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Scythe

Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
Scythe Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
stability, story
91% User Score Based on 2,002 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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Scythe Game Cover

About

Scythe is a single player and multiplayer turn-based strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by The Knights of Unity and was released on September 5, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Scythe: Digital Edition is a strategy board game where you command one of seven factions in an alternate 1920s Europe, each with unique abilities and specialties. Employ 4X mechanics to explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate, while engaging in asymmetric gameplay to gain an edge over your opponents. Your goal: lead your faction to victory in this immersive digital adaptation of the beloved tabletop experience.

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Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
Scythe screenshot
+9
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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,002 reviews
gameplay52 positive mentions
stability38 negative mentions
  • Faithful recreation of a fantastic board game, capturing its essence and mechanics well.
  • Great for practicing strategies and learning the game without the setup time of the physical version.
  • Beautiful artwork and engaging gameplay, with a variety of factions and strategies to explore.
  • Clunky user interface that can be confusing for new players, making it hard to track opponents' actions.
  • Lack of an undo feature in online multiplayer, leading to frustration from misclicks.
  • AI opponents can be predictable and not very challenging, diminishing the solo play experience.
  • gameplay
    145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the digital version of Scythe is generally praised for its smooth mechanics, beautiful graphics, and quick learning curve, making it accessible for both new and experienced players. However, many users note that the tutorial is inadequate for beginners, often leaving them confused about key mechanics, and the user interface can be convoluted, hindering the overall experience. While the game captures the essence of the board game with its strategic depth and replayability, some players find the complexity and lack of player interaction to be drawbacks.

    • “Compared to the board game, much easier to learn and speeds up gameplay overall!”
    • “The core gameplay is fantastic and implemented very well.”
    • “Scythe is a fantastic euro style 4x game with a gorgeous aesthetic and some great gameplay ideas coming together to form a deep and challenging strategy game.”
    • “The whole point of the game is to make simple things, like moving units, as convoluted and as difficult as possible, then sell it as 'gameplay'.”
    • “This game has a very confusing interface and some ridiculous mechanics (when you produce you have to 'deselect' what you don't want to produce instead of selecting what you want to produce) that forces you to think twice instead of actually enjoy the game.”
    • “The tutorial is horrible for anyone not familiar with the actual board game and does not explain the game's numerous mechanics very well to the newcomer.”
  • graphics
    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful artwork and aesthetic that closely mirrors the original board game. However, some users criticize the digital adaptation for its crude graphics and user interface, which can detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are generally considered solid and polished, there are calls for improvements in the interface and some graphical elements to enhance playability.

    • “Its artwork, from the game board to the wooden meeples to the lovingly detailed plastic figurines, is a joy to behold.”
    • “The graphics are extraordinary, the play is the same as the board game.”
    • “The graphics are superb and the developers have captured the elegance and visual appeal of the board game.”
    • “One might imagine that the digital medium would afford Scythe even more ease and vividness, but one would be imagining an adaptation that was not geared towards the most sluggish of smartphones: the graphics are crude, the figurines inanimate, and generally it all looks very state-of-the-art circa 2005; the viewscreen is cramped and the UI suffers accordingly, leading to an experience that is considerably less convenient and user-friendly than playing the physical board game.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre and the UI is not the greatest, but this is a good enough port from the board game to a video game.”
    • “It's a shame artwork was favored over playability.”
  • music
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric quality and suitability for the gameplay, while others find it repetitive and not to their taste. Some players appreciate the unique soundtracks for different factions, enhancing the overall experience, but a few have opted to mute the music due to its monotony. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered a strong addition, contributing positively to the game's ambiance, despite some calls for more variety.

    • “The soundtrack is largely fitting, and the sounds attached to each action selection are unique enough that, when AI turns are sped up, you can get a good idea of every AI player's turn just by listening.”
    • “The music is a wonderful addition to the flavor of the setting that was already captured in the art.”
    • “The look and feel of this game, along with the awesome ambient soundtrack, will keep any strategy game enthusiast entertained for hours on end.”
    • “The music is mediocre.”
    • “The only drawback is probably music that repeats during games.”
    • “Finally the music sounds like an old civil war ballad which wouldn't be so bad, but it sounds like (and I think is?) just one 6 minute song on repeat.”
  • stability
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent freezes, bugs, and glitches, particularly in online multiplayer modes. While some players have experienced a relatively smooth local play, the overall consensus is that the game is too buggy to recommend, with many expressing frustration over game-breaking issues that hinder the experience. Despite a few positive remarks about stability in single-player modes, the persistent problems in online play significantly detract from the game's appeal.

    • “Solid graphics, no glitches for me.”
    • “No glitches or freezes so far.”
    • “Seems to be bug-free, and what can I say? It's Scythe; Scythe is a good game and just as good, playing a whole lot faster in the digital version compared to the board game.”
    • “Bottom line: this game is still too buggy to be worth purchasing or playing.”
    • “The game itself is great, but there are too many glitches in the online version.”
    • “I would be ashamed to be paid 20 euros for a game so buggy that it is unplayable.”
  • replayability
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its asymmetric factions, numerous combinations of strategies, and varied paths to victory. With up to 49 faction/mat combos and a decent online lobby system, players can enjoy limitless replay value against both bots and other players. Overall, the intricate mechanics and diverse gameplay options ensure that the game remains engaging and fun over multiple sessions.

