RISK™ ($6.99) is yet another great example of how well board games transfer to the iPad. As is the case with most EA games, this app is well-polished, offering beautiful graphics, engaging sound effects and intuitive controls. The interface closely resembles the actual board game, including the tokens. You can even toss the dice onto the game board.
The objective of the game is to invade each country and take it over, eventually dominating the entire world. There is some strategy and some luck involved. When you attempt to attack an enemy unit, you must toss the dice to see who will come out on top. When battles occur, gunfire animations and sound effects take over the screen, adding to the experience.
You start by deploying troops to various countries throughout the world. After that, you can enter attack mode. You want to try and attack a country with a lower unit count than your own. After you’ve chosen your target, you must throw the dice to see if your number is higher than your opponent’s. If it is, then you’ll win the battle and defeat one of his or her units. If you defeat all of the opposing units, you’ll take over the country. You can also earn RISK cards that help you throughout the game.
Not only can you play with computer opponents, but also your friends and family. You can either play on the same iPad, or via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with up to six players.
With all the great things this app has to offer, it does lack in one major area, the AI. If you’re like me, and you don’t have people around all the time who enjoy RISK, then you’ll be playing the computer often. The AI in this game is a bit too easy, and doesn’t provide much of a challenge. If you’re a good RISK player, then it will get pretty boring after you beat the computer each time you play.
The game of RISK is definitely not for everyone. It takes a special type of gamer to enjoy this kind of strategy game. You really have to think ahead, and decide where you’d like to attack and when. Then, there’s the element of luck when you roll the dice. If you’re into these types of games, then RISK is definitely for you, and, overall, this app will not disappoint.
