Looking for a few board games like Risk to satisfy your craving for strategy, warfare and global domination?
We’ve got you covered.
These days, Risk is still one of the most popular board games in the world.
It was created 62 years ago by a French film director named Albert Lamorisse, and the fast-paced fun still holds up today.
While Risk might not be the board game of choice for people who are looking for a simple way to break the ice at a house party, it’s great for those with an eye for strategy.
Risk is one of the first games to introduce the world to things like Area Control and Area Movement in gaming.
Additionally, for those with an interest in war-time statistics, Risk allows you to put all of your cunning to the test as you battle for global domination.
Fortunately, if you think that it might be time to try something new in your gaming repertoire, Risk isn’t the only war strategy game out there.
Check out these top 8 games like risk that we think you’ll love.
1. The Game of Thrones Board Game
Did you love the Game of Thrones series, and now feel strangely empty knowing it’s gone from your TV screen forever?
Then you’re in for a treat. The 2nd edition Game of Thrones board game by Fantasy Flight Games is excellent for people who love the kind of strategy involved in titles like Risk.
With this game, each player controls one of the major houses in Westeros.
The aim of the game is to use politics, war, and diplomacy to gain complete control over your enemies, and ascend onto the iron throne.
This is a relatively long game depending on how many people you’ve got playing, with 10 rounds in total.
The player who captures the most territory by the end of the game is the winner.
The great thing about this particular game is how much effort you’ll need to put into things like forging and breaking alliances with other players.
Just keep in mind that it takes a while to learn, so it may not be ideal for younger children.
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2. Axis and Allies
Axis and Allies is another excellent option when it comes to games like Risk that have a little more history and heritage to them.
The title was first released in 1981, and there now around 20 different editions to choose from – so you can find a game to suit your tastes, no matter what you’re looking for.
To get you started, we’d recommend something like the Axis and Allies 1941 edition – as it’s a little bit less complex as some of the other options.
One thing to keep in mind with this game is that the rules of Axis and Allies are a lot more complicated than the rules of Risk. It’s going to take you a while to master this game.
However, if you can get your head around it, then you’ll be able to spend several hours putting your strategy and war knowledge to the test.
3. Dominion
Another excellent contender in any list of strategy board games, Dominion is a fun and compelling title that asks you to put your skills as a king to the test.
You don’t actually need a board for this game, but it still has all the elements of a standard war board game, which means that it fits in perfectly to this list.
In this title, you’ll play the character of a king, with the aim of trying to increase the scope of your kingdom by acquiring all the land you can get your hands on.
As your opponents also strive to collect land, you’ll need to build castles and look for ways to defend yourself.
Each turn has two phases, which include victory points and action cards.
You’re playing a strategy-focused deck-building game.
4. Diplomacy
When it comes to finding games like Risk to play in your spare time, it’s hard to ignore Diplomacy.
This well-loved game was released close to the same time as Risk, in 1959.
Additionally, the board looks very similar to the one you get in risk too.
The action for this game is set before the beginning of World War 2. The purpose of this game is to learn how to be as diplomatic as possible in your negotiations with other players. There’s no dice rolling, or luck involved.
Each round, the players representing the main nations in the game spend their time betraying and forming alliances with other players.
During your negotiations, you’ll be able to strike deals with other players, or completely betray the agreements that you make with those players too.
Diplomacy is one of those games that shows your true character to your friends.
Don’t be surprised if you end up with a few angry players by the end of the night.
5. Godstorm
Godstorm is technically an extension of the “Risk” title, but it’s so unique that we also think it’s worth looking at in its own right.
Even if you’ve never played risk before, you can still get a lot of fun out of a game of Godstorm.
The theme of the game is wrapped in mythology, which delivers a refreshing take on most historical conquering and war games.
However, it’s worth noting that there are nearly 400 playing pieces in this game, so it’s going to take a while before you feel you’ve fully mastered it.
In GodStorm, 2 to 5 players will play as legendary gods from different cultures, and they’ll battle to see who should come out on top of the ruler of the earth.
While it’s easy enough to conquer various parts of the world by moving around the board, it’s also possible to see your forces sink into the ocean thanks to the chaos of Atlantis.
It’s a fun, imaginative and highly creative game for ages 10 and up.
6. Settlers of Catan
Settlers of Catan is one of the many games like risk that has gained something of a cult following over the years.
This resource-gathering strategy game comes with 19 terrain blocks surrounded by ocean.
Each area produces its own series of resources, such as grain, ore, wool, and brick.
The aim of the game is to collect a total of 10 victory points, and each settlement is worth a single victory point.
Additionally, each city is worth two victory points.
Settlers of Catan is quite a complicated game overall. You can earn points by having special cards, holding the longest road card, or having the “largest army” card.
There are a lot of rules to get used to, but it’s definitely worth investing some time into this title if you love war board games and strategy games.
The best thing about this game is that because you arrange the terrain blocks differently with each game, no two games are alike.
Learn about more great board games from the 1990s.
7. Blood Rage
Blood Rage is another unique boardgame title similar to Risk, which involves strategy and warfare.
In this game, each player gets their own Viking clan of warriors to control, as well as a ship.
The age of Ragnarok has arrived in the game, and the world is ending. As a Viking, this is your chance to go down in a blaze of glory and earn your place in Valhalla.
The aim of the game is to achieve glory by pillaging land, crushing opponents in battle and fulfilling quests.
Often the strategies that you’ll use in this game will be guided by the cards that you’re given at the beginning of the three rounds in the game.
You’ll be able to get gifts from the gods for your clan to help you out along the way, including help from legendary creatures, improved Viking strength, and unique battle strategies.
It’s a great game that requires a great deal of creativity to play successfully.
8. Eclipse
Finally if you’re looking for strategy games like Risk, but you’re also ready to try something new, then Eclipse could be a great choice.
This game takes the strategy and warfare that people love from Risk and places it into a unique futuristic environment.
In Eclipse, the galaxy is struggling to maintain peace as discord and tension rises between multiple species across the lands.
Old alliances are breaking down; it’s up to you to go out and make a difference to the civilization.
During a game of Eclipse, you’re placed in control of a vast interstellar civilization, where you’re competing for success and rulership of the earth with a host of rivals.
You’ll have a unique opportunity to explore large solar systems, research inspiring new technologies, and even built spaceships that you can later wage war with.
The great thing about this game is that there are many different ways to be victorious, depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the species that you choose.
There you have it!
A handful of games like risk that are definitely worth checking out this year.
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Top image credit: Torsten Mangner / Flickr
