The Steam version of Culdcept BEGINS goes on sale on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Neos Corporation is releasing the game, and its demo is also part of Steam Next Fest October Edition, which began at 2:00 AM Japan time on October 20.
Culdcept BEGINS is the latest entry in the Culdcept series, which has drawn fans for more than a quarter of a century since Omiya Soft developed the first game in 1997. It keeps the series' unique game system that blends a board game with a card game, while refreshing the design, UI, and world setting as the first new entry in the series in 10 years. The game launched on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on July 16, 2026, and cumulative shipments have passed 100,000 copies (including digital download sales).
The Steam version adds new battle maps and UI improvements for better usability and visibility. A limited-time Early Purchase Bonus will be available as a free download, and a Digital Deluxe Edition containing five digital items is also planned. For players who already own the Nintendo Switch version, a Digital Content Set containing only the Digital Deluxe Edition's bonus items is planned as well.
Main Additions and Improvements in the Steam Version
The new battle map "X" can be tried in the Steam demo ahead of release.
Addition 1: Three New Battle Maps
Three new maps, each with different characteristics, make for more varied matches.
Addition 2: Ten New Book Covers
Ten new cover designs have been added for the books (decks) built in the game. The lineup includes designs featuring creatures selected by the development team and designs themed on maps from the game.
Developers' Favorite Series (creature designs selected by the development team)
Map Series
Addition 3: Card Reading in the Card Encyclopedia
The Card Encyclopedia now has a feature that reads aloud the name of each card, including creatures and spells. Favorite cards can be enjoyed through both sound and visuals.
Improvements
The following changes have been made to controls and displays during matches.
- Better visibility of character positions in Map Mode
- Better operability when selecting cards on the information screen
- Improved display of the character's direction of travel at branch points on map routes
A free update equivalent to the Steam version's additions and improvements is scheduled for the Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch 2 Edition in the near future. Specific dates will be announced on the official website and official social media accounts.
Early Purchase Bonuses
Players who buy the game during the bonus distribution period can download the following bonuses for free.
Bonus 1: Character "ゼネス," newly drawn by 松浦聖
"竜眼のゼネス," a representative character who appears in every game in the series, was newly drawn for this bonus by 松浦聖, the main designer of Culdcept BEGINS. The character can be chosen as an opponent in matches against the computer and can also be used as an avatar during matches.
Bonus 2: Character "ナジャラン," newly drawn by 松浦聖
"ナジャラン," the protagonist of the comic version of Culdcept, appears in this game. Like "ゼネス," the character was newly drawn for this bonus by 松浦聖, and can be chosen as a computer opponent or used as an avatar in matches.
Bonus 3: Book Cover "カルドラ (1st)"
A special book cover depicting "カルドラ," the goddess who created the world of Culdcept. It uses the illustration that SF illustrator Naoyuki Kato newly drew as the main visual of the original Culdcept. It can be used as the cover design for books (decks) built in the game.
Bonus 4: Book Cover "オニキス" (Steam version exclusive)
A Steam version-exclusive book cover themed on "オニキス," a beautiful black dragon that fought alongside the legendary Cepter (セプター) "オリジン." It can be used as the cover design for books (decks) built in the game.
Distribution period: October 28, 2026 (Wed) 12:00 AM to December 27 (Sun) 11:59 PM
How to get them: During the distribution period, download the bonuses from "Early Purchase Bonus," shown under "Content for this game" on the Steam store page.
Digital Deluxe Edition
In addition to the main game, the Digital Deluxe Edition is planned to include the following digital content.
Bonus 1: Complete Card Book (Japanese only / PDF)
A complete card book covering the illustrations and information for every card in Culdcept BEGINS. It presents the card illustrations, including creatures drawn by main designer 松浦聖, which have been completely refreshed from the earlier series. It can also be used for building books (decks) and studying battle strategy.
Bonus 2: Soundtrack (53 tracks / MP3)
ノイジークローク, which has worked on many acclaimed titles in the game sound world, dramatizes the weighty story and strategic battles of wits in Culdcept BEGINS. The soundtrack features grand and beautiful pieces that heighten the excitement of battle.
Bonus 3: PC Wallpapers (5 designs / 1920×1080 px / JPG)
Five PC wallpapers using in-game visuals from Culdcept BEGINS, including a view overlooking 王立学府セプトアカデミア.
Bonus 4: In-Game Voice Data (33 types / MP3)
Audio data of 22 in-game system voices, plus the card-reading voices for the top 10 spell cards chosen in a vote on the official X account. Besides listening to them, they can be set as notification sounds for chat tools or social media on a PC or smartphone.
Bonus 5: バブラシュカ Font (OTF)
Font data for the バブラシュカ script used on the バブラシュカ continent, the setting of the game. It can be installed on a PC and used for typing. An alphabet correspondence chart (PNG) is also included in the download.
Steam Version Overview
Regular prices:
- Standard Edition (game only): ¥6,380 / $44.99 / €39.99
- Digital Deluxe Edition (game + digital bonuses): ¥7,581 / $54.13 / €49.63
- Digital Content Set (digital bonuses only): ¥1,600 / $11.99 / €12.25
Players: 1 to 4
Genre: Board and card game
Supported languages (text): Japanese, English, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese
Sales regions: More than 70 countries worldwide
A launch commemorative sale offers the Standard Edition and the Digital Deluxe Edition at a discount from the release date through November 11. For details, see the Steam store page.
Participating in Steam Next Fest October Edition
Culdcept BEGINS is among the titles in Steam Next Fest October Edition, Steam's official event where players can try demos of games before release. The demo available during the event also includes the new battle map "X."
Event period: October 20, 2026 (Tue) 2:00 AM to October 27 (Tue) 2:00 AM (Japan time)
Event page: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest
