Aside from the usual C-ceptisms that have been with the game from its inception, the only thing that I could complain about is the story. It doesn't fit this type of game whatsoever in a logical way. I won't spoil anything by giving away the true story in case someone really cares, but here's an analogous one.
You and an NPC are art thieves. You plan to break into the Louvre to steal Mona Lisa. As you gather your ropes and laser cutters and aerosol smoke you two decide you better steel your nerves by having a Culdcept match. After 20 minutes have gone by and you've won, it's time to do the job. You're on your way to the Louvre when your kid brother catches up with you. He wants to join the caper! He's too young and inexperienced you argue. There's only one way to prove himself. He challenges you to Culdcept match. Standing in the middle of the street, you pull out your book. 15 minutes later (because c'mon, the kid is young and inexperienced after all) you stealthily make your way around the museum; you happen upon a guard. He's about to blow his whistle and cause an alarm when you challenge him to a Culdcept match. He agrees that if you win, you can go about your business. But if he wins, he's pulling the alarm. It may take a few reloads and two hours but you eventually win. You finally make it to Mona, and what do you know?! Your old thief rival is there planning to steal her too! The guards are due to make another round any minute now! Better have a Culdcept match to determine who gets to steal the painting! After a 45 minute long match, you win. The painting is yours! As you pull it off the wall, a hidden switch is tripped and a steel cage drops from the ceiling trapping you! You wage a Culdcept battle against the lock so that you can escape! 30 minutes later you're free and on your way! You encounter the guard you battled previously. He's back, this time with your old thief rival!! Lights are flashing, alarms are buzzing, and the cops are on their way. But you pause to have a three way battle with the guard and rival. An hour and 22 minutes later you escape the museum- booty in hand.
Of course, after each battle you paused for 5-10 minutes so you could buy new cards and adjust your book accordingly.
The story would be better served if the premise was like pokemon. You're just a person trying to become the best there is and so you battle everyone you meet. Instead, you're put in these scenarios where stopping to battle makes absolutely no sense. I understand, it's video games, but the story is way too earnest to be built around such a goofy premise. The good news is you can press start to skip the talky parts. The bad news, for me, is my ocd won't let me do that.
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