Risk: Transformers — The Decepticon Invasion of Earth

This article is about the Generation 1-based Risk game. For the movie tie-in Risk game, see Risk: Transformers — Cybertron Battle Edition.

What better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary than with Dreamwave...

Risk is a commercial board game produced by Hasbro under its Parker Brothers board games imprint. It involves turn-based strategy on a world map for two to six players. It was invented in 1957 by the clever fleshling Albert Lamorisse to allow his fellow meat creatures to pretend they were conquering the world. Little did these primitive sentients know that they were but grain before the thresher of mighty Megatron! Ahem.

This is the second Transformers-themed Risk tie-in game, and while the first was set on Cybertron, this one distinguishes itself by being set on Earth. The game appears to be set within its own unique Generation 1 continuity.

Merchandise

Risk: Transformers

• Risk: Transformers — The Decepticon Invasion of Earth (2014)

The Decepticons are invading Earth, and it is up to Optimus Prime and the Autobot forces to protect humanity. This brand new version of the classic strategic battle game Risk has been created to celebrate 30 years of Transformers and features beautifully crafted Decepticon and Autobot forces, a human army and some exciting additions to the familiar gameplay.

A world ripe for conquest!

The game begins with the world occupied by humans, but the Decepticons invade immediately! Mankind's only hope is the powerful Autobot forces who Roll Out from the centre of the board. But the Decepticons have the advantage, as they can join the game via the four corners of the world and can take human slaves, to fix and build their damaged troops! What's more, whilst the humans and Autobots always work together, the Decepticons are independent forces and can choose whether to be allies… or enemies! Both Transformer forces are reliant on Energon to survive, and if the supply is depleted, the game is over! So choose your force, decide your mission and play Risk: Transformers.

Gameplay

The divergences from traditional Risk are few, but notable. While the humans start on the board, the Decepticons enter from the corners of the board and use captured human slaves - those they defeat in battle - to determine their resources rather than captured territory.

The game length begins at 5 turns before the end, but this can be extended by armies recovering Energon supplies that are randomly distributed across the world at the beginning of the game.

The human armies differ from traditional Risk forces in that they have no means of replenishing their numbers, and lack any pieces representing more than one unit. The Autobots and Decepticons do not suffer this penalty.

Like many other Risk variants, the game includes a deck of cards - Power Cards, in this instance - which are used to add variety and further unpredictability to gameplay. Unlike most other variants, the cards can be harmful to the player using them...

Notes

• While the game is listed as being for 2-6 players on the side of the box, there are only five different coloured armies inside: 3 Decepticons, 1 Autobot and the humans. Additionally, if someone does choose to play humans, they will find themselves doing nothing more than rolling dice to defend against Decepticon attacks. Four would seem to be the maximum realistic number of players allowed.
• Dreamwave-era art is used on the packaging.