Code Shifter

Last updated

Code Shifter
Code Shifter Coverart.jpg
Nintendo Switch cover art, featuring characters in the game, from left to right, Hudson, Stella, Rudy, Greig (above), and Mozzie (below)
Developer(s) Arc System Works [lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s) Arc System Works
Platform(s) Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Windows
Xbox One
ReleasePlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
  • WW: January 30, 2020
Nintendo Switch
  • NA: January 29, 2020
  • EU: January 30, 2020
Genre(s) Action
Platform
Side-scrolling
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Code Shifter is a 2020 action-platform video game both developed and published by Arc System Works. [lower-alpha 1] The game was released worldwide on January 30, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. [1] It was released on January 29, 2020 in North America, and a day later in Europe, for the Nintendo Switch. [2]

Contents

The game was first announced at the start of January 2020, with a release in Q1 2020. [3] [4]

Plot

The story takes place in a video game development studio named 'Awesome Rainbow Corp.', with initials spelling 'ARC', referencing the developers of the game. [5] In the game, you play as Stella, a video game developer working for said studio. Stella is currently developing a new fighting game. As Stella is about to finish developing the game, she discovers newly-found glitches in the game. Stella develops a debug program called Code Shifter. [5] You send Stella's debugger avatar, Sera, into various files through Code Shifter to combat flaws that appear as platforming stages in order to fix the glitches in your game. The goal is to eliminate all glitches before the game's release date arrives. [6]

Gameplay

A screenshot from the game, as Sera Code Shifter Screenshot1.webp
A screenshot from the game, as Sera

In the game, you control Sera, Stella's debugger avatar, inside her new fighting game, to combat flaws and fix glitches in the game. The game appears as an action side-scrolling video game. In these stages, you find data on other fighters (from Ark System Works' other works) which you can use to turn yourself into 2D 8-bit versions of them. [5] The game also has a 'Colorful Fighters' game mode featuring a brawler mini-game that allows up to 4 players to fight against each other. [7] After every stage, the player is allowed to roam around the studio as Stella. Here, the player can talk to other developers which appear as non-player characters. [5]

A screenshot from the game, featuring all 30 playable characters, with Sol Badguy selected as Player 1. Code Shifter Characters.png
A screenshot from the game, featuring all 30 playable characters, with Sol Badguy selected as Player 1.

Characters

The game uses 30 characters from 13 of Arc System Works' other works, consisting of: [7] [8]

The game also has 70 characters from Arc System Works' other works, appearing as non-player characters. [7]

Reception

The Nintendo Switch version of Code Shifter received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregation website Metacritic. [14] The game also received a 19% critic recommendation average from review aggregation website OpenCritic. [11]

A few critics stated that the levels were dully or poorly staged, condemning the repetition of designs and backgrounds. [7] [12] Many critics compared the Nintendo Switch version of Code Shifter to another Nintendo Switch game, namely Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. [5] [7] [13] One critic compares the development studio in the game to two animated series, namely 6teen and Total Drama Island. [5]

A few critics criticized the 'Colorful Fighter' game mode, stating that it has "rigid controls and stiff movement" [5] [12] , one found it "boring", [8] whereas one critic stated that it was "funky" and "turbulent". [7] Matthias Schmid for 4Players complemented the absence of microtransactions within the game. [7]

Many critics also condemn the story of the game, stating that it is "poorly written" and "overbearing". [7] [13] Will Greenwald for PCMag criticized the mechanics of the game, stating that it is "poor." [5] Many critics condemn the way Arc System Works' characters have been used in Code Shifter, stating that the game "does nothing really interesting with them" and that it "feels like a massively missed opportunity". [8] [13]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Additional development by Land Ho! for the Microsoft Windows version.

Related Research Articles

<i>Bubble Bobble Revolution</i> 2005 video game

Bubble Bobble Revolution is a 2D platform game for the Nintendo DS. Developed by Dreams, it was released in Japan on 24 November 2005 by Taito as Bubble Bobble DS, in Europe on 2 December by Rising Star Games (distribution handled by and in North America on 3 October 2006 by Codemasters.

<i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare</i> 2005 video game

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare is a video game published by Konami for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and Nintendo DS, based on the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series.

<i>ESPN MLS ExtraTime 2002</i> 2001 video game

ESPN MLS ExtraTime is a sports video game released in 2001-2002 by Konami. It is available for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. Clint Mathis is on the cover. The original ExtraTime was released for PS2 seven months after ESPN MLS GameNight on the PlayStation, with the GameCube and Xbox versions released in 2002 afterward as ESPN MLS ExtraTime 2002. MLS ExtraTime was the last in the series as the MLS sold its video game license to EA Sports' FIFA series.

<i>Lotus Challenge</i> 2001 video game

Lotus Challenge is a racing game developed by Kuju Entertainment and published in 2001 for PlayStation 2 by Virgin Interactive. Versions followed for Windows, GameCube, Xbox, and mobile phones from different publishers.

<i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus</i> 2004 video game

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus is a 2004 beat 'em up game developed and published by Konami. It is the sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and is based on the 2003 TV series.

<i>TMNT: Mutant Melee</i> 2005 video game

TMNT: Mutant Melee is a 2005 fighting video game developed by Konami. It is based on the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series.

<i>Fuel</i> (video game) 2009 open world racing video game

Fuel is an open world racing video game developed by Asobo Studio and published by Codemasters. The game was released in North America in June 2009 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows. It is set in a post-apocalyptic United States after the Sun scorched the Earth, with a completely free-to-roam open world approximately 5,560 square miles (14,400 km2) in size, which is roughly the size of the U.S. state of Connecticut. In the free roaming mode, the game features the ability to drive anywhere in the game world without incurring loading times; however, crashing a vehicle – or invoking the reset function to return to the road – does invoke a loading screen.

