories you wish. Attack is straightforward: ordering troops to attack enemy territory, in which dice-rolling luck plays a large role. Finally, with Fortify, you can move troops from one territory to another, but only once.

Another feature: "risk cards" are earned for conquering territories. These can be traded in for extra troops at the start of your turn. Weirdly, the app doesn't allow you to view which cards you have...only how many. Frustrating.

Also frustrating: while the game includes three AI difficulty levels, multiplayer is where the meat of any strategy game is. However, your only human-vs-human options are local WiFi / Bluetooth with up to four players, or Pass-n-Play with up to six. Really? Where's the global internet competition? Add the lack of global multiplayer to a single available map, a relatively easy computer opponent, simple graphics, and no support for house rules, and it's clear that this version of RISK is as bare-bones as they come.

RISK is still a solid, fun game; how could it not be? Strategy fans and RISK faithful in particular should enjoy it; the epic, sprawling games are highly engaging. Just be aware that there are many, many clones...some of which surely outshine this stripped-down port.