CHAOS CODE -NEW SIGN OF CATASTROPHE-

It is a very easy to pick up fighting game with a high skill ceiling and lots of replay value. For a 20€ package it has everything a fighting game needs to have. The Anime aesthetic might be right up your alley or not, that is for you to decide.

79%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

story, optimization

91% User Score Based on 234 reviews

Critic Score 66%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe" is a 2D fighting game featuring fast-paced combat and a diverse roster of characters. Players can utilize unique moves and combos to defeat their opponents in various game modes, including arcade, story, and multiplayer. The game also includes new features such as improved game balance and additional characters compared to its predecessor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

CHAOS CODE -NEW SIGN OF CATASTROPHE- screenshot

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 246 reviews

gameplay29 positive mentions

story7 negative mentions

Chaos Code features a diverse and imaginative cast of characters, each with unique abilities and playstyles, making it enjoyable for both casual and competitive players.
The game offers a solid fighting system with easy-to-execute combos and customization options, allowing players to tailor their characters' moves to their liking.
It has a surprising amount of single-player content, including various modes and unlockables, which enhances replayability and provides a fun experience even without a strong online community.

The online experience suffers from delay-based netcode and a small player base, making it difficult to find matches without friends or community support.
The graphics and presentation feel dated, with some players noting issues like low resolution and poor character animations, which detracts from the overall experience.
There are several gameplay and UI annoyances, such as a lack of a tutorial mode, cumbersome character selection, and unskippable animations that can disrupt the flow of play.

