CODE REALIZE: GUARDIAN OF REBIRTH
Release Date: November 27, 2014 (North America)
Developers: Idea Factory, Otomate
Publishers: Idea Factory, Aksys Games
Platforms: PS Vita, PS4
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Walkthroughs:
Impey Barbicane
Abraham Van Helsing
Victor Frankenstein
Saint Germain
Arsene Lupin
Steampunk! Steampunk! Steampunk!
One factor I really liked about Code Realize is its steampunk theme. The game is set to London’s 19th Century Victorian Era and all of the main characters are uniquely based on famous fictional personas in this period.
Read the game plot here.
Art and Music
The game’s art style was phenomenally done by the artist Miko. The steampunk outfits were drawn in intricate details and I wouldn’t have it in any other way. The CGs were absolutely gorgeous! I guess one of the main treats of playing this game was unlocking all of the CG’s (including the bonus ones which I think was solely for fan-service! ha!)
The soothing BGMs were on point during story transitions and the track “Floatable” would have to be one of my fav. otome game OP themes. I love how its tune matches the industrial theme the game portrays. Listen to it below!
Voice Acting
“Impey” Morikubo Showtaro– Musica (Fairy Tail), Okita Souji (Hakuoki), Shikamaru (Naruto), Toa (7’scarlet)
“Van Helsing” Junichi Suwabe – Jae-ha (Akatsuki No Yona), Kaname (Brothers Conflict)
“Victor Frankenstein” Tetsuya kakihara – Shin (Amnesia), Toki Tanba (The Charming Empire), Karasuba (Psychedelica BB)
“Saint Germain” Daisuke Hirakawa- Ukyo (Brothers Conflict), Laito (Diabolik Lovers)
“Lupin” Tomoaki Maeno – Son Hak (Akatsuki No Yona), Natsume (Brothers Conflict), Keisuke Sanjou (Collar x Malice)
MAIN CHARACTERS
For best gaming experience, below is the recommended play order:
1) Impey
2) Van Helsing
3) Victor Frankenstein
4) Saint Germain
5) Lupin – his route only unlocks after clearing the others’ (happy ending)
Cardia (Best Girl) – The main protagonist is one of the best characters in the game. Her character development was so well written that it was so bracing to play her as the MC. This heroine can hold her ground during a fight (Van Helsing’s training), can sneakily escape when caught or cornered (Lupin’s training), can maneuver steam engine vehicles as well as understand their mechanics (Impey’s training), can distinguish chemical properties (through studying with Victor) and has the wit to think quick in hopeless situations or when being chased (through studying with Saint Germain).
Unlike most otome MCs (the generic sass mouth damsel-in-distress type), Cardia is the exact opposite. She can take two or three mean punches and would still be able to get up on her feet afterwards. You go, girl!
IMPEY BARBICANE
- Genius Engineer
- the “lovable idiot”
- Best Cook.
Impey’s route was a nice ride. This man is just a darling of a character. Impey is usually the comic-relief of the bunch and the most energetic. Despite being badgered with playful insults by his comrades, everyone seems to respect Impey’s engineering expertise as well as his exemplary cooking skills. Impey is also the only guy among the bachelors who falls in love with our heroine, at first sight.
I have enjoyed playing Impey’s route fully. His story was lighthearted and very refreshing and it kind of prepares you for the train wreck you’re about to experience as you, later on, jump into the game’s other routes lol. There were a few revelations regarding Impey’s character during his story, but it was a little disappointing that they didn’t go deeper into his past life. Nevertheless, his story was very well paced, action packed and it brought out the likability aspects of both his character and Cardia’s.
VAN HELSING
- “The Human Weapon”
- Unlimited Ammos
- Worst Cook
- Best Ass.
