Set in an alternate Euro-Steampunk world, Scythe is an engine-building game that’s constantly moving and competitive as hell, if played correctly. Although it may be difficult to put down the box, there are loads of different games like Scythe. Look no further, we’ve got 5 fantastic options to give a try.
On the list, you’ll find area control games with similar mechanics to Scythe. But, each game has its own unique traits and themes that make them worthy opponents to compete with Scythe.
Check out our list of 5 games like Scythe that’ll have you challenged and entertained for hours on end!
5 Games Like Scythe
Civilization: A New Dawn
Players: 2- 4
Playing time: 60mins
Recreating the popular video game, Civilization: A New Dawn is a strategy board game where nations race for territory, technology, and game-changing wonders.
Players take on the roles of leaders of competing nations looking to expand their domains. To rise above them all, you’ll need to build a society where people will not only survive but thrive.
The game is challenging and competitive as players take turns using a single card each play. Depending on your strategy, you can pursue different goals with every game.
Civilization: A New Dawn is as challenging as Scythe with many different components in play while players try to rule the greatest empire. If you’re a fan of Scythe or the popular video game, the board game is fast-paced and has randomized components, so no two games are the same.
Gaia Project
Players: 1- 4
Playing time: 60- 150mins
A futuristic game of space colonization, Gaia Project is a great choice for those looking for in-depth strategy and who don’t mind complex rules.
Gaia Project is a follow-up to Terra Mystica, where players research, upgrade, and expand to terraform neighboring planets. With each of the 14 factions having unique abilities and environmental needs, you’ll need to colonize before your competition takes advantage.
Players need to improve their skills such as terraforming, navigation, artificial intelligence, gaiaforming, economy, and research. All of these different skills need improvement, so there are a lot of moving parts. Gaia Project is another Scythe alternative as it has just as many complexities intertwined into each game.
Endeavor: Age of Sail
Players: 2- 5
Playing time: 60- 90mins
Set sail into a strategy-rich game of naval power!
During the Age of Sail (1571- 1862) explorers took to the seas, looking to expand empires and build mighty fleets. From a foothold in Europe, players strive to make the wisest, most profitable connections as the maps unfold.
A sequel to the original Endeavor game, Endeavor: Age of Sail, has players work to take over cities and monopolize shipping routes. You’ll focus on building up your finances and influence while ensuring your opponents are run off the map entirely.
When playing Endeavor: Age of Sail, you’ll find yourself grappling with decisions, contemplating efficiency, strategies, and even morality. While sailing the world, you’ll set out to conquer new lands across the globe by gaining asset cards, constructing buildings, and completing shipping routes.
Like Scythe, this game is a challenging battle. You can go even further with the Endeavor: Age of Expansion expansion which has a new building market, a new world of strategy, as well as the same ruleset as the original that we all know and love.
Can you rewrite the history books?
Tapestry
Players: 1- 5
Playing time: 90-120mins
Create a civilization from the beginning of humankind to the dawn of human space exploration.
Tapestry is an epic civilization-building game where the paths you choose will vary greatly from real-world history. The possibilities are endless, so players will need to carefully curate their civilization for greatness.
Like Scythe, players have almost complete control over their fate, from start to finish. Players advance their population through science, technology, exploration, and the military. Along the way, you’ll also work to improve your income, build your capital, hone your unique abilities, and gain tapestry cards.
Tapestry comes with beautiful game components so you can take your civilization from discovering fire to launching spaceships. If you enjoy delving into the intricacies required to build a lasting civilization, Tapestry, like Scythe, will show you just what it takes to become legendary.
Lords of Hellas
Players: 1- 4
Playing time:60- 90mins
Set in the Bronze Age of Mycenaean Greece, a time where war and mystery made the path to victory a little more challenging, Lords of Hellas combines classical Greek mythology with sci-fi elements. If you’re looking for a theme-rich game with a unique setting, Lords of Hellas is a great choice.
Although the game has an area control component like Scythe, it’s also driven by worker placement, only adding to strategy and the actions you can play. In this fast-paced territory control game, players control a Greek hero and their armies as they compete, either through strategic control or adventure-style monster hunting and quests.
What’s fun about Lord of Hellas is that players can win in various ways by controlling temples, areas, or slaying monsters that happen to be wandering around the map!
Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed our list of 5 games like Scythe! This award-winning game has proved to be one of the most influential games of its time, as well as changing modern opinions of board games in general. If you’ve played Scythe to death, make sure to try one of these similar games to keep challenging yourself!
Next time you’re looking for an engine-building or area management game that’ll challenge you, these Scythe alternatives won’t disappoint.
If you enjoyed any of these games, we can assure you that you’ll love these other titles too: Terraforming Mars, Viticulture: Essential Edition, Dune: Imperium, Root, and Blood Rage.
Have you tried any of the games on this list? Which do you think you’ll try first? Have we missed a game like Scythe? Let us know if you have any recommendations in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.
Ready Player Christine. Since my first D&D game, which took a turn for the weird and wacky (probably my influence), the world of board and tabletop games came alive. Now today, I get to write about these fantastical, fictional, and downright fun worlds.