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Code Vein
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Code Vein
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Code Vein
Developers
PublisherBandai Namco Entertainment
DirectorHiroshi Yoshimura[1]
Producers
  • Keita Iizuka
  • Takeshi Miyazoe
Designers
  • Yuta Yamamoto[2]
  • Kasumi Nakayama
Programmers
  • Akihiro Kayama
  • Masato Ito
Artists
  • Kurumi Kobayashi
  • Koichi Itakura
Writers
  • Hiroshi Yoshimura
  • Masato Kurata
  • Yuta Yamamoto
ComposerGo Shiina[3]
EngineUnreal Engine 4[4]
Platforms
ReleaseSeptember 27, 2019
GenreAction role-playing
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Code Vein[a] is an action role-playing game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Shift, and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It was released worldwide on September 27, 2019, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, and sold over three million copies but received mixed reviews from critics. A sequel, Code Vein II, released in 2026.

Gameplay

[edit]

Code Vein is an open world action role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic environment and played from a third-person perspective.[5] Its gameplay was inspired by the Dark Souls series of games (published by Bandai Namco), while its animation takes after God Eater 3, with developers of the latter working on Code Vein.[6][7][8]

Plot

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Setting

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Code Vein is set in a post-apocalyptic near future containing the Revenants: undead humans with vampiric abilities and strength who can only die by destroying their heart, and require human blood to stop from entering a frenzy and mutating into the Lost - uncontrollable cannibals devoid of reason.

Participating in an experiment to stabilize the Revenant population and stave off the Lost, a girl named Cruz Silva volunteers to become the "Queen of the Revenants", though she later frenzies herself and goes on a murderous rampage. More Revenants are created to defeat the Queen in a mission dubbed Operation Queenslayer, led by Cruz's father Gregorio Silva.

Though they killed Cruz, the Lost remain, and the Bloodsprings (plants producing Blood Beads as an alternative to human blood) begin to dry up. Silva establishes a provisional government shortly after Operation Queenslayer, and the levy on Blood Beads that this government establishes worsens the shortage, leaving many Revenants to turn into the Lost.

Story

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The protagonist awakens within the ruined city of Gaol of the Mists, where they[b] meet Io and Louis Amamiya. They make contact with the vestige of a Lost without becoming frenzied, acquiring its memories and Blood Code, a unique property that grants Revenants their powers. Louis learns that the protagonist can use the Blood Code of whoever shares their blood. The group search for the source of the Blood Beads to remedy the scarcity. They meet Mia Karnstein and her near-frenzy brother Nicola, who is seemingly killed by a mysterious hunter. The protagonist later regains some of their memory, revealing their role in Operation Queenslayer alongside Silva and the hunter Jack Rutherford. The protagonist permanently killed the Queen, but was exposed to her blood and near-frenzy. Jack was forced and failed to kill the protagonist.

The group encounters a massive Lost, the Successor to the Ribcage, which the protagonist absorbs. They learn that the experiment that made Cruz into the Queen rendered her immortal. Silva decided to divide Cruz's body into pieces called 'Relics', each placed in a voluntary Revenant, becoming Successors who sealed themselves in crypts while resisting the Relics' corruption. The group finds Louis' sister Karen, a Successor. The protagonist learns that they became a Successor by defeating Cruz, and plans to soothe other Successors to prevent the Queen's resurrection. Jack is revealed to be a Successor and caretaker of the other Successors alongside his companion Eva Roux.

The group travels to the mountains and faces the real Nicola, revealing that the one who accompanied Mia was a clone that Jack killed as its existence hastened Nicola's frenzy. The group reaches and soothe Nicola as he was fighting the Relic's influence, reuniting with Mia. Jack is assaulted on the way up the mountain by Juzo Mido, a scientist who believes Revenants are the next step in evolution and is seeking Silva, now a Successor. Jack reveals that the Gaol of the Mists was created by Silva to contain the Revenants for the sake of humanity and needed constant blood to maintain which led to the Blood Bead levy system. Jack joins the group to secure more Relics, including Eva, a new Successor who joins the group after being restored.

