Bandai Namco’s Code Vein is the publisher’s 2019 Soulslike for 8th-generation consoles and PC. Originally released on September 27, 2019, the game takes several cues from two other franchises in Bandai Namco’s library, namely Dark Souls and God Eater. The game would notoriously go through a lengthy development cycle, with initial work on the title beginning as early as 2014 and not concluding until early 2019. Initial perception of the title from fans earned it the nickname “Anime Souls”, a reference to the game’s Dark Souls-style gameplay in combination with its eye-catching anime-style visuals and character models.
Reception to Code Vein would prove to be fairly positive in Japan, with Japanese publication Famitsu awarding the game a respectable score of 32/40. Critical reception in the West, however, is considerably more lukewarm. To date, the game holds a review aggregate score of 72%, with many reviewers noting that the game suffers from several issues related to its pacing, difficulty, and balance. However, the game’s somewhat average critical reception would prove to have little impact on its commercial success. Current estimates of Code Vein‘s sales figures indicate the game has sold more than 3 million units worldwide.
Code Vein Premise
The story of Code Vein puts players into a post-apocalyptic Earth in which vampires are now the dominant species. Following an event that characters refer to as the Great Collapse, humanity began to become extinct in favor of the rise of Revenants – immortal, undead humans with vampiric powers and abilities. However, the dwindling numbers of humans, combined with a terrible plague that causes Revenants to revert to a mindless, beast-like state, once again puts the dominant species on the verge of extinction. Players control a custom-made character known only as The Protagonist who plays a central role in trying to uncover the cause of the Great Collapse while also trying to stop the Frenzy and ensure a future for humanity.
In terms of its gameplay, Code Vein is similar to other games in the Soulslike genre. At its core, Code Vein is a semi-open world action RPG in which players can customize their class and abilities to take on increasingly challenging foes. Eliminating enemies rewards players with experience that is lost upon death but can be retrieved from the spot where the player died. Also similar to Dark Souls, combat in Code Vein is governed by a stamina meter, with players needing to manage attacking, dodging, and parrying while monitoring several factors crucial to success. However, Code Vein is slightly unique among Soulslikes in that players can always have an AI-controlled companion with them to draw enemy aggression.
Code Vein Main Characters
The post-apocalyptic setting of Code Vein is bursting with interesting heroes and villains, including the player protagonist. As a Revenant, the hero of Code Vein is an undead human with vampiric abilities whose goal is to uncover the reasoning behind the Great Collapse. Along the way, the hero comes to learn that they are both the slayer of the Queen, a powerful immortal believed to be partially responsible for the Great Collapse and the Frenzy (a plague that turns Revenants into the Lost – animal-like monsters without conscious thought), and the successor to her blood. Main characters in Code Vein include:
- The Protagonist: The player character and hero of Code Vein‘s story. The protagonist is a player-created character who awakens as a Revenant – essentially, a vampire. Over time they gradually learn that they played a critical role in the failed operation to take down Cruz Silva, Operation Queenslayer.
- Louis Amamiya: One of the player character’s closest allies and companions in Code Vein. Louis is both a Revenant leader and a prominent researcher, looking into the use of Blood Beads instead of human blood to satiate the Revenants’ blood lust.
- Mia Karnstein: Mia is a scavenger searching for her brother who decides to join up with the protagonist and his allies despite initially not trusting them. She is another of the hero’s main companions.
- Jack Rutherford: Jack is the protagonist’s former partner and a fellow Revenant searching for the successors to the Queen. The two share a close friendship and battle camaraderie.
- Cruz Silva: Cruz Silva, otherwise known as the Queen, is one of the main villains of Code Vein and plays a crucial role in the game’s (and the hero’s) backstory.
Other Noteworthy Soulslike Games
Bandai Namco’s Code Vein is one of several games belonging to the Soulslike genre. Deriving its name from another Bandai Namco franchise, FromSoftware’s Dark Souls, Soulslikes are challenging action RPGs with several shared characteristics. Players earn experience from killing enemies that they lose upon death. After, players must complete a “corpse run” to return to the site of their death in hopes of retrieving lost experience. If they die again, they lose that progress forever. Soulslikes also feature methodical, stamina-based combat and checkpoints that allow players to level up and restore health at the cost of respawning all defeated enemies. Perhaps the definitive feature of Soulslikes are the many options players have to build out their characters in an attempt to trivialize the games’ challenging boss encounters. Other prominent Soulslikes include:
- Lords of the Fallen (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2014)
- Salt and Sanctuary (PlayStation 4, 2016)
- Nioh (PC, PlayStation 4, 2017)
- Hollow Knight (PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, 2017)
- The Surge (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2017)
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2019)
- Remnant: From the Ashes (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2019)
- The Surge 2 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- Code Vein (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2019)
- Blasphemous (PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, 2019)
- Nioh 2 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2020)
- Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, 2022)
- Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, 2023)
- Lords of the Fallen (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, 2023)
- Lies of P (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, 2023)
- Another Crab’s Treasure (PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, 2024)
Code Vein Cheats & Secrets
While there are no official cheat codes for Code Vein, the game does contain a large number of secrets and 4 different endings to unlock. Additionally, PC players have the benefit of using Cheat Engines and trainer files to alter the game and make it significantly easier.
