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Scythe: 4X Game At It’s Finest

By Christopher Guyton | October 22nd, 2018 | Categories: Board Game Reviews, Board Games, Product Review

ScytheToday we’re going to be taking a closer look at an amazing 4X board game called Scythe. Come find out what our board games expert had to say about it.

Scythe is a 4X game designed by Jamie Stegmaier and with amazing art by artist Jakub Rozalski.  Scythe is published by Stonemaier Games.  4x is a nickname for a genre of games that have an eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate play-style.  Scythe plays 1-5 players upped to 7 with expansion.  The game plays about roughly 115 minutes for a five-player game.  Each player is randomly given both a faction board and a player action board which give very different bonuses for the same actions.  You are playing as a fallen leader trying to restore glory to your faction by taking the resources of the mysterious  “Factory”.  Each action you do has two options a top action and bottom action which you can do one or both or neither but never the same two turns in a row.  The game involves claiming territory, earning resources, building structures and mechs and enlisting troops.

Scythe $80

Scythe Contents

Created by lead designer Jamey Stegmaier with the assistance of Morten Monrad Pedersen (solo variant) in the stark but beautiful world of artist Jakub Rozalski, Scythe successfully funded by Stonemaier Games via Kickstarter from October 13-November 5 and was released in August 2016. You can follow the progress of the game on BGG.

Card sizes (for sleeves; this includes all cards in the Kickstarter versions):

44x67mm: 42 cards
57x87mm: 58 cards
70x110mm: 64 cards

Some cool things Scythe features are awesome plastic sculpts for the main characters and mechs.  The rest of the components are wooden Meeples.  There are several upgrades you can use to “bling” out your game such as realistic resources and metal coins.  These are not necessary but do make your game look much better.  There is also a board extension which you can combine with the back of the main board that features a larger version of the existing map.  As the hexes tend to get crowded, this is an upgrade I really appreciate.

The game goes from player to player until someone puts down their sixth star.  Stars are placed on the board for each objective or “achievement “ you manage to accomplish.  These can range from building all four of your mechs to gaining the maximum power on the combat track.  Speaking of combat, there is a cool method to determine if combat will occur.  If plastic pieces move into a hex with an enemy’s plastic piece combat will occur.  If plastic encounters wooden pieces no combat will take place.  There are also encounter spaces in which you will make a choice based on the story on the card and get rewards based on how you approach.

ScytheI really enjoy Scythe, it’s one of my top 10 Games hands down, and if you want something a little heavier then this game is for you.  I picked this one up upon hearing all the buzz going around at GenCon.  One look at the amazing art sealed the deal despite the $80 price point.  After playing several times, however, it was money well spent.  Another thing to mention is the community this game has brought about.  There is a Scythe boardgame group on Facebook where people can talk about all things Scythe.  They also use it as a means to figure out rules clarifications and questions.  The best part, Jaimie Stegmaier, is one of the most accessible designers of any board game I’ve encountered, he is constantly answering questions on or just commenting on all feedback given.  All those things combine to add an amazing gameplay experience and memorable game nights.

Scythe box

Overall, Scythe is an amazing game with many things going on for it.  Amazing components, stunning artwork, engaging player interaction, and very entertaining gameplay.  If you enjoy area control, dudes on a map games, and don’t mind longer play times, then this game is for you!

About the Author: Christopher Guyton

When not driving forklifts for a living Chris can be found pushing cubes and chucking dice at Gamer’s Guild in Spring Lake, NC