zombie84 said:
Also, more on topic, in response to Darth Ender's OP: does Risk have a bad rep? When I was growing up, no one really knew what it was, but people knew it was a bit nerdy. But any real nerd loved it. It's probably my favourite game. I don't think it is simplistic, as board games by their nature must be simplified to some degree for gameplay reasons; I remembered Risk being considered a thinking mans game, like chess, because of the strategy involved. I guess with stuff like Settlers of Cataan and the new "nerd chique" thing board games have evolved a bit, but that's like complaining that a film from 1957 (when Risk was invented) doesn't have the graphics (or colour!) and surround sound of Avengers. Like chess, it is sufficiently complex yet simple enough to learn that it needs no elaboration.
I too love Risk. However, on boardgamegeek.com where all the nerds are permitted to be snobs in their own niche, Risk is considered little more than a "gateway" wargame, only to be played while engaging in other "gateway" activities *cough pot cough*. While I exaggerate, there is a surprising hostility towards the game, and even more complex but similar games like Axis and Allies are looked down upon. If you are a serious gamer, you won't settle for anything less than Puerto Rico, Settlers, or some other Euro game where no one really loses. If you're going to play a wargame, you have to play something much more complex, like War of the Ring, to be cool. I have no problem with any of these games (actually, I've never played them, but they sound cool), but when folks look down on you for being a Risk fan, it annoys me. Your analogy about 1957 films is wonderful.
Risk has had some interesting incarnations lately that I find intriguing. A game that largely remains faithful to the original, yet updates it a tad is Risk (revised). It's supposedly quicker (both in pace and in termination) and a bit more modern. I own it, but I only play the simultaneous version I continue to allude to, so I've yet to see how cool this version is. I also hear that Risk: Legacy is fantastic, and seems to have the highest marks in the series. I hear the OT version of Star Wars Risk is very good as well, while the PT version is not so enjoyable (cue skyjedi2005). And a game only released in Europe is called Risk: Balance of Power, a 2 player version that seems interesting. Sadly, I've not tried this out either. In spite of my love for board games, I don't get to play them nearly enough.
But I do love Risk, zombie84. It's simplistic, yes, but what I love about it is the human interaction, the promises, the lies. This is especially potent in the Same Time Risk I keep advocating. If you check out Risk II on BGG.com, I encourage you to download the supplied materials and try it out (see OP for links). It's still Risk...only better!