They confront Mido, who reveals his plan of undoing the Gaol as he kills his men so the Relics in his possession merge into Silva, causing him to mutate into the frenzied Skull King with the Gaol briefly dropping enough to reveal the outside world is filled with monsters. Upset at Silva resisting the Relic, Mido explains though the Gaol started off as a prison for Revenants, it has become a shield from the monsters outside as he desires for Revenants to fight the horrors and evolve. The group defeats him before he can reach Silva, but the damage is done and the group's only option is the protagonist resolving to replace Silva as the Successor. The group make their way to Silva's crypt and learn Io is a clone of Cruz, one of many sisters acting on Cruz's desire to prevent her resurrection by attending to the Successors. The group battle the Skull King, who loses control of his Relic as it calls the other Relics who transform him into the newest Queen, the Virgin Reborn, before being defeated.

The ending depends on how many Successors the protagonist saved. If none are saved, the protagonist is killed by Louis when they begin to frenzy while attempting to absorb the Relics with the protagonist's surviving companions becoming the current Successors. If the protagonist only saves some Successors, they absorb Silva's Relic and take his place in maintaining the Gaol, with Io staying by their side. By saving every Successor, Io intervenes and takes the protagonist's place, absorbing all Relics. With the Successors restored, Io transforms into a new Bloodspring, the Weeping Tree, replenishing the Blood Beads and maintaining the Gaol as the city begins anew. Io produces a Blood Bead carrying her memory, allowing the protagonist and the group to venture to the outside world to save others, alongside their comrades almost a decade later.

Development

[edit]

Planning for Code Vein started around 2014, with about 200 developers involved at one point.[9] The game was announced in April 2017 and was originally set to be released in September 2018, until it was delayed to September 27, 2019.[10][11][12] The game's opening sequence was created by animation studio Ufotable.[13] In January 2020, the game's first downloadable content pack, Hellfire Knight, was released. The second, Frozen Empress, was released a month later.[14] The last DLC titled Lord of Thunder was released on March 25, 2020.[15]

Reception

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Code Vein received "mixed or average reviews" for Windows and PlayStation 4, and "generally favorable reviews" for Xbox One according to review aggregator Metacritic.[16][17][18] Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu gave the game a score of 32/40.[21]

Game Informer Daniel Tack said that it has "some nice ideas that shake up the core formula, but they are all incidental details", with the game being "overburdened by stale scenery, boring bosses, and tiresome trudging".[22] Hardcore Gamer called the game "surprisingly delightful," but said that the "story, combat, difficulty, visuals and world all suffer from a variety of issues."[26] IGN stated, "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.", recommending it to those who are "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."[27]

Reception to the game's story was mixed. Electronic Gaming Monthly found the "utter ridiculousness" of the game's story fun, though considered it "hard at times to appreciate the deeper story that’s woven throughout."[20] GamesRadar+ was interested in the game's themes and considered its characters "endearing" but the Vestige segments required to learn their backstories to be "cumbersome."[25] VideoGamer.com considered the game to be lacking in narrative cohesion, and the presentation of the dialogue and cutscenes to be subpar.[29] Anime Feminist writer Tessie Alina Corwin criticized the game's treatment of its female characters, saying that all of the game's important female characters either are or become passive in the story compared to the male characters.[30]

Sales

[edit]

The PlayStation 4 version of Code Vein debuted at number two on the all format video games sales chart in Japan, selling 60,843 copies within its first week on sale.[31] The game sold over a million copies by February 2020,[32] with that figure increasing to over two million by September 2021.[33] As of March 2023, Code Vein has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide.[34]

Notes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Code Vein

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Code Vein is a action role-playing video game developed by in collaboration with Shift and published by . Set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a catastrophe, the game follows a customizable —a vampire-like being who must consume blood from fallen enemies to avoid becoming one of the mindless "Lost"—as they explore interconnected dungeons, battle horrific monsters, and partner with AI or online companions to unlock suppressed memories and find a way to break their eternal curse. Gameplay emphasizes deliberate, stamina-based combat inspired by the series, with players able to equip a variety of weapons, Blood Veils (specialized armor that enhances abilities), and switch between "Blood Codes"—predefined classes granting unique stats, skills, and gifts powered by drained blood. Deep character creation allows for extensive customization of appearance, voice, and build, while the narrative unfolds through branching storylines, companion backstories, and a hub area called Home Base for resting and upgrading. Released on September 27, 2019, for , , and Windows, Code Vein garnered mixed to positive , lauded for its engaging co-op dynamics, visual style blending aesthetics with gothic horror, and innovative partner system, but criticized for repetitive environments, performance issues on PC, and a steep . aggregates show average scores of 70 for the PlayStation 4 version, 75 for Xbox One, and 72 for PC, reflecting praise for its ambition as an "anime " tempered by technical and design shortcomings. Commercially, it achieved strong sales, surpassing one million copies worldwide within five months of launch. The title also received three DLC expansions—Hellfire Knight, Frozen Empress, and Lord of Thunder—adding new bosses, weapons, and areas, with a Deluxe Edition bundling them alongside the base game.

