Full Release for Dieselpunk Strategy Game “Scythe” Now Available

The digital adaptation of Scythe has entered full release.

Now out of Early Access, Scythe: Digital Edition is now available for Windows PC (via Steam) for $19.99. Featured above, you can view a new trailer for the game’s release.

Scythe is a very successful 4X board game set in an alternate dieselpunk Europe where the first World War was fought with mechs. Players control one of five factions- The Saxony Empire, Crimean Khanate, Rusviet Union, Polania Republic, or Nordic Kingdom- and must rebuild their nation following the devastating Great War. You can find a trailer of the digital version above.

Scythe is set in the world of 1920+, a series of gorgeous retro-futuristic artworks by Jakub Rozalski. The original board game came out in 2016 following a very successful Kickstarter campaign by Jamey Stegmaier, and its currently published by Stonemaier Games. This digital adaptation is by The Knights of Unity and Asmodee Digital.

Here’s a rundown on the game:


In an alternate reality in 1920s Europa, it’s been several years since the “Great War”, but the ashes of the conflict are still hot and the war is entering a new phase. The first conflict saw the emergence of some incredible engines of war known as Mechs. Built by “The Factory”, an independent city-state which has since become the object of everyone’s desire, these technological monstrosities roam the snowy landscapes of Europa.

Be the hero of one of the five factions – Saxony Empire, Crimean Khanate, Rusviet Union, Polania Republic or Nordic Kingdom – and become the richest and most powerful nation in all of Europa during these dark times! To assure the victory of your people, you will need to explore and conquer new territories, enlist new recruits and deploy your forces by building formidable and terrifying combat Mechs. Replay history in a fictional past full of mechanical engines and technology, where each choice you make will be critical. Choose your battles with care, because in Scythe, victory is achieved with and for the people!

Gameplay:

  • Asymmetry: every player starts the game with different resources (energy, coins, keen combat sense, popularity…), a different starting location and a secret objective. The starting positions are specifically set to contribute to the uniqueness of every faction and the asymmetrical nature of the game.
  • Strategy: Scythe offers players almost complete control over their fate. The only elements of chance apart from each player’s individual secrete objective card are the Encounter cards, which players draw to interact with the citizens of newly explored lands. Combat is also handled by way of choice; no luck or chance is involved.
  • Engine Building: Players can improve their construction abilities to become more efficient, build structures that improve their position on the map, enlist new recruits into their faction, activate mechs to dissuade opponents from invading and expand their borders to reap greater types and quantities of resources. This aspect creates a feeling of energy and progression over the course of the entire game. The order in which players get to develop their economy and technologies adds to the unique feel of every game, even when playing as the same faction several times.

Features:

  • Official adaptation of the award-winning board game
  • 4X strategy game (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate)
  • Customize the mat to sharpen your strategy
  • Choose a specialty for unique games: Agriculturalist, Industrialist, Engineer, Patriot or Mechanic.
  • Fight against two levels of AI and/or your friends in hotseat.
  • Check out artistic genius Jakub Rozalski’s retro-futuristic illustrations!

The universe of 1920+ will be getting another video game adaptation next year with Iron Harvest, an RTS from KING Art Games. You can read more about that here in our previous report.

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Frank was a former Niche Gamer contributor.


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