The latest Famitsu review scores for the week of July 12, 2026 are as follows:
Kyoto Xanadu – 9/8/8/9Culdcept Begins – 9/8/8/8EA Sports UFC 6 – 8/8/8/8Echoes of Aincrad – 7/8/7/7
Note that for each review, four editors gave out scores. The final total in the Famitsu review is there for out of a total of 40 points.
Here are the verdicts for Kyoto Xanadu and Culdcept Begins from the four reviewers:
Kyoto Xanadu
This is Nihon Falcom’s take on a juvenile RPG where you live a fulfilling high school life in an ancient Japanese capital while challenging the supernatural realm of “Xanadu.” The dungeon exploration part mainly uses a 2D side view that allows you to see the puzzle-solving and route exploration from an overhead perspective, while important battles are fought in impressive 3D, in a sense combining the best of both 2D and 3D. This adds a unique flair to the exploration. Along with the card elements in the school part, it strongly supports the game cycle of “youth” and “exploration.”
The system of exploring dungeons in 2D action and then switching to 3D action for important battles is really nice. It’s easy to get used to, the movements are smooth, and the controls feel great. The system of using cards collected by exploring the town and interacting with various characters to improve your abilities in classes is also interesting, offering just the right amount of strategic thinking. The story has an easy-to-understand feel and development, like a rags-to-riches anime, and it’s nice to get a feel for the atmosphere of school life.
The dark fantasy x school setting of this game is like something out of a shonen manga. The story is full of proper nouns, and the gameplay is packed with various rules, yet it’s remarkably easy to pick up. The way the school life and Kyoto sightseeing elements are seamlessly integrated as preparation for the otherworldly battles is impressive. While it has a classic feel, it carries on the mood of the previous PS Vita title. The counter-attacks after defending feel great!
The characters and storytelling are cliché, but… no, the thoroughness of it is almost refreshing? I was constantly thrilled by the well-balanced presentation, which contrasted meticulous details with moments of sloppiness. The combat system strikes a balance between the exhilarating feeling of being able to parry repeatedly and the high amount of damage taken. The enemies’ behavior is straightforward in a good way, making you want to conquer them on your own without relying on any safety nets. The everyday life segments as school students, which contribute to the characters’ growth in various ways, also serve as a nice accent.
Culdcept Begins
While some veteran players might find the card illustrations a bit jarring, the well-established system combining Monopoly and card battles remains intact. As you repeatedly choose 40 cards from the growing collection, the revamped cards and characters naturally become familiar. The user-friendly and polished UI, along with the shortened stage playtime while maintaining the same satisfying feel, makes it easy to get into. A game that offers deep strategic depth while remaining accessible.
The gameplay, which combines Monopoly-like board games with card battles, offers the same unchanging fun. While it has deep strategic depth, even beginners can learn gradually, making it very accessible. The story mode is helpful, explaining opponent tactics and map features. Even if you lose, you can devise countermeasures, reorganize your deck, and try various strategies.
The rules are easy to understand, and the board game-like appearance makes it very accessible, which is helpful for inviting friends who are seeing it for the first time. It’s also great that it provides an environment where you can easily play against friends nearby via shared communication, or online when you’re alone. The story mode feels a little explanatory, but it’s excellent for learning through play. The mystical illustrations and characters that make the cards look great are wonderful.
While there are quite a few button inputs, the card animations and other elements have a chic feel, making the controls themselves comfortable. Although there’s often a noticeable bias in the way cards are drawn into your hand by category, the clear “do this/don’t do that” theories in any situation make it worthwhile to expand your deck. It’s also nice that you gain growth points even when you retire from playing. The multifaceted story told through the side stories is also intriguing.
For previous Famitsu scores, check out our archives here.
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