Gameplay

Combat Mechanics

Code Vein employs a third-person action combat system reminiscent of Souls-like games, where players control a Revenant character navigating ruined landscapes while battling the Lost—monstrous former humans afflicted by bloodlust. Combat revolves around close-quarters melee engagements using weapons such as bayonets, axes, spears, and greatswords, each with distinct movesets for light and heavy attacks, as well as limited firearm options integrated into certain weapons like the bayonet for ranged pokes. Players can also deploy Gifts, special abilities divided into light (supportive buffs and healing) and dark (offensive debuffs and damage) categories, which are fueled by ichor—a vital resource extracted from enemies. Central to are Blood Veils, equippable masks that serve as both defensive gear and offensive tools, enabling Drain Attacks to siphon and health from foes while providing temporary buffs like increased mobility or elemental resistance. These attacks can stagger enemies by depleting their break gauge through sustained pressure or precise timing, opening windows for critical hits; parrying is possible by timing a light attack just before an incoming strike, rewarding players with a counter opportunity and gain. Blood Veils also facilitate healing by converting drained into health restoration, though overuse risks depleting reserves needed for Gifts. Exploration integrates seamlessly with combat, as players traverse post-apocalyptic ruins and venture into the Depths—labyrinthine underground layers filled with traps and ambushes—while the Gaol of the Mists offers procedurally influenced endgame challenges with escalating enemy density and fog-shrouded visibility to heighten tension. Stamina management is crucial, with a depletable bar governing attacks, dodges, and blocks; aggressive play builds a Focus meter for enhanced evasion and slower stamina drain, but exhaustion leaves players vulnerable. Upon , players respawn at the nearest Mistle—a blood-red checkpoint —losing unbanked (the in-game currency) as a penalty, though AI-controlled companions can revive fallen players mid-battle to mitigate risks during tough encounters.

Character Progression

Character creation in Code Vein begins with selecting the player's gender and name, followed by extensive customization options for facial features, hairstyles, body proportions, voice, and accessories, allowing for highly personalized Revenant avatars. Players then choose an initial Blood Code from three starting options—Fighter, Caster, or Ranger—each providing a balanced set of stats and abilities suited to different playstyles, such as melee combat, magic, or ranged attacks. This process sets the foundation for the character's growth, emphasizing aesthetic and functional choices without presets. The Blood Code system serves as the core of character progression, functioning as swappable "classes" that define the player's ability set, stat distribution, and role. Each Blood Code includes active and passive Gifts—special abilities like enhanced strikes or buffs—that scale with primary stats such as Strength (for heavy weapons), Dexterity (for agile attacks), Mind (for ichor-based magic), Vitality (for health), and (for stamina). Players can freely switch between unlocked Blood Codes at any Mistle (save point), inheriting mastered Gifts across codes to mix builds, though stats adjust dynamically to the active code's affinities, encouraging experimentation for optimized synergies. For example, Blood Code prioritizes Strength and Vitality for tanky melee roles, while the emphasizes Mind for ranged spellcasting. Advancement occurs primarily through leveling up using Haze, a resource harvested from defeated enemies, which increases overall stats like and stamina while allowing allocation to specific attributes via the active Blood Code. New Blood Codes are acquired through story progression by defeating Successors and restoring their Vestiges—memory fragments that unlock codes like or —or by exploring the Depths, randomized endgame dungeons that reward rare codes such as upon completion. Vestige unlocks also reveal hidden Gifts and lore, requiring multiple playthroughs to fully collect all 32 Blood Codes in the base game, with mastery of Gifts gained by using them in combat proportional to the player's level relative to enemies. Equipment management complements progression, with weapons like bayonets or greatswords customizable through upgrades and transformations at the blacksmith, enhancing base damage or scaling via materials like Blood Beads. Blood Veils, the game's signature transformable armor, not only provide defensive stats but enable unique Drain mechanics for ichor recovery, with types such as Ivy (ground-based blades) or Hound (mobile lunges) tied to the equipped Veil. Transformations for both weapons and Veils include Fortification, which boosts physical base attack and weight for raw power, or Intensification, which amplifies stat scaling at the cost of base stats, allowing tailored enhancements like a 50% increase in buff effects for strategic depth.

