Ascendia Board Game Review

About Ascendia: Seasons of Thargos, from BoardGameGeek:

Ascendia - Seasons of Thargos is a semi-cooperative, table top role-playing game that requires you to set out as an ill-equipped adventurer in the hidden Valley of Ascendia, in the fantasy World of Thargos. Collect raw materials, craft, trade and interact with wild animals and merchants to improve your equipment and skills, whilst striving to survive the approaching winter. But beware as each season brings its own challenges and some more fearsome creatures, often pushed by hunger, venture down from the mountain peaks into the valley. You compete and cooperate for survival for the ultimate goal as a future leader of Ascendia. Encounters with wild beasts and fell creatures require special dice rolls, modified by equipment and character skills that you can improve as the game progresses through trading and crafting. You explore a Hex-based board that flips over to a winter side when that season comes. During the game you accumulate Renown points by performing various tasks and interacting with the different mechanics of the game. Once you have at least one Renown token you can decide to apply in front of the inhabitants of the village for the title of Lord of Ascendia. If you are successful, you have won over the villagers and are elected as Lord of Ascendia, winning the game. -description from designer