Lux Delux Review

Review by Albert Bassili
(Independent Game Reviewer)

Risk: Lux Delux – While there are an almost endless amount of Risk variation board games out there, sometimes a Risk game player just wants more, and this is where Lux Delux comes in. Originally released in 2002 by developer SillySoft, this entry into Risk video game will surely quench some of your thirst when it comes to branching out from the traditional Risk maps and gameplay. Of course, it doesn’t compare to the variety of options that a game of RISK online at Major Command can offer! But let’s not promote ourselves too much. 🙂 ^{_{(play risk online at major command game!)}}

Fortunately, this game has being updated, even over a decade after its release, and has even managed to come to Steam in 2015.

Risky Cartography

 

Now before we begin, there’s a little bit of a warning when to comes to Lux Delux, in that it’s a very minimalist straightforward Risk concept. If you really enjoy the animations of other Risk video games or watching the rolls whenever there are battles, then this game really isn’t for you. That being said, if it is an issue for you, and you can overcome it, you’re going to be rewarded with some really great variety.

So what is Risk: Lux Delux exactly? Well, it’s a Risk spin-off that focuses mostly on bringing you a ton of different maps to play on. Supporting over 800 maps from space maps with hexagonal tiles to different continents with square tiles, or even to fantasy maps with just simply weird tiles, there’s definitely something in there for everyone. Not only that but maps have their own individuality, with sprites representing the thematic concept of the map, like little WWI or even orcs and trolls.

The great part about all of this is that you can create your own maps for other people to play. Along with the creative freedom, you have with the graphics, Lux Delux’s development kit allows you to alter territories mechanically, such as having biohazard zones and what not. Once you’re done with the map, you just upload it, and you’re done! Map ready to be played by you, your friends, and the wide Lux Delux community.

Playing Risk: Lux Delux

 

Being a game that has online access, you get to have both the option of single player mode and multiplayer mode.

Single player is almost exactly what you expect, placed on the map and paired up against a number of AI opponents. Unlike other Risk video games, the AI here are fantastically smart, and even have their own personalities, built around historical figures. You might have one AI that prefers an incredibly aggressive approach, another that prefers defense, and yet another that just like’s consolidating its gains whenever it has them.

Just as a quick aside, and to testify to Lux Delux’s community input, even AI can be designed and uploaded by players. In fact, in 2015 there was an AI added that uses Monte Carlo Tree Search algorithms, meaning it gets smarter the longer you play it. So really, there’s a lot to be had from just changing around and trying out AI, even on just one individual map.

Coming back to multiplayer, like any other game, you have the chance of being teamed up with up to six other players and AI of your liking. There’s not much to say other than it’s exactly like the single player except you can play against real people. Fortunately, with the recent addition to Steam, the Lux Delux community is doing well, and you aren’t likely to run into too many empty lobbies.

Lux Delux Gameplay

 

So now that you know what Lux Delux is at its core, let’s go into actually playing it.

The game itself is really well optimized, so it doesn’t take almost any resources to run. The gameplay itself is fast-paced and action packed, with the focus mostly being on the strategy rather than the hoopla. Moving troops is just two clicks away, and once that’s done, the game automatically carries out all the rolls for you.

Given the lack of having to move things around and watching animations, there’s not much downtime to Lux Delux, and so you’re going to have to be on your toes constantly. Thankfully, the pace of the game is easy to pick up after a few plays against the AI, and strategizing on a constant basis starts coming naturally. Since there’s such a huge pool of maps to pick from, you can no longer depend on specific strategy, but instead, work on an overall battle plan that will see you to victory.

Conclusion

 

So what’s the final verdict?

Risk: Lux Delux is bare bones when it comes to flash and pizzazz but very heavy when it comes to variety. Even though there’re no animations in the game to speak of, it adds to the dynamic and quick pace that you would expect from a high-strategy game such as Risk. The map variety means that you always have something to come back to, and different things to try.

Not only that, but Lux Delux allows you to join in with developing new and interesting stuff to play. Whether you’re into graphics and want to make maps or a programmer who wants to make the AI, there’s something for everything. So really, it’s an inclusive game.

