Solo play

[MCfactorio]

Hi guys, I was contemplating getting either the digital version or the actual board game and just wondering what people's thoughts are who have experience with either/both? What is the digital version like for solo players?

[InGabWeTrust]

I have both (there was a 30% steam coupon in the box). I like the solo of the physical version, but I hate the setup. Especially now that I have Gloomhaven taking up all the space on my game table.
The digital version is different for solo as the AI are bots and not an Automata. But honestly, the digital game is much more fun online and super fast to play also. You can start and finish a game in 30-45 minutes most of the time and the challenge is way better than with the bots.

Final verdict: Get the physical game for playing with friends and/or solo against a well-made Automata.
And...
Get the digital game for online play or if you are not very good and do not care about the bots being easy.

[BigTplaysGamesTTV]

I play against bots all the time. It's faster and its always your turn. I just dont like playing board games online i never have and I never will. I enjoy playing at the table with my buddies but dont care to play strangers online. I know i may be in the minority on this but I highly value AI in an app port and this has decent AI. Compared to popular apps like Ascension and Star Realms, those AIs are essentially worthless whereas at least here I found some challenge.

I have played this game online in the past in beta. Not in many months though. Sometimes I win sometimes I lose, just like against bots. Human players are obviously more creative and are tougher to beat, but human players make dumb mistakes and even occasionally screw up just from the interface alone.

On hard mode, these bots play a very clean game with no mistakes but they're ultimately predictable if you play them enough as I have. Especially when it comes to combat. That's a pretty serious drawback if I'm being honest. You'll discover in a few games just how the AI will react to your attacks and what they'll bring when they're the aggressors. It's not enough to deter me from playing.

And the issue with this particular game (and it's designed this way) is that sometimes there's very little interaction. You're just kind of doing your thing. So the AI will do their thing very cleanly if you dont disrupt them.

My hour count is off the charts because I have just left this game up on my laptop for weeks at a time so it's more than a little bloated. But i've played hundreds of games against the bots and it's still fun for me.

Nothing beats the board game with my friends. They're very good at it and they play creatively and it's such an amazing game. But solo play is it's own thing. People who dont get it will always try to tell you to play multiplayer but solo players want what they want. And Scythe will literally never leave the box again for solo play because of this app...and because my wall of shame is getting bigger :)

The AI is not perfect but it's more than enough to give me my fix and get a game done in about 15 minutes. And it's more fun than the automa deck if you ask me.

[Hemor Odin]

Hallo, is solo vs bots still playable? With all features? Thank you

[kallethen]

I honestly prefer the Automa in the physical game rather than the AI bots in the digital version. Maybe it's because the Automa plays more aggressively than the AI bots seem to?

Though the AI bots in the digital do follow the same rules as players, while the Automa opponent in the physical game has it's own rules for play. So if you are wanting to play a game that is more 'pure' on it's rules, the digital is the better option.

Also, I will say the Automa has a learning curve on how to do it's movement. Once you get it, it's pretty easy, but the first time it's a bit confusing. There is an excellent app that helps with that (ScytheKick).

As BigT posted above, the AI bots can be predictable. Since the Automa is driven by a deck of cards, it isn't completely predictable. Sure, you can make a good guess on what it might do, but I swear those cards like to play mind games with me.

In the end, both are good options for playing the game solo.