When comparing Risk vs Twilight Struggle, the Slant community recommends Twilight Struggle for most people. In the question“What are the best board games?” Twilight Struggle is ranked 15th while Risk is ranked 51st. The most important reason people chose Twilight Struggle is:
The event cards used in the game are all based off actual events that occurred throughout the Cold War which helps the games theme be even more immersive.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Strategy game
Let's you develop a strategy and forces you to think a few steps ahead playing off the moves of others.
Also allows you to develop alliances and enemies which allows for fun banter.
Pro Incredibly thematic
The event cards used in the game are all based off actual events that occurred throughout the Cold War which helps the games theme be even more immersive.
Pro Very tense gameplay
Twilight Struggle perfectly captures all of the tension of the Cold War through its clever influence system and the way that players must play all of their cards each turn, even ones that would possibly help their opponent. The result is a game where both sides feel stressed (in a good way) as they try to out maneuver the other player.
Pro Has clearly laid out rules and other learning aids
There rule book for Twilight Struggle is well written, and easy to understand and reference during the game. You also get player's aids, which are very helpful as you're becoming more familiar with the game mechanics and rules.
Cons
Con Easily snowballs
Leaders in the game generally keep winning and losers in the game generally keep losing. It's difficult to stop the snowballing.
Con Very long
A single game of Twilight Struggle can take 2-3 hours. It might take even longer while you're still learning the rules, since you'll need to keep referencing the rule book.
Con Steep learning curve
There are a lot of different mechanics in this game, and a lot to keep track of. Expect to spend the first few games referencing the rule book often. It's definitely not a lightweight party game.
Con Lots of pieces make the game fiddly
There are a ton of little cardboard pieces (260 to be exact) used to track all the various game effects and that can be tedious to deal with.
Con 2 player only
If you are looking for a game to play with a group this isn't a good fit.