Death Star Risk


Risk was originally released in France in 1957 and two years later Parker Brothers published the first edition in the United States. With the exception of mostly minor, cosmetic changes, Risk remained untouched for nearly 25 years. In 1986 Parker Brothers released Castle Risk. Thirteen years would pass before another game in the Risk family would see publication. Beginning with 1999 there has been a flurry of additions to the Risk family. These are Risk: Napoleon, Risk 2210, Risk Godstorm, Risk: Lord of the Rings, Star Wars Risk: the Clone Wars, Risk: Narnia, Warriors/Dragon Hordes (card version of Risk) and Star Wars Risk: Original Trilogy Edition. (Another edition is set for publication in the summer of 2007; Risk: Transformers.)

It is a tribute to the versatility of the system that such a wide variety of games have been published with adaptations to the core system. There are, of course, other systems that have demonstrated similar versatility such as the C&C system, Settlers family, Ticket to Ride, the 18XX games and the crayon rail games. There are obvious advantages to building on an established system both for the publisher and the gamer. Publishers love to piggyback popular games. Gamers, who enjoyed the original publication, are able to ‘jump right in’ with a reduction in the learning curve. (Note: this is valid in all areas of gaming; it is not unique to board games.)

Where each of the Risk games has grown from the core system, Star Wars Risk: the Original Trilogy Edition has dual parentage. The core system exists with an adaptation of the additional systems found in the Clone Wars layered on. If you are familiar with the Clone Wars then this Original Trilogy Edition poses no significant learning curve. However, if you have never experienced Risk beyond the classic game then there may be a bit of a learning curve for the mechanics involved as well as attempting to develop different strategies from the classic style game.

Similar to the Clone Wars edition of Risk, there are cards that serve multiple purposes. If a player deprives an opponent from at least one territory on a turn, he receives one of these cards (similar to the classic concept). However in the Original Trilogy Edition (as well as the Clone Wars edition), the player receives a card for depriving an opposing faction of at least one territory. As the Original Trilogy Edition (OTE) has three factions in the game it is possible to obtain two cards per turn. The cards can be exchanged for additional armies, to purchase ships (basically die roll modifiers) or for the special power/event that appears on the card. Each faction has a unique deck that is tailored to their own interests.

Each of the three factions in the game (the Empire, the Rebels and the Hutt) have unique goals in the game. The Empire player must eliminate all of the rebels. The Rebels must locate and defeat the Emperor. The Hutt must gain control of at least ten specific territories on the board. (This is similar to the missions in classic Risk.) None of the tasks are easy. The different factions engage the players in completely different ways. Playing the Empire is effectually being the ‘big bully’; attempting to destroy the Rebels at every opportunity. The Rebels must dance about attempting to attack the positions where the Emperor might be located. These two factions are in constant contention. Then there is the Hutt. For the Hutt player to win he must balance the opposing forces, attempting to gain the required territories without drawing attention to one’s self. Playing the Hutt has a strange feel as if one is overseeing the game without being a direct participant. The strategies required for the Hutt player are challenging but not insurmountable.

The division into three factions with differing goals creates a terrific three player game. The game can accommodate up to five players but the three player game is the most interesting. (Clone Wars was developed as a team version of Risk.) This three faction division introduces engaging and ever-changing alliances during the game. For example, assume that the Hutt player is near to accomplishing his goal but has determined that the Empire player is closer to eliminating the Rebels. For the Hutt player to win he will be forced into protecting the Rebel player. Later in the same game the Empire and the Rebels may need to team up in order to prevent a Hutt victory. Most three player games are quite unstable, devolving into a two-on-one game until the third player has been neutralized. Unlike those games, the designers of OTE have nicely balanced the goals of the factions (along with the faction specific decks) that appears to prevent this situation. Yes it is a two-on-one situation but the ‘two’ and the ‘one’ are in constant flux; continuously changing as the conditions of the board and the resolution of battles alters the strengths of the various factions.

I would be remiss if I did not mention…the Death Star. Units in OTE are plastic miniatures (unique to each faction) and included in those of the Empire is a Death Star. Activation requires a card and the blast from a Death Star renders the area unplayable. (Similar to the nuclear markers in Risk 2210.) The Death Star cards are specific to particular areas (continents).

The Original Trilogy Edition is an interesting and unusual addition to the Risk family. The game was designed by Rob Daviau (Risk 2210, Risk Clone Wars, Heroscape, Queens’s Gambit, etc.) and Dan Sanfilippo (Rsik Clone Wars, etc.). While the game is very accessible to the non-gamer it will present a challenge for the serious gamer.