Scythe
Scythe is an engine-building game set in an alternate-history 1920s period. It is a time of farming and war, broken hearts and rusted gears, innovation and valor. Players conquer territory, enlist new recruits, reap resources, gain villagers, build structures, and activate monstrous mechs.
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It is a time of unrest in 1920s Europa. The ashes from the first great war still darken the snow. The capitalistic city-state known simply as “The Factory”, which fueled the war with heavily armored mechs, has closed its doors, drawing the attention of several nearby countries.
Scythe is an engine-building game set in an alternate-history 1920s period. It is a time of farming and war, broken hearts and rusted gears, innovation and valor. In Scythe, each player represents a character from one of five factions of Eastern Europe who are attempting to earn their fortune and claim their faction’s stake in the land around the mysterious Factory. Players conquer territory, enlist new recruits, reap resources, gain villagers, build structures, and activate monstrous mechs.
Each player begins the game with different resources (power, coins, combat acumen, and popularity), a different starting location, and a hidden goal. Starting positions are specially calibrated to contribute to each faction’s uniqueness and the asymmetrical nature of the game (each faction always starts in the same place).
Scythe gives players almost complete control over their fate. Other than each player’s individual hidden objective card, the only elements of luck or variability are “encounter” cards that players will draw as they interact with the citizens of newly explored lands. Each encounter card provides the player with several options, allowing them to mitigate the luck of the draw through their selection. Combat is also driven by choices, not luck or randomness.
Scythe uses a streamlined action-selection mechanism (no rounds or phases) to keep gameplay moving at a brisk pace and reduce downtime between turns. While there is plenty of direct conflict for players who seek it, there is no player elimination.
Every part of Scythe has an aspect of engine-building to it. Players can upgrade actions to become more efficient, build structures that improve their position on the map, enlist new recruits to enhance character abilities, activate mechs to deter opponents from invading, and expand their borders to reap greater types and quantities of resources. These engine-building aspects create a sense of momentum and progress throughout the game. The order in which players improve their engine adds to the unique feel of each game, even when playing one faction multiple times.
Designer | Jamey Stegmaier |
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Publisher | Angry Lion Games, Crowd Games, Fire on Board Jogos, Ludofy Creative, Morning, Playfun Games, Albi, Arclight, Delta Vision Publishing, Feuerland Spiele, Ghenos Games, Maldito Games, Matagot, PHALANX, Stonemaier Games |
Play Time | 90m – 115m |
Mechanics | Area Control / Area Influence, Grid Movement, Miniatures, Variable Player Powers |
Players | Solo, 2 Players, 3 Players, 4 Players, 5 Players |
Ages | 14+ |
Theme | Economic, Fighting, Science Fiction, Territory Building |
35tango
Scythe has long since had all of its hype come and go, and it still remains firm as a well loved game within the hobby. I love the theme, the components, and just the overall style of game. I feel like a lot of people expect Scythe to be a war game, and I think the game would be much worse if combat were more present. I absolutely love the "mutually assured destruction" style that the game presents. I adore this game. While some of the expansions are a little disappointing, it is probably worth owning all of them.
Abdul
Takes way too long for what it is. The first half is a slog as everyone is stuck in their corner of the map playing solitaire. The second half might have a little combat, but mostly involves players avoiding each other. Art is lovely, and I admire the attempt to make a Euro-Ameritrash hybrid, but I don't think it succeeds and just leaves me bored.
adamscott
This game really lived up to the hype for me. Sure the artwork is great and the theme integration is well done, but it is the gameplay that stood out. It's definitely more of an efficiency Euro than a dudes on a map game, but I like having the option of attacking if necessary.