Customer Reviews

Risk Halo Wars

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What can I say that you don't already know or assume. Well, lets start by saying yes, this is risk with halo characters. There are a few different ways to play the game. The game says 3-5 players, but I have played with only 2 (You do have to make up some special rules). You can play teams, Covenant vs Usnc or teams Covenant vs Usnc vs Flood. Or you can play singles with 5 players. There is a ton to do with this game.

Mixed in with the different game types are different rules and game pieces. For example, you can play for achievements, which when unlocked give you bonus powers. (reinforcements, a cannon, extra post reinforcement moves, extra attack dice, extra defend dice, etc) Reinforcement cards are a little different also. Instead of collecting like symbols, you collect skulls which can be turned in, or saved, for up to 30 reinforcements. This game is a lot faster then original risk, but it has its own unique items and charm. The replay value on this game is VERY HIGH!! I recommend this game not only for Halo fans, but to risk fans who want to change up the game a little.

One side note, you will need zip lock bags, as no containers are provided with this set.

I have a group of friends that I play Risk with. We've played just about every Risk special edition to come out the last few years, and I must say this is one of the best we've played. The achievement system makes for short games, which is refreshing.

Since my son started playing this game he spends more time off the XBOX! He and his cousins enjoy this very much especially since it's based on the XBOX game, HALO. I loved board games when I was his age so it's nice to see him interacting face to face instead of over the internet.

I am both a fan of the board game Risk, and a Halo geek, so this was a winning combination with me. The only thing i noticed was how lasy the design team was. The game board is very well done, but if you flip it round (look at it with the top closest to you) to it is almost identical to the same of the normal risk global map, the lines are more squiwgy and borders have moved.
Still fun to play, and new rules change up the atmosphere.

This is a fun game! and fast. the new rules make winning the game possible in 3 rounds (~60min). set up takes about 5 minutes. the first time you play, read through the directions (very easy to follow the step by step process) to set up--expect about a 15-30 minute 'getting your bearings' buffer. then you will be able to read through the directions while playing. in easy mode the game comes with scenarios, in which piece placement is already done for you. i haven't played the more difficult versions yet. my son and i play the 3 player scenario(if i feel like losing) and he plays the UNSC and i play the Flood. there are team mode rules that allow him to get full control of sectors without having to battle himself for control. else we will play the 4 player scenario and we both get 2 teams--UNSC vs the Covenant.

my 9yr old son hates math. but add in HALO to the equation and all of a sudden he's all like lets do math for survival of the human race! this game is based on reinforcements. in order to figure out reinforcements you have to add all your territories plus colonies, divide by 3, then add base, sector and card bonus. ((T+C)/3)+B+S+C=Reinforcements received. it is easy math, but to a 3rd grader, this is a great mind challenge. my sons math skill has gone up tremendously and he even said to me yesterday, 'dad, i'm starting to like school'. educational. very. and it teaches you patience and strategy. dont go attacking with all your troops. save some for defense (that is where the odds are). my son doesnt have this down yet--as i span across the board all his territories have one single unit. but, he is learning.

cons include cheap pieces. the pieces dont look durable, but to a kid this game is all about imagination.
there are somethings left out in the open, like "do achievements pass to different players?" and "what are the 2 other dice for?". probably answers easily found on the internet.

Halo Wars Risk has basically the same rules as Risk, but with some exciting additions. If you actually played the video
game, you would know that there are heros. Heros strengthen your attacks.
The game pieces are VERY cool. Instead of boring arrows, this game has little figurines with pretty good detail. Different map, futuristic colonies and the pieces add lots of detail (and fun) to the game. The bases look EXACTLY like those in the game!
I would suggest this game to anyone who is a fan of strategy games and, of course Halo.

My son is a big Halo fan. This game was perfect for him. We play it as a family! Not too hard to figure out either!

First off let me say that I am comparing this game to the new version of risk because that is what it most closely resembles. When you consider this, all of the new additions are the same additions that the new standard edition of risk offers with the exception of "champion units" and the recommended play-styles of flood versus humans versus covenant.

Personally I prefer the achievement style game that is presented here and in the new risk. It offers a more aggressive style of play in certain situations by encouraging players to attack more often and to conquer more quickly.

As far as the new additions that the halo wars version offers, I personally found the champion piece to be almost pointless. Yes it helped in certain battle but it's help was minimal in most fights and usually you'd be fighting champion versus champion so there was no real advantage on either side.

The part of this game that earned it only 3 stars in my book, however, was the 5-player gameplay mode. When you play with 5-players you are supposed to have 1 player play flood, 2 covenant, and 2 humans, and the respective races make up your teams. So you have 3 separate teams trying for domination. To counter-balace the fact that flood only gets one player they add in benefits such as more starting units, opportunity to go first, and here's the game breaker: double cards. Because of this benefit it was inevitable that both the human and covenant had to team up against the flood at some point early on. If they didn't the game would essentially be over. Here's why: within 3 rounds of the beginning the flood will have 6 cards. Assuming even one of those cards is worth 2 points they'll be getting anywhere from 15-21 troops if they cash them in. Add on their current recruitment number of 3-5 and you have up to 26 troops entering the board on the 4th round of play. This many troops can devastate any weak borders you have built up by this time and if played right can take out some players altogether. But the real threat here is the potential for achievements. Because the flood needs less achievements to win the game using this massive wave of troops to acquire achievements is probably the best and most broken tactic.

Anyways, I could explain more as to how the 5-player is broken but it would just come off as complaining. Ultimately you could play the game the standard way and be fine but then what's the point in buying a separate risk game? If you want a unique spin on risk that works try risk 2210.

The rules are quite different from the original Risk, but they do provide a much more fast-paced gaming experience. My first game lasted one hour, between two people. I know the game is intended for three or more, but it was still fun despite the slight handicap. I like the achievement victory option A LOT. The best part of Risk games, in my opinion, is the contest over the board when everyone really gets into the gameplay. However, when it becomes obvious who the winner is, but nobody wants to just quit because it seems unsporting, the game has the potential to drag on for another half hour or more, with no one really enjoying it. Sometimes, it's hard to get full enjoyment this way. With the Achievements, you don't have to conquer all the world...in fact, you only need to hold a fraction of it. It's much more mission based, and almost feels more like a game of Capture the Flag in a way. You can still opt to play the original Risk, or you can play the new rules. Plus, it's design is based on Halo, so for the fans it is very cool. The only problem I had with playing was understanding some of the finer points of the game, because the rule book seems a bit vague in areas. I had the same problem with Axis and Allies, when I first played it. Perhaps it is different for others. I think this is a great game and worthy successor to the original Risk, and I encourage any Halo fans or RISK lovers to give it a chance. I'm very happy with my purchase.

May the games be ever in your favor.

This game as with all Risk games takes a bit of reading time to learn what the set up is. Set up also takes a bit of time. Overall it is a challenging and fun game.