Death End re;Quest Code Z PS5 Review

Death End re;Quest Code Z is Idea Factory and Compile Heart’s the third installment in the Death End series. It serves as a spinoff that introduces a new protagonist, Sayaka Hiwatari. Sayaka is a Luden, a type of android established in prior titles. The game does a lot well but fails at some critical elements as well.

A New Protagonist

The game opens in a dark and shocking manner, consistent with the tone of the series. Several returning characters, including Shina, Mai from Death End 2, and Sayaka, are shown in a brutal state, having suffered severe injuries. The antagonist behind this is revealed to be Arata Mizutani, the protagonist from the original game. However, this version of Arata appears to be from an alternate reality, as the original has been missing since the first title. The narrative then shifts back to the beginning, presenting Sayaka’s creation and her introduction to the digital world of the Strain Area, which contains many of the game’s dungeons.

Following a tutorial and a disturbing death scene known as a “Dead End,” Sayaka meets Shina, who rescues her and takes her in. The story progresses through a visual novel format, introducing familiar characters and Ludens from previous games. These characters have since formed a new game development company called Iris Corporation, led by Iris, the artificial intelligence from the original game.

As the story develops, Arata and several other characters who appear to be altered or revived versions from earlier titles emerge. Sayaka and her allies are tasked with stopping them. While this may seem like a spoiler, the narrative becomes far more complex as it unfolds. The story in Code Z is layered and ambitious but may be overwhelming for both newcomers and returning players. It involves multiple timelines, alternate character versions, and frequent metafictional elements. The game also uses its own internal terminology, such as world degradation, dimensional shifts, and revival mechanics, which can be difficult to follow. At times, the game even breaks the fourth wall and addresses the player directly.

As a result, the narrative can be difficult to grasp without prior knowledge of the series. However, the core premise remains engaging. The dark themes, including the frequent and graphic deaths of characters, continue to be a hallmark of the series and set it apart from other visual novels or JRPGs. The game also maintains its more provocative and suggestive character interactions, often found in earlier entries. These moments offer tonal contrast to the game’s otherwise grim atmosphere.

A Fresh New Way to Play

Unfortunately, Code Z struggles with its gameplay. The mechanics are well-intentioned but frequently tedious. Unlike the mainline titles, players explore dungeons from a top-down, grid-based perspective. Movement and encounters are turn-based, but the structure does not always feel intuitive. It is easy to make mistakes, especially as the game does little to assist the player. Players should note that saving is highly restricted. The game allows for only one save slot, and progress is autosaved after each dungeon floor and action, making it impossible to retry without consequence. As players progress, dungeons become longer and more complex, and there are no checkpoints.

While there are crystals that allow temporary escapes and resupplies, returning to the dungeon resets progress. Missions often require players to complete multiple objectives such as clearing all floors, defeating bosses, and protecting allies without failure. The game also features a sanity system that depletes with each action. This mechanic becomes increasingly demanding, especially in longer dungeons. Additional threats include powerful enemies called Glitch Girls, which appear late in dungeons and can easily force a restart if the player is unprepared.

To succeed, players must avoid unnecessary fights, collect items strategically, monitor the shop for important supplies, and manually claim mission rewards after each successful run. These challenges occur on the default difficulty setting. Higher difficulties are significantly harsher and often result in the loss of all progress, including items and experience points, upon death. Boss battles are another area of weakness. Due to the game’s mechanics, these fights tend to lack complexity and often come down to either using ultimate abilities repeatedly or relying on menu-based item use.

Final Thoughts

Visually, Death End re;Quest Code Z features solid character designs and background art. However, character models lack fluid animation and often appear static. On a technical level, the game is more stable than previous entries, with only one instance requiring a forced reload. In summary, Death End re;Quest Code Z offers an intriguing continuation of the series’ signature dark storytelling and thematic elements, but the experience is hindered by a steep difficulty curve and repetitive gameplay.  While it maintains its narrative appeal, the design choices may limit its accessibility.