There’s something about strategy board games that just gets the mind going. Maybe it’s the challenge of out maneuvering your opponent, or the satisfaction of taking over their territory. Whatever it is, these games are a great way to stimulate your thinking and get your brain working in overtime. My son is particularly into strategy games and the Risk board game is his all time favorite! He will beg us to play each and every weekend. We usually will, but playing the same game over and over again can get a bit boring.
This is why I have done some research and came up with a list of 30 of the best board games that are similar to Risk.
These are all strategic board games like Risk and have the same benefit of endless entertainment.
I have included a mix of games for different ages, interests, and player counts so that you can find the perfect game for your family.
I hope that this list of board games will inspire you to try something new the next time game night comes around! If this isn’t enough check out more fun family activities here!
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Most Popular Board Games Like Risk
1. Catan
Catan is a strategy board game for 3-4 players. The goal is to collect 10 victory points by building settlements, cities, and roads. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins.
Catan is the best game for both beginners and experienced players. It is easy to learn but has a lot of strategy and complexity, making it great for players who like a challenge. You will need to read the rule book first and expect to play for a long time.
2. Days of Wonder Memoir 44
Days of Wonder Memoir 44 is a WWII strategy board game for 2 players. The goal is to capture your opponent’s headquarters by playing cards to move units across the board.
This is a great game for both beginners and experienced players. It is easy to learn but has a lot of strategy and complexity, making it great for players who like a challenge. Risk lovers will love this game as it is similar.
Carcassonne is another great game for both beginners and experienced players. It is easy to learn but has a lot of strategy and complexity, making it great for players who like a challenge.
3. Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a strategy board game for 2-5 players. The goal is to collect specific sets of colored cards in order to claim train routes across the United States.
With simple rules and plenty of room for strategy, Ticket to Ride is an excellent choice for both new and experienced board gamers alike. It also has great replay value, thanks to the wide variety of maps available for purchase.
4. Pandemic
Pandemic is a strategy board game for 2-4 players. This is one of the most popular board games. The goal is to work together and make strategic decisions to cure all 4 diseases that are spreading across the world before it is too late.
Unlike many other board games, Pandemic requires perfect cooperation in order to win. This makes it a great choice for players who enjoy working together with others. It is also extremely challenging and requires careful planning in order to be successful.
5. Smallworld
Smallworld is a strategy board game for 2-5 players. The goal is to take over as many territories as possible using a variety of fantasy race and special abilities.
With tons of replay value and a large variety of races and special abilities, Smallworld is one of the most popular strategy board games around. It has simple rules but plenty of depth, making it perfect for players who enjoy trying new things and experimenting with different strategies.
6. Dominion
Dominion one of the strategy board games like Risk. It is for 2-4 players. The goal is to gather resources in order to purchase cards that you can use to build your deck and win the game.
A fast-paced, highly competitive card game, Dominion is great for players who enjoy a challenge and have quick reflexes. It also offers tons of replay value, thanks to the large number of cards and combos that can be created.
7. Power Grid
Power Grid is a strategy board game for 2-6 players. The goal is to supply the most cities with electricity by building power plants and connecting them to cities using transmission lines.
An economic strategy game, Power Grid is perfect for players who enjoy planning and building. It is also a great choice for those who want to try something different, as it is one of the few board games that focuses on supplying cities with power.
8. 7 Wonders
7 Wonders is a strategy board game for 2-7 players. The goal is to develop your city by collecting resources and constructing buildings, as well as trading with other players for the resources you need.
With simple rules and plenty of interaction between players, 7 Wonders is a great choice for new and experienced board gamers alike. After the first game there are opportunities for many more game plays thanks to the large number of cards and abilities that can be used in each game.
9. Twilight Struggle
Twilight Struggle is a strategy board game for 2 players. The goal is to control the most countries on the map by playing cards that represent historical events. This game is probably the best alternative to the game of risk. Like other war games you try to gain major powers.
A complex and challenging game, Twilight Struggle is perfect for players who enjoy strategy and history. It also has excellent replay value, as each game can be quite different depending on the cards that are drawn.
10. Lords of Waterdeep
Lords of Waterdeep is a strategy board game for 2-5 players. The goal is to collect resources and use them to complete quests, which will give you influence in the city.
A great choice for those who enjoy a little bit of subterfuge, Lords of Waterdeep is a perfect game for players who want to try something new. It also has excellent replay value, thanks to the large number of quests and adventurers that can be used in each game.
11. Latice Hawaii
Lattice is a strategy board game for 2-4 players. The goal is to be the first player to connect all of your pieces to form a chain from one side of the board to the other.
Lattice is a great game for both beginners and experienced players. It is easy to learn but has a lot of strategy and complexity, making it a great way to keep your brain sharp.
12. Age of Civilization
Age of civilization is another one of the strategy board games like Risk. It is for 2-4 players. The goal is to lead your civilization from the Stone Age to the Modern Age by researching technologies, building cities, and expanding your territory. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Age of civilization is a great game for those who are interested in history and strategy. It is easy to learn but has a lot of depth, making it great for both beginners and experienced players.
13. Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe is a strategy board game for 1-4 players. The goal is to survive on a deserted island by gathering resources, building shelters, and fighting off enemies.
A cooperative game that is perfect for those who enjoy working together, Robinson Crusoe is also extremely challenging and requires careful planning in order to be successful. If you love a good adventure, this is the perfect strategy board game for you!
14. Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game
Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game is a strategy board game for 1-2 players. The goal is to destroy your opponent’s fleet by using ships and pilots from the Star Wars universe.
Perfect for fans of the Star Wars franchise, this strategic board game offers thrilling combat and requires careful planning and execution in order to be successful. Whether you’re a fan of the movies or just enjoy space-themed games, this is an excellent choice for any strategy board game collection.
