Kryptothera How to Play, Playthrough, and Review

About Kryptothera: The Cryptid Pursuit, from BoardGameGeek:

Kryptothera is a competitive adventure game set in an alternate reality where cryptids - creatures from folklore - are found, and their energy fuels a radical new form of technology. Rival hunters journey across treacherous terrain in pursuit of these elusive beings, navigating a world shaped by myth, invention, and escalating ambition. The setting is infused with dark mystery and an art deco-inspired aesthetic, where technological marvels pulse beneath a veil of secrecy and superstition. Kryptothera offers a competitive PvE experience. Each player takes on the role of a hunter with unique skill competencies that influence dice-based outcomes during cryptid hunts and challenge events. Players navigate a mapped region filled with unfolding events, acquiring items and hiring crew to improve their chances of success. Successfully capturing a cryptid is only part of the challenge - hunters must also return it to their headquarters to secure it. In the later stage of the game, players can initiate duels - introducing a PvP element where hunters may attempt to steal cryptids from one another, adding a layer of high-stakes rivalry before the hunt concludes. The aim is to secure the most valuable collection of cryptids before the hunt ends. Players must balance risk and timing - deciding when to explore further, when to return to base, and when to confront their rivals. Every action shapes the outcome, and no lead is ever safe. Kryptothera rewards strategic planning, adaptability, and a sharp instinct for opportunity in a world where power shifts with every roll of the dice. -description from the publisher