CODE VEIN - PS4

Code Vein is a (pretty hardcore-looking) action RPG from the team behind the God Eater series. It has soulslike vibes, which for our purposes here means it's hard, it involves a lot of sword-based combat, it's post apocalyptic and oozes an almost pungent dark and brooding atmosphere.

It's set after humanity has fallen to the Thorns of Judgment - literal giant thorns that have pierced the skin of the world and turned it into a lifeless grave. At the world's heart, though, is one last stronghold where humanity can take shelter - Vein. Here, warriors are given the gift of power in exchange for their memories and a burning thirst for blood. Those who give into the thirst, however, risk becoming the Lost, monstrous ghouls that feast on humans. For your part, you take on the role of one of the powered up Revenants who roams the world powering themselves up by drinking blood.

The game has a sort of gothic anime aesthetic that takes great delight in how over the top it is. The towering architecture of its urban landscape makes basically no sense, almost anything goes when it comes to the design of the game's tough as nails bosses and the cleavage is almost a character of its own. The combat is challenging, but you can meet it with a huge range of weapons and abilities, making each skirmish deeply tactical stuff.

In keeping with its souls-y feel, Code Vein allows you to answer calls for help from other Revenants as you explore the ruined Earth with both another player and your companion AI.

Be warned, though - Code Vein is not for the faint of heart! more