Culdcept

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. Gamezilla!
    94
    The hidden ace among the collectible card games on the PS2.
  2. GameSpy
    90
    If you're a fan of strategy, board, or card games, this is one you can't let slip by despite its unfamiliar name and unassuming appearance. It's a thoroughbred.
  3. Deeko
    90
    Culdcept provides gamers with a nearly limitless amount of gaming that is addictive, amusing and simply a must have for anyone who loves games.
  5. Worth Playing
    89
    A sleeper hit because of the simplicity of the gameplay and the intricacy of the strategy.
  6. Gamer's Pulse
    88
    A triumph of gameplay over technology, Culdcept offers highly rewarding and deep gameplay emphasizing the formulation of individual strategies to overcome challenging opponents.
  7. IGN
    87
    Between its multiple layers of deep strategy and straightforward combat system (not to mention its personable style and terrific level of accessibility), Culdcept can be an awful lot of fun.
  8. GamingWorld X
    85
    Culdcept has exceeded my expectations in nearly every way. The game is deep, addicting, and an absolute joy to play.
  9. Game Over Online
    83
    I can't get over the role that luck plays in Culdcept, but I have to admit that this is a seriously addictive game.
  10. Play Magazine
    83
    What does shine is the cards themselves, which feature work by a ton of distinct Japanese artists. [Feb 2004, p.47]
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  11. PSM Magazine
    80
    Even its obscurity and relatively steep learning curve can't bring down this subtle, challenging and entertaining gem of a game. [Mar 2004, p.40]
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  12. GamerFeed
    80
    The best game you've never heard of. It's also the first game I've been officially addicted to in over a year, and I play a lot of games, so that should tell you something.
  13. Gamenikki
    80
    Prepare to waste your month(s) away, or just rent this beast and enjoy the unintentionally hilarious plot and general presentation.
  14. GMR Magazine
    80
    The best board game and card game of this generation, Culdcept features simple, deep, addictive gameplay that's topped off with great four-player multiplayer support. [Jan 2004, p.52]
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  15. GameZone
    80
    Incredibly addictive.
  16. Game Informer
    80
    An incredibly addicting strategy game. [Dec 2003, p.149]
  17. GameSpot
    79
    The well-designed mechanics, combined with its sheer amount of content, make Culdcept easily recommendable to fans of strategy games and even to fans of role-playing games.
  18. Gamers' Temple
    76
    More "Monopoly" than "Magic: The Gathering," you may want to rent it first to see if it suits your style.
  19. Game Revolution
    75
    As good a card game as I’ve played on the screen and can suck you in for hours on end. Some will dislike the occasionally random luck swings, but the interesting design and wealth of cards give it surprising depth.
  20. Cheat Code Central
    70
    The strategy runs deep in the game.
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  21. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    Do you like "Monopoly" but wish it featured more fantasy trappings and colorful cards? Well, has NEC got a deal for you with Culdcept. [Dec 2003, p.156]
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  22. Yahoo!
    70
    A very comprehensive strategy game that is surprisingly easy to pick up and just gets deeper and more addictive the more you play it.
  23. GamePro
    70
    Sure, the chatter between characters is pretty hokey at times - and is that old guy a walking stick with a head? - but that doesn't overshadow that Culdcept is an interesting and unique game idea. It's worth a look to see if it will offer you a break from the routine.
  24. Gaming Age
    67
    It’s a fun title that boils down to good old-fashioned board game fun that just happens to be on a DVD.
  25. netjak
    65
    Card game fanatics who are willing to accept that victory or defeat is often out of their control will probably enjoy the game a great deal. However, those of you who wish to have a greater hand in your own fate will likely be frustrated by the sheer randomness of it all.
    All this publication's reviews
  26. eToychest
    60
    The game is insanely addictive, but it will only truly appeal to those with a modicum of patience.
  27. G4 TV
    60
    An excellent gateway game. It's accessible enough for non-gamers to play, yet deep enough for the more hard core to enjoy as well.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best PS2 Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. aspentitan
    Mar 10, 2020
    8
    This game is essentially a cross between Monopoly, the board game and Magic the Gathering, the card game. In my opinion this game providesThis game is essentially a cross between Monopoly, the board game and Magic the Gathering, the card game. In my opinion this game provides enough entertainment value to be worth purchasing a ps2 alone for this game. It does hold up well as a great game as I write this revie in 2020. The game has over 400 cards which are won through each match. Matches can take between half an hour and 2 hours because it is a video board game essentially so be prepared if that's not your cup of tea. It should be noted though that you can suspend your game midway through a game to save and play later. Most of the game is excellent however a few annoyances can ruin games. The first is that the game is complex and although there is an in game online manual it still is requiring something better in game to ease the player to understanding the order of attacks and bonus' to be applied. In some sense this is overcome as you play and learn but at times a wrong assumption of a rule can lose a critical land and spell disaster, which could mean two hours of keep playing just to finish a lost cause game. That is another point you cannot forfeit a match, I guess you can just switch the game off but then you lose the reward of random cards you gain for finishing each match, win or lose. A few more annoyances are that you can accidentally turn a direction and there is no way to rescind that choice should you decide to before you even move. Similarly if you use the buttons to look at the map, or online manual you can accidentally force a play by mistake when your intention was only to browse some info. The ability to redecide a move before it takes place would have made my review score much higher. I do understand the reason this is likely is the game is complicated and wants to move the game ahead so you aren't stuck totally confused, and I guess the game designers decided you would just learn from your mistakes, and I can see that from an angle but at the same time games are up to two hours long so this is a coin flip. One last gripe it sure seems like the computer AI cheats with dice rolls at times but let's chalk it up to randomness. Hard to prove that one but it does seem that the character opponents you face land on key lands allowing customization options far more than random. None the less it's a fantastic game still. All the gripes I mentioned do have counters, by way of deck construction and just getting more familiar with the game. Decks are editable and I believe cards won after each match are random with only on occasion set cards being won as well, so good times ahead if you like both the games which likely inspiredthis creation.… Full Review »
  2. Andyman
    Jan 10, 2008
    10
    They should've just called this game Crackcept, it's nearly too addictive to be believed. The battles are beyond epic, just when They should've just called this game Crackcept, it's nearly too addictive to be believed. The battles are beyond epic, just when you think you're dominating, a bad roll of the dice forces you to rethink your strategy to regain what you lost. The fact that you can create up to ten different books of 50 cards each means that you can play each battle exactly as you'd like, but also means that no two battles will ever be even remotely alike (or predictable). This game's stupefying level of depth and replayability amount to a sleeper classic that is second to none. Needless to say, I am almost giddy that Culdcept Saga is coming very soon to the Xbox 360. Joy!… Full Review »
  3. TroyH.
    May 5, 2005
    8
    An excellent game suffers only mildly by the double randomness of both dice rols and deck shuffles. can be very adictive but can sometimes An excellent game suffers only mildly by the double randomness of both dice rols and deck shuffles. can be very adictive but can sometimes frustrate when a bad series of rolls or an unlucky shuffle have you stuck landing on high rent spaces with only items in your hand . would love to see a sequel or tournaments being done in us.… Full Review »
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