Overview

Taking control of an omnipotent being, players of Ascendance attempt to create the perfect, thriving society, by bestowing abilities and powers upon members of a tribe, guiding them through the early stone age. As they 'play god', players eventually select a member of the tribe to 'ascend', which will determine the direction the tribe will develop towards.

Core Mechanics

Ascendance is controlled from an initially isometric perspective, but presented fully in 3D. Players are able to shape the terrain around the village itself, control weather patterns, and animal movement. The objective of each game is to make sure the village itself survives long enough to develop basic self-sufficiency. Players are able to leave the village to its own devices, or intervene in order to make them grow. The village can be attacked by enemies as well as sustain a number of different environmental and societal issues. Tribal uprising and rebellion can occur, and the player can manipulate which leader takes control in order to steer the tribe in the direction they approve of. If the player continually intervenes, the tribe may not know how to deal with certain situations. The tribe will also worship the 'god' much more vehemently, more than they would if the player intervened less. If the player limits their input into the tribe's actions, they may become more self-sufficient (or alternatively die out entirely).

Ascendance

At critical points in the game, players may choose a member of the tribe to 'ascend'. This grants them semi-mythical attributes, and may increase the tribe's valuation of their deity. This prophet may also be shunned, however, if they are a less popular member of the tribe. Players can use this prophet to directly initiate or avoid some events, or they may be cast out and unable to be effective. Ascendance is intended to be a mechanic that changes the player's interactions with the tribe, rather than improving them. Ascended villagers may also be more valuable in dealing with other tribes, who may occasionally demand things from the player's tribe. An ascended villager with healing attributes may be able to broker a deal better than a normal villager, for example.

The player watches over a village similar to Cultures, but does not directly construct the village.