Ascension: Curse of the Golden Isles (2021) Board Game

Ascension: Curse of the Golden Isles is a standalone expansion to the popular deck-building card game Ascension. Released in 2021, this game transports players to the high seas where they must navigate treacherous waters and battle fearsome pirates to become the most legendary captain.

Game Components of Ascension: Curse of the Golden Isles

180 Cards

4 Ships

Gameboard

36 Cursed Treasure Tokens

50 Honor Tokens

Ghost Pirate Token

Rulebook

How To Setup Ascension: Curse of the Golden Isles

To set up the game, players start by preparing the main deck with the available cards, including Heroes, Constructs, and Monsters. Each player begins with a starter deck. The Cursed Treasure tokens and Honor tokens are placed within reach of all players. The gameboard is set up to display the various card pools and token spaces. Players can also combine this game with Ascension: Skulls and Sails to accommodate up to 6 players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deckbuilding & Pool-building Mechanisms: Players continuously improve their deck by buying powerful upgrades or defeating monsters.

Cursed Treasure Mechanic: Collecting pairs of Cursed Treasure tokens allows players to gain valuable Runes, Power, and more.

Game Objective: The goal is to gather the most Honor before the game ends by recruiting Heroes, building Constructs, and raiding opponents’ Treasure.

Player Experience

In Ascension: Curse of the Golden Isles, players embark on a pirate-themed adventure filled with fantasy elements. The game challenges players to navigate the Severed Seas, avoid the ghostly crew of the Crimson Askara, and uncover the secrets of the cursed treasure. The introduction of new gameplay mechanics, such as the Cursed Treasure tokens, adds a fresh layer of strategy and excitement.

Pros

New Artwork and Mechanics: Introduces new artwork and game mechanics that refresh the classic Ascension experience.

Pirate Theme: A fun and engaging pirate theme that adds a unique twist to the series.

High Replayability: The deckbuilding and pool-building mechanisms ensure high replayability.

Expandable: Can be combined with Ascension: Skulls and Sails to play with up to 6 players.

Cons

Complexity for New Players: May be overwhelming for new players due to the introduction of new mechanics.

Two-Player Limitations: Some players find the game less challenging and less engaging with only two players.

Personal Thoughts on Ascension: Curse of the Golden Isles

Ascension: Curse of the Golden Isles is ideal for fans of deckbuilding games and those who enjoy strategic gameplay with a fantasy twist. It is particularly suited for players who have experience with the Ascension series or similar deckbuilding games, as the new mechanics add depth but may also increase the learning curve for new players. The pirate theme and new artwork make it an exciting addition to the series, offering a fresh adventure for seasoned players.

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