Last weekend saw the launch of the Code Vein Network Test, a chance for people to take a look and Bandai Namco’s new third-person action RPG. I had been following this game with interest after its announcement, but the initial reveals left a lot to be desired. From the recycled gameplay tropes (blood-seeking humans turning into monsters, collecting currency to level up, having to backtrack to reclaim valuables when you die) to the embarrassing character designs (busty female NPCs in revealing attire) everything pointed towards it being an unimaginative endeavour with design that belongs in the 90s. However, I do appreciate third-person action RPGs with challenging but satisfying gameplay… and so rather than dismiss the game without ever playing it, I signed up for the opportunity to participate in the Code Vein Network Test.

The combat of the Code Vein Network Test

The network test is a fairly generous preview of the full game’s content – there’s a tutorial, player customisation, opportunities to explore the hub area and a challenging map in the “Depths” (an optional dungeon crawl outside of the main game) that you can explore after finishing the demo mission. That mission gives players numerous weapons and enemies that let people explore the game’s combat – it’s built around a system of light and heavy attacks, blocks, rolls and parries. Unsuspecting enemies can be killed with backstabs, whilst swings and evasive manoeuvres drain stamina. Parries, meanwhile, allow players to dispatch an enemy with an instant-kill move (sometimes this is preceded by a short cinematic close-up of your character, but I’m not sure what the critera is for that triggering.) However, two things made the combat more interesting for me.

Focus and Partner systems

Firstly, there’s the idea of Focus – by dodging (or even receiving) enemy attacks you build up a blue Focus gauge; once this is full you enter the Focused state, effectively giving your character super armour (you’re staggered by fewer attacks), enabling them to stagger enemies more easily, and opening up a new launcher move that can lead into an instant kill. The other interesting element of combat is the presence of Partners – co-op allies that join you in battle after you find them. Whilst the idea of AI buddies is nothing new, I was surprised by the frequency of these encounters – I don’t know if they were just eager to show off the allies in the network test, but the team dynamic did add some extra flavour to enemy encounters. If you’re the kind of person who looks at games like this and frets about the challenge to the solo player, the Code Vein Network Test suggests that you’ll rarely be alone for too long.

Code Vein Network Test – room for improvement?

However, I still have concerns over long-term appeal. The network test was a fun way to spend time with a forthcoming game, but the drab environments and forgettable enemies make it feel like a budget experience even before it’s released. Yes, the hard-hitting attacks offer a challenge to the player, but there’s little association with enemy designs and perceived threats because the designs (both the visual appearance of a foe and their weapon or moveset) aren’t that interesting. In games like these the player wants to be motivated by the promise of an imaginative new area or a memorable enemy encounter, and I’m not sure if Code Vein can deliver these based on my experience this weekend. Meanwhile, there are still those problematic human character designs – the primary means of changing your build is a “physique” slider which only seems to adjust the chest and posterior of female characters (male characters end up looking more stocky and box-shaped). Looking at the options for “clothing”, the most skin that a male character shows is maybe some bare arms or ankles, but ladies can wear the shortest of shorts and flimsy straps to cover the chest. And if you think that the developers deny all responsibility and leave it up to the player to make creepy female characters, that notion is obliterated when you meet the Girl In White in the opening area of the preview.

There’s definitely room in the world of gaming for more challenging action RPGs, but after playing the Code Vein Network Test I’m not sure if it can compete. The female character designs belong in the 90s, the enemy designs are uninteresting, there are a lot of bland brown-grey environments as you explore more destroyed urban areas, attacking enemies without Focus makes them feel like damage sponges, and there’s rarely a sense of escalating tension or excitement. If the game had emerged on its original September 28th release date it would have already looked old-fashioned; today, I’m not sure if cringe-inducing character customisation will be enough for most players.

Code Vein is planned for release on PC, Xbox One and PS4 later this year.