So if it sounds like something you might want to try, you can head over to SillySoft site and download a demo. Of course, don’t forget about playing Risk online with your friends here at Major Command! We’ll miss you!

Risk: Black Ops

Review by Sonny Go
(Independent Game Reviewer)

Risk: Black Ops – We all love to play RISK online, but when it came out in 2008, Risk: Black Ops became unique a template for newer Risk variants that may have needed something more going for them. The classic Risk game came out during the late 1950s, so it can’t be denied by many that an overhaul or at least some sort of revision is necessary for the game to stay relevant. Besides the obvious answer of playing Risk online like you would here with the Major Command game version, the face-to-face board game answer is that Risk: Black Ops, which came out just in time in the franchise’s 50th year, provides well as a template for the newer Risk game versions that followed.

It should be noted that Risk: Black Ops is a Limited Edition game. Hasbro only produced 1,000 copies making it extremely pricey for collectors to get a hold of. Adding to the scarcity was that many of the games were distributing to bloggers, reviewers, and gaming sites.

After decades of being pretty much the best-known strategy board game out there, Risk needed a bit of a change in order to stay fresh in an Internet-dominated world and garner the attention of younger generations. Designers came up with some additions and changes that made games shorter and more engaging for more people in more occasions. What they came up with does work towards that end and is indeed interesting.

Overview

 

It may have been for a limited release, but Risk: Black Ops was quite the shake-up as far as being a departure from the classic Risk game goes. Its biggest change is the introduction of Objectives in place of the usual Global Domination gameplay.

While you can still play Global Domination like in classic Risk game if you wish to do so, you now have another victory condition to play for in place of taking over all the territories in order to win. This makes for faster games, which is a good thing since it’s not uncommon for classic Risk games to last a whole night and into the wee hours of the morning.

The addition of Objectives makes for more dynamic gameplay and greater strategic and tactical variation. Global Domination usually takes 4 hours or more, especially with a full table, while Objectives requires much less. This means that players won’t get worn out after just one game and they could play another one if they so wish.

This new game format also enables more comebacks to be possible, so players who have the advantage at the moment can’t just sit on their lead by turtling up their defenses. Everyone has to be somewhat aggressive in order to capture the objectives before opponents can or perhaps foil their plans to enact yours.

Rules and Features

 

Risk: Black Ops is for 3-5 players instead of the usual maximum of 6 players. It makes use of the same map as classic Risk, although with a more modern theme. That map accommodates 4 major objectives and 4 minor objectives that the players will fight over. The first to get 3 objectives wins the game.

There are 6 major objectives and 6 minor objectives included, from which you have to pick 4 of each at random during the start of a game. That makes for 8 total objectives on the map, and you need only take 3 of them to win. The difference between major and minor objectives is the corresponding rewards; major objectives have more significant rewards.

Each player gets a Capital, and they then draw 15 territory cards at random. These determine how reinforcements are distributed, as well as objectives. The 15 territories drawn are to be designated as Cities, after which the cards are shuffled back into the deck. Capturing a Capital gives extra reinforcements, and territories with a city count of 2 also give extra troops.

Once Capitals and Cities have been assigned, players get their troops by counting the values of the territories they picked to control at the start of the game. It’s a bit similar to how troops are drafted in classic Risk, but territories hold a lot more sway in how many each player gets. Once they get the troops, the first player to start the game is picked by whatever means deemed appropriate, and the game proceeds.

During the game, players may acquire objectives during their attack phases, at the end of which they get the reward as indicated. They can even get two or more at one time, in which case that player must choose between them. Since objectives can give rewards that can give an incredible advantage, only one can be taken per turn to keep things fair.

Conclusion

 

From how things went from there, it seems that what Risk: Black Ops started did take hold on more modern Risk games. Some fans may think that it’s dumbing the game down, but what it really did was make it a lot more accessible to more players in a lot more occasions.

At least with this updated format, you won’t look at that Risk game on your shelf with a pang of dread due to the prospect of going through up to 6 hours of intensity. That indeed makes Risk: Black Ops and its successors more welcome in just about any game library.

END OF REVIEW

 

Some people ask about prices, so I looked for this Risk board game online
and saw one on Amazon for $1063! That is CRAZY!
I found another one that is a lot more “affordable” at $421.
So hurry up and grab it if you have the cash and are a collector.
I guess that’s what happens when a game is limited to only 1000 copies.
Remember to check for used ones when you look around. Things change.

