"Game of Thrones" Risk Game exclusive look

For the night is dark and full of versions of the boardgame stalwart Risk.  The latest version arrives like one of the less surprising plot twists from the HBO fantasy series "Game of Thrones" and like the show, it's well worth a look.  The Wall Street Journal has an exclusive sneak peek of the game created by USAopoly under license from Hasbro in partnership with HBO.

The game has more than 650 pieces, including two custom game boards, seven sculpted armies, seven player boards and 28 character cards.  With three ways to play, this edition of Risk is for 2-7 players ages 18 and older.

The armies are split into two types of unit and a "seat of power".  They will fight across two different game boards depicting Westeros and Essos across three different game modes.  The modes are "War of the five kings " (for 3-5 players), a 2 player game against slavers in Essos and a two map full battle featuring all seven houses.  Houses featured are Stark, Baratheon, Lannister, Tyrell, Martell, Targaryen and Ghiscari (slavers in Essos).  There are various types of cards that affect territories, tactics and objectives as well as gold dragon coins that can be used as purchasing power. As an added bonus the game features silver foil stamps of the various house sigils and army storage containers.  It looks to be a fantastic package perfect for xmas presents for Game of Thrones fans.  For once I won't be sad that Winter is coming....in August.