Companion System

Companions are recruitable NPCs who accompany the player during exploration and provide AI-controlled assistance in combat, with behaviors and abilities tailored to each character's personality and Blood Code. Only one companion can be active at a time, and they offer support such as healing, buffs, flanking enemies, and enabling special duo attacks. At Home Base, players can give gifts to companions to raise their affinity level. Increasing affinity unlocks vestige cutscenes revealing character backstories, additional support items, weapons available for trade, and enhanced combat assistance from the companion. All relationships with companions are strictly platonic; the game features no romance options, dating mechanics, romantic scenes, or romance-related endings.

Multiplayer Elements

Code Vein incorporates multiplayer that enables a second player to join the host's session alongside the AI-controlled companion, forming a team of three for exploration and combat. Players initiate co-op by accessing the multiplayer menu in the field and sending a signal, which matches them with other online players seeking to assist; a option allows specific friends to connect directly. The guest player's abilities and level automatically scale to match the host's for balanced encounters, and while story progress remains exclusive to the host, guests earn enhanced rewards including currency, rare materials, and Marks of Respect redeemable for customization icons. Revive mechanics are bolstered in co-op, as the AI companion can restore both the host and guest upon defeat, provided it remains active, promoting strategic positioning during intense fights like boss battles. However, multiplayer sessions end upon boss defeat, player death, or manual disconnection, and cannot occur at the Home Base hub. At launch, the game lacked cross-platform support, restricting matches to the same console or PC ecosystem. Asynchronous elements are integrated through the Depths, the game's endgame system, where players can summon help for replayable boss challenges in shared instances, fostering repeated co-op runs without story advancement. These Depths emphasize multiplayer synergy for high-difficulty content, with no direct player-versus-player invasions or trap placements, focusing instead on aid to overcome procedural enemy waves and encounters.

Setting and Plot

Post-Apocalyptic World

In the not-too-distant future, a mysterious catastrophe known as the Great Collapse devastated the world, piercing towering skyscrapers—once symbols of human prosperity—with enormous spikes called the Thorns of and claiming nearly half of the planet's . This event, known as the Great Collapse in the with the series, was triggered by the outbreak of monstrous Aragami, which pierced the world with the Thorns of . This transformed the landscape into a desolate wasteland, shrouded in an impenetrable Red Mist that enveloped the remnants of civilization, turning the surviving city of into an isolated prison for its inhabitants. The Red Mist not only sealed off from the outside world but also contributed to a perpetual crimson sky, casting an eerie, blood-like hue over the ruins and amplifying the atmosphere of unrelenting despair. Within the fortified ruins of , society revolves around the Revenants, immortal beings revived through advanced technology to combat the Collapse's horrors, granted supernatural Gifts in exchange for their fading memories and an insatiable thirst for blood. This hidden stronghold serves as the last bastion of organized life, featuring key districts such as the flooded, mist-choked Howling Pit—a treacherous cavern teeming with dangers—and the Home Base, a central hub providing shelter, resource management, and communal support for Revenants. To sustain their existence and suppress the bloodlust that threatens to consume them, Revenants depend on Blood Beads, artificial substitutes derived from human blood and cultivated in limited quantities, which are distributed unevenly and form the backbone of societal rationing. Failure to obtain these beads leads to degeneration into the Lost, mutated, mindless ghouls that roam the wastelands as feral remnants of their former selves. Key factions within Revenant society include the Successors, powerful individuals infused with fragments of the Queen's Relic—a core element tied to the origins of their kind—who possess unique abilities to influence the blood supply and maintain fragile order. These groups, alongside enforcers known as Gaolers who oversee blood distribution and suppress frenzy among the population, navigate the tensions of scarcity and survival in Vein's fractured districts. Environmental threats abound in the form of the Lost and other aberrations born from the Collapse, while vestiges—crystalline shards containing fragmented memories of the past—serve as vital lore repositories, offering glimpses into lost histories and the Revenants' pre-undead lives. This lore-rich backdrop underscores Vein's role as a besieged enclave, where every resource and recollection fights against the encroaching void.

