Code Vein Reviews

The Souls games are some of my fondest gaming experiences ever, and while I never expected Code Vein to surpass them, it’s hard not to be disappointed by its middling results. It’s far from a bad game, it has systems and ideas that push the genre forward in exciting and innovative ways, but fumbles on the execution on some of the others that are core to the experience. If you have an interest in Code Vein’s world or characters, or can’t get enough Souls, you might find that the positives outweigh the negatives, but I can’t recommend it to someone looking for the next transformative Souls-like experience.

I can’t speak for anime fans, but die-hard FromSoftware devotees, as well as those who thirst for a really good vampire game – currently a malnourished bunch – are both parishes to which I belong. And I suspect both will wish for more bite.

From The Surge to Nioh; there are a lot of action RPGs inspired by Dark Souls so let's see if Code Vein is a worthy Souls-like experience.

Code Vein is an anime Souls-lite. It doesn’t have the same mystery or quiet contemplation found in the Souls series, but that also means it offers something different. The world is interesting, the story kept my attention, and the combat is smooth. If you have an itch for a new Soul-like, Code Vein is perfect for you.

While multiplayer is there, it’s a little on the ehhhh side. The floaty combat and weird camera angles and weird, finicky controls are much more of a hassle when lag hits or when actual people are involved. Flaws you’d write off when you’re poking around a dungeon alone are much harder to explain away when you’ve got a buddy along for the ride.

Delve into the post-apocalyptic world of Code Vein in this review for a J-RPG that isn’t afraid to try new things. Code Vein is a treat for fans of anime storytelling, “Souls-like” gameplay and deep customisation. Amongst all the ambition, though, Bandai Namco occasionally trips over its own self-made obstacles.

Almost perfect if not for the nitty-gritty. If it’s quite there but not enough to push the boundaries, it’s still an awesome game.

In a world were video gaming homages are all the rage now, it can be a difficult task to step out of the shadows and stand above the rest. In the wake of the Dark Souls trilogy, particularly, players are now looking for similar games that test a gamer’s skill, tenacity, and patience – one such game that has achieved this and has still managed to keep its own “soul”, as it were, is Bandai Namco’s latest release Code Vein. Having been exposed to a slew of game trailers in the lead up ...

Code Vein may be a bit easier than normal and have a few issues but its unique visual style and extensive playstyle customization allows it to easily stand on its own merits.

So is Code Vein like Dark Souls? In some key senses, yes, but in others, it’s quite different, and it’s in those gaps that it manages to put some daylight between itself and its forebears, establishing its own place in an increasingly crowded field. It’s a stylish action RPG that replicates the structure of Dark Souls while leavening its strict attitude towards mastery with fallbacks and safety nets, making it easier to pick up and persevere with. Players willing to embrace its over-the-top aesthetic and narrative sense – while overlooking its shortcomings in level design and combat tuning – will find an enjoyable, relaxed romp, a fun trifle whose spirit elevates it from crude clone-job to loving send-up.

Anime Souls.

For those who can look past its inappropriately dressed ladies, Code Vein will no doubt prove to be an unexpected pleasure. Its weightlessness takes some of the nuance and impact out of its Dark Souls-inspired combat, and its difficulty is more of a wavy line than a gradual curve at times, but it’s got a lot of heart. An engaging story, engrossing character development and tense action come together to form an adventure that grips you from beginning to end. And it’s one that you are more likely to see though to completion thanks to competent AI partners that actually hold their own in combat. ‘Dark Souls with anime vampires’ is a good way to describe Code Vein, but in reality there’s so much more going on beneath the surface.

Code Vein provides a very casual Souls-like experience which will be perfect for the right sort of person. Minor bugs, and clunky JRPG-style exposition aside the game is a breeze to play through.

Code Vein is a pretty solid attempt at a formula that is tried and true and manages to bring some cool ideas to the table.

'Anime Dark Souls' was its billing, but it’s not until Code Vein breaks free of the tried-and-tested formula that it shines brightly. With a difficulty balance that stretches from a leisurely stroll to hair-tearing madness, it’s hard to know who this game is for. Code Vein is fun, though. Really, really fun, and a great place to start for anyone keen to dip their toe into a more chilled and relaxed Souls-like title.

Code Vein invents as much as it mimics, and while it doesn't pull everything together perfectly, it manages to be an exceptionally fun Souls-like romp through a post-apocalyptic anime world. It's just a shame the developers didn't spend a little more time polishing the game's balance and less time on its unstimulating story.

If you go into Code Vein thinking that you're going to get something on the level of any of the Souls games (or Bloodborne) you're going to be a little bit disappointed.

