Code Vein came out in September 2019 and has since earned the nickname of "Anime Souls," due to its similarities to the famous Dark Souls series. Code Vein isn't just another Dark Souls clone, however. It is something that takes the concept of what a souls-like game is and adds its own special twist on it, with different mechanics that can make the game better than the aforementioned souls series at times.
With that being said, there are still die hard fans out there that believe the Dark Souls series is still the king of them all. While it does a lot right, there is plenty that Dark Souls can learn from games like Code Vein for future installments.
10 Code Vein: Magic & Abilities
Code Vein brings in the new concept of blood veils. These blood veils allow for players to use special drain attacks within their normal attacks to get their ichor back. This ichor is then used to cast magic and use special abilities that can really damage opponents.
Instead of needing to use estus or some other magical fluid, players can quickly get ichor back so they can keep unleashing powerful abilities on opponents. It really makes having a mage build feel powerful and less squishy.
9 Dark Souls: Armor
Dark Souls has tons of gear that gamers can find throughout the game that can really help show off a specific style that the player wants. That is something that Code Vein is lacking.
While Code Vein has its blood veils that give gamers a little bit of change in their outfit, that is nothing compared to how many different ways someone can change the look of their Dark Souls character. Fans can throw together a specific look and cosplay their favorite souls character, or they can throw together random pieces of gear just because they look good together.
8 Code Vein: Aesthetic
Code Vein branches out from the normal dark fantasy setting of catacombs and medieval housing and into a chaotic post-apocalyptic setting that is full of color and changing environments.Â
While Dark Souls has a great map layout and does the medieval setting well, it has become the standard for most games in this style. Code Vein brings in a new type of environment that feels alive and switches with each new area. Players may start off in a decaying cityscape, but it quickly transitions to a swamp, and then to a snowy mountain peak.
7 Dark Souls: Cutscenes
Anyone who has played Dark Souls knows that there isn't too much focus on cutscenes. This is great for the style of the game since it focuses mainly on the gameplay. Code Vein cutscenes are great at first, but over time they can almost feel like a chore to watch.
At a certain point, players get a greater and greater urge to skip them so they can get back into the fray. That is never a problem with any Dark Souls game because each cutscene is very to the point, and each one is cinematically beautiful as well.
6 Code Vein: Character Creator
The character creator in Code Vein offers tons of ways to make a character really stand out amongst everyone else. Not only does it allow players to truly get in-depth with a character, but they can also alter the starting clothing the character's wear and even add little accessories that can be altered to look however players want.
Once creating the character is complete, players get to enjoy them in cutscenes. It really allows players to admire the hard work they put into their creation.
5 Dark Souls: DLC Content
Each Dark Souls game has come with new DLC to help continue a character's journey. These DLCs increase the story and bring in new areas full of creepy monsters and challenging boss fights. Code Vein received its DLC at the beginning of 2020 and each one came in the form of a new dungeon to explore.
While this isn't bad for the game, it doesn't offer the same in-depth exploration as any DLC Dark Souls has had. Each DLC in the Dark Souls games offers a large amount of content that can sometimes even expand further than what the base game had and really makes players feel good once they have completed it.
4 Code Vein: Character Versatility
Code Vein uses a new system called blood codes, which are used to essentially choose a class or playstyle in the game. There are dozens to choose from that each offer different abilities and stats. The blood code can even be changed whenever the players feel like it so they aren't confined to one play style throughout the game.
Since leveling up increases all stats at once, it doesn't hinder players to switch blood codes at any time, and can offer a more rewarding experience as they try to figure out which codes work best for them.
3 Dark Souls: Multiplayer Functionality
One of the most famous things about Dark Souls is its brutal multiplayer that allows players to invade a new world world and cause an interruption to someone's otherwise amazing playthrough. This can be harsh if players don't enjoy PVP or are just starting out in the game and don't understand the mechanics yet.
However, since players can also summon their own phantoms (other players) to help out, the PVP isn't so bad. This type of multiplayer is great for the game's harsh atmosphere, and it can make players feel a little less alone when enemies are ganging up on them.
2 Code Vein: Companions
Code Vein companions exceed that of what Dark Souls companions have to offer. For starters, players can have a companion that follows along from almost the start of the game and offers help when dealing with multiple enemies.
They can also draw aggression from enemies to give players an opening to heal, and can even revive the player if they end up dying. Dark Souls only has player summons, which can sometimes go poorly, and even the NPC summons can sometimes go awry and attack enemies when players are trying to sneak up on them. Code Vein companions know when to stand back and don't offer as much interference, unless that interference is required.
1 Dark Souls: Difficulty and Reward
Dark Souls is hard and there is no denying that. New and pro players have each found themselves getting annihilated by monsters they forgot about or didn't see coming, and that is part of what makes Dark Souls so great. What makes it better is the loot that players find for all the punishment they take.
Each enemy has a chance to drop the armor they wear or the weapon they use, and bosses drop their souls, which can be turned into powerful weapons and magic. It really shows that with all the hard work, great rewards can come from even the smallest of creatures.