Main Storyline

In Code Vein, the player assumes the role of a customizable protagonist who awakens in a ruined city afflicted by following a battle against the Queen, a central figure whose actions precipitated the apocalyptic Great Collapse. This , unique among their kind for the ability to adapt Blood Codes—specialized power sets derived from blood—partners with the enigmatic Io, who guides them in their quest to reclaim lost memories. The narrative unfolds as a journey of self-discovery, where the duo delves into fragmented recollections through vestiges, ethereal remnants of past events that reveal personal histories and broader lore when explored. The main storyline progresses through multiple interconnected phases, each set in a distinct region within the shrouded depths of the Red Mist, such as the labyrinthine ruins and blood-soaked depths surrounding the hidden city of . Throughout these phases, the and their companions navigate treacherous dungeons, battle hordes of the Lost—Revenants consumed by bloodlust—and confront the Successors, guardians who bear fragments of the Queen's immense power and whose defeats are pivotal to unraveling the catastrophe's origins. These encounters drive the plot forward, exposing the Queen's role in unleashing the Thorns of Judgment that devastated humanity and birthed the race as desperate weapons against the ensuing horrors. Central themes revolve around , the of humanity amid insatiable blood , and the moral weight of , as Revenants grapple with the risk of becoming mindless Lost without regular blood sustenance. Player choices, particularly in aiding companions and resolving Successor confrontations, introduce branching paths that influence alliances and outcomes, potentially altering the fates of key allies through moments of redemption or . The culminates in multiple endings determined by these decisions, emphasizing the protagonist's evolving understanding of their own veiled past and the fragile balance of their undead existence.

Key Characters

The companions in Code Vein form deep but strictly platonic bonds with the protagonist through an affinity system, where players strengthen relationships via gifts and interactions to unlock story content and gameplay benefits, without any romantic elements. The of Code Vein is a customizable whose appearance, gender, and voice can be tailored by the player, representing a newly awakened figure with fragmented memories and a unique ability to inherit Blood Codes from others through shared blood. This central character forms an unbreakable bond with their companion Io, a serene and enigmatic young woman who serves as the initial partner, providing support through her Eos Blood Code that emphasizes healing and light-based gifts while harboring a profound mystery tied to the protagonist's origins. Their relationship drives much of the narrative, with Io's quiet demeanor and protective instincts reflecting her role as a devoted attendant. Louis Amamiya emerges as a key leader among the Revenants at the Home Base, acting as a calm strategist who coordinates efforts against the encroaching threats, wielding the Blood Code for fire-infused attacks and tactical buffs. Born into a scholarly family before his death at age 20 and standing at 176 cm, Louis enjoys reading but dislikes spicy food, traits that underscore his intellectual and composed personality. Voiced by in Japanese, his design by artist Kurumi Kobayashi blends anime aesthetics with a sleek, formal attire emphasizing his authoritative presence. Eva Roux functions as a nimble companion, specializing in agile ranged combat with her rifle and Ivy Blood Code, which enhances mobility and venomous strikes, often partnering with the Hunter Jack Rutherford after he rescued her from a traumatic past marked by experimentation. Her AI behavior mirrors her resilient yet hesitant personality, frequently repositioning to maintain distance while providing . Kobayashi's design incorporates bandages and a harness to evoke her vulnerable history, with English by highlighting her stuttered speech as a symbol of survival. Yakumo Shinonome serves as a frontline and steadfast ally, a former who fights with a massive two-handed via the Fighter Blood Code, drawing enemy attention to shield the group with his robust defense and charging assaults. Standing at 184 cm and having died at age 22, his sense of duty and cool-headed professionalism shine through in combat, where his AI prioritizes protective positioning and engagement to embody his brotherly reliability. Voiced by Kôsuke Toriumi in Japanese, Yakumo's muscular, armored design by draws from warrior tropes for a heroic, imposing . Mia Karnstein acts as a ranged protector, wandering with her brother Jack and employing the Blood Code for precise bayonet rifle shots and evasive maneuvers, her combat style keeping foes at bay to safeguard her remaining family. At 151 cm and aged 18 at death, she favors tea but struggles with fragile instruments, traits that accentuate her gentle yet fierce sibling loyalty; her AI reflects this by favoring over close confrontations. provides her Japanese voice, while Kobayashi's artwork portrays her in a lightweight, gothic outfit inspired by sharpshooters. The antagonists known as the Successors—powerful Revenants like the Butterfly of Delirium (Cruz Silva)—embody corrupted might, each guarding a Relic from the fallen Queen and wielding specialized Blood Codes that amplify elemental or hallucinatory assaults, their designs by featuring ethereal, monstrous evolutions from human forms to highlight their tragic fall. Notable voice work includes as Nicola Karnstein (Successor of the Throat), enhancing the cast's dramatic depth with performances from acclaimed seiyuu. In gameplay, companion AIs are programmed to align with these personalities, such as Louis's strategic retreats or Yakumo's aggressive taunts, fostering dynamic partnerships without multiplayer dependency.

Development

Concept and Announcement

Code Vein was conceived in 2015 by as an blending "souls-like" gameplay with anime-inspired aesthetics and mythology. The project originated from the team's experience with titles like , aiming to create a AAA-quality experience targeted at international audiences, with initial planning estimates made as early as March 2015. Director led the effort, envisioning a dramatic ARPG that emphasized high-pressure and a post-apocalyptic centered on Revenants—immortal beings sustained by blood who risk succumbing to a bloodthirst that turns them into monstrous Lost. The game's design drew significant inspiration from the series for its rigorous, methodical combat system, incorporating elements like stamina management, precise dodging, and punishing boss encounters to deliver tense, skill-based battles. Yoshimura sought to differentiate Code Vein by infusing these mechanics with faster-paced action and anime-style character designs, creating a hybrid that combined the thrill of souls-like challenges with vibrant, expressive visuals and lore. This fusion aimed to appeal to fans of both Western RPGs and Japanese , positioning the title as a unique entry in the genre. Code Vein was publicly announced in April 2017 via an initial from Bandai Namco, but its major reveal occurred at the 2017, where the first gameplay trailer showcased Yoshimura's vision of a , story-driven adventure in a ruined world. The event featured a playable demo and a presentation by Yoshimura and producer Keita Iizuka, highlighting the game's companion AI system and customizable Blood Codes—transformative abilities tied to the theme. Early marketing emphasized Code Vein's identity as an " " experience to distinguish it from FromSoftware's titles, focusing on its accessible yet challenging , deep character customization, and narrative depth rather than pure difficulty. Yoshimura noted in interviews that while comparisons to were inevitable, the game prioritized emotional and player agency in a visually striking, -infused package. This branding helped generate buzz among anime enthusiasts and souls-like players alike ahead of its development progression.

Production Process

Development of Code Vein was led by in collaboration with Shift, spanning approximately four years from 2015 to its 2019 release, with key team members drawn from the production staff of the series. The project utilized Unreal Engine 4 to facilitate the creation of expansive, interactive dungeons and detailed environments, allowing for real-time adjustments during development. A primary challenge involved balancing the game's souls-like difficulty with an accessible anime-inspired aesthetic, achieved through systems like the "Gift" mechanics, which enable attack cancellations to support less experienced players, and the "Blood Code" framework, which permits flexible switching of styles to reduce retry frustration. Director Hiroshi Yoshimura noted the meticulous nature of action RPG development, stating, "Action RPGs are very meticulous to create, so I had a hard time finding the best answers to every challenge on my own." Iterations on the Blood Code system focused on helping players discover preferred battle approaches against formidable foes, enhancing overall accessibility without compromising depth. Art direction emphasized an /manga vibe to distinguish the title, with character designs crafted to blend charm and realism—such as detailed shadows, expressive eyes, and dynamic skin textures for figures like Mia—ensuring seamless integration into the post-apocalyptic world. The , composed by in collaboration with the development team, features majestic orchestral arrangements to evoke the game's dramatic tone, with orchestrators including Daisuke Shinoda contributing to its epic scope. A closed network test from May 31 to June 3, 2019 gathered feedback on multiplayer stability and pacing, addressing issues like weightless animations and co-op integration to refine the online experience ahead of launch. Keita Iizuka highlighted the difficulty of conveying the game's unique appeal globally, underscoring the iterative testing's role in polishing partner AI behaviors for natural interactions.

