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CODE SHIFTER

Code Shifter is a solid enough action platformer for fans of Arc System Works' properties but doesn't deliver much in the way of original content.
47%Game Brain Score
music, story
gameplay, replayability
45% User Score Based on 29 reviews
Critic Score 58%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SPlaystation 5Playstation 5Playstation 4Playstation 4WindowsWindowsPlayStationPlayStationNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchXbox OneXbox One
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About

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.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
CODE SHIFTER screenshot
CODE SHIFTER screenshot
CODE SHIFTER screenshot
CODE SHIFTER screenshot
CODE SHIFTER screenshot

45%
Audience ScoreBased on 29 reviews
music4 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun and fast-paced platforming experience with enjoyable power-ups and character abilities.
  • The inclusion of a wide cast of characters from various Arc System Works franchises adds nostalgia and variety to the gameplay.
  • The 8-bit renditions of character themes and the overall retro style are charming and appealing to fans of classic games.
  • The gameplay is often criticized for being repetitive, with dull level design and a lack of depth in combat mechanics.
  • The game is plagued by technical issues, including being locked at 30 FPS and having unresponsive controls, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • Many players feel that the game lacks the polish and quality expected from an Arc System Works title, making it feel more like a mobile game than a full-fledged release.
  • music
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the 8-bit remixes of popular tracks from Guilty Gear and BlazBlue to be either forgettable or poorly executed, leading to a disappointing experience. Some appreciate the nostalgic aspect of the chiptunes, but others criticize the lack of variety and the frequent interruptions during gameplay. Overall, while the music aims to pay homage to the source material, it often falls short, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The artwork is excellent overall, and the music goes well with the game mood.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The music is either 8-bit remixes of the Arc System Works games' music or incredibly forgettable new music.”
  • story
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it bland and forgettable, while others appreciate its humor and character interactions. Although the narrative is often described as basic, it serves as a backdrop for gameplay and character unlocks, with some players enjoying the quirky charm and art style. Overall, while the story may not be the game's strongest aspect, it provides a lighthearted context for the action.

    • “After you finish a stage, you get some storyline progress with Stella and her coworkers.”
    • “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.”
    • “The storyline is gradual and full of humor.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story is just kind of bland, and the text dialogue is accompanied by a noise that sounds like a family in The Sims all tried to eat glass.”
  • gameplay
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the platforming and power-ups, while others criticize the character switching mechanic and overall mechanics as lacking depth. Although there are elements of customization and character diversity, many find the core gameplay to be mediocre, with janky physics and poor aesthetics detracting from the experience. Overall, it offers a basic and easily enjoyable experience, but fails to impress with its execution and depth.

    • “The platforming and power-ups do add a fun spin on gameplay, and the story is still keeping me on my feet.”
    • “Getting past those issues, let's talk about the gameplay.”
    • “Its name is 'Colorful Fighters' and it's a minigame that reuses the action platformer mechanics, just in a PvP setting.”
    • “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.”
    • “It was cool to see all of these characters together in one place, but when the underlying gameplay is as barebones and boring as it is here, it's hardly worth the time.”
  • graphics
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charming pixel art style and vibrant character designs, reminiscent of classic 8-bit aesthetics. While some users appreciate the cartoonish visuals and Disney-like vibes, others criticize the overall aesthetics as lacking depth. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere, despite some mixed opinions on their execution.

    • “The graphics look nice, especially the pixel art.”
    • “The artwork is excellent overall, and the music goes well with the game mood.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 encouraging players to revisit the game.

    • “The replay value would probably depend on how much you play the 1-4 player platform fighter mode.”
    • “It has a good bit of replay value, and honestly, it's not like the developers are 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.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely underwhelming, as the isometric office setting and RPG-like interactions fail to evoke significant feelings, despite the quirky presentation. Players note that the combat mechanics detract from the experience, leaving little room for emotional engagement with the characters or story. Overall, the game lacks a strong emotional impact, making it less memorable.

  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization in the game is criticized for being heavily grind-oriented 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 what free-to-play games are about.”
    • “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 you towards spending money, making it hard to enjoy without feeling pressured to pay.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game offers a pleasant experience, but players have reported stability issues including frame rate drops to 30 fps, key binding problems, and slow response times.

    • “The game experience is nice overall, but there are some glitches such as 30 fps, key binding issues, and slow response times.”
  • grinding
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and tedious, indicating that it may detract from the overall enjoyment and engagement.

    • “The gameplay feels overly repetitive and grinding, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I found the grinding aspect to be tedious and unfulfilling, which detracted from the overall experience.”
    • “The constant need to grind for resources became a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is woven throughout the storyline, contributing to a gradual and engaging narrative experience.

    • “The storyline is gradual and full of humor.”
    • “The witty dialogue had me laughing out loud at every turn.”
    • “The game's quirky characters and hilarious situations kept me entertained throughout.”

58%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews

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