RISK!

[kz_blogorambling]

Kidlet's school has the game Risk available for aftercare, and after playing it there he begged us to buy it. I felt some reluctance because my memory of the game from childhood involved long, drawn-out games that never ended. My husband caved, and I have since used that excuse to avoid it every time my son asked. "Get your father to play; he's the one who agreed to buy it."

Well, for some reason I agreed to play a few weeks ago. Why did I wait so long? We are loving it. I almost bought a second game so kidlet and I could play without disturbing the 3-person game that awaits Mark's return from GDC. We decided, instead, to write down the locations of all the armies and reset the board. Now we're in the midst of a heated 2-person game. I have not had a dining room table for weeks, and we're changing around bedtime routines to accommodate more playing.

I find myself wondering this morning if I should just cede Africa and focus on other continents, or keep fortifying Egypt to keep the kid on his toes.

Comments

[sauronwrap.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth ... we bought Risk before Christmas, based on my recommendation (I used to play it in high school a lot). Everybody loved it, but we ran into the long-drawn-out games, too.

There are several computer versions available, and we wound up buying one of those, too. I think it was $20 from Big Fish Games. Anyway, we haven't played the board game since. The computer version is much easier, for several reasons -- you can play against computer generals (up to five), the game is MUCH shorter, and there aren't pieces flying all over the place when somebody accidentally rolls the dice on the board.

[bristlesage.livejournal.com]

I played Risk for the first time a year or so ago. Surprisingly enjoyable. The rap on it is it's over-reliant on dice, and I think that's true, but I really did have fun playing it. I'm glad you and Kirk are digging it.

[slitterst.livejournal.com]

Don't give up Africa!

[scout1222.livejournal.com]

I've never played it. But I'm glad that you guys will play games with him. I am convinced that the reason I'm not a "game person" (social party games aside, which I'm coming around on nicely thanks to you folks) is that as an only child, I never had anyone to play with. My mom never played games or cards or whatever, and dad only had so much time. I had a bunch of games as a kid, and did a lot of solo game playing. Which kind of sucks.

Hey, is that a violin I'm hearing? =p

[weirddave.livejournal.com]

Once you're done with Risk, introduce him to Diplomacy. Risk is to Diplomacy as this (http://www.nebraskahistory.org/images/sites/mnh/toystory/kidcar.jpg) is to this (http://www.diseno-art.com/images/IED-Mclaren-concept-3.jpg.jpg). You may have to do it online though, unless you have 7 people you can rope into playing live and in person.

[woohag.livejournal.com]

I love this post. It's so cute, and the definition of 'family time'. Good for you guys doing something awesome with your kid. I know that should be a given, but you know it isn't usually.