Team Xbox's Review (7.6/10)

The line in the sand dividing opposing sides of nearly any debate is usually dug deeply. Democrats versus Republicans. Pro-lifers pitted against pro-choicers. And, of course, Giants fans and Pats fans standing proudly behind their team no matter the outcome of the Super Bowl.

While we're on the topic of taking sides, and in the midst of a review on OmiyaSoft's Culdcept Saga, there are those gamers that would gladly pay budget game prices for a digital board/card collecting game, and those that would rather gouge their eyes out with a melon scoop before dropping ducats on such a bird. If you fall into the latter category of gamers, then stop reading this and check out the latest on Rainbow Six Vegas 2 or something. But if you dig collecting, hoarding, and still play Monopoly despite owning an Xbox 360– read on daring, eclectic gamer... read on.

As we just mentioned, Culdcept Saga is for a very select group of gamers. Those that will enjoy OmiyaSoft's forty dollar fighter at face value would be Magic players and fans of the asset management components of Monopoly. Heck, fans of physical board games–those that require a board, some dice and a player piece–may get a kick out of Culdcept Saga too, as there is little way to mistake it for anything other than a virtual version of Candyland, Life, Chutes and Ladders or other roll-and-move forms of entertainment.

Unlike a board game, there's a somewhat lengthy prologue to the action in Culdcept Saga. It's all about why your hero is collecting cards in the first place, and why he/she (player characters are customizable) wields the power of a “Cepter”. Cepters, in layman's terms, are those that can make the creatures on Culdcept Saga's collectible cards come alive and do battle in that familiar RPG style. These story elements of Culdcept Saga are handled in a role-playing game style, with both text and dialog filling users in on exactly why their work on the battlefield is so important. The visuals of the cuts aren't spectacular, however, and the voice acting and accompanying music is on-par with an Xbox 360 game with a low price point. Nothing to write home about for sure.

While we're fresh on the subject, the visuals and sound effects during the in-game action of Culdcept Saga aren't that impressive either. They get the job done though, through well-organized data; which is more important in Culdcept Saga than sheer aesthetics anyways. The only true visual delights in Culdcept Saga are the cards themselves. They are quite impressive pieces of art, with each exhibiting an oil painting quality that rivals many of the collectible card packs on the market today. It's obviously much nicer to have a real card to hold in your hand and collect (it means more when one is lost too), but OmiyaSoft has given Xbox 360 owners the next best thing with these dazzling chunks of fantasy art.

The combination of lackluster action visuals and beautiful card art kind of cancel one another out in Culdcept Saga, leaving a general “meh” feeling when moving about the board space. But once the learning curve of the actual gameplay of Culdcept Saga is overcome, the so-so visuals start to disappear, and the strategy elements become the main concern to a gamer trying to master this strategic contest. Make no mistake about it– luck will come into play since this is, after all, a card game, but what a user can do with the hand that has been dealt is what makes Culdcept Saga compelling. Sounds a little like life, doesn't it?

The five hundred or so different cards of Culdcept Saga are the basis for each and every move around the very board-game like playing surfaces. Cards are categorized as Creatures, Spells or Items, with each having a very specific and important role in the flow of each round of action. The Creature cards mark territory (game spaces) and show land ownership. If an opponent lands on a square that is occupied by one of your Creature cards, they'll either have to pay a toll or choose to overtake the square with a fight. If combat is the route chosen, the opponent will draw a card that somewhat matches the occupying card's hit point and strength point totals (handy icons will let you know how your cards match up so that you don't walk into a slaughter).

Acquired Item cards can be used pre-battle to add defense, offense or neutralize an enemy attack, but you won't know what an opponent has chosen until you have selected your own modifier. This is where the strategy component of Culdcept Saga can trump the sheer luck of having good or bad cards, as trying to figure out when and how an enemy is using what is in his deck is the true key to proficient play.

Another strategy element of Culdcept Saga deals with the Spell cards which are cast before a move on the board is made. Spells come in all shapes and sizes, doing everything from forcing an opponent to roll a certain number on the die to zapping HP away from a Creature card. Knowing when to hold a Spell card and when to use one is very important in the overall schema of Culdcept Saga, as it can be the difference between winning a match or wallowing in the agony of defeat. This has a lot to do with the “tolls” a player will have to pay if they land on some of your territory or if they are defeated in battle. Owned land can be leveled up so that an opponent has to pay sometimes ridiculous tolls if they land on a certain plot; this makes it easy to see why casting a spell that forces a player to roll a certain number on the die is invaluable in Culdcept Saga.

Culdcept Saga's strategy isn't all about battling or encouraging enemies to pay high taxes when they land on your real estate. Even though the cards that end up being drawn to add to your deck come out randomly, this doesn't mean there isn't a level of skill involved in organizing the lot. You don't want to have too many of a certain card (Creature, Item or Spell) for instance, and having too many uber-powerful cards will take too many magic points to summon their goodness.

Placing cards also has a rhyme and reason which must be followed. Both board spaces and Creatures have element aspects which can be matched up for level-up effects. Occupying multiple board spaces within one “street' of elements also creates a synergistic effect when it comes time to battle. Non battle turns must therefore be used effectively to move creatures into more logical spots (i.e. those matching their elemental quality), leveling up plots of land, or taking advantage of an opponent's weak Creature by forcing a move to said weak Creature's spot. Savvy players will also create Books (50 card packs) which have a balance of card types and varying elements which are honed to both the environment (boards with fire themes need Books with more fire element creatures for example) and an opponent's tendencies (defensive-minded players will warrant having strong weapon Item cards for example).

Smart CPU opponents and the ability to play against up to three other card mongers via Xbox Live allow Culdcept Saga to be enjoyed in a variety of fashions and by a variety of gamers. But here's a fair warning; don't expect to pick up and master Culdcept Saga in the first few minutes. There is a real depth to Culdcept Saga–often times rivaling chess–that may be a bit too much for the casual console game player. While the elements of luck can sometimes turn the tide of a match in a n00b's favor (through outdrawing an opponent and simply ending up with better cards), it is not common. This is a testament to OmiyaSoft's dedication to making Culdcept Saga a mentally-engaging board/collectible card experience, but this can sometimes lead to long, drawn out defeats and many restarts by the feeble-minded.

If you're more aligned with Bridge than you are with Go Fish, and don't mind Lady Luck dropping into the pot every now and again, Culdcept Saga may just be the console game departure that you've been craving.

Gameplay: 7.8
A cleverly crafted strategy game perfect for board and collectible card game fanatics alike.

Graphics: 6.8
The still art used for each card is fairly interesting, but the in-game action is about what you'd expect for a virtual board game (i.e. boring).

Audio: 6.5
Prepare to be under-whelmed.

Longevity: 8.3
Multiplayer action and resource-managing functionality makes Culdcept Saga a lengthy adventure for those willing to invest the time.

Innovation: 7.5
OmiyaSoft has created an interesting niche in the collectible card/strategy game genre.

Overall: 7.6 (not an average)

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 08:48