High Risk (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

High Risk is a push-your-luck board game released in 2019 by Hobby Japan. Designed by Trevor Benjamin and Brett J. Gilbert, the game is set in the world of mountain climbing, where players take on the role of climbers trying to reach the summit while managing their risk levels.

Game Components of High Risk

Small board representing a mountain with 11 ascending spaces

Small meeples (climbers)

Six dice with “danger,” “ascend,” and “weather” sides

Rulebook

How To Setup High Risk

To set up High Risk, each player chooses their climbers (meeples) and places them at the base of the mountain. The board is simple, with spaces marked as safe camps or treacherous cliffs. Players are ready to start once all climbers are positioned at the beginning.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Rolling Dice: Players roll six dice, each with “danger,” “ascend,” and “weather” sides.

Moving Climbers: Climbers can move up one space for each “ascend” side rolled.

Re-rolling: Players can re-roll “danger” sides once to avoid falling.

Falling Mechanics: If all dice show “danger,” the climber falls. If a climber ends on a cliff with another climber, the other climber falls.

Free Turn: If all dice show “ascend” and “weather” sides, the player gets a free turn.

Objective: The first player to get all their climbers to the top of the mountain wins.

Player Experience

High Risk offers a quick and portable gaming experience, making it ideal as a filler game. The gameplay is heavily influenced by luck, which can be appealing to casual players and children but may deter hardcore gamers. The risk and reward mechanics add a layer of excitement and strategy, as players must balance the desire to move forward with the risk of falling.

Pros

Portable and Quick: Perfect for short gaming sessions.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to a wide audience.

Exciting Risk-Reward: Engaging push-your-luck mechanics.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Cons

High Luck Factor: Game outcomes are significantly influenced by dice rolls.

Limited Depth: Not suitable for players seeking complex gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on High Risk

High Risk is an enjoyable, light-hearted game that is best appreciated by those who don’t mind a healthy dose of luck in their gaming experience. It’s ideal for families, casual gamers, and anyone looking for a quick, fun game to fill a gap. While it may not satisfy hardcore gamers seeking deeper strategy, it serves its purpose as a delightful and portable filler game.

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