CODE VEIN

CODE VEIN is a soulslike action RPG with a distinctive anime aesthetic, offering a blend of challenging combat and deep character customization. Players appreciate the storytelling and character-driven narrative, which, while anime-styled and sometimes verbose, adds emotional depth and world-building. The game features a unique "blood code" system enabling flexible build changes on the fly, which enhances replayability and player experimentation.

However, the game is not without flaws. Many players highlight clunky combat mechanics, repetitive enemy encounters, and poorly designed levels, especially the infamous Cathedral of Sacred Blood dungeon. Multiplayer functionality and co-op are often criticized for being buggy and frustrating. Despite these issues, CODE VEIN remains accessible, particularly for players new to the soulslike genre, offering a less punishing difficulty curve than traditional entries like Dark Souls. Overall, it is viewed as a solid, if imperfect, title with a strong fanbase eagerly anticipating its sequel.

Highlights

Players praise CODE VEIN for its engaging storyline and well-developed characters that evoke genuine emotional investment. The unique blood code system allows for extensive build customization and flexible gameplay styles. The game's anime-inspired graphics and character creator receive positive remarks for style and detail. Boss fights and combat, while sometimes flawed, provide satisfying challenges, especially with companions. The soundtrack and atmospheric world-building further enrich the experience, making it appealing for fans of both soulslike and anime genres.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the combat feeling floaty and unsatisfying, with poor hit feedback and awkward dodging mechanics. Level design, particularly the Cathedral of Sacred Blood, is frequently described as confusing, repetitive, and tedious. Multiplayer and co-op modes suffer from connectivity issues and limited functionality, frustrating players seeking cooperative play. The story delivery can be overly verbose with unskippable cutscenes, and some gameplay systems like "ichor" (mana) are imbalanced. Additionally, the game is seen as less challenging and lacking in polish compared to other soulslike titles, with bugs occasionally impacting progression.