Risk is a strategy board game, where players control troops and fight to conquer all the territories in a political map of the world. Core mechanics include troop allocation and fighting for territories. At the beginning of each turn, players receive new troops based on how many territories they own and their control over entire continents. Players can then attack (or defend against) other player’s troops, and a dice roll decides the outcome of the battle and the winner of the territory. Picking units to reallocate to other territories and choosing to attack/retreat are other specific mechanics within one turn. These mechanics create dynamics of risk management, making alliances and enemies, and planning troop allocation. Because the dice determines the outcome of each battle, players must weigh the risk of each attack, on what troops/territories could be gained and what could be lost. Additionally, even though the objective of the game is to conquer every territory, gameplay involves making temporary alliances to conquer a particularly strong player or forming grudges against players who have formerly attacked you without mercy. Troop allocation requires intentional strategy as well — deciding how many troops to place on what territory involved thinking about your own plans for attack, ways to maximize earning new troops, and potential threats. These complex dynamics are all formed from the simple mechanism of taking turns, earning new troops, moving troops, and dice roll battles. Together, it forms a type of fun that I would categorize as competitive. The game is driven by the feeling of dominance over other players, the triumph of taking over continents and seeing your troops take over the entire board. I would also say that the game has narrative elements, as the drama of betrayal and battle unfolds in front of you. Risk has caused many a tear for my family at board game night.