gameplay
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
57%
6%
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun mechanics, tight controls, and a blend of influences from games like King of Fighters and anime fighters, offering a unique experience with imaginative characters. However, some players note the absence of a tutorial mode and rollback netcode, which can hinder accessibility, while the command list lacks universal mechanics, requiring players to seek information online. Overall, the game features solid mechanics and a good balance among characters, making it enjoyable for those familiar with the genre.
- “Amazing and super fun gameplay.”
- “Tight controls, excellent mechanics, amazing soundtrack, nice visuals, and the characters don't play like normal fighting game archetypes.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it plays like a mix of King of Fighters and anime air-dashers like Guilty Gear/BlazBlue, while also adding some of its own mechanics.”
- “The downsides of this, however, are the lack of rollback netcode and the command list not including a list of universal mechanics, forcing players to research on the Mizuumi wiki or other services.”
- “It's a shame that the game doesn't have a tutorial mode, but the mechanics can be easily found online.”
- “As much as I love the concept of Chaos Code, the way the game is presented is simply poor from both the visual and audio aspects; plus, the underlying mechanics are not up to the usual standard of quality you expect from the genre these days.”
graphics
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
9%
The game's graphics feature a nostalgic anime style with hand-drawn sprites and pixel art, reminiscent of older titles like Marvel vs. Capcom 2. While some players find the visuals slightly dated and occasionally blurry at higher resolutions, others appreciate the unique character designs and beautiful backgrounds, noting that the game runs smoothly at 60fps even on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics evoke a charming retro aesthetic that may appeal to fans of classic fighting games.
- “Unique characters, spectacularly detailed sprite graphics, beautiful backgrounds, great music.”
- “Finished the game in my first run in 23 mins on mid settings... but all said and done it's a great looking game, amazing music, amazing background artwork.”
- “With its easy-to-learn mechanics and smooth combos and graphics, we have to take a look at this game!”
- “The game has graphics and a screen like old style (4:3) and the quality is not so high.”
- “We're talking about graphics that are only a shade better than something like Marvel vs. Capcom 2.”
- “Some might find the graphics to be blurry at 1080p, although I think they look fine to me as I'd rather not see the jagged pixel outlines.”
story
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
67%
21%
The story in the game is largely considered an afterthought, characterized by goofy characters and a clichéd plot that lacks depth and coherence. While some players appreciate the humor and absurdity, particularly in the endings, the overall narrative is seen as cringeworthy and poorly executed, with many feeling it detracts from the gameplay experience. Despite its shortcomings, the game offers a variety of single-player modes, though the missions are often criticized for being unenjoyable.
- “It doesn't take its story seriously at all and it's aware of that, which I enjoy a lot, even though I do appreciate a nice serious story.”
- “That said, it has a robust story mode, a diverse cast, nice music, and voice acting.”
- “The story is ridiculous, and I wouldn't call it compelling, though the endings can be funny.”
- “The overall story and all that 'chaos code' mcguffin is cliché and cringy to the limits, as are many character lines (especially Kudlak's).”
- “I have no idea which characters have a story with who, and the arcade playthrough for a story... it felt like the ending I witnessed was written by a 10-year-old.”
music
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
28%
9%
The game's music has received mixed reviews, with many praising its diverse and well-crafted soundtrack that spans various genres, including techno, jazz funk, and classical. While some tracks are noted for their fittingness to the game's atmosphere, others are described as less memorable. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay experience, contributing to the vibrant visuals and unique character designs.
- “It has a surprisingly good soundtrack that is varied across genres which I really like - a special mention here is Cthylla's theme.”
- “The OST is brilliant, going from jazz funk 'No Forgiveness' by Mint Jam, classic music like 'Sonata for Celia' by Kou, the more techno-ish funk 'Rumble' by Nekono, and the full blown out techno 'Cut n' Run' by -45.”
- “Game feels really smooth, has some nice animations, and has a fantastic soundtrack that I've been listening to for years now.”
- “The music is hit and miss with some very fitting tunes but none are especially memorable.”
- “Sound and music: the game's OST is well made, but isn't really memorable.”
- “Sound and music: the game's OST is well made, but isn't really memorable.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a mix of quirky and humorous characters, particularly Catherine, whose absurdity adds to the comedic elements of the story. While there are genuinely funny moments and clever character interactions, the humor is inconsistent, leaving players uncertain about the developers' intent for a light-hearted tone. Overall, the humor is a notable aspect, though it may not resonate uniformly throughout the game.
- “It's hilarious that there are 2 separate missions where you have to fight all female and male cast respectively, and Catherine appears in both!”
- “There are some really funny moments lore-wise for most of the characters, and I will genuinely miss some of them after I'm done with Chaos Code.”
- “On the plus side, the game has a wonderful sense of humor with many characters, although this is not consistent across all, so it's hard to really say if the developers were trying to be light-hearted with the tone of the game or not.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
Character development in Chaos Code is marked by a diverse range of character designs that blend traditional and anime fighting styles, showcasing unique personalities through their attack animations. While some characters may initially appear clichéd or uninspired, players often find depth and charm in their gameplay. However, the game also features overtly sexualized designs, particularly among female characters, which may not appeal to all players.
- “I really like the character designs and animations.”
- “Fun character designs with Cthulhu magical girls, muscly grappler chefs, edgelords, and of course, my big boy Ray.”
- “Character designs may seem uninspiring on the surface, but when you play as them, they actually have a lot of personality in their attacks, like most anime fighters. There's something for everyone.”
- “Even for a Japanese fighting game, most of the female character designs are pretty shameless in their obvious intent.”
- “While I appreciate the character designs and animations, they often lack depth and meaningful development.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users have noted that the game suffers from poor optimization, particularly regarding loading times, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “Either that or it's poorly optimized for loading times.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating rather than challenging, often relying on simple strategies to progress. Many express dissatisfaction with the difficulty spikes, particularly when facing overpowered cheats and mechanics that feel unfair.
- “Most have simple solutions (2a -> 2b -> 2d) and are not hard, just tedious and frustrating, with cheats reaching Shao Kahn level or more. Stuff like invincible supers on 1 frame on wakeup with infinite meter or that ridiculous Kudlak zoning that not even Satan could approve of.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for being enjoyable and engaging, complemented by appealing characters that enhance the overall experience.
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers high replayability due to its accessible mechanics combined with a steep skill ceiling, making it easy for newcomers to engage while providing depth for experienced players to master.
- “It is a very easy to pick up fighting game with a high skill ceiling and lots of replay value.”