Code Shifter is an interesting game, as it is many things in one. On the surface its a crossover between the various Arc System Works properties, but it goes ever deeper. The game is a bit of a metacommentary on game design with protagonist Stella designing a program to deal with bugs in the game code. This program is the code shifter called Sera. who must destroy the bugs in 2d platform levels. As you progress in the levels, Sera will be able to take on the form of other characters like Sold Badguy, Kunio and more. Each character has their own unique abilities, where it be jumping higher, attacking stronger, or smashing blocks, and replaying levels is needed in order to find everything.
Overall, its decent, but feels a bit shallow compared to some other titles. I feel this could have been an amazing crossover, but the metacommentary on game design just made everything so wonky. Its often random what character you will unlock, and the assist characters you gain will often not be of much use if I am being honest. What is nice though, is the neat retraux visuals for the characters, and the renditions of their music. While the platforming gets harder overtime, and new elements are introduced, it never really clicks though. Its a serviceable platformer, but at least on Switch, there was not dpad/movement button support, and you can only use the analouge stick. This is not my ideal way to play a platformer, and it threw me off a few times. The game also have some issues with collision detections, as I hit characters numerous times, but it didnt register at all.
The other mode in the game that should attract attention is called Colorful Fighters, and it is Arc System Works attempt at a Smash Bros like game. Before anyone gets excited however, this mode really isn’t for fans of hardcore fighting games. Firstly you have to unlock all the characters via the platformer section of the game, so you will need to keep playing for a while. Second is the fact that there are only 2 modes, in the form of Stock and Score. If this seemes rather barebones, then get ready for more as you cannot customize your matches outside of the ammount of players you have. There are numerous stages in this mode, but they are all random, as are the assist characters, which means you can easily be placed onto a stage that is not to your liking and it is out of your control. To make matters worse, many of the stages have some form of hazards that can easily throw you off.
This is also a very basic game meant for local co op and it lacks any blocking or dodging of any kind. There are functions of attack, jump and super move, but as in beat em up games, that costs health to use. There is also a button for assit characters, but they are not of much use truth be told. And what I meant by a game meant for local co op, is a game that lacks online play, though there is a way to do it on Steam. That beign said, this is not really a fighter I see getting much demand for online play.
There is a single player option, but that just puts you into a fight with 3 cpu opponents, and there is no option for 1v1 here. For an Arc System Works Crossover, this is lacking. The platformer section is just okay, and the fighter section is sub part. Perhaps one day soon, we will get a true Arc System Works crossover fighter, but for now, that remains just a dream. I cannot recommend this, and feel it is not worth looking into.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided