Risk II Developer: Deep Red Publisher: Hasbro Interactive Category: : Board Game conversion; turn-based and real-time variants System Req: P 166Mhz, 32 Mb RAM, 4xCD-Rom, 60 Mb HD, 2 Mb Video (16 bit) Might look like: Risk Date posted: 15 January 2001 (Requested By Readers) Written By: Jochen - This game was reviewed on PIII 500Mhz, 128 Mb RAM, Geforce2 GTS 32 MB, Win98SE - We also test other games on "PlayDevil.com Game Machine" A long time ago Risk is a game that has been played and loved worldwide for over 40 years, starting back in 1959 when Parker Brothers released Risk Continental Game. This initial release was based on 'La Conquete du Monde', a game thought up by the French writer and movie producer Albert Lamorisse, best known for his award-winning film The Red Balloon. The success of the original board game is largely attributable to its appeal and relatively simple gameplay, letting people play within a few minutes without the need to memorize difficult rules. Publisher Hasbro Interactive has already released a computerized version of Risk way back in 1996 and what I have here can be seen as an enhanced and upgraded Risk, more like version 1.5 rather than 2. Conquer the World! In brief, Risk is a turn based strategy (board) game in which players control territories by the use of military force (infantry, cavalry and artillery pieces represent one, five and ten battalions respectively) in the form of miniatures. The trick is to deploy your forces in such a way that allows you to conquer new territories all while continuing to defend your existing empire. Battles over contested territory are resolved by rolling dice. There are three different ways of winning, depending on the type of game being played : by dominating a pre-defined percentage of territory, by capturing opponent's capital cities or by completing a mission, given to each player at the beginning of the game (where no one knows the mission of their opponents). Risk II comes with no less than 33 spoken tutorials. These are very easy to follow and provide you with almost everything you need to know about the game mechanics. Because of the excellent quality of the tutorial pieces, there is little need for a thick manual. Nevertheless, an adequate one is provided, with forty plus pages offering further detail in several areas. Especially the section that discusses the several computer opponents is very interesting to read and should give you an idea of things to come.    Risk 'Enhanced' Risk II offers three modes of gameplay : 'Classic', 'Same Time' and 'Tournament Play'. 'Classic' is a computer version of the original board game. 'Same Time' has the same rules as 'Classic', but all players take their turn at the same time. While this is not a new option for this type of game, it adds a welcome variation for those bored of playing 'Classic' and it will certainly force you to adopt a new strategy. 'Same Time' Risk should also speed up multiplayer games and keep them at an acceptable pace. 'Tournament Play' is variant in which you have to play trough a set of sixteen pre-set games combining varying objectives, numbers of players and difficulty settings. The first five games are fought in the 'Classic' style, with the remainder as the 'Same Time' alternative. To progress to the next game you must win the game or defeat at least one or more opponent and stay alive to the end of the game. Tournament points are then awarded based on several criteria met by the player. In single play, you compete against two to seven computer opponents. There are sixteen to choose from in total, varying in difficulty. Famous leaders such as 'Napoleon Bonaparte' and the 'Duke of Wellington' are featured along with others such as 'Taupin', 'Solignac' and 'D'Erlon'. All sixteen opponents are discussed in the game manual, giving you a chance to learn what tactics are used by the computer without spoiling the game itself.    A game of World proportions The world map is divided into forty-two territories that are sub divided into the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America. Risk II wouldn't have a '2' behind its name if it didn't add something new, so up to six additional territories can be activated : Svalbard, Philippines, New Zealand, Falkland Islands, Hawaii and Oikiqtaluk are territories not found in the original board game; furthermore a Middle East link can be established between East Africa and the Middle East; and the continent reinforcement bonus settings can be easily modified. This flexibility offers some interesting variations on the standard gameplay theme and is a very welcome development. In general terms, applying these options will increase the length of a game and present the player with a greater number of strategic moves. A number of game objective choices are available. 'World Domination Risk' requires each player to battle for domination of sixty, eighty or a hundred per cent of territory (depending on which of the three sub settings is selected). 'Capital Risk' requires the capture and continued occupation of opponent's capital cities, with the number of capital cities required to win depending on the number of players. The 'Mission' option results in the random allocation of a Mission Card with mission type tasks such as 'destroy all troops belonging to' a given player or 'conquer the continents of Asia and Africa'. In 'Classic Risk' there are sixteen mission cards, covering nine different mission types. 'Same Time Risk' offers thirteen mission cards using six different types. Risk trading cards are acquired by taking possession of enemy territories. The number of reinforcements gained by trading a three-card set can be based on 'Ascending Armies', with incremental increases for each set traded. 'Ascending by One' does exactly what it says, starting with four battalions for the first set traded. 'Set Value' allocates four, six and eight battalions for each respective set of three Infantry, Cavalry or Artillery cards. A card of each type is worth ten. Next Page Up Previous Page If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewing, mail info@playdevil.com. All contributions are welcome. Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on webmaster@playdevil.com Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil. Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners. All Rights Reserved. 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