A board game aficionado recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to create a D.C.-specific version of Risk. From the fact that everything east of the river is labeled “Anacostia” to the improbability of Columbia Heights and Chevy Chase teaming up to declare war on Tenleytown, the game has its share of flaws. Fortunately, there are several board games that do lend themselves quite well to a District interpretation.

Clue

Time to channel your inner prosecutor: Which D.C. pol did it? Was it Mr. Brown, in the Channel Inn, with a Pigskins mug? General Gray, in the primary, with a shadow campaign? Mr. Orange, in Sam Wang Produce, with rat droppings? The other Mr. Brown, in the Lincoln Navigator, with a black interior?

Settlers of D.C.

Sheep and wheat are so passé. Graft and local cred are what it takes if you want to make it as a mogul in D.C. As Michael Brown recently told the FBI, getting to the top of the pile ain’t cheap. Grease some palms, accumulate resources, and you’ll be well on your way to securing city contracts for roads and developments. Just watch out for that pesky robber Ron Machen, who can turn off the spigot of dirty dollars when you least expect it.

Monopoly

Looking to make big money in D.C. real estate? You’re in luck: The city’s looking for developers for a few mega-projects. Play as Doug Jemal, Herb Miller, JBG, Forest City, or scrappy Fundrise and watch your fortunes grow.

Illustrations by Carey Jordan/photos by Darrow Montgomery