Release and Marketing

Code Vein was released in on September 26, 2019, for , , and Microsoft Windows, followed by a worldwide launch the next day on September 27, 2019, across the same platforms. The game was developed by Shift and , with handling publishing duties globally. Marketing efforts emphasized the game's anime-inspired aesthetics and Souls-like gameplay, including a playable demo showcased at that allowed attendees to experience core combat mechanics and character customization. Bandai Namco also debuted an opening cinematic produced by anime studio at 2019, featuring stylized animation sequences to highlight the narrative and vampire-themed world. Promotional trailers incorporated collaborations with prominent Japanese voice actors, such as as Louis and as Mia Karnstein, drawing from their anime credits to appeal to fans of the genre. The standard edition launched at a price of $59.99 USD, positioning it as a full-priced action RPG title. A Collector's Edition was offered for $129.99 USD, bundling the base game with a 17 cm Mia Karnstein figurine complete with her and Stinger Blood Veil, a SteelBook case, a 32-page artbook showcasing and production sketches, a two-disc original soundtrack featuring over 40 tracks, and additional in-game content including a Blood Bead transformation item, Transformation Blood Codes “Isys” and “”, and a Partner Outfit set. This edition aimed to attract dedicated fans seeking physical memorabilia tied to the game's development. For global accessibility, Code Vein underwent extensive localization, including a full English dub alongside the original Japanese voice acting, with options for subtitles in multiple languages such as English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. These efforts ensured the game's dialogue, menus, and cutscenes were adapted for Western and international markets, supporting both dubbed audio tracks and subtitle toggles to cater to player preferences.

Post-Release Content

Downloadable Expansions

Code Vein received three downloadable story expansions in 2020, each introducing new regions known as Depths, bosses, equipment, and side narratives that expand on the base game's lore surrounding the Successors and the world's collapse. These DLCs are designed as self-contained experiences accessible from the Home Base at any point in the campaign, without requiring completion of the main storyline, allowing players to integrate them flexibly into their playthrough. The first expansion, Hellfire Knight, launched on January 28, 2020. It features a new storyline centered on a knight successor, where players explore the fiery Depths of Howling Pit and confront the titular Hellfire Knight boss, a formidable foe capable of wielding intense fire attacks. The DLC adds new weapons such as the Inferno Blade and Hellfire Hammer, along with specialized Blood Veils, Blood Codes, and alternate costumes. This content ties into the base game's themes of memory recovery through vestige fragments, providing deeper insights into the knight's backstory. Frozen Empress, the second DLC released on February 25, 2020, shifts to an ice-themed region called the Celestial Ice Prison, where players pursue memory fragments revealing events tied to a frozen catastrophe. Key additions include a challenging battle against the Frozen Empress boss, who unleashes devastating frost-based assaults, as well as new ice-infused weapons like the Hoarfrost , Two-Handed , , and . The expansion also introduces companion costumes, new Blood Veils, Blood Codes, and outfits for characters such as Eva and Louis, enhancing customization and combat options. The final expansion, Lord of Thunder, arrived on March 24, 2020, and focuses on lightning abilities within a new Depths area fraught with electrical hazards. Players engage in a storyline that connects to the original lore through vestiges exploring thunder's role in the , culminating in a fight against the Lord of Thunder boss and its rapid, electrified strikes. New content encompasses lightning-themed weapons, Blood Veils, Blood Codes, and alternate costumes for Yakumo and Io, further enriching the game's arsenal and narrative depth. These expansions were available individually for $9.99 each or bundled in the $24.99 Season Pass, which also granted bonus items like the Alternate Mia Set costume. Each DLC extends gameplay by 10-15 hours through exploration, boss challenges, and optional objectives, seamlessly blending with the base game's mechanics for continued progression in the post-apocalyptic setting.

