Scythe: The Rise of Fenris Review (Spoiler-Free)

Scythe’s legacy campaign, The Rise of Fenris returns players to the alternative 1920’s steampunk world of Europa to face new threats, factions and features in this final instalment to the original Scythe game. How will you fare in this altered-history 4X tale?

Players: 1-5 (1-7 with expansions) Time: 90-120 Minutes Age: 14+


Designers: Jamey Stegmaier & Ryan Lopez DeVinaspre


Publisher: Stonemaier Games

I Feel The Hot Winds Of Karma Driving Me.

The original Scythe game takes place in an alternate post-Great War Europe, here you’ll find giant mechs roaming the countryside, and factions competing for resources, territory and technology. The Rise of Fenris takes this world and adds a multi-scenario campaign with layers of intrigue, shadowy forces, and mysterious events. The story focuses on the growing tension between factions after the rise of a new threat known as Fenris, which threatens the already fragile balance of power.

Those who have played Scythe are already familiar with its blend of stunning artwork, fascinating alternate-history storytelling, and tight, strategic gameplay. But, not content with just creating an excellent 4X strategy game, designers Jamey Stegmaier & Ryan Lopez DeVinaspre, decided to go one step further; enter The Rise of Fenris, the final expansion in the original Scythe saga. Rise of Fenris offers up a full-blown campaign with a modularity for those who wish to expand their game without the need to commit to a full campaign. So, to explore this expansion without spoiling the experience for anyone, I’ll only be looking at the first scenario in the campaign, in other words, the stuff you’ll be expected to open and see the first time you play it.

From the offset, the campaign does an admirable job of pulling you into the political and military turmoil that escalates over the course of the eight scenarios. What makes it all the more compelling is that every decision you make can affect future games. From alliances to betrayals, tits not just about winning individual games but shaping a larger narrative that unfolds as you play.

The introductory scenario makes subtle changes to the way the game works without overwhelming players with sudden, jarring alterations to the core gameplay. It mostly feels like a classic Scythe game—control territories, deploy mechs, gather resources, and engage in combat. However, there’s a sense of something looming beneath the surface. You get hints of what’s to come in later scenarios, but the game does a solid job of not revealing too much too soon. The hidden content sitting in the box, just waiting to be discovered is as much a motivation as it is an enticement. You want to complete each scenario, if for no other reason, to add some compelling new content to your classic Scythe games.

They Want To Be The Agents, Not The Victims, Of History.

Rise of Fenris is a unique addition to the original game contributing a host of options and content which is usable not only in the linear campaign, but in standard games as well. Modular Campaign Progression unlike many campaigns that have you stuck in a rigid storyline, The Rise of Fenris gives players modular options. If you want to add certain gameplay elements to your non-campaign games, you can. After playing through a scenario, you unlock components that can be mixed into future plays. This modular approach lets you tailor future games with or without the campaign, meaning the expansion continues to add value long after the story wraps up.

Scythe is a game known for rewarding players’ strategic thinking, and The Rise of Fenris takes this a step further. As soon as the first scenario, you’re asked to make choices that aren’t just about winning the current game but also about influencing the overall campaign. This means every decision feels impactful because it could affect the next scenario, or even the final outcome of the campaign, Tactical choices are duly encouraged and feel great when the plan comes together.

Despite being the final expansion, The Rise of Fenris presents as surprisingly accessible. You don’t need to be a Scythe veteran to jump into the campaign, which makes it ideal for newcomers or for players who haven’t played the game in a while. The first scenario acts as a refresher on the core mechanics while subtly introducing new elements that will come into play later. For those already familiar with Scythe, it’s a smooth entry into what’s essentially an evolving and escalating campaign.

Replayability is also a strong selling point for The Rise of Fenris. After you’ve completed the campaign, the modular components allow you to integrate pieces into future Scythe games, breathing new life into the base game. Even if you decide not to revisit the campaign, the wealth of unlockable content will ensure that Scythe feels fresh for many future play sessions.

For players who enjoy mixing things up, you can approach the campaign in a different way, experimenting with new strategies and faction combinations. The choices you make in one playthrough could lead to very different outcomes in another.

Whom The Gods Notice They Destroy. Be Small… And You Will Escape The Jealousy Of The Great.

What’s a world of war and toil without a few niggling setbacks? Like any other entry in this market, The Rise of Fenris is not immune to a few points of criticism. The first of which hits you in the very first scenario…. because it’s the very first scenario. The entry level foray into the new campaign feels a little too familiar for any Scythe fans expecting an immediate twist or shake-up. While it lays the groundwork for what’s to come, it doesn’t introduce anything groundbreaking right off the bat. For those well-versed in the base game, it feels like you’re just playing a slightly tweaked version of Scythe. Of course, this is intentional, as the campaign ramps up in later scenarios, but it may leave some players wanting more excitement out of the gate.

As with many campaign games, Rise of Fenris required some group commitment. Games are always a challenge when it comes to group dynamics, and The Rise of Fenris is no exception. With eight scenarios, you need a dedicated group to commit to finishing the story. While the modular elements mean you can replay certain components without the campaign, you really want the same group for continuity. Scheduling can become an issue, especially since the campaign has a natural ebb and flow that makes it harder to pick up after long breaks between games.

Life Is Short. Art, Or Something Not life, Is Long, Stretching Out Endless, Like A Concrete Worm.

So, how does The Rise of Fenris compare to the previous entires in terms of art and components? As expected, Jakub Rozalski’s artwork continues to capture the bleak yet beautiful atmosphere of alternate-history Europe. The mechs are as imposing as ever, and the cards and new components are well-designed and integrate perfectly with their existing counterparts.

Without revealing spoilers, I can say that the new additions and tokens not only look great but also serve to enhance gameplay in meaningful ways. There are surprises hidden within the game box that will keep you excited as you progress through the campaign and will enhance future standard games of Scythe.

The rulebook is clear and concise, though the campaign introduces enough new elements that you’ll want to keep it handy. Thankfully, the game provides a system for integrating new rules in a digestible way, so you’re not overwhelmed with information at once.

A Psychotic World We Live In. The Madmen Are In Power.

While the first scenario may not blow you away out of the gate, it sets the stage for an epic, evolving campaign that gradually reveals new mechanics, narrative twists, and some exciting gameplay innovations. So that about sums it up! Scythe: The Rise of Fenris is a content-rich expansion that manages to bring a mech-load of new surprises while still respecting the core of what makes Scythe such a time-honoured game.

For existing fans of Scythe, this entry is a must-have, not to mention a fitting conclusion to the original game, bringing together everything you love about the base game while adding new layers of depth. Even after the campaign concludes, the raft of modular components ensure that The Rise of Fenris will continue to enhance your future Scythe sessions.

For newcomers to Scythe, this expansion offers a gentle introduction to the campaign format, though I recommend familiarising yourself with the base game before diving too deeply into the campaign. Either way, The Rise of Fenris showcases Jamey Stegmaier’s knack for crafting an immersive, evolving experience wrapped up in compelling gameplay and world-building.

So gather your mechs, sharpen those scythes, and prepare to make decisions that will echo across an entire campaign. The future of Europa is in your hands.

Thank you to Stonemaier Games for providing a review copy of Scythe: The Rise of Fenris! I hope you enjoyed this review and if you have any thoughts on this or any other entry in the Scythe saga, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below or feel free to post your thoughts on our Facebook page or join us for more content on Instagram. Until we meet again!