    • “The factions are asymmetric, with 25 different faction/mat combos to try (49 with the expansion), leading to plenty of replay value even if you're only playing against bots, and early limitless replay value against other humans.”
    • “With 7 factions, random objectives and encounters, and multiple paths to victory, there is lots of replayability.”
    • “Just 2 games in and it looks like there are so many starting and strategy combos, that you'll get tons of replayability out of the game.”
    • “Other than that, it's an interesting, if completely unexplained, tactical game with limited replay value.”
    • “I wish it was more playable.”
    • “It's replayability certainly keeps it high on my list.”
  • optimization
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while it features a compelling optimization puzzle that encourages strategic thinking, users report inconsistent performance, with some experiencing lag and others noting smooth gameplay. The interface is considered mediocre, and while recent updates improved visuals, they negatively impacted functionality for some players. Overall, the game is enjoyable for its optimization challenges, but there is a clear need for further performance enhancements.

    • “It is a game of optimization where you need to think at least 2 turns ahead.”
    • “Your performance is based entirely on your own skill and play.”
    • “It's an optimization puzzle with a map.”
    • “The point-based victory is very hollow, more of a numbers optimization game than anything else.”
    • “Feel like some performance optimizations could be had for a better experience.”
    • “The worst thing about the game is performance.”
  • story
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story setting is intriguing, featuring diverse factions and random mission cards that ensure varied gameplay; however, the lack of combat and communication detracts from narrative engagement. Players find the rules overly complex and poorly implemented tutorials hinder the storytelling experience, making it difficult to grasp the mechanics and fully immerse in the narrative. Overall, while the potential for a compelling story exists, the execution leaves much to be desired.

    • “The fact that you can play different factions with different strengths and weaknesses, and that the mission cards are random, means that no game is ever the same.”
    • “Interesting story setting, but no combat or communication; you just do your own business and then the game suddenly ends.”
    • “More tutorial missions where you actually play the first few turns of a game in one continuous scenario would go a long way, as opposed to the current iteration where you only get to play each mechanic in isolation.”
    • “Interesting story setting but no combat, no communication, just do your own business and the game suddenly ends.”
    • “What story does it tell?”
    • “Unfortunately, I couldn't even make it through all the tutorial missions (which I believe were implemented poorly) as I was unable to click on or select exactly what the tutorial wanted me to do.”
  • atmosphere
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its stunning music and thematic elements that enhance the experience, particularly in the tabletop version. However, the digital adaptation struggles to replicate this atmosphere due to a cumbersome user interface, despite some successful 3D touches and slow animations that contribute positively. Overall, while the soundtrack and visual elements are appreciated, the digital format falls short in delivering the same immersive experience as the original board game.

    • “There's a lot here that adds to the tabletop experience including nice-looking miniatures, atmospheric soundtrack, and nice 3D touches.”
    • “Music is stunning, with great atmosphere that fits the theme.”
    • “Now I can play solo in a way that is easier than the automa system and the beautiful soundtrack adds a lot of atmosphere.”
    • “I love the tabletop version of this game a lot, but this digital version is just not able to replicate its atmosphere because of its incredibly inconvenient user interface and opponents' action monitoring.”
    • “Extra slow animation, but it recreates the atmosphere of the game accurately.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate that the game automates many tedious aspects of traditional gameplay, making it less cumbersome than its tabletop counterpart. However, some users find it can still feel unnecessarily tedious over long sessions, and there are concerns about the game's value, particularly regarding the need for multiple purchases for multiplayer. Additionally, technical issues, such as audio glitches, have been reported, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “As for improvements, well: it may just be my laptop's processor, even though I have a $1200 Lenovo Yoga, but the game's music to start with causes my laptop and the game to bug out with that loud grinding noise often recognized as a common freeze-up sound.”
    • “Is it really just unnecessarily tedious Monopoly?”
    • “Which becomes very tedious if you're looking to play the game for any extended period of time.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding the humor in the game. While some players find it to be a complex and enjoyable experience akin to games like Catan, others feel it lacks humor entirely, with no successful online sessions contributing to a disappointing experience. Overall, the humor aspect seems to be underwhelming for many players.

    • “If you like games such as Catan and are looking for a better, more complex, yet funny game, this is the one!”
    • “The upgrade action was a bit confusing; only after a couple of uses did I understand that you pick up one upgrade from the top row and one from the bottom row, which, funny enough, is much clearer with the physical board game.”
    • “It's just not funny at all.”
    • “Of all the games by this publisher that I've played, I had 0 successful online sessions (both PC and mobile).”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy has been criticized for being overly complicated and off-putting, particularly due to its reliance on advertising that emphasizes conventional beauty standards, which some users find unappealing.

    • “The monetization system feels overly complicated and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases is frustrating and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
    • “I find the aggressive advertising tactics off-putting and they overshadow the gameplay.”
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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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20h Median play time
31h Average play time
1h Main story
67h Completionist
9-30h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Scythe is a turn-based strategy game with science fiction theme.

Scythe is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

The main story can be completed in around 1 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 67 hours to finish. On average players spend around 31 hours playing Scythe.

Scythe was released on September 5, 2018.

Scythe was developed by The Knights of Unity.

Scythe has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Scythe is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Root, Dune: Imperium, Wingspan, Spirit Island, D&D Lords of Waterdeep and others.