NCS stocked
Monopoly for the GBA a couple of days ago and today, we stock a game
clearly inspired by the basic principles of Monopoly. A board game
at heart, Culdcept II utilizes action and event cards to add a
random wrinkle to the fun. Gist: As an adventurer on a board, the
player throws the dice and moves the allotted spaces on a preset
route. Along the way, instead of buying properties with cash as we
saw in Monopoly, the player takes over land (squares) by using
monster cards to lay claim. Keeping territory comprises an important
facet of the game as it's your key to wealth and thus the required
amount of assets and magic points necessary to win the game. Hapless
players who land on your property will have to pay a passage fee if
they cannot defeat your monster guardian. At every turn, a card is
drawn which is added to the player's arsenal (deck). While all this
is going on, up to three other players are doing the same and
building up their own mini fiefdoms. Shops dot the land where you
may purchase cards to enhance your deck. A salary is also earned
whenever you reach all the checkpoints on a board and visit the
castle for your payment. Given the online capability of the game,
there exists potential for big drama and hours of fun for
like-minded players enamored with the concept.
Culdcept II boasts 450 cards available for use in the
game. The original featured 360 cards but many were of little
significance or import. Developer Omiya balances the new game with
attack, spell, and monster cards which are on a more even keel.
Omiya also reduces the impact of some of the immensely powerful
attack cards such as the "Lightning", "Tempest"
or "Judgement" cards found in the original and sequel.
Thoroughly enjoyable, gaijin fans of Magic the
Gathering will find solace in Culdcept, once they get beyond the
Japanese language. Menu options are fairly simple to figure out and
the quality of the game justifies a purchase by fans of the genre. |
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