10 Games Better Than Risk - with Tom Vasel

Tom Vasel presents 10 games better than Risk!
00:00 - Introduction
01:08 - #10
01:55 - #9
02:20 - #8
03:09 - #7
03:44 - #6
04:00 - #5
04:29 - #4
05:01 - #3
05:39 - #2
06:11 - #1
BGG Link: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1...
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Find more reviews and videos at www.dicetower.com

[@jaredmiller7473]

Axis and Allies is a good in-depth World War II replacement for Risk, and there's a World War I edition out now too

[@comcat1908]

Jared Miller dude I was comment the same thing

[@eliashartmark1522]

Looks like this list is more for the people who have only played risk. Axis and allies could be too heavy for risk players.

[@joshfrench5858]

Try the zombie axis and allies. It definitely worth having in your collection is your a axis & allies fan.

[@hucz]

Too long and rule heavy. That game NEVER gets the plays, it sits on everyone's shelf.

[@joshfrench5858]

Mason Gregory not true. Just played it 3 weeks ago. I got easy games I haven’t played in years. The rules are not that heavy. Ever play Star Wars rebellion, Star Trek ascendancy? Those are heavy games, axis and allies is medium I would say.

[@LanceEhlers]

I'd highly recommend the book "New Rules for Classic Games" by R. Wayne Schmittberger for everyone watching this video. He compiles a bunch of simple variants for Risk (and tons of other games) which breathe new life into classics. My favorite variant is "Tactical Nuclear Risk."

[@KarenSDR]

My favorite from Boardgamegeek is a solo game called Alien Invasion Risk. It uses the Risk components but is a different game.

[@Shad0wSix]

Besides those on this list, I also recommend: - Spheres Of Influence - Nexus Ops - El Grande

[@Deokiev]

Nexus Ops is such an obvious choise for this list, I can't believe it wasn't mentioned!

[@LookAtTheBacon]

Yup, also missed Nexus Ops. Rest was fine :)

[@r_a_]

1. Risk Legacy 2. Risk Europe 3. Risk Star Wars 4. Memoir 44 5. Age of War 6. Small World 7. Kemet 8. Game of Thrones 9. 1775 Rebellion 10. Twilight Struggle

[@hardyworld]

Can't really argue with Tom's list (although Game of Thrones and Twilight Struggle are heavy to recommend to non-hobby gamers), but five other worthy mentions: Quartermaster General, Spheres of Influence, Nexus Ops, Axis & Allies, Ikusa

[@panoskordatzakis5381]

AXIS AND ALLIES ????

[@codewaterairsoftandmore1050]

Where the frick is Axis and Allies!

[@joshfrench5858]

CODEwater Airsoft and More agreed. Play axis & allies zombies yet?

[@codewaterairsoftandmore1050]

Josh French no, I play g40 and anniversary

[@joshfrench5858]

CODEwater Airsoft and More I own all of them except for pacific and WW 1 edition. The zombie one every time an infantryman dies they automatically come back a zombie. Then you have to fight zombie and the opponent. At times you don’t want to attack anyone solely because you just don’t want to see any more zombies.

[@codewaterairsoftandmore1050]

Josh French sounds interesting, I might have to give it a try.

[@sirtrevis]

Axis and Allies is not better than Risk. It is just more complicated.

[@dessertfox5995]

Axis and Allies for life

[@man-yp1gb]

Axis&Allies is a well known war game. It should be one of the top ten.

[@nihlify]

It's better than Risk, but it also has a lot of the same issues as regular Risk.

[@diego2817]

Is it difficult to learn ?

[@man-yp1gb]

@@diego2817 No, it only has five steps. The rule book looks big because it has fine details in each category. I would watch a instructional video here on KZbin.

[@xironbeastx8677]

I would have put axis and allies instead of memoirs personally:)

[@paulgower4594]

Glad to see Small World mentioned as that is my favorite Risk-like game. Or if I want something with the long and epic feeling, but that still keeps everyone competitive till the end, then I enjoy History of the World.

