If you enjoy the whimsy of fantasy creatures, Satoshi Matsuura is your artist. Working on Culdcept Begins, he's bringing his unique style to an old board game with new magic.

Matsuura has long been known for his fantastical critters in games like Legend of Mana and the Bravely Default series. However, his work on Culdcept Begins is refreshing; it’s a departure from the previous series' more complex designs, opting instead for simpler illustrations inspired by tarot cards.

It’s clear that Matsuura was given free rein in this project, allowing him to interpret the cards and characters in his own whimsical style. This has resulted in a game where his artwork is directly seen, from in-game characters to card summons on the board. He explains: 'I felt that [Nagashima] really respected me as an artist.'

For those who enjoy seeing a brilliant piece of concept art translated into a game, Culdcept Begins offers a refreshing insight. Matsuura is humble about his work in-game, but it’s clear the respect from his collaborators has allowed his vision to shine.