Despite building itself on well-tread ground, Code Vein definitely moves to the beat of its own drummer, but that beat can lose its rhythm when you need it to be steady. Some changes like being able to easily switch around and experiment with classes on the fly are great, while others like its inconsistent AI partner could be more trouble than they were worth at times. But in both the good and the bad, I appreciated its enthusiasm for mixing things up and getting a little weird. If you’re looking for a unique take on a familiar type of challenge, and are open to loving and hating a game for its many mechanical quirks in the same breath, Code Vein is worth sinking your teeth into.

Overall, Code Vein offers an experience that's a bit too similar to the FromSoftware games that established the genre. Its combat doesn't stray far from other Soulslike games but with features such as the Blood Code system, it does offer some variety that could lead to wanting to complete multiple playthroughs. The anime art style and story can be both absurd but also entertaining to watch at the same time. If you love Soulslikes and want an experience that will be very similar to past games, then maybe Code Vein is right for you. However, if you're looking for a new take on the subgenre, you may have to wait a bit longer.

Code Vein is an exciting, rewarding, and tenebrous venture into the Souls-like space with a fantastic class system, explosive combat, and dark narrative - hindered only by its lack of visual prowess and odd UI design.

But yes, I'm enjoying myself. Mobile, high-stakes combat tied to interesting, ever-expanding abilities is a recipe that can withstand slightly repetitive enemy design and shoddy environments. I still feel the pull to keep playing, to unearth new classes and experiment with all the ways I can mash them together. The only good part of Code Vein is its combat, but for me, that turns out to be enough.

I’m of two minds when it comes to Code Vein. On one hand, it’s a serviceable and surprisingly delightful Souls-like game that comes with its own flair. On the other hand, the story, combat, difficulty, visuals and world all suffer from a variety of issues. The mechanics are far from refined in comparison to other action RPGs on the market, but thanks to the Blood Codes, it allows for plenty of experimentation without any sacrifice. The average story is well represented through a plethora of cutscenes and even has alternate scenario outcomes based on your exploration efforts, even though it brings with it numerous anime tropes and long drawn out scenes. There’s a broad number of locations to visit with their own creative designs, but their size and complexity are inconsistent. There’s so much holding Code Vein back, yet I felt entranced and excited to continue playing all the way through. While it will continue to live in the shadow of Souls games, it doesn’t mean that it’s some cheap knockoff, as the number of distinctions allows for it to differentiate itself from the herd.

Bandai Namco is no stranger to dark action-RPGs. It’s been sending people off on bite-sized, Monster Hunter sorts of missions in God Eater for years. It’s also been the publisher for FromSoftware’s Dark Souls. With Code Vein, it’s combining elements of the anime flavored, character-centric, post-apocalyptic God Eater and stirring it into a Soulslike adventure. While things aren’t 100% perfect, it’s a pairing that works.

Code Vein is a fun game that sets itself apart from the classic action RPG that inspired it. Our review...

Code Vein fails to come to life as a true Soulslike experience, held back by a colorless environment and lazy storytelling.

Ever since the release of the first Dark Souls we’ve seen near countless attempts to try and harness that same essence, although few actually have. Code Vein is the most invested I’ve gotten in a Souls-like game since Bloodborne, and after playing the game at multiple preview events over the last couple years, and coming away worried, it blew away my expectations.

Code Vein is some fun anime nonsense is a slickly designed package with some minor failings.

Code Vein reads from the grimoire and elegantly adds its own incantations, bringing to the genre a fresh perspective and a lust for blood. Code Vein begs to be devoured. It’s got enough blood in its veins and marrow in its bones to satisfy even the most ravenous of players. If you’re looking for a unique Soulsborne experience, this is it.

Code Vein is addictive, yet frustrating. It's promising, yet unpolished. There are a lot of interesting ideas here that come together to craft a unique and engaging experience. I just wish that the flaws here weren't so glaring, because they keep Code Vein from being a great game instead of just a good one.

Despite its attempts, Code Vein ends up being nothing more than just another Dark Souls clone.

That’s harsh of course, and games like Nioh and Sekiro put a spin on the Souls formula that makes them masterpieces all their own, but I have to say I’m skeptical whenever the term Souls-like rears its head. Code Vein is the latest game to carry the moniker, and I’m happy to report that it’s an immensely enjoyable experience.

An unholy union of anime, Dark Souls, and My Chemical Romance, Code Vein is as much about style as substance. If that sounds good to you, then you're in for a treat, even if it lacks some of the polish of the genre's best.

Code Vein might look like yet another game based on the popular and infamous hard action/adventure formula, throwing its own unique art style and setting on the oft used mechanics. You might imagine that this review is going to use the tired old shorthand of “Like Dark Souls but”, but it won’t. And that’s because Code Vein isn’t like Dark Souls, if anything, I feel it's more like Dragon's Dogma.

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Code Vein is an anime souls-like featuring great customization and a wonderfully bizarre world.