Code Vein Secrets
Unlocking All Endings
There are a total of four endings players can unlock in Code Vein. The ending that players get depends on how many Vestiges they obtain and repair as well as whether they interact with the Ash Statues to restore each Successor’s Memory. Note that there are four Successors in total and their Vestiges must be repaired before each of their boss fights. Entering a battle with a Successor without repairing their Vestige will eliminate the opportunity to interact with the Ash Statue during each Successor’s Memory Lane segment.
Ending | How to Unlock |
---|---|
Bad Ending | Do not restore any Successor’s Memories |
Neutral Ending | Restore at least one Successor’s Memory |
Good Ending | Restore all Successor’s Memories |
Best (True) Ending | Restore all Successor’s Memories and repair all Eos Vestiges |
Best Items to Give NPCs
Give the corresponding gifts to each NPC to receive points toward building your relationship with them.
Coco
Best Gifts (+5): Aromatic Herbs, Chocolate Garlic Flakes, Sushi Tacos, Tomato Oden Sandwich
Good Gifts (+3): Blood Bead Candy, Bottled Jam, Fancy Cologne, Organic Soap, Powerful Spices
Davis
Best Gifts (+5): Antique LP Record, Bugarally Doll, Chocolate Garlic Flakes, Classic Camera, Geisha Noodles
Good Gifts (+3): Blood Bead Candy, Boutique Sake, Expensive Cigars, Protein Powder, Pungent Cheese, Tomato Oden Sandwich, Well-worn Tool, Yellowed Book
Eva
Best Gifts (+5): Flower Seeds, Geisha Noodles, Tomato Oden Sandwich
Good Gifts (+3): Antique Coin, Antique LP Record, Blood Bead Candy, Bugarally Doll, Faded Comics, Fancy Cologne, Organic Soap, Spotless Instrument, Undamaged Paint Set
Io
Best Gifts (+5): Curious Novelty, Local Pendant, Tomato Oden Sandwich
Good Gifts (+3): 35mm Reel, Blood Bead Candy, Bugarally Doll, Chocolate Garlic Flakes, Faded Comics, Fancy Cologne, Fragrant Tea, Organic Soap, Sushi Tacos, Yellowed Book
Jack
Best Gifts (+5): Aged Brandy, Bugarally Doll, Sushi Tacos
Good Gifts (+3): 35mm Reel, Antique Coin, Antique LP Record, Blood Bead Candy, Classic Camera, Expensive Cigars, Flower Seeds, Geisha Noodles, Pungent Cheese, Yellowed Book
Louis
Best Gifts (+5): Faded Comics, Tomato Oden Sandwich, Yellowed Book
Good Gifts (+3): Blood Bead Candy, Bottled Jam, Bugarally Doll, Elegant Fountain Pen, Fragrant Tea, Geisha Noodles, Spotless Instrument
Mia
Best Gifts (+5): Aromatic Herbs, Fragrant Tea
Good Gifts (+3): Aged Brandy, Blood Bead Candy, Bottled Jam, Bugarally Doll, Fancy Cologne, Geisha Noodles, Organic Soap, Powerful Spices, Sushi Tacos, Tomato Oden Sandwich
Murasame
Best Gifts (+5): Board Game, Bugarally Doll, Retro Game, Well-worn Tool
Good Gifts (+3): Antique LP Record, Blood Bead Candy, Chocolate Garlic Flakes, Custom Gun Parts, Faded Comics, Fancy Cologne, Geisha Noodles, Organic Soap, Stuffed Toy, Sushi Tacos
Yakumo
Best Gifts (+5): Aged Brandy, Boutique Sake, Bugarally Doll
Good Gifts (+3): 35mm Reel, Antique LP Record, Blood Bead Candy, Board Game, Custom Gun Parts, Faded Comics, Pungent Cheese, Retro Game, Sushi Tacos
Code Vein Achievements
Regardless of which version of Code Vein players have, there are several Achievements/Trophies to unlock. These are consistent across each version of the game, with players unlocking them according to reaching certain in-game milestones.
