On October 20, Neos announced that the PC (Steam) version of the board and card game *Culdcept Begins* will be released on October 28, 2026.
This title is the latest installment in the *Culdcept* series—which has continued since Omiya Soft developed the first game in 1997—and marks the first new release in 10 years. While retaining the series’ unique system that fuses board and card games, the game features a revamped design, user interface, and world setting.The Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions, which were released early on July 16, 2026, have surpassed 100,000 units shipped in total, including digital downloads. Past articles on Game*Spark feature play reports from media preview events and high scores from international reviews.
New battle maps, UI improvements, and other features
The upcoming Steam version will feature new content additions and functional improvements designed to enhance gameplay control and visibility during matches.
Three new battle maps—"X," "Fortune Array," and "Holy Hammer"—each with distinct characteristics, have been added.
Additionally, 10 new cover designs for in-game Books (decks) have been added.
Five of these are part of the “Developer Favorites Series,” featuring creatures carefully selected by the development team,
“Domobee” (selected by Hideo Suzuki, Director of Omiya Soft)
“Mandrake” (selected by Series Producer Kohei Takeshige)
“Minotaur” (Selected by Game Designer Takayuki Jingū), “Centaur” (Selected by Producer Akira Nagashima)
“Steam Gear” (Selected by Director Masamichi Harukiba)
The other five titles are part of the “Map Series,” inspired by in-game maps:
“Sept Academia”
“Seal of the Water God”
“Seal of the Fire God”
“Mark of the Wind God”
"Seal of the Earth God"
are included in the lineup.
Additionally, the “Card Encyclopedia” now includes a feature that reads aloud the names of each card, such as creatures and spells.
Regarding in-match controls and display, the following three improvements have been made:
Improved visibility of character positions in Map Mode
Improved usability for selecting cards on the information screen
Improved the display of character direction at branching points on the map route
Please note that a free update containing the same additions and improvements as this Steam version is scheduled to be released for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 in the near future. Specific release dates will be announced at a later time on the official website and official X (formerly Twitter).
Additionally, the game is participating in the “Steam Next Fest: October Edition,” which is taking place from 2:00 AM on October 20, 2026, to 2:00 AM on October 27, 2026 (Japan Standard Time).The Steam demo currently available allows players to try out the new competitive map “X” ahead of the game’s release.
Early Purchase Bonuses and Digital Deluxe Edition Information
If you purchase the Steam version between 12:00 AM on October 28, 2026, and 11:59 PM on December 27, 2026, you can download four Early Access bonuses as free DLC.
The bonuses include “Zenes,” a character who appears in every title in the series and was illustrated specifically for this game by Satoshi Matsuura, the game’s lead designer, as well as “Najaran,” the protagonist of the *Culdcept* manga series. Both characters can be selected as opponents in COM matches and can also be used as avatars during matches.
Additionally, the package includes the “Caldra (1st)” book cover, featuring an illustration originally created by sci-fi illustrator Naoyuki Kato for the main visual of the original *Culdcept*, as well as the “Onyx” book cover—exclusive to the Steam version—which is themed after the black dragon that fought alongside the legendary Scepter “Origin.”
Furthermore, the “Digital Deluxe Edition,” which includes the main game and five digital bonuses, and the “Digital Content Set”—a collection of bonuses exclusively for users who already own the Nintendo Switch version—will also be available for purchase. The five digital bonuses included are as follows:
Complete Card Book (Japanese only / Format: PDF): A card book featuring illustrations and information for all cards
Soundtrack (53 tracks total / Format: MP3): Features music composed by the game’s sound production company, “Noisy Croak”
PC Wallpapers (5 designs total / Size: 1920×1080px / Format: JPG): Wallpapers featuring in-game visuals, such as views of the “Royal Academy Sept Academia”
In-Game Voice Data (33 types total / Format: MP3): 22 system voice lines and voice recordings for “Spell Cards” selected as the top 10 via an official X poll
Baburashka Font (Format: OTF): Font data for the characters used on the game’s setting, the “Baburashka Continent” (includes a PNG file with the alphabet chart)
From the release date through November 11, a “Launch Celebration Sale” will be held, offering the Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition at a discounted price.
The publisher, Neos, is a subsidiary of Tecmira Holdings that specializes in information and communication services and content development. It is also known as the publisher of titles such as *Crayon Shin-chan: “Me and the Professor’s Summer Vacation” – The Never-Ending Seven-Day Journey* and *Crayon Shin-chan: “Shiro of the Coal Town”*.
The PC (Steam) version of *Culdcept Begins* is scheduled for release on October 28, 2026. The Standard Edition is priced at 6,380 yen, the Digital Deluxe Edition at 7,581 yen, and the Digital Content Set at 1,600 yen.Additionally, the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions are currently available, with the Nintendo Switch version priced at 6,380 yen (Special Edition: 12,980 yen) and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition priced at 7,480 yen (Special Edition: 14,080 yen).