<i>Gravity Games Bike: Street Vert Dirt</i> 2002 video game

Gravity Games Bike: Street Vert Dirt is a sports video game developed and published by Midway for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It was released in North America on June 27, 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and on September 4, 2002 for the Xbox. It was the only game released under the Gravity Games license by Midway.

<i>Hard Corps: Uprising</i> 2011 video game

Hard Corps: Uprising is a run and gun video game developed by Arc System Works and published by Konami for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. The game was released digitally on Xbox Live Arcade on February 16, 2011 and on the PlayStation Network in March 2011. In Hard Corps: Uprising, the player assumes the role of an elite soldier simply called Bahamut, along with other main characters. Konami has added three additional player characters via downloadable content.

<i>Cloudberry Kingdom</i> 2013 platforming video game

Cloudberry Kingdom is a platform game created by Pwnee Studios. The game uses a set of algorithms developed by Jordan Fisher to create procedurally generated levels that can be adaptive to player skill level, in game character abilities, and alteration of game physics.

<i>Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game</i> 2012 video game

Rise of the Guardians is a 2012 action-adventure game based on the film of the same name. It is developed by Torus Games and published by D3 Publisher. The game was released on 20 November 2012 in North America and 23 November 2012 in Europe for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS; and on 4 December 2012 in North America and 14 December 2012 in Europe for Wii U.

Guilty Gear is a series of fighting games by Arc System Works, created and designed by artist Daisuke Ishiwatari. The first game was published in 1998, and has spawned several sequels. It has also adapted to other media such as manga and drama CD. Guilty Gear has generally received praise from video game reviewers for its highly technical gameplay, graphics, soundtrack, and for its characters. Another fighting game franchise by Arc System Works, BlazBlue, is considered a spiritual successor of the series.

<i>Sacred Citadel</i> 2013 video game

Sacred Citadel is a side-scrolling action brawler video game in the Sacred series. It was released in April 2013, and takes place before the 2014 sequel Sacred 3. It was developed by Southend Interactive and published by Deep Silver for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and Microsoft Windows. A DLC called Sacred Citadel: Jungle Hunt was released on the same month.

<i>Adventures of Pip</i> 2015 platform video game

Adventures of Pip is a platform game developed and published by Tic Toc Games. The game launched in June 2015 for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Wii U and in July 2015 for iOS. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions were released in August 2015, and the Nintendo Switch version in September 2020.

<i>Human Resource Machine</i> 2015 video game

Human Resource Machine is a visual programming-based puzzle video game developed by Tomorrow Corporation. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, OS X and Wii U in 2015, being additionally released for Linux in March 2016, for iOS in June 2016, for Android in December 2016 and for the Nintendo Switch in March 2017. Human Resource Machine uses the concept of a corporate office worker assigned to perform tasks that involve moving objects between an inbox, an outbox, and to and from storage areas as a metaphor for assembly language concepts. The player works through some forty puzzles in constructing a program to complete a specific task.

<i>Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder</i> 2017 video game

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder is a tower defense racing video game developed by ACE Team and published by Atlus USA. The game is the sequel to the 2011 Rock of Ages, and was released in August 2017 for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. A Nintendo Switch port of the game released in May 2019.

<i>Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus</i> 2018 video game

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus is a turn-based tactics video game developed by Bulwark Studios and published by Kasedo Games for the PC in November 2018. It is based on Games Workshop's tabletop wargame Warhammer 40,000. A sequel, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II was announced on May 23rd, 2024.

<i>Lets Sing</i> Karaoke video game series

Let's Sing is a music video game series developed by Voxler and published by Deep Silver. In 2020, Koch Media acquired developer Voxler.

<i>Battle Worlds: Kronos</i> 2013 video game

Battle Worlds: Kronos is a turn-based strategy video game developed by King Art Games for the PC platforms in 2013. It is considered a spiritual successor to the Battle Isle series.

References

  1. ↑ Clementoss (January 9, 2020). "Code Shifter : un jeu d'action 2D réunissant les personnages de Guilty Gear, BlazBlue et River City". Jeuxvideo.com . Webedia . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Code Shifter (Nintendo Switch)". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. February 11, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  3. ↑ Carter, Chris (January 10, 2020). "Arc System Works' Code Shifter looks like a wild trip through multiple generations of gaming". Destructoid . Gamurs . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  4. ↑ Doke, Shunal (January 13, 2020). "ArcSys Announces New Side-Scrolling Action Game Code Shifter". IGN India. Ziff Davis . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Greenwald, Will (February 21, 2020). "Code Shifter (for Nintendo Switch) Review". PCMag . Ziff Davis . Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  6. ↑ Romano, Sal (January 9, 2020). "Arc System Works announces 2D pixel art action game Code Shifter for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Schmid, Matthias (February 12, 2020). "Code Shifter (Plattformer) - Kampf gegen verbuggte Spiele". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Lee, Donghun (February 11, 2020). "'코드 시프터' 리뷰". IGN Korea (in Korean). Ziff Davis . Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Code Shifter Nintendo Switch critic reviews". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Code Shifter Xbox One critic reviews". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Code Shifter Reviews". OpenCritic . Valnet . Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 Andriessen, CJ (February 16, 2020). "Review: Code Shifter". Destructoid . Gamurs . Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Vogel, Mitch (February 11, 2020). "Review: Code Shifter (Switch) - This Forgettable Franchise Crossover Is A Missed Opportunity". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network . Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Code Shifter". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.