Achievement/Trophy | Description |
---|---|
Revenant Preeminent | Unlock all other Achievements/Trophies |
Gift Gatherer | Learn 150 Gifts (excludes those from Blood Codes) |
Determiner of Fate | View every ending |
Mender of Minds | Restore all Vestiges |
Deep Trailblazer | Explore every part of the depths |
Miasma Manager | Activate all Mistiles |
Together Until Oblivion | Listen to Partner Conversations 50 times |
Proven Devotion | Receive 30 Presents |
Exalted Reputation | Raise reputation as a Companion to Rank 30 |
Burning Spirit | Unlock the ability to inherit 50 Gifts |
A Weapon for Every Season | Equip every weapon type |
Revenant Requisites | Equip every Blood Veil type |
Weaver of Wills | Collect every Blood Code |
Gifted | Learn 50 Gifts (excludes those from Blood Codes) |
Ultimate Armament | Upgrade a weapon to its maximum level |
Unbreakable Veil | Upgrade a Blood Veil to its maximum level |
Building Trust | Give a desired valuable to a friend |
Io’s Memories | View Io’s memory echoes |
Queen’s Knight | Defeat the Queen’s Knight within your memory |
Queen’s Knight Reborn | Defeat the Queen’s Knight Reborn in the provisional government outskirts |
Oliver Collins | Defeat Oliver Collins in the ruined city underground |
Insatiable Despot | Defeat the Insatiable Despot in the dried-up trenches |
Butterfly of Delirium | Defeat the Butterfly of Delirium in the ruined city center |
Invading Executioner | Defeat the Invading Executioner in the Howling Pit |
Successor of the Ribcage | Defeat the Successor of the Ribcage in the Cathedral of the Sacred Blood |
Successor of the Breath | Defeat the Successor of the Breath in the Ridge of Frozen Souls |
Gilded Hunter | Defeat the Gilded Hunter in the Ashen Cavern |
Successor of the Claw | Defeat the Successor of the Claw in the City of Falling Flame |
Successor of the Throat | Defeat the Successor of the Throat in the Crown of Sand |
Blade Bearer and Cannoneer | Defeat the Blade Bearer and Cannoneer in the Crypt Spire |
Skull King | Defeat the Skull King in the Gaol of the Stagnant Blood |
Louis’ Memories | View Louis’ memory echoes |
Juzo Mido | Defeat the boss of the Crypt Spire, Juzo Mido |
Yakumo’s Memories | View Yakumo’s memory echoes |
Murasame’s Memories | View Murasame’s memory echoes |
Coco’s Memories | View Coco’s memory echoes |
Davis’ Memories | View Davis’ memory echoes |
Mia’s Memories | View Mia’s memory echoes |
Drink Deep | Use a special drain from a parry, back attack, or launch attack |
Heirs | View the “Heirs” ending |
To Eternity | View the “To Eternity” ending |
Dweller in the Dark | View the “Dweller in the Dark” ending |
Resonant Power | Execute a Communal Gift |
Code Vein Cheats for PC
The PC version of Code Vein has several cheats available via the use of a third-party cheat engine. One of the easier cheat trainer files to use for Code Vein is the one from WeMod, here. After downloading and installing the WeMod cheat engine, players can scan for the applicable trainer file and boot it alongside the game. The following cheats are available for Code Vein using the cheat trainer file:
- Infinite Health
- Infinite Stamina
- Infinite Haze
- Infinite Ichor
- Infinite Focus
- Set Game Speed
- Infinite Items
- One-Hit Kills
Code Vein Cheat FAQs
Can you use a cheat engine with Code Vein?
Yes, the PC version of Code Vein is compatible with third-party cheat engines. Note that some of the cheats will make the game unstable. Additionally, players may need to boot the game and the cheat engine up in a special sequence in order to get all cheats to work as intended. Utilizing cheat engines and trainer files, players can give themselves considerable boosts such as infinite Haze (the game’s version of Souls) and one-hit kills against almost all enemies.
How can I make Code Vein easier?
While Code Vein is similar to other Soulslikes and should be approached with the expectation of some difficulty, there are ways to make the game easier. Players can do any of the following to make Code Vein more beginner-friendly:
- Always make sure to bring one of the AI-controlled partners with you
- Find and equip a two-handed sword early on in the game for great offense and strong blocking
- Use buffs when possible, consumable items are aplenty
- Focus on unlocking Gifts (abilities) for each Blood Code (Class)
- Search for online co-op partners during sections or boss encounters you have trouble with
- Utilize New Game + to carry over all progress in the base game without increasing difficulty
What is the strongest weapon in Code Vein?
While the concept of “strongest” or “best” weapon is subjective, it’s hard to argue against two-handed swords in Code Vein. Players can find these weapons fairly early on and they have great stat distribution. In addition to dealing plenty of damage to enemies, they’re great defensive weapons as well and can allow players to tank most hits. One of the best two-handed swords is the Zweihander.
How long to beat Code Vein?
The standard length for a playthrough of Code Vein is, on average, between 25-30 hours. That said, players hoping to see all endings and unlock everything the game has to offer can expect to spend double that. Most completionist playthroughs take 60-65 hours. Further, players who find themselves enjoying Code Vein can continue playing indefinitely via New Game + mode.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Code Vein key art.