Risk 2210 AD

Review by Sonny Go
(Independent Game Reviewer)

Imagine the classic Risk game being revised to fit a completely different theme, from the Napoleonic War to science fiction. While the classic Risk game is indeed a great game with solid gameplay, but there had always been yearning for something more. Since the core gameplay ruleset is quite flexible, there have actually been variations to the game that have taken off, letting players experience it in many other ways, and a sci-fi variant was certainly not far behind.

What is Risk 2210 AD?

 

From Avalon Hill, Risk 2210 AD was first published back in 2001 as a futuristic version of the classic Risk game. It was designed for play by 2 to 5 players from ages 10 and up, and each game can last up to 3 to 4 hours. For the most part, it’s similar to classic Risk board game in that most of the game is acquiring armies to attack and defend territories, but this variation does more by adding the Moon as another accessible map with conquerable territories, which also adds more to the strategy gameplay.

Having that other area to worry about while worrying about conquering and defending continents on Earth constitutes some strategic juggling that requires even longer term thinking than in the classic Risk game. The Moon is basically another map with restricted access; you need to gain access to the Moon first before you can take territories there. There are some great advantages to controlling the Moon, and it can greatly help you in winning the game. Because of that, playing Risk 2210 AD isn’t exactly like playing classic Risk.

Risk 2210 AD Game Pieces

 

Of course, the most notable addition to this game is the Moon itself. You can’t really ignore the Moon in this game and just play Risk 2210 AD like classic Risk due to the additional advantages that the Moon avails being incredibly powerful, especially during the late game. Also, you can also control the waters with your navy, which adds more balance to the game due to certain territories in classic Risk no longer being safe havens as they’re now made more accessible through the water. The same can be said about the Moon as once it becomes accessible, anyone can race up to it.

Territory Card sets are no more, so the late game won’t have floods of reinforcements making comebacks impossible, which can make the game more enjoyable longer. Players who are behind can now have a chance to come back from seemingly certain defeat, so long as they make the right decisions. This has become what makes Risk 2210 AD a hit for longtime Risk players as its changes and additions bring new ways to experience the game.

There are Nukes, which is definitely what shakes things up in Risk 2210 AD. It’s both a reward for those who have played well thus far and a comeback mechanic for those who’ve been losing for most of the time and yet somehow got a hold of Nukes to turn the tables. It’s not unlike the Major Command Game of NUKES Risk online in terms that it can definitely change the balance of power. It can also be a gambit for those in the lead to secure their victory as it trades safety for great reward with one shot.

Risk 2210 AD Game Map

 

As with the classic Risk board game, and also with the Risk online games, there’s fun and frustration in the chaos courtesy of the dice roll. Additional 8-sided dice are included with the usual 6-sided dice to determine attacks when players have acquired commanders, which is what helps break stalemates and facilitates more action in Risk 2210 AD. Winning players can gain more momentum by getting commanders while losing players can come back from adversity with them.

Perhaps there are things some players may find peculiar or weak in this game. For instance, there’s no way to aim Nukes, which is strange, and the Moon turns out to not be as big of a game-changer as it should be, only being extra space like the seas. It’s also quite hard to get there since there are only 3 lunar landing sites that can only be accessed from Space Stations, which are only applicable to players who possess a Space Commander. That’s a lot of hoops to jump through in order just to gain some extra territory.

Risk 2210 AD Game Play

 

It’s pretty much a standard Risk game with extra stuff added to it, so it retains much of the uncertainty in its gameplay. While you can indeed become very skilled in this game, you’re still dependent on the luck of the dice roll that may mess things up for you if you ever roll low. It’s all about stacking the advantages to your favor in order to account for bad luck that may come your way, and that also means players at a deficit have a chance to bounce back if they can salvage and regroup.

For the most part, experienced Risk players will find the additions in Risk 2210 AD to be quite welcome as they don’t fetter too much with the original Risk game. It’s pretty much a Risk game with some changes that make it more exciting overall as there are now more ways to win and to lose.

