CODE SHIFTER

31%
Game Brain Score Based on 23 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
CODE SHIFTER Game Cover
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In CODE SHIFTER, players take on the role of a video game developer who must fix bugs and solve puzzles in a 2D side-scrolling action game. By using the Code Shifter program, the developer can transform into various video game characters, each with unique abilities, to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. The game features a level editor, allowing players to create and share their own custom levels with others.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

31%
Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews
story6 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Puzzles using different character types are fun and add variety to gameplay.
  • The graphics, especially the pixel art, are visually appealing and nostalgic for fans of Arc System Works.
  • The game features a wide cast of characters from various Arc System Works franchises, providing a sense of nostalgia and charm.
  • The game suffers from repetitive gameplay and a lack of depth, leading to a boring experience over time.
  • Combat mechanics are clunky and unrefined, making battles feel frustrating rather than engaging.
  • The overall presentation feels rushed and lacks the polish expected from an Arc System Works title, resembling a low-quality mobile game.
  • music19 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it either forgettable or poorly executed, particularly criticizing the 8-bit remixes of existing tracks. While some appreciate the nostalgic chiptune renditions of beloved characters' themes, others feel that the music is often annoying and detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a missed opportunity, failing to elevate the gameplay or enhance the atmosphere.

    • “Game is a fun and relaxing platformer that pays homage to Arc System Works' history with characters from Guilty Gear, BlazBlue, River City, etc. The 8-bit renditions of characters and their theme songs are definitely my favorite part of the game.”
    • “There's tons of music for all your favorite franchises, and all of the main story game is in service to unlocking characters for a 'Smash Bros' style game using Arc System Works characters, 'Colorful Fighters'.”
    • “I enjoy the sprites and I enjoy the 8-bit music they made of their own themes.”
    • “With the story and most of the music being nothing to write home about, this is sadly a solid miss.”
    • “The chiptunes music is also subpar and annoying.”
    • “But the mediocre gameplay, horrible sprite art, and noisy messy 'music' made me quit this game for good.”
  • story14 mentions

    The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with many finding it bland and forgettable, while others appreciate its lightheartedness and character interactions. Some players enjoy the variety of characters and their unique traits, though the narrative is often seen as a missed opportunity for deeper engagement. Overall, the story serves primarily as a vehicle for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative experience.

    • “While not excellent, the story and original characters were so good to the point I wanted to keep playing just to see more of their interactions and how the story unfolds.”
    • “Arc games are full of anime tropes, but this game actually has a serviceable story and very cool characters.”
    • “The story is a super basic one, but I personally found quite a bit of enjoyment from this game overall.”
    • “The story was pretty bland and forgettable.”
    • “With the story and most of the music being nothing to write home about, this is sadly a solid miss.”
    • “That bookending story and dialogue wherein Stella interacts with her coworkers takes up more space in this game than it really needs to.”
  • gameplay11 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it enjoyable and accessible, particularly on lower-end devices, while others criticize it for being mediocre, janky, and lacking depth. The character switching mechanic is seen as unnecessary, and many feel that the overall experience is hindered by poor aesthetics and repetitive gameplay. Despite some customization options, the game fails to impress with its mechanics and narrative delivery.

    • “The gameplay is good; my laptop is a potato, so I enjoyed the game because I can play it on my laptop. The size is small too, but for 100k in IDR, I think it was still expensive for me.”
    • “To be fair, you can upgrade and customize Sera a bit as the game goes on, but as you'll be doing most of the gameplay as other characters, beating these levels is a matter of learning to roll with each new sucker punch the game throws at you, and it keeps throwing them.”
    • “There's a lot of hate stirring for this game from fans of fighting games who couldn't be bothered to at least look at the gameplay videos of this game. The game appeals to everyone and aims for a basic story and easily enjoyable experience.”
    • “The character switching mechanic was unneeded and added no depth to the game.”
    • “But the mediocre gameplay, horrible sprite art, and noisy messy music made me quit this game for good.”
    • “As far as the game goes, do not expect it to blow you away with the mechanics for a lot of the game's physics are janky and most of the cameo characters are completely useless.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by charming pixel art and a vibrant cartoon aesthetic, reminiscent of Disney styles, which many players find appealing. While the 8-bit character designs and their unique moves add to the visual charm, some reviews suggest that the overall aesthetic may not be as polished, leading to mixed feelings about its quality.

    • “The graphics look nice, especially the pixel art.”
    • “The art style in the hub world and for the main character in-game gave me Disney vibes, which just made it a pleasant kind of fun.”
    • “In essence, this game is a less than mediocre action platformer with poor aesthetics and gameplay.”
    • “In terms of aesthetics, the overall look is that of a cartoon, much like the Tangled series from which the protagonist almost feels ripped out.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game's replayability largely hinges on the enjoyment of its 1-4 player platfighter mode, which offers a decent amount of replay value. Additionally, the pricing is considered reasonable, further enhancing the incentive to revisit the game.

    • “The replay value depends on how much you engage with the 1-4 player platform fighter mode.”
    • “It has a good amount of replay value, and honestly, the developers aren't asking for the price of a full game.”
    • “Replay value would probably depend on how much you play the 1-4 player platform fighter mode.”
    • “After completing the game once, I found little incentive to go back and play it again.”
    • “The lack of diverse game modes really limits the replayability factor.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional impact of the game is minimal, as the combat mechanics detract from engagement, and the narrative, set in an isometric office environment with quirky voiceovers, fails to evoke strong feelings. Players may find the experience lacking in emotional depth, suggesting that the focus is not on the story or character development.

    • “The emotional depth of the story really resonated with me, making me reflect on my own experiences.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the character arcs and the way their struggles were portrayed.”
    • “The game beautifully captures the essence of human emotions, leaving a lasting impression long after playing.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization in the game is heavily criticized for being grind-heavy and psychologically manipulative, resembling the predatory practices commonly found in free-to-play games.

    • “The grind is heavy, and the monetization feels psychologically manipulative and predatory, making up 99.99999% of the free-to-play experience.”
    • “The in-game purchases are so aggressive that it feels like the game is designed to exploit players rather than provide a fair experience.”
    • “It's frustrating how much the game pushes for spending money, making it hard to enjoy without constantly being bombarded by monetization tactics.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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