Culdcept has already received a ton of praise by the lucky few that have had a chance to play early versions of the title. GameSpy just recently named Culdcept as a top holiday buy for the PlayStation 2. “If you're a strategy gamer, a collectible card game fan, a board game player, or just like a good game on par with a well-constructed RPG, Culdcept will almost assuredly prove to your liking,” commented Christian Nutt of GameSpy in his extensive preview.
In Culdcept, each player has a customizable deck of 50 cards that come from a total in-game deck of 480. Up to four players (human or computer-driven) maneuver around the map, taking control of unclaimed land in an effort to build their power. Players defend their land by placing creatures from their card hand on the individual terrains. Battles ensue when opposing players land on occupied space and don’t wish to pay the “toll.”
The game is loaded with options that will extend its playability well over 100 hours including:
- 42 unique map layouts to choose from, including maps used in the All Japan Cepters Cup, and one designed by the Japanese national champion player.
- Tutorial modes and an electronic hint guide allows anyone to jump right in and play.
- Special medals to be collected during the game unlock additional hidden cards and maps.
- A scarily addictive quality that will make players forgo other games, friends, sleep, and perhaps, personal hygiene, to play “just one more round.”
Culdcept features art from a cadre of well-known Japanese fantasy artists such as Kastsuya Terada (Blood: The Last Vampire), and music from Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage) and Kenji Ito (Romancing SaGa).
The Culdcept series was launched in Japan in 1999 and has appeared overseas on earlier gaming platforms such as the Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, and the
PlayStation® game console. The game quickly built up a huge following, ultimately leading to the launch of the Culdcept National Championship. This event has seen thousands of the country’s best Culdcept players compete for cash and prizes, including the chance to have their winning tips featured on the annual “Culdcept National Tournament” DVD, released every year since the inception of the tournament.