Van Helsing was the last to join Lupin’s gang and Cardia’s harem. Van’s introduction in the game was perhaps one of the most intense scenes in the common route as he started as an enemy who hounded the group and threatened to kill them if they don’t surrender the “secret weapon” Lupin stole from London’s elite soldiers, (not knowing the weapon he’s referring to was Cardia all along). He reluctantly joins the group with the common goal of finding Isaac Beckford, although his main concern was initiating his plan of revenge to someone connected to Isaac and Cardia. Van Helsing is also the most distant among the group but initially opens up to his comrades in the long run. His combat skills are god-tier which basically lives up to his famous title as the “The Human Weapon“.
Playing Van Helsing’s route was one emotional rollercoaster. At one point I got so infuriated on the fact that he kept pushing Cardia away but his reasons for doing so was thoroughly explained in the middle of his story. His character development was very well written and the story of his past life will put a pang in your heart. I loved how cute his after story was and I was thrilled to unlock his bonus story (plus CG) which I believe was the best part! *wink*
Victor Frankenstein
- Best Doctor
- Your alchemist boyfriend
Victor is a well-known alchemist who’s incredibly knowledgeable in his field. He’s sweet, adorable and exceptionally smart, it’s hard not to like him at first glance. This humble and gentle-hearted man is also the group’s reliable doctor. Despite his nonviolent nature, he is very capable of defending himself on a fight, and would most want to sacrifice himself to save the group.
His route tells a deeper story of his past experience working for the Royal Society (under Queen Victoria) and working with Isaac Beckford himself, Cardia’s father. Because his route delved on a huge storyline, I felt that there was a lot to take in during the downpour of events. His story pacing, however, was consistently brilliant, even though I think it needed more chapters *cough*.
Saint Germain
- Filthy rich
- Mysterious
Because not much is revealed on this character other than the fact that he is exceptionally skilled in combat, (as Van Helsing remarked) and that he’s very knowledgeable around London’s routes and paths, playing Saint Germain’s story was definitely a wild treat. Brace yourself!
I played his route not knowing what I’m in for and my god was I caught off guard or what?! It offers a whole different setting as well as the different set of new interesting characters. It felt more like a side story of the game as it touches on a new plot line (Saint Germain’s story) rather than continuing the events in the common route (Cardia’s story). I also liked how this route offered a fair amount of interactions with Lupin. Since the Count’s story was a little grim and darker, I think it’s a good thing to play him last, prior to unlocking Lupin.
Lupin
- Dorobo Shinshi “Gentleman Thief”
- Fashionable
- Best Boy.
This gentleman thief was obviously the main guy our heroine’s supposed to end up with, canonically. He prides himself of his crafty skills of escapism and has a lot of clever plans up his sleeve to retort to when faced danger. During the common route, he made a promise to Cardia to grant her her wish, of wanting to touch and feel the warmth of another human being. He also promised to help her get rid of the poison in her body. In his route, He kept all his promises and did so, with style!
Lupin’s story was the true route in Code Realize Guardian of Rebirth. It’s where everything was put together, concluding the rest of the other character route’s cliffhangers. It’s also, the only route that had “Code Realize” as the chapter title. To put it simply, his was the grand finale. Although I felt that his past story lacked in depth as it only touched on a few events of his life as a gentleman thief in training, I love how the romance never took a back seat in his story while it brought about the perfect conclusion of the game’s plot, all at the same time.
OPENING MOVIE / TRAILER
OVERALL THOUGHTS?
Code Realize would have to be one of my top fav. english visual novels. It’s one of those “play it once ~ and become a fan for life” type otome games. Its visual narratives were very much engaging and the story pacing was consistently good in every route. I fell in love with this game and I believe this masterpiece by Idea Factory and Otomate is worth your every penny.
Would I recommend this game? YES, SIR! Not only to otoge fans but also to Visual Novel junkies like myself who enjoys gorgeous art, amazing storylines, captivating bgms and very likable characters (consider the hot male sprites a plus, *cough*), Code Realize Guardian of Rebirth is for the taking!
Chlo’s Rating: 9/10
