Title: Code Vein (Steam/XB1)
Developer: BANDAI NAMCO Studios
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
Genre: Action, RPG
Price: $59.99
The Souls-like subset of the action role-playing game genre definitely has a lot of fans. While the borderline-insane levels of difficulty titles in this subset present aren’t for everybody, those who have the gumption to stick around for the payoffs experience a certain catharsis in imbibing their unique lore, exploring their labyrinthine environments, and ultimately overcoming their Sisyphean hurdles.
Bandai Namco's Code Vein is one such release, pushing many of the buttons that any Dark Souls game does, albeit with an anime/rpg aesthetic. Players take on the role of an unnamed character of their making who suddenly wakes up in a devastated world. There, life exists as a hollow shell of itself, with surviving denizens exhibiting sudden vampiric urges to feast on human blood. Under this backdrop, the central figure is tasked with taking up arms to defend himself and his companions, unveil the mysteries behind the disaster, and ultimately fight off the darkness that has overcome the world.
Right off the bat, Code Vein starts off pretty strong. The art style, when combined with the serious tone of the story, does wonders to make the setting feel alive. Everything — from the characters to the monsters to the bleak, dilapidated environments players are forced to traverse — oozes with style. For all the challenges, exploration of the abandoned cities and mazes of underground caverns filled with mutated enemies never feels grating. Some paths may seem linear, with some dungeons leading off to narrow hallways or circular loops. That said, proper enemy placements keep combat fair for the most part.
Make no mistake, though. Code Vein is hard — or, to be more precise, very hard. Enemies are invariably smart and situated in ways that take unwary players off-guard. There’s a learning curve, and players just starting out will find themselves giving away a handful of lives before getting the hang of things. The good news is that death doesn’t lead to permanent loss of progress. It’s still a setback, but because checkpoints are fairly generous in number, its occurrence becomes a source more of irritation than of frustration.
Players delving a little deeper into Code Vein will likewise welcome the companion system. Unlike other Souls-like titles, the game allows friendly non-playable characters to be brought to battle. They're able to take hits and deal out damage just as well as the principal character can, and they bring their own special sets of traits, equipment, and bonuses. Considering their pluses, they become essential to progress, bringing a lot of variety to an otherwise straightforward combat system.
The same can also be said for Code Vein’s myriad weapons, most of which have a particular playstyle that need some getting used to. While they're nowhere near in number as those in, say, Monster Hunter, they do have more than enough types to allow for significant variety in dealing with enemies. Is waiting opponents out before striking up close the best option in the moment? Or is picking on them from moderate range with a rifle more prudent, There's no right or wrong answer to combat, and players will want to master the possibilities before sticking to a favorite.
All in all, Code Vein proves fairly accessible for a Souls-like offering. The difficulty spikes within the typically dark atmosphere remain glaringly evident, but the introduction of mechanics that allow for accompaniment makes the journey less disheartening. Moreover, it boasts of excellent level designs that make the campaign worthwhile. It’s not perfect; for instance, minor annoyances courtesy of NPC glitches and errant hit boxes show up on occasion. That said, it delivers in the end, and how. Highly recommended.
THE GOOD
- Excellent core gameplay design
- Fairness in combat
- Immersive exploration sections
- Unique companion option
THE BAD
- Can prove exceedingly difficult, especially for newcomers to Souls-like offerings
- Can feel a little rough around the edges
- Errant hit boxes
- Feels biased towards companionship, leading to single-player imbalance
RATING: 9/10
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