Scythe (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Scythe is a board game that was released in 2016 by Stonemaier Games. Designed by Jamey Stegmaier and featuring artwork by Jakub Rozalski, the game is set in an alternate history 1920s Europe, where players take on the role of factions competing for control of the land.

Game Components of Scythe

Game board

Player mats

Faction mats

Wooden resource tokens

Miniatures

Combat cards

Encounter cards

Action tokens

How To Setup Scythe

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player selects a faction mat and corresponding player mat.

Place the wooden resource tokens in their designated spots on the board.

Shuffle the combat and encounter cards and place them within reach.

Each player receives starting resources and miniatures as indicated on their faction mat.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

The objective of Scythe is to lead your faction to victory by expanding your territory, gathering resources, and engaging in combat with other players. Players take turns performing actions such as moving units, upgrading abilities, and completing objectives to earn points. The game ends when a player reaches six objectives or builds all of their structures.

Player Experience

Pros:

Beautiful artwork and design

Strategic gameplay with multiple paths to victory

Engaging player interactions

High replayability with different faction abilities

Cons:

Steep learning curve for new players

Luck can play a role in combat outcomes

Personal Thoughts on Scythe

Scythe is a well-crafted game with a unique blend of economic, fighting, and territory building mechanics. The components are of high quality, and the artwork immerses players in the alternate history setting. While the game may seem daunting at first, the depth of strategy and player interaction make it worth the time investment for fans of Euro-style board games.

In terms of pricing and availability, Scythe can be on the higher end compared to other board games, but the quality of gameplay and components justify the cost. For those looking for alternatives or similar games, titles like Terraforming Mars and Gaia Project offer similar strategic depth and replayability.

Overall, Scythe is a game that will appeal to fans of strategy games looking for a challenging and rewarding gaming experience. Players who enjoy building economic engines, engaging in combat, and exploring different faction abilities will find plenty to enjoy in Scythe. However, those who prefer lighter, luck-based games may want to skip this one.

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