Code of Princess

 3DS
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Release Date: Oct 9, 2012
  • Also On: PC
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 82
  3. Negative: 9 out of 82
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  1. Ullianov
    Feb 7, 2013
    7
    An action RPG with a charming cast of characters, each playing differently from one another, a good action-oriented gameplay (which slows down occasionally) and a goofy plot that never takes itself too seriously. The game progresses through missions (which lack variety) that seldom are hard to complete; little to no grinding required (still some micro management on equipments and statusAn action RPG with a charming cast of characters, each playing differently from one another, a good action-oriented gameplay (which slows down occasionally) and a goofy plot that never takes itself too seriously. The game progresses through missions (which lack variety) that seldom are hard to complete; little to no grinding required (still some micro management on equipments and status though). The coop and vs mode increases the longevity of the game. The perfect example of "good but not great" game for me.… Expand
  2. dharma
    Nov 25, 2012
    5
    Charming character designs and quirky storyline can't help this game from being a repetitive mash fest. Sure, it has this weird and funny Anime vibe to it, but alas the basic game is akin to brawlers such as Dynasty Warriors and the like, albeit in glorious 2.5D format. Could have been better.
  3. CastleMadeOfSan
    Oct 12, 2012
    6
    Originally I thought this game was very cool. The character designs are nice and the animations are good. The combat system seemed neat initially.
    But the game is very laggy in many places. Most times it doesnt interfere, but it can be very distracting, and many places it lags so bad the game is like a picture book unfortunately. If it didn't lag I would have enjoyed it more for sure, but    Originally I thought this game was very cool. The character designs are nice and the animations are good. The combat system seemed neat initially.
    But the game is very laggy in many places. Most times it doesnt interfere, but it can be very distracting, and many places it lags so bad the game is like a picture book unfortunately. If it didn't lag I would have enjoyed it more for sure, but the lag is very jarring.
    Another thing that I didn't like is all of the stages feel the same. There is no real sense of progression in this game. Sure the stages have different backdrops, but that doesn't change anything, and the stages themselves are more like fighting game stages. The screen will scroll a small amount but thats it. You are stuck in a small flat space, and this can lead to the game feeling very samey very quickly. I was hoping it was going to be more like Golden Axe where you move to new stages and there is more of a noticable progression. Theres a lot of funny dialogue in the game which is good. The enemy design is also pretty cool which makes mixing it up a little more varied, Your characters never change either besides your stats. This isn't necessarily bad, but i think since the game has rpg elements, this would have made the game feel fresher as you played it more. Instead the entire game feels like me being on a small flat stage, doing the same combos, trying to ignore the lag. The only difference is you fight different enemies. If not for the lag and a better sense of progression this game would have been really fun to me.    … Expand
  4. TylerDurden85
    Mar 10, 2013
    7
    Great graphics, decent combat (although sometimes repetitive), and a mediocre story. The RPG mechanics are well done for the most part. Several characters to choose from (you gain more along the way) and each can be individually leveled and geared. Combat consists of simplistic inputs similar to smash bros. However, technical issues mar this title. Frequent slowdown and input lag, inGreat graphics, decent combat (although sometimes repetitive), and a mediocre story. The RPG mechanics are well done for the most part. Several characters to choose from (you gain more along the way) and each can be individually leveled and geared. Combat consists of simplistic inputs similar to smash bros. However, technical issues mar this title. Frequent slowdown and input lag, in addition to some low quality audio (the static!) get in the way of enjoying what could have been a great game, that is now simply a "decent" game… Expand
  5. pizzaday
    Mar 18, 2013
    5
    Clunky controls, tacked-on RPG elements, and terrible lag get in the way of an otherwise solid sidescroller beat'em-up. Not bad, but not worth the time when games like Muramasa exist already.
  6. jakethesnack
    Oct 21, 2013
    7
    The story was ok and the game was pretty funny. The beat em up gameplay can be a bit repetitive though like if you cant beat a boss you can go back and play the same levels over and over again until you get a higher level but it can still be fun. The enemies are unique and the voice acting is really good, but I still don't understand why there are seven main characters but you only get toThe story was ok and the game was pretty funny. The beat em up gameplay can be a bit repetitive though like if you cant beat a boss you can go back and play the same levels over and over again until you get a higher level but it can still be fun. The enemies are unique and the voice acting is really good, but I still don't understand why there are seven main characters but you only get to play as four.… Expand
  7. SirKirbyThe4th
    Feb 9, 2015
    7
    BEWBS! No, seriously, this is a fine brawler with way too many characters to choose from. It's all about that Allegro! Anyways, the main thing that keeps this game from being a 9 is that you level up, & older levels become easier, & make you not want to play them because they are so easy. Sometimes it could be too hard. But one thing this game DID do right, out of many, is that it madeBEWBS! No, seriously, this is a fine brawler with way too many characters to choose from. It's all about that Allegro! Anyways, the main thing that keeps this game from being a 9 is that you level up, & older levels become easier, & make you not want to play them because they are so easy. Sometimes it could be too hard. But one thing this game DID do right, out of many, is that it made grinding not feel like grinding, but just, playing the game!… Expand
  8. VivaChiba
    Feb 5, 2016
    7
    While it doesn't seem fair to compare this to the golden memories of Guardian Heroes, with nigh-on identical game-play, it's impossible not to. Unfortunately, the latter was incredibly immersive with excellent level designs, whereas Code of Princess opts to go for very short, time-attack levels. For me, that was the main difference, and CoP is difficult at first not to instantly dismissWhile it doesn't seem fair to compare this to the golden memories of Guardian Heroes, with nigh-on identical game-play, it's impossible not to. Unfortunately, the latter was incredibly immersive with excellent level designs, whereas Code of Princess opts to go for very short, time-attack levels. For me, that was the main difference, and CoP is difficult at first not to instantly dismiss because of each level's simplicity - some levels you'll beat in 30 seconds! Yes, the difficulty could definitely have been made more challenging - even an 8 year old can whizz through this pretty much without setback.

    Fortunately - and most likely because you have fond memories of Guardian Heroes and hope this will be even half as good - sticking with the game is rewarding: there's a massive library of characters to unlock for Free Play and the story is slightly different given which of the 4 main characters you play with (who can be switched between levels, so need to senselessly repeat them all).

    In the end though, anyone who has played Guardian Heroes will feel a tad disappointed, but newcomers should enjoy it regardless... it's just debatable as to whether or not the pick-up/put-down quick levels are great for kids born to a generation of an increasingly short attention span, or a grumble for those who actually like sinking some real time into a fun gaming experience.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best 3DS Game of 2012
12
#12 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
12
#12 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. Cubed3
    Dec 18, 2013
    70
    Code of Princess plays like an old school game, but as a package manages to feel fresh due to its witty script, complete with sharp voice acting.
    Read full review
  2. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    Jun 1, 2013
    52
    Like Lady Zozo, its heart is in the right place, but its arms and legs are on backwards and inside out. Too monotonous to be entertaining.
    Read full review
  3. Games Master UK
    May 9, 2013
    52
    A royal pain in the ass. [June 2013, p.83]
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