I Like Scythe
Hello, friends!
This week’s edition of Things I Like is about a board game that perfectly captures the depth, strategy, and immersive world-building I love in tabletop gaming: Scythe. If you’ve played it, you know it’s a game that demands planning, adaptability, and a keen sense of timing. If you haven’t, let me introduce you to one of the best examples of why Eurogames are so compelling—and why play, from a polyvagal perspective, is essential for well-being.
Scythe and the Complexity of Eurogames
Scythe, designed by Jamey Stegmaier, is an engine-building, resource-management game set in an alternate-history 1920s world filled with towering mechs, struggling factions, and shifting alliances. Unlike traditional war games, Scythe isn’t about direct combat—it’s about efficiency, expansion, and strategy. Every player starts asymmetrically, controlling a unique faction with its own strengths and challenges. Over the course of the game, you build an economy, move your forces, and carefully position yourself for victory.
One of the things that makes Scythe such a great Eurogame is its emphasis on indirect competition. While there’s some player interaction—especially when it comes to territory control—the game is more about long-term planning than sudden reversals of fortune. You don’t win by chance; you win by making the best possible decisions with the resources you have.
The Polyvagal Value of Play
At first glance, sitting around a table for a few hours strategizing over resource production and territory control might not seem like a deeply physiological experience—but from a polyvagal perspective, play is one of the most effective ways to regulate our nervous systems.
Dr. Stephen Porges, who developed the Polyvagal Theory, describes how play is a unique state where we experience both mobilization (engagement, movement, problem-solving) and safety (social connection, co-regulation). This combination is powerful. It allows us to experience challenge without tipping into fight-or-flight mode, and it builds resilience by reinforcing that we can engage in complex, competitive, or high-stakes situations without feeling threatened.
When we engage in structured play like Scythe, a few important things happen:
We Access the Social Engagement System – Sitting around a table with friends, making eye contact, laughing, and engaging in friendly competition strengthens our ability to co-regulate. Even though Scythe is a game of strategic conflict, it happens in a safe, controlled environment where interaction remains cooperative and social.
We Practice Mobilization Without Fear – In Scythe, we’re required to anticipate threats, adapt strategies, and make high-stakes decisions, but there are no real-world consequences. This allows us to practice handling stress and uncertainty in a way that is stimulating, not overwhelming.
We Find Flow and Regulation – A well-designed game like Scythe puts players into a state of flow, where we are fully present, engaged, and immersed in the moment. This is a nervous system sweet spot—neither too activated nor too shut down—and it fosters a sense of competence, connection, and enjoyment.
The Balance Between Structure and Freedom
What makes Scythe so engaging is the way it balances structure and freedom. The rules create clear boundaries—there’s an economy to manage, action efficiency to consider, and limited opportunities for aggression—but within that framework, players have incredible freedom in how they develop their strategies. No two games unfold the same way, and that open-ended decision-making is part of what keeps players coming back.
This mirrors how play works in broader life. The best forms of play—whether in childhood or adulthood—combine predictability (so we feel safe) with exploration (so we stay engaged). That balance is exactly what helps regulate the nervous system and make play feel restorative rather than stressful.
Why We Need Games Like Scythe
As adults, we sometimes forget that play isn’t just for kids. Strategic board games like Scythe give us space to engage in complex problem-solving, interact with others in a meaningful way, and immerse ourselves in a different world for a few hours. They challenge us while also reminding us that enjoyment—pure, intentional enjoyment—is a worthy pursuit.
From a polyvagal perspective, play isn’t a luxury—it’s a fundamental part of nervous system health. Whether we’re using board games, sports, creative hobbies, or storytelling, play is a way to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and reinforce a sense of safety in the world.
Conclusion
Scythe is more than just a great board game; it’s a testament to the depth and creativity that Eurogames offer. And beyond that, it’s a reminder that play—especially structured, strategic play—has profound benefits for our minds and bodies. Thanks for joining me this week in Things I Like. Until next time, remember: know yourself, love yourself, and don’t forget to make time for play.
