PSA: Stop calling every heavy game a "miniatures game"

I was at a game night last Saturday and someone described Scythe as a miniatures game. It has like 20 plastic mechs, sure, but that's not the core mechanic. This keeps happening at my local shop in Portland. I've heard people call Blood Rage a miniatures game too when the whole point is the area control and card drafting. Can we just agree that a miniatures game is something like Warhammer where the minis are the main focus, not just a bonus?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_james3d agoMost Upvoted

Honestly just start asking people what the core loop is. If they can't explain it without mentioning the minis first, then maybe they've got a point. I've had good luck saying "so if you took out all the plastic and replaced it with tokens, is it still the same game?" Usually shuts down the Warhammer comparison real quick. The minis in Scythe are basically nice checkers pieces, not the whole reason you're playing.

the_betty2d ago

Oh @the_james hit it! If tokens work the same, it ain't a miniatures game.