I recently played my first Code game from Aksys and, well, I’ll admit I was surprised at how little of the traditional gameplay mechanics it had. It actually had more than other Code games apparently, or at least more than Code:Realize ~Guardian
of Rebirth~ (CRGoR) does. CRGoR is an otome game, though, and true to form (mind you a new form or genre that I’m only discovering), it’s a visual novel with some dialog decisions that drive character relationships. I’m a complete newcomer to the genre and while I don’t see myself playing many of these, spending time with CRGoR has been somewhat of an eye opener.
So you’ll take the role of Cardia (whose name can be changed at the outset of a new game). Cardia is a special girl in probably her late teens who can only remember the last two years of her life. Her father forbade her from leaving her home and she’s referred to as a monster by everyone because of a bizarre condition in which her skin, or her touch specifically, is poisonous. Despite her normal if not beautiful appearance, she can literally melt the flesh and bones of people by touch, an unfortunate condition she does not understand. She also has a special gem inside of her and a crystalline design embedded on her sternum that is sought after by others.
The opening sequence sees Cardia being forcibly removed from her residence and taken captive by the British army, this is during the Victorian era. Fear not if your knowledge or interest in European history is weak like mine. CRGoR is not at all meant to follow history closely or bore you with rote details. Instead, it bases five of the main characters, would be suitors to Cardia, on classical literary European figures, including Arsene Lupin, Abraham Van Helsing, Victor Frankenstein, Impey Barbicane, and Count Saint-Germain. You’ll meet Lupin first, a dashing young fellow who dons a mask and outwits the small British army group that kidnapped Cardia at the start of the Prologue. The others are introduced and its the relationships Cardia forms with them that are a major aspect of the experience. Anyway, don’t worry about being overloaded with history or a game being bound by it — while it’s the inspiration for the setting and some of the key characters, Idea Factory! took ample liberty in creating a steampunk infused world and it boasts impressive artwork to help bring their ideas to life.
Being the type of game it is, controls are minimal, as is interaction. L/R are to quick save and load respectively, Triangle brings up the main menu, X and tapping the frontscreen speed up dialogue. You can also toggle Auto mode, but it’s a bit slow. If you’re a quick reader you’ll probably find yourself tapping twice per dialog-screen, once to get the full text to show immediately and a second time to acknowledge you’ve read it. At certain scripted times, you will be asked to make a decision which alters the ‘path’ you take through the story.
I’m still working my way through my first playthrough but, I’m not likely to finish it. This isn’t due to any issues with the game, I’m just very unattached to what’s going on with the characters and the story. I peeked at some Let’s Play videos on Youtube and don’t see any dire reason to continue, but, I’m hardly the target audience for this game. While I don’t necessarily enjoy playing it, I can appreciate its qualities. It starts with a good premise and builds on its characters; the artwork and voiceovers set a high mark early and maintain a level of quality I suspect is not matched by most otome titles.
From what I have both played and referenced online, if you’re looking for a solid otome title for your Vita, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than Code:Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~. Let’s head to the summary…