[@hgurov]

I love this new series. I find myself recommending tons of games for tons of people, and a lot of times the only reference to what they would like is liking or playing one of the classics. These videos help a lot in understanding different aspects that might make some games good replacements for said classics. Keep it up, Tom!

[@drevan1138]

LotR Risk with the full map is my favorite variant.

[@bradhardee]

My friends and I played the mess out of risk as teens. Now that I'm into boardgames and they're not so much I use pandemic to get them into the hobby. At very least peak their interest. The way I have sold all of them on playing is by telling them it is co-op Risk in a tenth the time. Has worked at least a dozen times.

[@Bacms]

I think you missed Shogun. Similar idea but a much better game. If anything I just kind of which there was a different shaped map for it

[@notgeoff799]

There is! It's called Wallenstein!

[@geektome4781]

Do you mean Ikusa f/k/a Samurai Swords f/k/a Shogun?

[@Bacms]

Thank you for pointing the others options to me. My gaming group loves shogun but we always feel that whoever ends up in the middle is at a massive disadvantage. Still one of our favourites in any case. Really surprised it was not mentioned

[@geektome4781]

Which Shogun are you referring to? Shogun by Queen games with the cube tower or Shogun, which was later called Samurai Swords, which is now called Ikusa that is very similar to Axis & Allies?

[@Bacms]

I was referring to Shogun by Queen Games

[@kodyballard49]

My list in no particular order would be: * Scythe * Axis & Allies * Diplomacy * Memoir '44 * 1775: Rebellion * Twilight Struggle * World War Tesla * Dust Tactics/Dust 1947

[@blueseqperl]

No Risk 2210 AD?

[@jamfeo12]

I knew that Kemet was going to be on this list. Love this game.

[@prufrock1977]

I tried it out recently, and I can live without it. Came down to the last player in the last round deciding who to attack...whoever he choose lost and the other won. Not my idea of fun.

[@piercefabruada3851]

Love your list! I’ve tried this game called Lagim - a collectible card game based on the Philippines’s folklore and mythology. The art work of this game set is also impressive.

[@EskoLuontola]

If you like the destroying friendships aspect of Risk, you should try out Diplomacy.

[@arcticfoxvikingseaking2206]

or extreme spoons

[@ryanheckel37]

im surprised War of the ring, or Battle of Five Armies wasn't on this list, there my absolute favorite "War" games

[@Templarzealot89]

Quite a few on that list I will have to pick up

[@TitanosaurusProductions]

Nice list. I look forward to buying some of these games.

[@nikstechtips8543]

where is axis and allies

[@belg4mit]

Given your review of it, I'm surprised Spheres of Influence didn't make the cut.

[@whataboutki]

Yeah I was expecting to see it to, I thought he would have said "if you want risk with a bit more meat then try Sphere of Influence"

[@DanieleMazzoni]

Ki Mansell is it maybe not so easy to find in print this days?

[@whataboutki]

True, that could be a reason.

[@Vadimaster]

The variable turn order in SoI is brilliant. That and the special cards make it my favorite Risk-killer. I do believe it's still available from the homepage of Little Nuke Games, though shipping outside the US will be expensive.

[@MegatronYES]

I buy every single version of Risk I can get my hands on, but I have never played Risk Europe nor Star Wars, out of the 12+ versions I have. I have to say playing them all over and over, my very favorite Risk is Metal Gear Solid. The Outer Haven mechanic makes for such dynamic late-game turnovers that it fascinates the FUCK out of me

[@zavier_1877]

The Outer Haven mechanic also eliminates the dreaded "Australia Turtling" army growing technique... And the hero units, if used right are pretty cool. Wouldn't ever go back to vanilla risk after playing this one...

[@graham9045]

THERES A METAL GEAR VERSION WHAAAAT

[@JERRYR708]

@@graham9045 I heard it's solid.

[@graham9045]

@@JERRYR708 Kept me waiting, huh

[@Syncopator]

I ended up playing Risk a lot in my college days because my roomate loved it. I ended up hating it, seems that it had this particular problem-- the tendency to reach equilibrium and last forever given three or more players. Someone would get powerful and everyone else would gang up and knock them down to size, resulting in one of the other players getting powerful-- rinse and repeat. Ugh. The game usually ended about 4AM with someone allowing themselves to be killed off just so the game would end (and that someone was often me). So what game's better than Risk? ANY GAME, if you ask me.

[@thatwasme7197]

Maybe you should try to play without any sort of diplomacy involved?

[@redsabre69]

Pretty much why you include the Cease Fire card. Once drawn the game is over, and you add up points I.e. all the territories you conquered. Bonus points equal to the number of troops you could get were added to your score if you conquered a continent. Usually that way the game would last about maybe an hour or two at most.

[@promontorium]

The game has a built in timer. Every set of cards traded in gives more troops than the last. At some point you should be able to amass a ridiculously large army and steamroll someone. You were playing it wrong. Seriously. Who the fuck plays with 3 people and then constantly gangs up 2 v 1 as soon as someone becomes dominant? Of course the game wouldn't end. Make 1 alliance or make no alliances. The game will end fast enough.

[@lunaakayourmom3238]

Where is axis and allies?!

[@withouthavingseen]

Hahaha. It's called 10 Games that Are Better than RISK.

[@VrilWaffen]

Yea major blunder to leave out A&A, Risk's cooler older brother

[@ihaveamouthandimustscream5649]

Brilliant series!

[@victorgonzalez2927]

Small World is one of my favorite games. I need to get my hands on GOT The Board Game. Twilight Struggle is a long game and is real tough if you're new to it playing against someone who is more familiar with it.

[@NATOnova]

would love an update video. still see people play risk a lot

[@andrewrowland5109]

Hi Tom. Nice snapshot thank you. Have you seen Napoleon's Imperium? Risk meets Axis on steroids with Battle Card twists :-)

[@williamwilting]

No one ever mentions them anymore, but there are two games very similar to Risk that are still quite good; not as good as games like Small World perhaps, but still good. The first one is actually a variation on Risk and even has Risk in the title, and that is Risk 2210 A.D. It is Risk, but it gives the units more regions to control, even some on the moon. There are also sea areas you can control and no region is much harder to get under your control than the other, so the lack of balance that you had with Australia in regular Risk is gone. And last but not least, it ends after a set number of rounds. I don't know everything about this game, but I was impressed to see what issues it fixes from the original Risk. And the other game I'm talking about is Dust. Not Dust Tactics or Dust Warfare, but just Dust, which seems to be described as some sort of cross between Risk and Axis & Allies. Again, there is no continent where you are a lot safer than on the other, also because of the fact that you can do battle on sea, and transport your land units over sea with the help of submarines. The game works with a victory point system that will set your goal for the end of the game (get the set amount of points first and you'll win). Instead of completing secret objectives and conquering continents to get extra troops, you'll have your own Capital to defend and other ones to conquer, as well as building production centers and power sources to get enough resources for getting your troops. What I like about the game is the fact that there are more types of units instead of just one (as in Risk). Tanks and mechs battle on land, submarines battle on sea and fighters and bombers battle above land, but can sometimes be used to fly themselves to remote places that need more support. And I also like the simple hit-or-miss combat system (only hits or misses on the dice), but still some depth because of the types of attacks depending on where you battle and with what.

[@trueneese8080]

I just won risk playing for the first time out of South America, we were playing capitols but I was so closed to world domination my opponents both forfeit

[@stumeister6891]

Last summer I decided to merge a few things from Axis Allies into Risk. My friends at work and I have not played a game yet because our schedules are so conflicting. It amazes me that I can't find a single video posted by anyone that has tried to merge these two games? All I took from Axis Allies was using $$ to build a factory, then you can build a naval base and/or Air Base so you can manufacture short/long range bombers, and/or aircraft carriers/troop transport ships so you can have an impact on what's happening in different parts of the world even though your armies are somewhat isolated in a particular part of the world. You also can manufacture air defense and radar stations, and also coastal artillery to defend against air strikes and amphibious assault. you can also manufacture an atomic weapon. Also added the need for petroleum oil.

[@man-yp1gb]

Axis &Allies, Diplomacy, Ikusa/Samurai Swords, Conquest Of The Empire, Washington's War, Fortress America!

[@peteface24]

Should have had El Grande. No explicit combat, but it has the light area control style of Risk with a number of clever mechanics that make it much more strategic and fun. I also prefer the fantasty version of Memoir '44, Battlelore 2nd ed.

[@naegling]

Games that are better than Risk: Risk Legacy Risk Europe Risk Star wars edition Risk Risk is better game than risk XD

[@biasedhistory618]

Axis and allies

[@NuntiparkNTY238]

Where Risk Revised, Risk 2210 A.D. ?

[@joebeet2696]

Surprised to not find Fortress America on this list given Tom loves it

[@DutchYoda]

I'm really surprised not to see Cry Havoc. It was the first one I thought of as a big Portal fan :D

[@russby3554]

I love playing Risk but it very quickly can feel repetitive. That's why I like the "story mode" of the different games and the alternative win conditions they give.

[@matthewsinger]

No mention of Risk: 2210 or Risk: Godstorm. I guess the fall into the same category with Risk: Europe.

[@kristis61]

Diplomacy. It is the essence of strategy games (no luck/dice/cards). And with so much online activity &variants. And since we are talking about risk there is godstorm.

[@tancredi7106]

Since i discovered Diplomacy I have never opened Risiko again

[@leostmark]

I would have added War of the Ring to the list. It's for 2 to 4 players and as well as the regular army combat also has the fun of trying to get the Fellowship of the Ring secretly to Mordor to destroy the One Ring. If you enjoy Risk or you enjoy Lord of the Rings then I'd recommend this game.

[@d.b.gaston665]

There's also World War 5, a little Risk-like game included in Pyramid Arcade that plays much quicker (about 10-15 minutes).

[@DarthPeregrine]

Another really good "Risk" replacement is Attack from Eagle Games. However, you need to have the expansion to fully experience the game.

[@ataru4]

The bonus of the Risk variants like Risk Europe and Star Wars Risk compared to the others is that they can be bought quite cheap. I got mine for about £20 each.

[@peteface24]

Yeah, I just got SW Risk for £10 in a closing down sale, spent another tenner getting miniatures on Ebay to pimp it out with.

[@erikatinajero6577]

Warzone is also a good mobile game that can replace risk, where u can do a campaign, make your own custom matches, play with other players, or make different levels for players across the world to play and see if they can beat it

[@stuffcompiler2121]

World War 5! It's so intense that it skips over the other two...

[@jomc8768]

love the new series but think actualol is owed some love for inventing this way of reviewing board games.....

[@carrickrichards2457]

This is helpful. We played alot of Risk as kids and I'd hope the better games will be enjoyed much more by the next generation. 1775 (or 878), Endeavor: Age of Sail, Twilight Imperium (or Eclipse), Shogun, 'Coin' series Games (GMT) and Twilight Struggle. Political-Economic 'Euro' games like Hansa Teutonica (or Marco Polo) Shasn, Coimbra, Tzolkin, Architects of the Western Kingom (or Raiders of Scythia), Lancaster, Stroganov, Pax Pamir (or John Company), Explorers of the North Sea (or Raiders of the North Sea) and Odin's Feast. Want war? How about Frederick (or Maria), Race to Moscow, and a host of others without going to fantasy themes (Glad you did not mention Axis-and-Allies). There are so MANY good 'non-zero-sum' euro games now. .

[@rylanhardewpersad7208]

can you do a gameplay on risk,so we can see if its good and learn how to play it

[@WorldAquariumSingapore]

Yes Aust is at the corner of risks

[@arcticfoxvikingseaking2206]

Interesting video. I am surprised axis and Allies was not mentioned and even expected it to be the last one he mentioned till it was not but Memoir 44 highly recommend. It focuses more on tactics than grand strategy playing individual battles instead of whole wars. I thought the star wars one was interesting. I really want to try risk Europe and only recently discovered it. Also I would like to try risk Mythology. Risk is more simplistic which is good and bad. Complicated games a lot of people don't like so your family may not want to play a hard game that u love. A perfect example is Merchants and Marauders. This game goes in detail of piracy or u can be a merchant and win that way all be it a bit more boring. Highly recommend but my family thinks its too hard. Also cad games a great one is Citadels. Also I don't want to have to many types of Risk and not play them. My brother has so many versions of Monopoly, and a lot don't get played. He is a monopoly guy and I am a Risk guy and even our lives have gone in those directions. I am a military man and he is more into sales law and investing. I know better or worse are subjective but Risk will always be either on of if not my favorite game. Others include memoir 44 the civil version of memoir 44 citadels settlers of catan, dominion, Carcassonne, Merchants and Marauders, Robert Kyosokis financial game, and the disease one where u try to beat the game.

[@alfredovillegas141]

True story: the way I always introduce Small World to my non-gaming friends is: it's like Risk but fun to play. I just discovered this series of "better than" videos. I am really liking them.

[@kdorosh3001]

Dust strategy board game is very good. Out of print but copies are around. Plays well from 2 up to 6. Everyone I've played wants to play again as soon as the game is over. 10 rounds, point based there for attacking rewarded turtling/build up is not. Can't recommended enough!

[@jacobkainu7757]

Coincidentally, Age of War is a rework of an older game called Risk Express... But I'm certain you knew that, Tom ;)

[@robertfstrickland6207]

SUPREMACY is one of my favorite games

[@danielramadelcastillo8890]

Dear Tom, you mention 3 versions of Risk (Legacy, Europa and Star Wars) better than Original Risk. In my opinion, the best Risk version after the Original (and better than 3 versions you mentioned) is RISK 2210 AD. Best version ever! Regards.

[@jimsmith7445]

Tom... good vid!!!! I agree on "Age of War"... who wouldn't love that??? Have everything "Memoir 44"... Keep up the good work

[@akahdrin]

Age of War is actually a rethemed Risk Express.

[@brandonmathewson783]

If you get Risk: Star Wars, get the “Black Edition” way better!! Actual miniatures of the Death Star, M Falcon, and Executor. 👍👍

[@joshfrench5858]

FootlesShark I liked Star Wars rebellion.

[@Marvomat8291]

And what is about Blood Rage?

[@dinkmartini3236]

Taking or holding asia in risk is nearly impossible. It's one of the jobs of the player who holds australia to step into siam and make sure nobody ever controls asia.

[@TheDavidorse123]

What about blood rage or the up and coming rising sun(I know its not out yet but when it dose...)

[@scottmackintosh5934]

Is risk basically, who goes first wins.

[@natehocking8884]

Surprised nexus ops and war of 5 armies is not on here.

[@kr00m]

Thanks!

[@SnackeyG]

Love Small World. Just played it the first time on Friday. We ended up playing at least 5 games straight. Played like 8 hours.

[@joshroberts8278]

Walking dead Risk is also fun. Much shorter and eliminates camping.

[@MegatronYES]

Josh Roberts one of my faves, you have to pay attention to where the walkers have already hit and make sure you avoid having weak forces in territories that are still not yet attacked!

[@aidenperras3117]

i want to play memoir 44 but i can't find it anywhere

[@evannadeau3938]

Dude Tom Vasel loves his hats hahaha I've grown to enjoy them

[@evannadeau3938]

War of the Ring!!

[@kalakaasesina3745]

No Wallenstein? Cyclades?

[@salman13]

one of the best games iplayed was scotland yard/ny chase!

[@Straddllw]

I'm from Australia and looool at dominating the world.

[@TakeTheBluePilll]

TBH i love Risk, i own a revised edition, and i know it's more of a luck game cause even having 20 units assaulting 6 units doesn't guarantee you victory in a battle. Also all that dice throwing takes a good chunk of time. That's why i adjusted the rules a bit so that there's no need for dice, it eliminates most of the random aspect and speeds up the game a lot.

[@matthewbrooks8648]

Axis and Allies deserved a mention

[@chobe78]

For me Nexus Ops, Dust and Age of Conan are the best Risk'ish games, except that the last is perhaps too complicated to be compared. Same is imho true for the Axis & Allies games.

[@treasuretrevor]

For my money, no game captures the feel of Risk like Nexus Ops. It's the Risk feel in a 60-90 minute playtime. Can't believe it's not on the list as it's the game I always see mentioned for Risk lovers.

[@DrMcFly28]

Any random 10 games from BGG top 500. Video done.

[@matthew.strout]

Axis and allies???

[@jimsmith7445]

Tom... you forgot a few games Shogun (Samurai Swords) is amazing... Samurai (Knizia), Condotierre is amazing (card game), how about "Fortresss America"?

[@OrbitaPictures]

Quartermaster General! Very good game!

[@jeffreyknoll5611]

Spheres of Influence was the replacement for me.

[@somebodysomewhere5571]

Risk Europe looks so fun I might buy it thanks!

[@RiderEJ]

Its one of the most fun games I’ve played, I would definitely recommend it!

[@andrewp3043]

Nexus Ops and Wallenstein/Shogun belong on the list too. I need to give Small World another try

[@mikesimmonds344]

I am surprised about Twilight Struggle and Game of Thrones. Although not a fan of Smallworld, ok understand this one. I am surprised no Cry Havoc or Nexus Ops.

[@canadianturfsandwich1258]

those are all good games, but Risk is still a great classic and will ever stay.

[@rockxhero]

Smallworld just doesn't do it as a Risk replacement for me. Cyclades does though! (I've yet to play Kemet.) Surprised Nexus Ops, Cry Havoc, & possibly Tigris & Euphrates or El Grande' didn't make this list.

[@AndrewDayMortgage]

Age of War???? WHAT! Kemet's a great choice.

[@d.b.gaston665]

Age of War is actually a rethemed version of a game called "Risk: Express," there are several Print-and-Play version out there, you basically just need to print out a few cards and get some D6s.

[@titustovar287]

city of remnants?

[@csbkota]

No Britannia, nor Antike. Oh well, as he said: there are quite a few substitutes.

[@NicosRap]

1775 Rebellion is a great game

[@MG-oj7rr]

Risk Legacy is amazing expecially if you have same group playing games or even basic risk, to change basic one to legacy is beyond awesomnessssss Kemet 10/10 +2expansions Game of thrones with at least 5 players and fans of the show than yes if not, go for RLegacy or Kemet ;).

[@brandonsims1223]

Tom, I was really surprised you didn't have Scythe or Cry Havoc on this list.

[@trevdavies]

Brandon Sims I woulnt say Sythe is a war game. There is very little combat.

[@ks3333]

those are too complicated

[@santiagodionisio7994]

Cyclades pls

[@benediktcz]

what about the war of the ring?

[@ericzaragoza7513]

1:57 look up new risk (adding to cart) lets hit play again (notepad ready)

[@Nozdormu1982]

Also no spheres of influence.

[@sirownzalotgaming3025]

Glad you mentioned game of thrones. Game is crazy fun man.