END OF REVIEW

Some people ask about prices. This is the cheapest I’ve found.
I’ve added an Amazon link. I’ve seen some used ones for as low as $23.45.
If you click the link remember to check used ones too!

Risk: Star Wars Edition

Review by Sonny Go
(Independent Game Reviewer)

Risk: Star Wars – With renewed vigor, the Star Wars franchise has re-entered modern pop culture. Star Wars merchandise is now hotter than ever with greater mainstream appeal due to its legendary status in pop culture. Perhaps it’s because of that, it’s worth looking at Risk: Star Wars Edition, a variant of Risk that takes place in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

If you’re in the mood for some Star Wars action after re-watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens for yet another time on Blu-ray and perhaps played a Star Wars video game or two, as well as having done some sweet moves with your lightsaber replica, then perhaps you’d like to give this Risk game a try. It gives a different perspective of Star Wars through the lens of strategy.

Overview

When Risk: Star Wars Edition came out in late 2006, the Star Wars franchise had gone through a shaky period courtesy of the prequel trilogy. However, it was still fresh enough in the minds of younger fans that a Star Wars board game wouldn’t really be amiss.

This is what happens when you combine two well-known names together, one being from science fiction and the other from strategy gaming. Both of them have since seen their own overhauls and introduced to a new generation of fans, so it seems that something with them together is a no-brainer.

Nine years later after this game came out, The Force Awakens premiered to an expectant public. That movie also rendered the extended universe no longer canon, so a good bit of the stuff you may see on this game may no longer be the “real thing.” But then again, if you’re a fan of what’s now known as the Star Wars Legends universe, then perhaps all is not lost with Risk: Star Wars Edition.

Rules and Features

Players can choose to control the Empire, the Rebel Alliance, or the Hutts. The first two are the main factions of the Galactic Civil War, while the latter is more of a neutral faction. Think of the Hutts as more of what stirs the pot and takes the leftovers in the grand conflict.

All the Empire wants is to take out the Rebel Alliance once and for all. All the Rebel Alliance wants is to assassinate the Emperor. Meanwhile, the Hutts want 10 out of the 13 resource planets on the map, which are also important to both the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. These are their respective objectives, which indeed puts them all at blows with each other.

Unlike in classic Risk, the units in each faction are unique, so you can differentiate between factions easily. The Rebel Alliance are in warm colors, the Empire is gray, and Hutts are green. There are also two Death Stars belonging to the Empire that protects planets controlled by that faction and can destroy other planets, which gives the Empire quite an advantage.

Cards also come into play. Faction-specific cards can make or break a game for players who are either trying to run with their advantage or hoping for a miracle. For instance, there are “Fire the Death Star” cards that Empire players would definitely want to draw and use, posing the greatest threat to the Rebel Alliance.

You can most likely figure out at this point that it’s not an even playing field. However, the objectives do serve to even things out–it does look harder to take out an entire faction than just a special target, and even easier to just take resources. This war is fought across planets, most of which should be familiar to Star Wars fans.

So the gist of it is the Empire is trying to destroy the whole Rebel Alliance, who are trying to survive while hoping against hope to kill the Emperor, all while the Hutts are just trying to get rich and be nuisances in the middle of the war. That does seem like a recipe for some good galactic fun.

Aside from having Death Stars and planets, Risk: Star Wars Edition is pretty much cast from the mold of classic Risk. For best results, make sure that you have five players to really get a galactic war going in all its strategic intricacy and diplomatic intrigue.

Conclusion

Risk: Star Wars is not a game you can play online. None of the online Risk game website will ever get the licence to carry the Star Wars name, which may be fine since the variants of playing Risk online can certainly compete the standard board game model. Maybe you’d even think that a Star Wars board game may be more of a novelty than anything else, but Risk: Star Wars Edition does indeed play well enough. If you’re into the more strategic aspects of the war between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance, then this game is a perfect fit for that fascination. Whether you’re a hardcore Star Wars fan or a Risk fan, you may find this game to be an interesting experience indeed.

END OF REVIEW

 

Some people ask about price, so I’ve added an Amazon link.
I’ve seen some used ones as low as $80 on Amazon if you click on the link.
Though $80 seems like a lot, even for a used game!