The Culdcept series, a niche genre hybrid blending deckbuilding, RPG elements, and dice-based board game mechanics, has made its return with Culdcept Begins. Available now on Nintendo Switch, this new entry aims to serve as an accessible entry point for newcomers while continuing the legacy that began on the Sega Saturn in 1997.
Developed by OmiyaSoft, Culdcept's history is extensive but sporadic. Following its debut on the Sega Saturn and an expanded PlayStation port, the series saw releases on Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and 3DS. The last installment, Culdcept Revolt, launched in 2016. Culdcept Begins picks up the mantle, maintaining the core gameplay loop while introducing an increased focus on lore.
The fundamental gameplay of Culdcept is often described as a fusion of Magic: The Gathering and Monopoly. Players navigate a board using dice rolls, aiming to accumulate gold to meet level objectives. Gold is earned by passing the starting square, but a primary income source involves summoning monsters on tiles. When an opponent lands on a tile occupied by a summoned monster, they can either pay a toll or engage in a battle. Winning a battle allows the opponent to claim the tile, while losing forces them to pay.
Strategy in Culdcept Begins hinges on the synergistic use of a deck of monster and spell cards. Tiles are categorized by elemental colors, and placing monsters on corresponding elemental tiles provides buffs. Players can further enhance their positions by upgrading tiles and forming elemental chains, thereby increasing the tolls collected from opponents. Mastering the nuances of tile upgrades, elemental affinities, and spell usage is crucial, even in the early stages of the game.
However, the series' characteristic blend of strategy is tempered by a significant element of chance. Despite carefully constructed decks and strategic plays, success can be heavily influenced by dice rolls. Unfavorable rolls can lead to repeated landings on opponent-controlled tiles or missed opportunities for upgrades, potentially hindering progress even in long missions. Spells offer some mitigation for this randomness, but they cannot entirely overcome persistent bad luck.
Culdcept Begins embraces its cult status, offering a deep strategic experience that may still struggle to find a perfect balance between chance and strategy for some players. While the narrative is presented as a potential entry point, its complexity might initially prove inscrutable for new players. The art style is also noted as being inconsistent, with card designs generally faring better than character models. Despite these caveats, the game arrives at a time when deckbuilding games have seen a surge in mainstream popularity, potentially making it a well-timed comeback for the long-running series. A PC version is slated for release later this year.