Playable demo of "AIKODE," an action RPG inspired by "NieR," in development solo, unveiled at BCN Game Fest
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/953/G095372/20251015056/
Writer: Katsutani Umi | 2025/10/15 10:34 (UTC)
At the BCN Game Fest 2025, held in Barcelona, Spain, a playable demo of the action RPG [AIKODE], developed by game creator Ace, was unveiled.
Ace’s game AIKODE (pronounced “A-I Code”), which has been in development for two and a half years, begins with a philosophical monologue by what appears to be the protagonist—a woman—prompting players to decide whether they accept the concept of Schrödinger’s cat, a thought experiment proposed by quantum physicist Erwin Schrödinger in the early 20th century. The game’s use of overlapping parallel worlds and multiple playable characters suggests that its core themes are deeply rooted in quantum mechanics.
Ace, who develops AIKODE in Galicia, located in northwestern Spain, presents a remarkably polished product—so high in quality it’s hard to believe one person made the entire game. Thumbnail image for Gallery No.003 / Playable demo of “AIKODE,” an “NieR”-style action RPG being independently developed, is showcased at BCN Game Fest
As the monologue transitions into a depiction of a Japanese urban landscape, it includes peculiar lines such as “The person who made this game has been obsessively creating digital replicas of Shibuya in real life for years,” subtly drawing attention to Ace’s own existence as a developer—raising curiosity about how the story will unfold. At least at this point, Shibuya’s Scramble Crossing doubles as a simple tutorial for basic movement mechanics.
The protagonist is “Aiko,” a woman with albinism, sporting white hair and an outfit that blends gothic lolita fashion with combat gear. Her character design evokes NieR: Automata, but her left eye is red, while her right eye—lost to cancer—is replaced by a prosthetic labeled “SAYA.” Raised in a famous hospital in Kumamoto after being abandoned at birth, she moved to Tokyo at age 18 and eventually became a scientist. At the age of 35, she was hired by an organization called “The Order,” leading her into a digital world known as “Ciao,” created to protect humanity.
Thumbnail image for Gallery No.006 / Playable demo of “AIKODE,” an “NieR”-style action RPG being independently developed, is showcased at BCN Game Fest Thumbnail image for Gallery No.007 / Playable demo of “AIKODE,” an “NieR”-style action RPG being independently developed, is showcased at BCN Game Fest
Players appear to experience Aiko across various time periods. While navigating the Scramble Crossing, she stands before a large sign bearing the name “Saya,” then transitions into a serene fantasy world lined with glowing white buildings—reminiscent of the digital memory sequences in Assassin’s Creed. Here, players encounter “Remi,” a bat-like mechanical pet, and journey to meet “Emmy,” Aiko’s childhood best friend Emma from real life, as part of a tutorial teaching fundamental gameplay mechanics.
During this tutorial, players learn the basics: pressing the LB button activates “Scanning,” transforming the game world into shades of gray and green to highlight interactive objects and mission directions. Aiko grows butterfly-like wings on her back, enabling diverse movement options such as flying, sliding, and even swimming through water.
Combat includes “Area Attack,” dealing damage upon landing after a jump, and “Close Attack,” striking enemies up close. Additionally, players can fire continuous energy projectiles from afar—though each shot has low individual power. Later, players face a mini-boss—a girl in a short skirt described as a “soulless doll.” Prior to the boss battle, players may choose their difficulty level: “Easy,” “Hard,” or an ultra-easy mode called “Saya’s Anger”, presumably designed for those less comfortable with challenging gameplay.
This 30-minute tutorial mirrors content from a demo video released about a year ago. Those interested should check it out—the game shows clear influences from Japanese-made 3D action RPGs.
While AIKODE has not yet announced a release date or publisher, its exceptional quality and substantial content are astonishing—especially considering Ace’s solo development (a thank-you credit at the demo’s end suggests contributions from others in music and artwork). The current demo version supports English voiceovers with Japanese subtitles. However, the publicly available Steam store page (external link) indicates that Japanese voice support may be planned. Those intrigued should add it to their wishlist and await further updates patiently.