About Essence: Explore, Battle, Trade, from BoardGameGeek:
Essence: Explore, Battle, Trade is an open world, loot-driven, dark fantasy game of adventure, conquest, and fortune. Join in a group of up to 4 players or embark on a solo journey as a hero exploring the ruins of Moltania, a land divided by the mystical forests of Myrrh and volcanic crusts of Chasmadia. Each hero has a unique background and ability, but it's up to the player to shape their story - gain experience, level up key skills, equip the right gear, and synergize game-bending abilities to earn victory points!
As one of four heroes, players begin their quest in the humble trading town of Ghoss and take turns completing actions across Moltania. Each round, players can use their actions to move into new lands, seek fortune in cities, battle deadly monsters, or rally allies. New equipment earned along the way gives players freedom in how they explore and confront challenges.
Solo and raid-based combat pits players against intimidating monsters, from the nimble dire roach in Chasmadia to the masterful elder tree sir in Myrrh. Weaker foes appear in random encounters, while stronger enemies lurk on special deadly hexes. Each battle tests a hero's full array of skills, abilities, and equipment-and, with a bit of luck, those who prevail earn abundant loot.
Essence brings popular video game mechanics back to the table with the progression, loot, and player decision systems of a classic RPG. Skill and luck blend together as players build their heroes into formidable forces, all based on choices presented from both chance and strategy.
-description from the designer