Updates and Ports

Upon its launch on September 27, 2019, Code Vein received a day-one patch (version 1.02) that addressed initial bug fixes, balanced battle effects and enemy movements, and introduced the ability to increase difficulty in New Game+ mode after completing the main story. Subsequent patches focused on enhancing multiplayer stability and quality-of-life features. For instance, version 1.10 in October 2019 added an option to reduce difficulty levels in New Game+ cycles, responding to player feedback for more flexible challenge adjustments, along with the ability to swap AI companions at mistles and refined item icons. Later updates, such as version 1.20 in December 2019 and 1.30 in January 2020, resolved various multiplayer connectivity issues, improved matching facilities on platforms like Steam, and fixed minor gameplay bugs to ensure smoother co-op experiences. Quality-of-life enhancements continued into 2020, with version 1.50 in March introducing expanded photo mode functionality, including access during multiplayer sessions (in real-time only) and new pose settings for characters. These patches, applied across all platforms, also included general stability improvements that benefited PC performance by reducing stuttering and enhancing consistency in demanding areas, though no dedicated PC-only optimization patch was released. To support the game's , several integration patches ensured seamless compatibility. Version 1.51 in March 2020 specifically addressed bugs in the Lord of Thunder DLC, such as issues with acquiring certain vestiges, while version 1.52 in fixed additional DLC-related problems like persistent ground effects and multiplayer termination glitches during photo mode. These updates maintained balance for new blood codes, weapons, and costumes introduced via DLC without disrupting base game progression. As of November 2025, Code Vein has seen no major ports to new platforms or remasters, remaining available solely on , , and PC via . Minor cross-platform tweaks in early 2020 patches indirectly supported ongoing PC compatibility, but the title has not received enhanced editions for next-generation consoles.

Reception

Critical Reviews

Code Vein received generally mixed reviews from critics upon its release, earning a Metascore of 70 out of 100 on for the version based on 71 critic reviews, 75 out of 100 for the version based on 14 reviews, and 72 out of 100 for the PC version based on 19 reviews. These scores reflect praise for the game's innovative elements within the genre, balanced against criticisms of its execution in certain areas. Critics frequently highlighted the depth of character customization as a standout feature, allowing players extensive options for creating and modifying their avatar, which added significant replayability to the experience. The combat system also garnered positive attention for its rewarding mechanics, including the Blood Code system that enables flexible class switching and strategic build experimentation, providing more than traditional soulslikes. Other common positives included the anime-inspired visuals, which delivered a striking post-apocalyptic aesthetic with detailed character designs, the innovative companion AI system that assists in battles and eases solo play, and the atmospheric soundtrack composed by , which enhanced the narrative immersion. On the negative side, reviewers often pointed to the repetitive nature of the Depths, the game's endgame challenge mode featuring procedurally generated dungeons with reused enemies and assets, which felt underdeveloped and grindy. The difficulty curve drew criticism for being uneven, with a steep early learning phase that could overwhelm newcomers before smoothing out, sometimes leading to frustration rather than satisfaction. Story pacing was another frequent point of contention, as the narrative's branching paths and heavy reliance on memory fragments occasionally resulted in convoluted or slow progression. Notable reviews included IGN's 7 out of 10 score, which commended the game's atmospheric world-building and unique twists on conventions, though it noted inconsistencies in combat pacing. GameSpot awarded a 6 out of 10, critiquing the story's uneven pacing and repetitive enemy encounters that diminished the overall engagement. Post-release, reception evolved positively with the addition of three DLC expansions—Hellfire Knight, Frozen Empress, and Lord of Thunder—released between January and March 2020, which introduced new areas, bosses, and equipment that addressed some base game criticisms like content scarcity. Retrospective analyses in 2024 and 2025 have highlighted how these updates and patches improved balance and longevity, leading to higher reevaluations of the title as a compelling anime-infused .

Sales and Legacy

Code Vein demonstrated strong commercial performance following its 2019 release, with total shipments and digital surpassing three million units worldwide by March 2023, as announced by publisher . This milestone reflected steady growth, particularly through digital channels, with the PC version on accounting for a significant portion; estimates indicate over 2.2 million units sold on the platform alone, generating more than $85 million in gross . By mid-2025, cumulative had exceeded four million copies globally, bolstered by DLC bundles and complete editions that extended the game's accessibility and value to new and returning players. Player engagement highlighted the title's initial launch momentum and ongoing appeal, achieving a peak of 33,895 concurrent players on in late 2019. Even years later, the community remains active, driven by a vibrant scene that has produced over 700 modifications on , ranging from graphical enhancements to tweaks that foster replayability and customization. The game's legacy lies in its role as a trailblazer for anime-infused souls-likes, merging punishing combat, companion AI mechanics, and vampiric lore in a post-apocalyptic world, which cultivated a dedicated among fans of both genres. This blend influenced later projects, such as , where the development team applied production insights from Code Vein to evolve action RPG systems and narrative delivery. Retrospectives frequently praise it as an underrated entry in the souls-like pantheon, with post-release content like downloadable expansions further solidifying its longevity by addressing player feedback and expanding the lore.

References

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