If you’ve ever flirted with the idea of trying a Souls-like game but couldn’t stomach the full-price risk, this might just be your moment. Bandai Namco’s Code Vein has dropped to a staggering 85% off on Steam, pricing it at only $8.99 — its lowest ever, according to SteamDB. The catch? The offer vanishes after June 11.
The sale puts the game back in the spotlight — not for the first time — and reignites the old debate: is Code Vein a gem in disguise or just another swing-and-miss anime action game trying too hard to be Dark Souls with eyeliner?
A Budget Buy With A Mixed Bag of Reviews
Let’s be honest: 85% off sounds insane. But discounts alone don’t make a game great. Reviews matter, and Code Vein’s got a few skeletons in its closet.
On Steam, the game sits at a “Very Positive” 84% user review score. That’s not terrible. But it’s also not the rave response you’d expect from a cult classic.
Some praise the game’s anime art style and fast-paced combat. Others complain about clunky design choices and paper-thin story elements. And yes — the character designs, especially for female avatars, stirred plenty of criticism. Over-designed? Over-sexualized? Take your pick.
Still, there’s a fanbase. One that genuinely loves the odd marriage of Dark Souls mechanics and JRPG-style melodrama.
Why The Price Matters Right Now
Here’s the thing: Code Vein has hovered between $20 and $60 for most of its life. SteamDB confirms that this 85% drop — down to $8.99 — is the steepest it’s ever gone. If you’re even remotely curious, this might be the price point that flips your “maybe later” into a “sure, why not?”
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Previous discounts hovered at 60-75% during major sales
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Current price is the lowest recorded, even across third-party retailers
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Sale ends June 11, 2025
So yeah, the clock’s ticking.
What Even Is Code Vein?
For those not in the know, Code Vein is a third-person action RPG that dropped back in September 2019. It plays like a cross between Dark Souls, God Eater, and your favorite high-stakes anime. The combat’s tough, but a little more forgiving than FromSoftware’s punishing formula.
You play as a Revenant — basically a vampire with supernatural powers — trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic dystopia littered with monstrous horrors and equally confusing storylines. It’s flashy. It’s grindy. And it doesn’t shy away from its weirder JRPG influences.
But here’s a thing: it doesn’t hold your hand. Tutorials are sparse. Menus are dense. Boss fights spike out of nowhere. It’s not exactly noob-friendly.
Still, there’s an undeniable charm. The kind of charm that’s buried under odd design choices, but still… it’s there.
TheGamer’s Take: “Enjoyable, But Flawed”
If you want a more nuanced take, gaming outlet TheGamer gave Code Vein a 3 out of 5 stars in its review. That sums things up pretty well.
The review praised the game’s combat and world-building, but knocked points off for how little it helps new players — and the awkward female character outfits that feel more fan service than function. Fair critiques, honestly.
Here’s what they had to say:
“Code Vein is an enjoyable game with its own fair share of flaws. Mainly, it would benefit massively from more comprehensive player guidance and improving upon its atrocious female character design.”
Even so, they didn’t hate it. Far from it. The vibe was more “this could’ve been great, but hey, it’s still pretty good.”
What Code Vein Does Better (and Worse) Than Dark Souls
Some gamers think Code Vein is a solid alternative to the Souls series. Others think it’s a cheap knockoff in cosplay. The truth? Somewhere in between.
Here’s a rough breakdown of how it stacks up:
| Feature | Code Vein | Dark Souls |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Brutal |
| Visual Style | Anime/Gothic | Medieval/Gothic |
| Storytelling | Dialogue-heavy | Environmental |
| Co-op System | AI Companion | Summon System |
| Progression | Flexible Builds | Rigid Builds |
That AI companion system? Surprisingly useful. You’re not totally alone, which softens the punishing blow of deaths. But purists might find that too easy.
Should You Buy It?
Tough call, honestly. If you’re a Soulsborne purist, Code Vein might feel like it’s doing cosplay without truly committing to the grind. But if you like games like Nioh, Bloodborne, or even Tales of Arise, you might enjoy what Code Vein brings to the table.
Also, let’s not forget: it’s $8.99. That’s cheaper than lunch.
If you do grab it, it helps to go in with the right expectations:
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It’s not perfect, but it is playable and quite stylish
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The first few hours can be rough without guidance
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The anime aesthetic isn’t for everyone, but if it clicks, it really clicks
And if you’re still not sure, maybe bookmark it and sleep on it. Just don’t sleep too long — June 11’s coming fast.
