Codex Lost

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 46 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Codex Lost Game Cover
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The new open world, spellcasting action-RPG. The grimoires have been stolen, civilisation is in ruins. Rise, Curator! Craft ancient elemental magics and challenge the great lords who threaten to fracture reality itself. - Explore a unique open world! Uncover the secrets and challenges of the central realms. Roam about the open fields, delve into ancient tunnels, plunder lost ruins and discover …

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The interconnected map design is impressive and encourages exploration, reminiscent of classic Souls games.
  • The magic system is deep and rewarding, offering a variety of spells that enhance gameplay and allow for creative combat strategies.
  • Despite some rough edges, the game shows great potential and is a commendable effort for a solo developer, with a charming art style and engaging level design.
  • Combat feels floaty and lacks proper feedback, making it difficult to gauge when hits land or when the player is taking damage.
  • The user interface is poorly designed, making navigation cumbersome, especially with a controller, and lacks essential features like key rebinding.
  • The game suffers from performance issues, including input lag and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, such as hard crashes and unclear quest objectives.
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay in this series is characterized by its challenging and methodical combat mechanics, emphasizing RPG elements and strategic dungeon exploration. Players appreciate the variety in combat styles, particularly the integration of magic and parrying, which enhances the overall experience. The level design and unique boss encounters contribute to a fresh and engaging gameplay experience, making it a standout in the soulslike genre.

    • “But part of what this genre ticks is the trust the player has for the developer to give them a challenging but fair experience, and reward them for it through interesting locations, creative encounters, and satisfying gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay, character design, and atmosphere make it my new favorite game, and I can’t wait to keep exploring its world.”
    • “Gameplay: 9/10, some of the best mage gameplay out there for games, especially for soulslikes.”
    • “The game combat mechanics are mostly oriented toward magic.”
    • “The close combat mechanic works like Dark Souls; you can attack and defend yourself with a spell shield, and with good timing, you can parry.”
    • “The gameplay, character design, and atmosphere make it my new favorite game, and I can't wait to keep exploring its world.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with some users criticizing the reliance on post-processing effects to mask poor visuals, while others praise the distinct art style and impressive lighting design. Overall, the character and monster designs are highlighted as strong points, contributing to an attractive visual experience despite some gameplay shortcomings.

    • “The graphics have something very attractive in their combination of elaborate elements with others that clearly barely fulfill their function.”
    • “The game’s art style and lighting design are fantastic.”
    • “Graphics: 9/10 - great character and monster designs, with impressive lighting.”
    • “You got your typical UE post-processing garbage that tries to mask the horrid visuals and you have to go fiddling with settings.”
    • “Unfortunately, the most enjoyable part of most Souls games is where this game fails the most - combat; the accuracy/reliability of hit boxes, the varying move sets and weapon types, etc. Instead, you take a basic melee spell that doesn't cost mana (so you can still cast it if you're out of mana) and you just kind of spam it all the time as your would-be 'light combo,' which is really disappointing, but the game delivers to a reasonable degree almost everywhere else (price, graphics, music, voice acting, shortcuts, challenging areas/enemies, and so on).”
    • “Codex Lost got my attention since the very beginning, not necessarily because of its visuals, but because of its gameplay and level design.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised as a significant strength, enhancing the overall experience with engaging soundtracks that elevate boss battles and create an immersive atmosphere. While some players may overlook its importance, many appreciate the ambient music's role in setting the tone and complementing the gameplay. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's appeal, alongside its graphics and voice acting.

    • “All of the bosses are very different to fight with unique mechanics, and soundtracks that get your blood pumping.”
    • “Unfortunately, the most enjoyable part of most Souls games is where this game fails the most - combat; the accuracy/reliability of hit boxes, the varying move sets and weapon types, etc. Instead, you take a basic melee spell that doesn't cost mana (so you can still cast it if you're out of mana) and you just kind of spam it all the time as your would-be 'light combo,' which is really disappointing. The game delivers to a reasonable degree almost everywhere else (price, graphics, music, voice acting, shortcuts, challenging areas/enemies, and so on).”
    • “People who complain about music, as an element that seems non-existent, do not understand the usefulness of ambient music.”
    • “The music is a huge plus, and I personally liked the voice acting.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to the absence of checkpoints, which forces them to repeatedly traverse areas and defeat the same enemies after each death. This design choice detracts from the sense of exploration and enjoyment, leading to a frustrating experience reminiscent of overly punishing souls-like games.

    • “The lack of checkpoints leads to a lot of run backs, making the game somewhat tedious and killing that sense of exploration.”
    • “Game from the dev camp that thinks souls games need to be tedious, unrewarding experiences.”
    • “I don't want to have to slowly trudge through an area killing every single enemy in sight every time I die; it's just tedious.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    Codex Lost features a hauntingly dark atmosphere, where effective use of shadows and lighting enhances immersion and creates a moody experience. The game's design fosters a sense of unease, making it particularly appealing to fans of soulslike games and those seeking a foreboding open world to explore.

    • “Dark areas actually feel dark, and the need for light adds to the immersion, creating a moody, atmospheric experience that keeps you on edge.”
    • “Unlike many games that flood every area with light, Codex Lost has a hauntingly dark atmosphere where shadows and lighting play a big role.”
    • “Absolutely recommend for soulslike lovers or if you're just looking for an open world with a dark and foreboding atmosphere.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game's optimization has received criticism, particularly on the Steam Deck, with users reporting buggy performance, poor hitbox registration, and a subpar user interface. Many hope that future updates will address these issues, particularly an anticipated optimization update.

    • “Maybe the first update is an optimization update.”
    • “The performance wasn't to my liking on Steam Deck.”
    • “Unfortunately, you will need to turn a blind eye to the buggy performance, poor hitbox registration, and subpar UI.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by various bugs, including issues with hitbox registration and controls, which detract from the overall experience. Players have reported difficulties in recovering lost souls after dying from falls, necessitating the use of items. Despite its intriguing level design, users must overlook these performance shortcomings.

    • “Unfortunately, you will need to turn a blind eye to the buggy performance, poor hitbox registration, and subpar UI.”
    • “It's a great vibe, interesting and complex level design, but I encountered some buggy issues, like not being able to recover your souls if you die from falling without using an item.”
    • “The controls are also quite buggy.”
  • story2 mentions

    The story is described as interesting and engaging, with a rating of 8/10, indicating it effectively captures players' attention and keeps them invested throughout the game.

    • “The story is really interesting.”
    • “Story: 8/10 - engaging enough to keep you invested.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Players appreciate the character development in the game, highlighting how the engaging gameplay, unique character design, and immersive atmosphere contribute to a compelling experience that encourages further exploration of the game world.

    • “The gameplay, character design, and atmosphere make it my new favorite game, and I can’t wait to keep exploring its world.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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