Arc System Works brings 2D adventure/fighting game Code Shifter to PC and consoles everywhere. Featuring over 100 of Arc’s immense roster of characters being playable between its story and multiplayer modes, the game follows a game programmer and her co-workers attempting to fix bugs in the latest title from her developer. She and her team are about to hit a deadline without many of the bugs fixed and must receive some outside help from Arc characters to get the job done.

Code Shifter is a 2020 action game, it is developed A.R.C. and published by Arc System Works. It is currently available on PC, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One priced at $14.99.

Editor’s Note: A review code for Code Shifter was provided by Arc System Works in support of this review. Slight spoilers for Code Shifter’s story mode may be present within this review.

Code Shifter’s hub in-game.

In a world where crossovers of properties under a single (or multiple) umbrellas have become the norm celebrated game developer/publisher Arc System Works has decided to give it a shot with the 2D pixeled Code Shifter. In Code Shifter you play a young woman named Stella who works at the game developer Awesome Rainbow Company. Stella happens to be an excellent coder even coding the developer’s titular “Code Shifter” program which finds and fixes bugs as Stella controls an avatar named Sera which can transform and attack the bugs.

Code Shifter allows main character Stella’s avatar Sera the ability to transform with into Arc System characters.

If you’ve ever wanted to know a bit about life as a game developer Code Shifter is an excellent look at the often hard working career choice. In the game you play as a young developer named Stella who’s actually very proficient as a coder. So much so that she coded an entire program for her developer which finds and fixes bugs within the program, though Stella has to control an avatar which she’s named “Sera” manually in order to fix the bugs. Her developer’s latest title is currently experiencing crunch and suddenly new bugs have appeared within the game. With the deadline inching ever closer Stella must use Sera long with some upgrades based around Arc properties and get rid of the bugs so the game can go gold without a hitch.

The character selection screen in Code Shifter.

THE GOOD: Code Shifter is an interesting idea with loads of potential. The story focuses on a game dev named Stella who has to fix her game developer named Awesome Rainbow Company’s latest title. At first the bug fixes seem simple enough, but soon things get a bit complicated as the bugs increase in numbers. The bug count begins to overwhelm Stella and her co-workers making simple coding mistakes within their game files doesn’t exactly help matters. As Stella, it’s your job to go through each of their individual files and fix them through her program she created known as ‘Code Shifter’ which allows her to use an avatar named Sera who can battle the bugs and delete/fix them. Sera has the power to use weapons and different equipment as well as transform into a variety of Arc System Works characters for extra power and unique moves (over 100 characters to be exact). As you complete each stage you unlock a special “EX” stage which allows you to unlock more characters which can be used in the Colorful Fighters mode. This is basically a four player Smash Bros.-like brawler.

Choose characters based on BlazBlue, River City, Guilty Gear, and more Arc System IP.

Unfortunately there is no other way to unlock the characters and transformations outside of story mode so you’ll have to play it as well as the EX stages in order to use them. The story itself is a good look at a game developer’s working environment, especially at the launch window of the current project. It’s a shame the story wasn’t as fleshed out as it could be, but I’m sure this was more likely to avoid a feeling of “doom and gloom” considering this title is rated E for everyone.

Code Shifter puts you into the eyes of a game developer going through crunch.

THE BAD: While Colorful Fighters is inspiring the base game’s limited combat leaves a bit to be desired. You’re limited to a few basic directional attacks and special moves that require health to be performed. While controlling Stella outside of the Code Shifter program it feels very stiff moving her around. I’m not sure if this is a bug or just how she moves, but it feels very awkward playing with her. This thankfully isn’t an issue during the portions of the game with Sera and co.

Code Shifter’s Colorful Fighters mode acts as a four player Smash like brawler mode.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Code Shifter is a neat idea and with a bigger budget if Arc System Works wants to do another one it could definitely be something great. As it is, however it’s a relaxing experience that can really take the edge off during down time. And for it’s price point it’s fine for Arc fans looking for a trip down memory lane. Though don’t expect a major AAA experience simply due to the Colorful Fighters mode, which is fun here and there.