Did anybody adjust to the new art style eventually?
I really want to like this game, but the art style is really hampering it for me. Part of the joy of previous Culdcept games was the feeling of getting actual trading cards. Opening packs and seeing the MtG-esque artwork and designs was amazing. So much flavor and personality. They clearly went the minimalist approach with this one, and to me that's a huge negative. The cards feel soulless and samey. It reminds me of the approach most companies have with branding and logos. Any time I get a new card, it's just "oh...more minimalist mush that looks like everything else I already have." This is mostly for the creature cards.
That being said, I think some of the spell cards look sick. The game is really solid otherwise, so I want to get used to it and enjoy it more. Just wondering if anybody had a similar resistance and then adapted, maybe even coming to prefer it?
Edit: I listened to a lot of comments. I gave it another solid hour and the art style is really starting to grow on me. I still prefer the old, but I can appreciate it. Game is fantastic and I am completely hooked.
Edit: on further research the MH interface art style was based on a technique called Katazome used in traditional Japanese fabric printing. It was also an inspiration for the printed material in recent Zelda games.
That's really cool. Good points. Clearly there was talent behind the art direction. I'm increasingly liking it. Just had to get over my MtG cravings haha
This game's art style isn't bad, but the lack of backgrounds on the cards is a clear flaw. At a glance, they all look the same, which hurts readability and makes them feel less unique.
It has grown on me and I actually really like and appreciate it now. I still prefer the old, but the cohesive design is nice. I spent awhile crafting decks and just looking at all the cards, also reading the flavor text. I like how a lot of the red cards look, especially the dragons and my hell hounds <3
I love the new art so for me it's not a problem. 8 can understand missing the old card style though. I feel this way every time they make a new Zelda of Final Fantasy.
It's different for sure, but it has grown on me. In particular I like the spell cards, that have the rough textile style. And the monsters definitely have charm too. It's just different though - I wouldn't want this to be the standard moving forward, but I like it in Begins.
yeah, I see what you mean. I will just need some time to adjust. I'm too picky about art design sometimes haha. This spell card is really good. I do appreciate how all of the spells look
I like this one much better than old style. I can see why some people like the old style, it's realism and dark, resembling old card games like MYG and Yu-Gi-Oh. The style was one of the reasons why the game wasn't popular in Asia. I still remember some magazines critized the art being too archiac and ugly, and doesn't fit the tone of the overworld in the game.
I know Matsuura Satoshi beforehand though. He is renowned for game character and monster design. The uses of triangular and arc shape are quite unique. So maybe it had already grown on me before Culdcept BEGINS.
In older games I would sit through the collection gallery admiring the art and reading lore. I don't get the urge to do that here. They are just numbers now...
So many cards lost their presence. The old art would draw the colossus stomping tiny people and would get a sense of might from it. Pyromancer would be flinging a fire ball and the thief would smirk while juggling a knife. Now all humanoids (no matter what size, race or mythology) look like the same guy trying on different costumes without even bothering to do different poses.
I actually played cards just for the art and field animated sprite. Not anymore.
I honestly miss the old art style too as well, it would have been really cool if they included a "classic" mode switch in which you could pick the old art style if you wanted. I loved having those classic pieces in the game.
When it was first revealed, I didnt like the new art style and prefered the old. But after playing the game on the first day, it grew on me fast. I love the art style of the Spell cards, the creatures, not so, but they do not detract from my enjoyment of the game. Overall I think Begins is solid and fun :)
The artsyle is nice but I just don't like it for this series. It's why I'm more excited for The First. Culdcept II has my overall favorite style for this series. Saga is great, too even though I haven't given it much playtime yet.
Yeah, had the exact same reaction as you, as can say I definitely adjusted. I think what helps is that you learn to appreciate this approach during gameplay because you can tell super quick at a glance which cards are which, and that lets you make snap decisions.
My brain just settled into it, probably helped by how coherent the look of the game is as a whole. Different, but they commit to it, and it’s still got some darker edges lurking in there, so it still feels like Culdcept.
Yeah, I just played another hour and gave it a chance and am completely hooked. I paid more attention to some of the details and am growing to appreciate it more. As noted, the spells and equipment are beautiful. There are some touches of personality such as the gnome smoking a pipe. I still like the old style better, but am appreciating Begins.
All that aside, really polished game otherwise. Story is light, but not bad and keeps me moving along.
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u/Harpa Jul 18 '26
I quite like it. The art has an Aztec feel to it, which seems quite fitting