Avalon Hill and Hasbro are working on a new version of RISK that will be landing on tabletops this year. RISK: Shadow Forces brings together the traditional RISK experience alongside plenty of tweaks and changes that set it apart from your traditional worldwide clash.

RISK: Shadow Forces // Avalon Hill

RISK Shadow Forces takes place in a near-future Earth of 2050. You will take control of asymmetrical forces led by named Warlords in a fight to dominate the globe.

"It is the year 2050, and the world is not as it should be. Tides lash the shorelines, smashing everything in their reach. Hurricanes whip down out of nowhere and destroy entire cities while uncontrollable firestorms tear across nearly every continent. Viruses rage out of control. Within this chaos, nefarious factions work from the shadows conducting disinformation campaigns and mobilizing mercenaries to collect a new mysterious energy resource of incalculable power. These factions, led by ruthless warlords, are fighting for power and control, but they are also simply battling for the destiny of humanity. The shadow conflict begins."

The core of what makes "RISK" is still there but they have also added in a whole bunch of different elements that make this a much more unique experience. For example, your Warlord choice comes with special powers and abilities that can be utilised during the game. You also have factions and the first choice you need to make is which power you want to plug in forever. The other power is ripped up and discarded.

RISK: Shadow Forces Gameplay // Avalon Hill

Loads of legacy elements from their previous games have been worked into the way this game plays out on the tabletop. You'll unlock new rules, watch unique events transpire, work towards completing specific objectives, evolve your cities and factions and make YOUR copy of RISK: Shadow Forces unique. A bit like RISK: Legacy!

Avalon Hill | RISK: Shadow Forces First Look

In addition to all of that, there are different modes of play. You can dive into larger, global scale conflicts or explore covert missions with your Warlords as they dive into squad-level skirmishes. These have just as much of an effect on the game as the big battles. I am intrigued!

For those who love legacy stories, the game also contains four sealed envelopes and sealed containers! I do like a game with puzzles and surprises built into it!

Are you tempted to give Shadow Forces when it lands in the second half of 2022?