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Risk: Factions Review
JudoChinX
June 28, 2010
T
here are two kinds of people in this world: those who adore Risk, and those who've never played it. Being part of the former group, I've been anticipating the release of Risk: Factions since it's announcement earlier this year. With this anticipation came some concern. Being a Risk purist, I didn't want to see the traditional formula messed with, and upon hearing that different races would be added to the game (they would be the factions mentioned in the game's title), I was worried. I enjoyed Risk spinoffs such as Risk: 2210 A.D., though I've always been partial to the original game. There's something about the simplicity of the original that speaks to me. It's not weighed down by unnecessarily complex or convoluted rules; it's fun at its purest form: a few friends and an experience that is sure to test relationships.
It turns out all of this worrying was in vain. Risk: Factions includes the original version of the game in addition to the new factions portion of the
game. First, for those of you like me, the Risk portion of the game includes a no-frills-to-th-point version of the board game that feels perfect for
console play. Instead of the traditional infantry, cavalry, and artillery pieces used in the board game, armies are now represented by a number on
each territory. It's a small change, and one that definitely makes sense for this game's medium. The other major change to the traditional board game
is that battles can now be completed without having to watch dice rolls. If you're into the dice rolls, you can absolutely still view them, but for
most of us, that can get a little monotonous, especially near the end of the game where players are frequently calling in 50 reinforcements, so
skipping through that part of the game is a pleasant modification. Other than these minor changes, the game is exactly what you remember, albeit
briskly paced.
The real changes in the game's formula come in the factions campaign and modes of play. True to the game's title, the short campaign, consisting of only five levels, allows you to become familiar with new maps and each of the five factions available. Factions takes on a less serious tone than that of the original game, giving you the ability to play as Humans, Cats, Zombies, Robots, or Yetis. The races themselves don't play differently, though there are different aesthetics for battle. Humans use guns, while cats use claws and vomit. It's quite humorous, but the major change in gameplay comes in the form of new maps to play on. Each map has its own special territories, and controlling them grants a special ability. The first map you play has three bunkers, and controlling all of them at once allows you to control a missile launcher, which gives the controller one extra dice for each battle taking place in its area of effect. Another map has a dam, and controlling two territories on either side of the dam allows you to flood a continent at the beginning of your turn, which destroys all but one army on each territory within.
Winning the game in Factions is a bit different too. Each map has five objective that can be completed for bonuses. Complete three of these objectives, then redeem their rewards, and you win. Goals range from controlling several continents at once to taking over a certain number of territories in one turn, or even collecting a specified number of minerals from mines on the map. It sounds a tad overwhelming, but don't worry, the game does a great job at talking you through these new twists on the rules.
Risk: Factions can be enjoyed locally or over Xbox Live, and both modes of play work perfectly. If you're the least bit interested in Risk, but aren't interested in the actual setup, mess, or time requried for play, then I highly recommend this version of the game. Not only is the original iteration of the game preserved in its perfection, but Factions provides an unexpectedly charming and unique experience. All in all it's a great experience well worth your 800 Microsoft points (10 real people dollars).
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