15. Galaxy Trucker
Galaxy Trucker is a strategy board game for 2-4 players. The goal is to build your ship from various pieces and outmaneuver your opponents while flying through space.
A fun and fast-paced game that offers plenty of excitement, Galaxy Trucker is perfect for players who enjoy creating ships and engaging in tense space battles. With a large number of ship configurations available, no two games will ever be the same!
16. Axis & Allies
Axis and Allies is one of my son’s favorite strategy board games like Risk. It can be played with 2-5 players. Each player controls one country during World War II, and the goal is to become more powerful than any other country.
This game has many different levels of complexity, making it great for both experienced players and newcomers. It offers endless hours of strategic gameplay that will keep you coming back for more.
17. Diplomacy
Diplomacy is a strategy board game for 2-7 players. The goal is to achieve world domination by using diplomacy and military force.
A great choice for those who enjoy a little bit of subterfuge, Diplomacy is a perfect game for players who want to try something new. The best thing is it also has excellent replay value, thanks to the wide range of countries and strategies that can be used in each game.
18. Scythe
Scythe is a strategy board game for 1-5 players. The goal is to conquer the land and resources of an alternate 1920s Eastern Europe by building an empire, recruiting soldiers, and defeating enemies.
A great choice for history buffs or anyone who enjoys complex strategy games, Scythe offers a unique blend of resource management, exploration, and combat. It also has excellent replay value, thanks to the large number of different ways to play.
19. Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars is an excellent board game. The goal is to terraform the planet Mars by raising the temperature, creating oceans, and building cities.
A perfect game for those who enjoy working towards a common goal, Terraforming Mars is also a great choice for those who love science and planning. With a variety of different ways to terraform the planet, no two games will ever be the same!
20. Spy Alley
Spy Alley is a popular game for 2-6 players. It is similar to the classic board game Clue. The goal is to be the first player to collect all of the clues and make it back to your safe house.
A fast-paced and exciting game, Spy Alley is perfect for those who enjoy deduction and espionage. With a wide variety of different ways to play, no two games will ever be the same!
21. Wingspan
Wingspan is a strategy board game for 1-5 players. The goal is to build your own aviary by collecting different species of birds and feeding them to keep them healthy. The learning curve is good for younger children and casual gamers. The game rules are easy to understand and is overall a fun game.
If you love animals, science, or just building a beautiful collection of birds, Wingspan is the perfect choice for you! This strategic board game also has excellent replay value, thanks to the wide variety of birds and strategies that can be used in each game.
22. Azul
Azul is a strategy board game for 2-4 players. The goal is to decorate your home with tiles by drafting them from the factory and collecting sets of identical tiles.
An elegant, challenging game that requires careful planning and good timing, Azul is an excellent choice for experienced gamers who are looking for a new challenge. With a wide variety of different strategies that can be used in each game, this is a great choice for anyone who loves to strategize!
23. Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a multiplayer game of strategy. The goal is to grow your tree by collecting sunlight and using it to create new leaves.
A perfect game for those who love nature, Photosynthesis is also a great choice for those who enjoy planning and strategy. With a wide variety of different ways to grow your tree, no two games will ever be the same!
24. Splendor
Splendor is a strategy board game for 2-4 players. The goal is to collect gems and use them to buy cards, which will give you more gems on your next turn and allow you to buy even more cards.
A perfect game for those who enjoy collecting and trading, Splendor is also a great choice for those who love planning and strategy. With a wide variety of different ways to collect and trade gems, no two games will ever be the same!
25. Tiny Towns
Tiny Towns is a strategy board game for 1-6 players. The goal is to build the best town by placing buildings in specific locations and collecting resources.
A perfect game for those who enjoy building and planning, Tiny Towns is also a great choice for those who love working towards a common goal. With a wide variety of different ways to build your town, no two games will ever be the same!
26. Simply Suspects
Simply Suspects is a strategy board game for 2-6 players. The goal is to be the first player to identify the suspect in each case by asking questions and collecting clues.
A fast-paced and exciting game, Simply Suspects is perfect for those who enjoy deduction and detective work. With a wide variety of different cases to solve, no two games will ever be the same!
27. CodeNames
CodeNames is a very original game for 2-8 players. The goal is to be the first team to correctly guess all of the words on your card by giving clues to your team mates.
A perfect game for those who enjoy working as a team and having friends over for game nights. CodeNames is also a great choice for anyone who loves wordplay and puzzles. With a wide variety of different ways to play, no two games will ever be the same!
28. Munchkin
Munchkin is a strategy board game for 2-6 players. The goal is to be the first player to reach level 10 by killing monsters and taking their treasure.
A perfect game for those who enjoy adventuring and combat, Munchkin is also a great choice for anyone who loves to strategize. With a wide variety of different ways to play, no two games will ever be the same!
29. Twilight Imperium
Twilight Imperium is a strategy board game for 3-6 players. The goal is to conquer the galaxy by controlling planets and gaining victory points. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins.
Twilight Imperium is a great game for players are looking for a challenge. It is a long game (usually taking several hours) and requires a lot of strategy to achieve victory. But with all the different paths to success, every game is unique and full of surprises.
30. Dixit
Dixit is a strategy board game for 3-6 players. The goal is to score points by guessing which card best represents the clue given by the player.
A perfect game for those who enjoy deduction and wordplay, Dixit is also a great choice for anyone who loves to strategize. With a wide variety of different ways to play, no two games will ever be the same!
These are just a few of the many strategy board games that are perfect for those who love to strategize.
Whether you enjoy nature, collecting and trading, building and planning, or solving puzzles and wordplay, there is a strategy board game out there waiting for you and your family!
Let me know which one you choose and if you have any recommendations of your own!
Thanks!