Culdcept Revolt

The card-based battles are quite fun once you get into it -- but this game might be more niche than others. In other words, Nintendo 3DS owners who like turn-based fantasy card games might be the only ones interested in what Culdcept Revolt has to offer. This first new Culdcept title in almost 10 years (well, in North America, anyway) might be best described as a board game fused with a card game, with a heavy dose of turn-based fantasy combat. The story is very cliché: You wake up with amnesia as "Allen" (you can change the name) and learn that you're part of a rebel group led by a woman named Alicia. After each non-playable story section, you'll roll the die and then experiment with the cards you're given (to create offensive and defensive strategies) as you move around the board, unlock new characters, upgrade skills, and unravel more of the story.

Compared to past games in this series, the cards offer new abilities (for both the creatures and your crew), including ways of using HP, equipping items, using up extra moves and spaces on the board, something called "secret arts" (unlocking special skills tied to a particular character), and more. Ranging from a few minutes to an hour or two, the turn-based battles are easy to pick up and engaging, but you have to wait for the enemy animation before you can take your turn (too bad you can't skip). While it's a niche game, Culdcept Revolt has a lot of depth and replayability, as you upgrade and experiment with your deck and engage in multiple battles throughout the solo and multiplayer modes. It may not be for everyone, but those who enjoy this series -- or similar titles like Magic: The Gathering or Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft may get a lot out of this title.