5 Games Like Risk
Ah-ha! Looking for more games to practice world domination, are you? Maybe we can help…
Surely you’ve heard of Risk — the game all about conquering the world. Well, that’s a great start, but there’s a whole world of Risk-like games out there to help inspire you. It is a classic war game, sure, but sometimes you just want a little extra something-something. Or perhaps you’ve played Risk for the umpteenth time and just need more of a challenge.
Whether you’re looking for a slightly different theme, or you’re hungry for some new game mechanics, there’s a Risk-style game waiting for you. We’ll encourage you as you plot to take over the world and even give you some thematic flair to egg you on. Check out our list of 5 games like Risk to mix things up on your next game day.
- A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
- Diplomacy
- Empires of the Void II
- Dominion
- Small World
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
Players: 3-6
Playing time: 120-240mins
If you’ve ever wanted to be the head of one of the houses in Westeros, here’s your chance. In A Game of Thrones: The Board Game not only will you command a house, but your ultimate goal is to gain control of as many regions as possible and earn your seat on the Iron Throne. Only one will be worthy of receiving this honor.
In both Risk and A Game of Thrones: The Board Game, you will be required to use strategy and deceit to come out on top. Plan your moves, assemble your forces, and enter battle. Everyone has their own best interests in mind, perhaps even those you thought were your allies, so keep a close eye on your foes and also your friends. The Tides of Battle cards used in combat give off a similar element of surprise that you’ll find with the dice rolls of Risk. Just a little something extra to keep you on your toes.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan and enjoy Risk, this is a great way to mix up your game nights. You will find this game to be more complex than Risk, but it’s worth the learning curve to see the look on your friends’ faces as you bring the backstabbery to life in true Westeros fashion.
You may also enjoy:
Diplomacy
Players: 2-7
Playing time: 360mins
If outright warfare is what you crave, Diplomacy will deliver. Similar to Risk, this game is all about the battle and territory acquisition. While Risk may arguably be the most popular war game out there, Diplomacy is a potential step up with a bit more complexity and no element of luck involved.
In both of these war games, plan, move, battle, and expand will be the strategy as your armies go head-to-head in a battle of control over territories. In Diplomacy, you’ll have the benefit of using your cunning and cleverness during negotiation periods to pave the way to greatness. Only the most powerful army will be able to dominate the board.
You’ll definitely need to have your tactical wits about you in these games as you plot your domination. If you’re looking to intensify your world combat game, switch it up and give Diplomacy a shot! That is, of course, if your friendships can handle the added tension.
Empires of the Void II
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 90-180mins
Buckle up. It’s about to get intergalactic in here. If Risk decided to go extraterrestrial, it may look a bit like Empires of the Void II. In this game, you’ll be battling other alien races to create a new celestial empire. That’s right. We’re taking the battle for turn out of this world.
In this sci-fi strategy game, players will travel to the void and explore and colonize planets. But you’ll have the option to do more than just occupy the land. If you’re feeling a little kind-hearted, you can help cure diseases, create alliances with the native aliens, and help them fight off enemies. Or you can, of course, be a ruthless, power-hungry leader. All up to you!
You will find a dice rolling mechanic in both games which will help determine what happens in the game. Will you win a battle and claim a new land? Will you narrowly miss getting hit by a deadly asteroid? It’s up to the dice and you’ll need a little bit of luck on your side in these games. While both games rely on strategy, you will find that element of luck in both.
So, if you’re looking for an out-of-this-world alternative to Risk, give Empires of the Void II a go!
Dominion
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 30mins
Dominion is for the gamers who love Risk but are on a time crunch. At the core of both Risk and Dominion are greed and power, of course. And you’ll be facing off with other monarchs who are just as power-hungry as you are. Put on your crown and get to it.
In this deck-building game, you and your opponents will be duking it out to rule the lands. And you know exactly what to do if anyone tries to stand in your way. As you start to take over the land bit by bit, you’ll also upgrade your castle and build up the cities, which is the one major thing that sets it apart from Risk.
You’ll need to think strategically in both of these games as all other players are out to get you and take what you’ve worked so hard for. In this game, you’re building up your kingdom… quite literally.
Dominion puts an excellent medieval twist on a territory acquisition game. You get all the fun of Risk in a fraction of the time. Plus, this game has a ton of expansions so your reign can last as long as you like!
Small World
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 40-80mins
Okay, so you won’t see orcs, wizards, trolls, or giants fighting and acquiring territory in Risk, but if you’re looking for a fantasy version of an area control game, look no further. Thematically, these games may look different. But at their hearts, they’re both about using strategy to overpower the weaklings and take what territory you want. Which is essentially all of it.
In both games, as you begin to dominate, you’ll have the satisfaction of watching your pieces spread out over the map as you send the other guys’ pieces packing. In Risk, you may have the luck of a dice roll in battle, but in Small World, you may be blessed with the luck of your species’ special powers.
Small World is a fantastic gateway game with a silly, fantasy civilization theme the whole family can enjoy. It makes your domination and deceit a bit more palatable. There are also plenty of expansions to keep the world growing and growing.
Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed our list of 5 games like Risk! If you liked any of these games, I’m sure you will love these other titles too: Star Wars: Rebellion, Civilization: A New Dawn, Twilight Imperium, War of the Ring, Risk: Game of Thrones, and Dune: Imperium.
Have you tried any of the games on this list? How did you think they stacked up to Risk? Drop a comment below and let us know what you think! We’d love to hear from you.
You may also enjoy:
Find similar games below:
