Customer Reviews

Risk [Old Version]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am the biggest Risk fan out there, and the original Risk version is my favorite computer game, which I play constantly. A few years ago, they released Risk II which ultimately lost all that was good about the original game. It seems they decided to start over, and came out with a new version of Risk I, which seems promising, but is also ultimately disappointing. I am not sure why they took such a big step back from the '95 release with this 'update'. But there are a few things that I really like about it:

POSITIVES:
-The game has an ongoing voice-over/commentary that sounds like Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard) and which adds a great deal of fun. It is the best new feature. Unfortunately, the commentary is very limited, so you repeatedly hear the same comments over and over and over and over again. In the next release, I hope they expand the dialogue library.

-The game lets you choose which generals you play against, and each general (allegedly) fights differently. Unfortunately, in practice, they don't. The computer AI in the '95 was DRAMATICALLY more intelligent than this version, even if I selected the most brilliant generals. In fact, I think it is impossible to lose a game in this version. the '95 version, on some maps, like North America, it was extremely challenging to ever win.

NEGATIVES:

-The AI is really dumb and it is impossible to lose.

-They give you only one map you can play off of. The '95 version had 5 maps to choose from. Let's hope they come out with an expansion pack.

-You cannot view what card you were given at the end of your battle until the start of your next turn. The '95 version didn't have this restriction.

-You are forced to play with the ever-increasing point format to the cards. The first time a set of cards is turned in, you get 4 armies, then 6, then 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. Because the only map they provide has so few countries, there is virtually no way for the game to go beyond 7 or 8 turns if you play against multiple generals.

OVERALL
I hope they come out with an expansion pack for this version that includes more maps, and improves the AI and commentary tracks, and gameplay options. If they do this, then this could be a classic. As it stands now, it seems more like a good start. Until then, you should find a copy of the '95 version. It's still the best version available.

For folks that grew up on the basic game, this is a fun way to revisit the past. Unfortunately the computer opponents do not provide enough of a challenge to keep a person coming back. Overall, I prefer the 1996 release of the game with enhancements (multiple maps, terrain, and objectives) that offer variety and increasing challenges. I'm puzzled by the step back?

Risk This version of Risk will be fine for a person who has never played before and wants to learn the game. It will allow a beginner to win often. For persons who know how to play the game and are familiar with its basic strategy, this game will not be much fun. The AI is weak and leaves computer players wide open for easy conquest. AI players make too many playing errors i.e. not attacking a conquered continent aggressively or not attacking when their forces are built up enough. The previous versions played the game better.

This version of Risk is dumbed-down when compared to Risk and Risk II from the '90's, that is true. There's not much in the way of options.

However, as a faithful version of the board game it is good enough. The graphics and presentation are quite nice. The real upshot is that it runs on Vista and runs without the CD which works well for my lap top. (Risk II does this as well, but it is a little more complicated to run it on Vista.)

If you are looking for a fun time-waster on a flight, pick this up. If you are playing Risk on a desktop PC, I'd say pick up the older, more robust versions.

Don't buy this. If you've ever played the original board game, you will simply detest this software. One could be the most credulous person on Earth and yet find it absolutely impossible to believe the stupidity of the computer "strategies". Just after every "turn" of a computer general, one simply can't help an involuntary blink and shake of the head.

I hate to say this, but you can actually have some fun with this game--even with its massive defects--by deliberately stacking the deck against yourself. Still there are times when this dumbed down version is so profoundly frustrating that you will wish the people responsible would be led into a vacant, sound-proofed building and severely punished.

However I also got Stratego and can not install it on my 64 Bit. I would like help on this

This game is pretty simple. I have bought several other versions of computer Risk over the years. Unfortunately many of them don't play well on the newer operating systems. It can be played very quickly with some of the options, so I am playing it more frequently than the other versions that still work.

I played the board game as a child and had an older computer version. This version has some improvements, but I just enjoy playing the game.

This was a great purchase it came on time and in the eact condition mentioned I would purchase from them any time