Parents' Guide to

Code Vein

By Chad Sapieha, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Tough tale with vampires, lots of blood, objectified women.

Code Vein Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

age 17+

Fun game

It's fun, but has it's downsides as well. Like The Ruined City which is too much like Dark Souls anor londo. Easy to get lost in.

This title has:

Great role models
Easy to play/use
Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This tough action role-playing game is clearly inspired by Dark Souls -- a so-called "Souls clone" -- but that's not necessarily a reason to write it off. Code Vein isn't as polished as From Software's famous series. Its world isn't as beautifully drawn or as intricately crafted, and its combat lacks the delicate balance of a Souls game. And yet, there's still something compelling about Code Vein. Part of it might be that its story is blissfully comprehensible, highlighted by sequences in which players get to explore the memories of important non-player characters, giving them more personality than you might initially expect. While the combat's undeniably complicated and tough, it doesn't feel quite as daunting as it does in From Software's games, making it a little more accessible to the masses. Plus, the online co-op system is a bit simpler, allowing players to connect with friends and tackle quests together.

Still, devoted Dark Souls fans are bound to find certain elements disappointing -- particularly the fighting system, which, while sophisticated, doesn't feel quite tight enough. Blocks and dodges feel almost delayed at times, and occasional issues with game performance result in control interruptions that can mean the difference between a successful hit and a miss. Add in some questionable design decisions -- there's really no good narrative reason to include female enemies with comically enormous breasts -- and Code Vein is clearly inferior to the games that served as its muse. It might help hold over people waiting for From Software's next game, but it will also make them appreciate why those games are so special.

Game Details

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