CODE VEIN: CODE VEIN: A (Semi) Ultimate Guide for Success, Sass, and Survival

In Code Vein, you’re a Revenant—a fancy term for “anime vampire,” which comes with a lot of backstory. You’re stuck in a collapsed world where humans are mostly extinct, and you’re caught up in a war against Lost: zombie-like, corrupted revenants who couldn’t handle their power and now attack anything that moves.

You wield powers called Blood Codes and abilities called Gifts. Both are useful, but like most things in Code Vein, they’re confusing at first, and figuring them out can feel like unraveling a pretzel.

Good luck, the game says. You’ll need it.

Let’s be honest, the true boss of Code Vein is the character creation screen. With hundreds of sliders and options, you’ll spend hours sculpting your perfect anime hero before you even get to combat.

Here’s a quick guide to make sure you don’t make your character so pretty that you can’t concentrate on fighting:

Choose a Cool Outfit: Yes, it’s for combat, but style points matter.

Make the Hair Count: No amount of pixel-perfect swordplay will make up for bad hair. You can even mix colors! This is crucial.

Get a Unique Mask: You’ll have this face accessory on 90% of the time, so make it count. Masks in Code Vein are like glasses—they make you look mysterious and cool.

Blood Codes are essentially classes, and you can switch between them at will. Each Blood Code comes with its own set of Gifts (skills or spells). At first, they seem like random Power Ranger moves, but there’s some logic here.

Fighter: Your classic melee class. Hits hard, defends well. Ideal for people who like the direct approach (and can’t dodge).

Ranger: Less direct than Fighter. Shoots things. But it’s also fragile. Great for those who like shooting their problems from a distance.

Caster: For all the wizard anime fans out there. Fireballs, lightning, and “socially distant” combat.

Bayonet User: If you can’t decide between shooting and stabbing, use a Bayonet! This hybrid gives you some long-range spells and short-range pokes.

Tip: You’ll have a lot of fun mixing these Blood Codes, especially when you unlock cooler ones like Atlas (a tanky build), Mercury (for exploration), and Darkseeker (for poison fun). Experiment and find the weirdest possible combination that still lets you win.

Code Vein combat is a lot like dancing—except your partner is a bloodthirsty monster, and you’re the one in tap shoes.

1. Attack Sparingly: If you mash the attack button, the game will punish you. Watch enemy movements and strike only when the opening is there.

2. Dodge Like Your Life Depends on It: Because it does. Dodging isn’t optional; it’s your lifestyle.

3. Backstab (But Be Sneaky): When you sneak up on an enemy, you can land a powerful backstab. Sometimes. The game’s fickle about when it works, so be prepared for some awkward stabs.

4. Use Gifts Wisely: These can be game-changers. Gifts let you buff yourself, debuff enemies, or go all-out with area attacks. Just remember they consume Ichor (think magic energy), so don’t get Ichor-happy.

Pro-tip: As soon as you can, unlock Drain Moves (they give you back Ichor). Also, the combo of dodging + draining makes you look like a total boss.

Your AI partner is crucial—they’ll revive you, heal you, and pull off impressive moves (sometimes). Your initial partner is Louis, who’s charming and reliable, but you’ll get others with their own specialties:

Yakumo: The tanky boy who loves to smack things with a giant hammer. For when you want a “shield who can talk.”

Mia: A sniper with the range of a hawk and the durability of glass. For players who like to sit back and watch.

Io: Your mystical healer friend. If you enjoy playing the long game, Io’s got your back (literally).

Code Vein’s bosses are wild anime nightmares who don’t like you very much. Here’s how to not die instantly:

1. Learn Attack Patterns: They’re like dance moves. The bosses telegraph their attacks, and your goal is to figure out when it’s safe to attack and when it’s better to run for your life.

2. Use the Environment: Sometimes, the area has hints or terrain that can help. Don’t ignore those safe spaces—embrace them.

3. Adjust Your Blood Code: Some bosses are weak to specific types of attacks. Experiment and switch to a Code that counters them.

4. Use Buffs and Debuffs: If you’re fighting a boss that’s too strong, try throwing a few debuffs. Then hit them with everything you’ve got.

Practice with Parry: Code Vein has a parry system, but it’s not easy to master. If you can pull off a parry, you’ll look (and feel) like a legend.

Use Consumables: Things like anti-venom, health boosters, and stamina boosters are lifesavers.

Blood Veil Fashion: Blood Veils (special cloaks that let you bite enemies) also add some killer fashion. Choose wisely, as each type has different stats and styles.

Code Vein lets you co-op with friends, which sounds great until one of you accidentally triggers three enemies at once. But friends can be a big help, as they can revive you and share the laughs (or tears). Just remember, if one of you falls, there’s a good chance you’ll both end up screaming.

Code Vein lets you co-op with friends, which sounds great until one of you accidentally triggers three enemies at once. But friends can be a big help, as they can revive you and share the laughs (or tears). Just remember, if one of you falls, there’s a good chance you’ll both end up screaming.

Code Vein is as much about survival as it is about embracing the absurd. Go all out with your outfits, experiment with Blood Codes, and don’t worry about dying—a lot. Every failed run, missed parry, and surprise backstab is just another step toward making you a Revenant legend.

Now get out there, fight some Lost, and make your stylish, over-the-top, anime dreams come true.