The whole idea of video games is not only to raise
the bar in terms of gameplay and design, but to create new games that take on
a genre all their own. Case in point, the game is Culdcept and it is weird.
Weird in a good way. Good in an addictive way. Addictive in a non-dangerous
way. Non-dangerous in a "you won’t have an anvil fall on your head", way.
the bar in terms of gameplay and design, but to create new games that take on
a genre all their own. Case in point, the game is Culdcept and it is weird.
Weird in a good way. Good in an addictive way. Addictive in a non-dangerous
way. Non-dangerous in a "you won’t have an anvil fall on your head", way.
I’ll be honest with you, I got this game and knew
absolutely nothing about it. And quite frankly I just don’t know where to
start other then to just kind of spill out my rambling thoughts. So here I
go…
absolutely nothing about it. And quite frankly I just don’t know where to
start other then to just kind of spill out my rambling thoughts. So here I
go…
You start the game as a Cepter, a unique
individual who has the ability to summon from the book of Culdcept, an
ancient, magical tome that is apparently the book of all creation. While
roaming the world, you will run into other Cepters who are up to no good and
you must fight them in a cross-between a card game ala’ Pokemon and a board
game. The battles take place on different shaped grid/arenas made up of
varying elements, ie. water, earth, etc. Since these battles are turn
based you are granted a new card at the beginning of each turn. This card can
either be a monster card, a magic card or a weapon/armor card. At that point
you use the automatic dice to roll and then your character moves around the
game board. If the space is unoccupied, then you will want to put a monster
there in order to take over that portion of the map. If your opponent already
has a monster there, then you will want to try and have one of your
card/monsters do battle in order to take over the space, the ultimate goal
being to be the first to reach a predetermined score, thus winning the battle.
individual who has the ability to summon from the book of Culdcept, an
ancient, magical tome that is apparently the book of all creation. While
roaming the world, you will run into other Cepters who are up to no good and
you must fight them in a cross-between a card game ala’ Pokemon and a board
game. The battles take place on different shaped grid/arenas made up of
varying elements, ie. water, earth, etc. Since these battles are turn
based you are granted a new card at the beginning of each turn. This card can
either be a monster card, a magic card or a weapon/armor card. At that point
you use the automatic dice to roll and then your character moves around the
game board. If the space is unoccupied, then you will want to put a monster
there in order to take over that portion of the map. If your opponent already
has a monster there, then you will want to try and have one of your
card/monsters do battle in order to take over the space, the ultimate goal
being to be the first to reach a predetermined score, thus winning the battle.
What makes this game so different is that there
are so many cards available in the game (over 500) and no matter how well you
play the game, it can still come down to simple luck. It is conceivable that
prior to each of your turns, you could draw only weapon or magic cards, no
monster cards. Without monster cards you cannot occupy spaces or attack
occupied spaces.
are so many cards available in the game (over 500) and no matter how well you
play the game, it can still come down to simple luck. It is conceivable that
prior to each of your turns, you could draw only weapon or magic cards, no
monster cards. Without monster cards you cannot occupy spaces or attack
occupied spaces.
As each battle takes place, players can boost
their monster abilities by playing one of the magic or weapon/armor cards
thereby strengthening the attack power of the monster or increasing its hit
points or giving it advantage in the defense category. I quickly discovered
that some monsters have distinct advantages when being played in their natural
habitat, sea monsters work well in the aquatic areas of the map and so on and
so forth. Why the game didn’t simplify the symbols to colors in regards to
what monster worked best with certain areas is beyond me, but hey, after a
while one does tend to adjust.
their monster abilities by playing one of the magic or weapon/armor cards
thereby strengthening the attack power of the monster or increasing its hit
points or giving it advantage in the defense category. I quickly discovered
that some monsters have distinct advantages when being played in their natural
habitat, sea monsters work well in the aquatic areas of the map and so on and
so forth. Why the game didn’t simplify the symbols to colors in regards to
what monster worked best with certain areas is beyond me, but hey, after a
while one does tend to adjust.
The Playstation 2 seems to be reaching its limits
in regards to pumping out cutting edge graphics, so Culdcept took a step
backwards and made the game almost seem retro. The intro CG was more modern,
but in game battles and traveling around the world has a very distinct look to
it. I was almost thinking this was a "Working Designs" video game straight
off of the Sega Saturn playlist. Personally, I enjoyed the feel of the game
and the controls had a natural feel to it. The menus are very easy to use and
are easily navigatable. The game has a ton of options and controls, but they
are all spelled out for you and if you get stumped you can simply activate the
help function.
in regards to pumping out cutting edge graphics, so Culdcept took a step
backwards and made the game almost seem retro. The intro CG was more modern,
but in game battles and traveling around the world has a very distinct look to
it. I was almost thinking this was a "Working Designs" video game straight
off of the Sega Saturn playlist. Personally, I enjoyed the feel of the game
and the controls had a natural feel to it. The menus are very easy to use and
are easily navigatable. The game has a ton of options and controls, but they
are all spelled out for you and if you get stumped you can simply activate the
help function.
Gameplay: 7.9
Lots of controls, but the game is turn based
during combat, so you can plot out your moves without any pressure. An easily
controlled title that has a lot to offer if you give it a shot.
during combat, so you can plot out your moves without any pressure. An easily
controlled title that has a lot to offer if you give it a shot.
Graphics: 7.2
A classic looking title that has some sweet
looking character models. Sure it looks like something seen on game systems
two generations ago, but I liked the way it all came together visually.
looking character models. Sure it looks like something seen on game systems
two generations ago, but I liked the way it all came together visually.
Sound: 6.9
Not a lot of audio found here. No sort of voice
acting (but a lot of reading) and the game’s music just seems to fade into the
background as you clearly are thinking of other things.
acting (but a lot of reading) and the game’s music just seems to fade into the
background as you clearly are thinking of other things.
Difficulty: Medium
Pretty back and forth here, as I said, luck plays
into the game each time you play and if you don’t draw decent cards you will
certainly think this is a hard title.
into the game each time you play and if you don’t draw decent cards you will
certainly think this is a hard title.
Concept: 8.7
I haven’t played anything like this game but will
champion it to all of my friends. It’s got a clever idea behind it and draws
heavily on strategy as you will want to get cunning fast.
champion it to all of my friends. It’s got a clever idea behind it and draws
heavily on strategy as you will want to get cunning fast.
Overall: 8.0
It’s incredibly addictive and I had never even
heard about it two weeks ago. Certainly a dark horse game that is not getting
a lot of marketing. Here’s hoping that they get a lot of positive word of
mouth so they get a good following and can make the sequel. Good solid game.
heard about it two weeks ago. Certainly a dark horse game that is not getting
a lot of marketing. Here’s hoping that they get a lot of positive word of
mouth so they get a good following and can make the sequel. Good solid game.
