Compile Heart’s Death end re;Quest series has been a more mature departure from the Hyperdimension Neptunia games it is mostly associated with now. The first two titles in the series were traditional turn-based role-playing games with visual novel portions. Death end re;Quest: Code Z is the latest game in the series, and it’s a spin-off with old-school roguelike and dungeon crawler elements. It’s an interesting pivot for the series, but is it worth checking out before the already-announced next third game arrives?
As mentioned, gameplay is the most important shake-up to Code Z. Rather than roaming 3D dungeons in order to get into turn-based fights, this is more of an old-school dungeon crawler in the vein of Shiren the Wanderer. Battles are quick within the randomly generated stages, as you attack with a single button, but there’s a solid layer of strategy to the fights. You’ll also need to keep an eye on your items, as managing your healing and buffs is key.
Stamina meters are common in the genre, even for more welcoming fare like the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games. Code Z goes a step further with its horror motif by giving you a sanity meter that forces your characters to self-harm. Despite the cute anime-like characters, there’s a sinister edge to the series, and things can get quite dark. Traps within dungeons can greatly decrease your sanity, which almost ensures death.
However, death isn’t necessarily a bad thing in Death end re;Quest: Code Z. As mentioned, this is a roguelike, and that means there’s a built-in gameplay loop where death isn’t just expected but even sometimes encouraged, as you’ll earn skill points that will make future runs easier. While the game does get repetitive at times, you’re always chipping away at the story and making progress even when you come up short.
Both character designer Kei Nanameda and scenario supervisor Makoto Kedouin return for the third entry. While the game features a new protagonist, you’ll want to have played the previous two games if you hope to follow the game’s plot. Featuring parallel universes, it’s complicated to say the least, although even if you find yourself lost, there are still some striking visuals and wonderfully drawn art that make the text sections enjoyable. Returning players will definitely get the most out of the experience, though.
Death end re;Quest: Code Z Review: Final Verdict
Compile Heart’s dip into testing the waters with a roguelike isn’t perfect, but it winds up being a fun diversion for fans of the franchise. Given Death end re;Quest: Code Z will tie into the upcoming third main game in the franchise, this is one spin-off not to skip. With some smart choices that lessen the grind in an inherently repetitive game, Code Z does a good job of making it a worthwhile diversion that will scratch the dungeon-crawling itch.
SCORE: 7/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7.5 equates to “Good.” A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a digital PS5 copy for our Death end re;Quest: Code Z review. Reviewed on version 1.000.000.
