To many tabletop gaming purists, digital versions of their favorite board games will never cut it. There’s something about the feel of rolling dice, shuffling cards, and flipping over an actual, physical table when things don’t go your way. But Scythe is one of those tabletop games that could benefit a great deal from having a digital version, and one is headed to Steam soon.
Although one of the main draws of Scythe is its beautiful artwork and gigantic, detailed miniatures, it is also a beast to set up, play, and tear down. Game time, depending on the amount of players, usually clocks in over the two hour mark. Getting everything set up and back in its place afterwards adds even more time. And taking time to refresh the rules (and intricacies of those rules), or outright explain the rules if someone has never played before, can stretch a session far beyond the time all but the most hardcore gamers will endure.
Scythe has received rave reviews since it first hit shelves last year. Created by acclaimed designer Jamey Stegmaier and illustrated by Jakub Rozalski, Scythe is set in a steampunk, alternative history Europe of the 1920s. Every nation commands massive mechs that stomp over the countryside, attempting to gather resources, build an army, and reign supreme over the land.
Scythe has a distinct sense of personality, and its mechanics are equally complex and rewarding. There are many ways to win, and being able to tailor your play style to take advantage of your opponents’ weaknesses makes for a strategic and nail-biting finish.
Scythe is being developed for Steam by the Knights of Unity and published by Asmodee Digital. You can view the Steam page here. No concrete release date has been scheduled yet, but it is listed as “Q1 2018.” Keep your eyes peeled; it’s coming soon.
