Tabletop Game Review: Risk: Star Wars Edition

Risk: Star Wars Edition

Number of Players: 2 or 4*

Recommended Age: 10+

A long time ago (1957), in a galaxy far, far away (France), Risk was invented! A classic game on par with chess, Risk has aged well. Its simple cards and dice mechanics combined with complex strategy have inspired numerous variations and countless clones, many of them official. With everything from Halo Risk to Plants vs. Zombies Risk (I'm not joking), I guess I really shouldn't be surprised that this game, which I received as a Christmas gift, is actually the 4th Star Wars version of Risk.

I have played tabletop and mobile Risk for years, but this is my first variant. I was pretty skeptical about just how different you can get with cards and dice, but after playing a few rounds with my family, I find my initial lack of faith (in Hasbro) disturbing.

Risk: Star Wars Edition allows 2 or 4 players to re-enact the climactic final battle from Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. The TIE Fighter-shaped game board is split into three parts: the space battle near the Death Star, the lightsaber battle between Luke and Vader (and the Emperor), and the battle over the shield generator on the forest moon of Endor (no Ewoks).

After drawing action cards, players use them to advance their goals in each of these battles, rolling dice when needed. Play as the rebels, and you get to fly the Millenium Falcon. Play as the Empire, and you get to fire the Death Star's laser!

The official rules are complex enough to provide enjoyment, and simple enough to learn in 15 minutes or less. The rules to play with 4 players can also be easily amended to work with 3, although I don't recommend going above 4.

Having played both 2- and 4-player games with my 7 and 9 year old boys (and my wife), I can say that Risk: Star Wars Edition's mechanics are not the reason for it's 10+ age rating. It's the strategy. Even then, with a little more practice, I'm sure any 7-year-old could master both the light and dark sides of this game. This may impact replayability, however.

Risk: Star Wars Edition is an impressive (most impressive) variation on classic Risk and it will remain on our family's game shelf for a while. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Risk: Star Wars Edition ratings breakdown:
Design - ★★★★★
Novelty - ★★★★
Replayability - ★★★
Learning curve - ★★★★
Setup time - ★★★★

Have you played Risk: Star Wars Edition? If so, share your thoughts on the game below!