Skip to main content

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.
CODE SHIFTER Game Cover
48%Game Brain Score
music, story
gameplay, replayability
47% User Score Based on 30 reviews
Critic Score 58%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
Buy Nowfrom $3.13
Buy NowGet on Steam $14.99Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store
CODE SHIFTER Game Cover

About

CODE SHIFTER is a single player and multiplayer arcade hack and slash game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by LAND HO! Co., Ltd. and was released on January 29, 2020. It received neutral reviews from both critics and players.

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
Skip User Reviews

47%
Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews
music4 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun and fast-paced platforming experience with enjoyable power-ups and a nostalgic cast of characters from various Arc System Works franchises.
  • The 8-bit renditions of character themes and the pixel art style are charming, adding a nostalgic touch for fans of the original games.
  • The inclusion of a crossover fighting game mode, 'Colorful Fighters', provides additional gameplay variety and allows players to engage with their favorite characters in a different format.
  • The core gameplay is criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth, with many levels feeling generic and uninspired.
  • The game is plagued by technical issues, including being locked at 30 FPS, which affects the overall fluidity of the gameplay.
  • Many players feel that the story and character interactions are underdeveloped, making the narrative feel like a missed opportunity for a more engaging experience.
  • 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 beloved franchises, 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 considered basic and sometimes overshadowed by gameplay, it does provide a lighthearted backdrop that keeps some players engaged. Overall, the story serves its purpose in supporting the gameplay, but it lacks depth and memorable moments.

    • “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 is a mixed bag, featuring enjoyable platforming and power-ups, but marred by a lack of depth and janky mechanics. While character switching and customization offer some variety, many players find the core gameplay to be mediocre and repetitive, with poor aesthetics and frustrating narrative elements detracting from the overall experience. Despite its appeal to casual players, it fails to impress those seeking a more engaging and polished action platformer.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “In essence, this game is a less than mediocre action platformer with poor aesthetics and gameplay.”
  • graphics
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charming pixel art and vibrant cartoon aesthetics, reminiscent of Disney styles, which enhance the overall experience. While some users appreciate the variety of character designs and their 8-bit theme tunes, others feel that the visuals do not elevate the gameplay, describing it as less than mediocre. Overall, the artwork is seen as a highlight, contributing positively to the game's mood.

    • “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 enhancing the incentive 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.”
    • “The replay value seems to hinge on how much you engage with the 1-4 player platform fighter mode.”
    • “After completing the game once, I found little incentive to play it again.”
    • “The lack of diverse gameplay options makes replaying feel more like a chore than a choice.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely underwhelming, as players find the combat frustrating and the narrative lacking depth. The isometric setting and quirky voiceovers do little to enhance emotional engagement, leaving the overall experience feeling flat and uninspiring.

  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 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 users have reported stability issues including glitches, inconsistent frame rates at 30 fps, and slow response times for key bindings.

    • “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 becomes 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.”
Skip Critic Reviews

58%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy CODE SHIFTER

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like CODE SHIFTER

Games Like CODE SHIFTER

Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection Image
80%2.1kreviews

Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection

2020Hack and Slash
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+8
Chenso Club Image
66%179reviews

Chenso Club

2022Arcade Hack and Slash
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+6
HARDCORE MECHA Image
85%579reviews

HARDCORE MECHA

2019Role Playing Shooter
Nintendo SwitchLinuxPC+6
BlazBlue Entropy Effect Image
89%5.2kreviews

BlazBlue Entropy Effect

2024Hack and Slash
PCTabletAndroid+5
OVERLORD: ESCAPE FROM NAZARICK Image
73%233reviews

OVERLORD: ESCAPE FROM NAZARICK

2022Arcade Hack and Slash
Nintendo SwitchPCSteam Deck+1
More games like CODE SHIFTER
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

CODE SHIFTER is a arcade hack and slash game with science fiction theme.

CODE SHIFTER is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

CODE SHIFTER was released on January 29, 2020.

CODE SHIFTER was developed by LAND HO! Co., Ltd..

CODE SHIFTER has received neutral reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its gameplay.

CODE SHIFTER is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection, Chenso Club, HARDCORE MECHA, BlazBlue Entropy Effect, OVERLORD: ESCAPE FROM NAZARICK and others.