Culdcept Begins marks the return of a long-dormant gaming franchise, bringing a series that originated on Sega Saturn in 1997 to contemporary Nintendo Switch hardware. The game serves as an entry point for players unfamiliar with the series' complex history, which includes releases across multiple platforms including PlayStation, Dreamcast, Xbox 360, and Nintendo handhelds, with the most recent instalment arriving on 3DS in 2016. Developed by OmiyaSoft, Culdcept fuses deckbuilding mechanics with elements of tabletop board games in a unique hybrid that has remained niche throughout its three-decade existence.

The core gameplay revolves around moving around a board using dice rolls whilst managing a custom card deck, with the objective of accumulating sufficient gold to meet each level's target. Players strategically place monster cards on board tiles to collect tolls from opponents who land on them, creating complex economic systems where tactical card placement, deck composition, and tile upgrades become central to success. Though initial tutorial decks provide a starting point, advancing through the game requires significant strategic customisation and deck refinement, revealing depth that transcends the seemingly straightforward board-game premise.