Deal | Lowest price ever: Soulslike with flexible class system drops from $60 to $6 on Steam
Code Vein, developed by Bandai Namco Studios in partnership with Shift and released in September 2019, offers a fresh take on the classic Souls formula. It retains the challenging combat the genre is known for but adds unique features like a companion system and flexible class mechanics. What sets it apart from titles like Dark Souls or Nioh is its distinct anime-inspired visual style.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has either died or turned into Revenants – vampire-like beings who need blood to survive – you take on the role of one such Revenant, journeying through devastated landscapes in search of answers. Along the way, you'll face monstrous enemies and encounter other survivors. Combat is clearly inspired by the Souls series, emphasizing timing and tactical thinking. Dodging and parrying are key, and each weapon, from heavy two-handed swords to fast bayonets, demands a different approach. Every action drains stamina, which recovers slowly, so careful planning is essential in every fight.
One of the game's core systems is its unique Blood Code mechanic. Each Revenant has a Blood Code that defines their combat style – but unlike traditional class systems, these can be switched at any time. This gives players the freedom to experiment with different roles, whether focused on melee, ranged attacks or magic. Unlike most Soulslike games, you're not alone in battle. A companion joins you and actively supports you in combat. As you progress, you’ll unlock new allies, each with distinct weapons, abilities and strengths. You can switch companions at will to suit your strategy. If you prefer playing with others, the full campaign is also available in online co-op.
German gaming magazine GameStar praised Code Vein for its gripping vampire story, dark post-apocalyptic setting and tactically challenging combat, made more dynamic by the flexible Blood Code system. However, the anime-style Soulslike fell short in terms of technical polish at launch in 2019. The magazine criticized outdated textures and effects, as well as frequent clipping issues that disrupted immersion. Balancing was another point of critique – some weapons and Blood Codes were clearly more powerful than others – and the difficulty curve felt inconsistent. While regular enemies were often too easy, certain boss fights spiked in difficulty unexpectedly. Despite these shortcomings, the game still received a solid 83/100 in GameStar's review. On Steam, the community seems equally positive, with around 58,000 user reviews and an 83% approval rating. On Metacritic, Code Vein holds a Metascore of 70 and a User Score of 7.5.
90% discount on Steam for the first time
Code Vein has seen discounts before, but according to SteamDB, they never went beyond 85%. Now, for the first time, the Soulslike ARPG is available at 90% off, cutting the regular price of around $60 down to just $6. The offer runs until October 6. Handheld gamers can join in too – Steam lists Code Vein as “Playable” on the Steam Deck (which currently sells for around $625 on Amazon).
By the way: Code Vein II is set for release on January 30, 2026 and is already available for pre-order.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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