Key Items & Collectibles
In the desolate world of Vein, every item you discover can be crucial for survival, progression, or understanding the fractured history of its inhabitants. This section serves as your comprehensive guide to all key items and collectibles, detailing their purpose, locations, and how to best use them. From story-critical artifacts to rare crafting materials and lore-rich vestiges, mastering the art of item collection is paramount for any Revenant.
Understanding Item Categories
Items in Code Vein generally fall into several distinct categories, each with its own importance:
- Key Items: These are essential for story progression, unlocking new areas, or initiating specific events. They are typically unique and cannot be consumed or sold.
- Collectibles: While not always critical for the main story, collectibles often provide valuable lore, contribute to side quests, or offer significant benefits when traded or used.
- Crafting Materials: Used at the Home Base to enhance weapons, armor, or create consumables. These are often found by defeating enemies or exploring thoroughly.
- Consumables: Items that provide temporary buffs, restore health/stamina, or inflict status effects. While not covered in depth here, understanding their role is vital.
Key Items for Progression & Exploration
Depths Maps
Depths Maps are crucial Key Items that unlock optional, challenging dungeon areas known as "The Depths." These areas are excellent for farming Haze, crafting materials, and finding unique Vestiges. Each map corresponds to a specific Depths area.
- Den of Darkness Map:
- Location: Found in the Ruined City Underground. From the "Underground Mistle" (the first Mistle in the area), proceed forward until you reach a large open area with multiple paths. Take the path leading downwards to a lower level. You'll find it near a group of Lost enemies, often guarded by a stronger variant.
- Unlocks: Den of Darkness (accessible via the Home Base Mistle).
- Rewards: Unique crafting materials, high Haze yield, and the Eos Vestige Part A.
- Cliffs of Rust Map:
- Location: Located in the Dried-up Trenches. After defeating the Invading Executioner, continue through the area. The map is often found in a side path or a dead-end section, typically guarded by a few Lost. Look for a small alcove off the main path.
- Unlocks: Cliffs of Rust.
- Rewards: Rare crafting components, Isis Vestige Part B.
- Silent White Map:
- Location: Acquired in the Cathedral of Sacred Blood. This map is notoriously easy to miss. After navigating the intricate pathways and reaching the upper levels, look for a hidden path or a drop-down point that leads to a secluded platform. It's often near the "Cathedral Perimeter" Mistle, but requires careful exploration of the surrounding ledges.
- Unlocks: Silent White.
- Rewards: High-tier crafting materials, Fionn Vestige Part C.
- Swirling Flood Map:
- Location: Found in the Ridge of Frozen Souls. This map is typically found after defeating the Gilded Hunter. Explore the subsequent icy caves thoroughly; it's often in a chest or on a corpse in a less obvious branch of the cave system.
- Unlocks: Swirling Flood.
- Rewards: Advanced crafting materials, Scathach Vestige Part D.
- Town of Sacrifice Map:
- Location: Discovered in the City of Falling Flame. This map is usually found in the latter half of the area, often near the "Fire-Caressed Streets" Mistle. It's in a small, easily overlooked corner or behind some destructible debris.
- Unlocks: Town of Sacrifice.
- Rewards: End-game crafting materials, Hephaestus Vestige Part E.
Keys
Various keys are scattered throughout Vein, unlocking shortcuts, hidden areas, or critical path progression.
- Provisional Government Key:
- Location: Automatically obtained after defeating the Oliver Collins boss in the Ruined City Underground.
- Purpose: Unlocks the door leading to the Dried-up Trenches, progressing the main story.
- Cathedral Key:
- Location: Found in the Dried-up Trenches. After defeating the Invading Executioner, proceed through the newly opened path. The key is typically on a corpse in a small, open area before the entrance to the Cathedral.
- Purpose: Unlocks the main entrance to the Cathedral of Sacred Blood.
- Gated Room Key:
- Location: Within the Cathedral of Sacred Blood. This key is found on one of the upper levels, often requiring a careful drop or a detour through a less obvious path. It's usually guarded by a few Lost.
- Purpose: Unlocks a shortcut or a room containing valuable items within the Cathedral itself.
- Research Facility Key:
- Location: Acquired in the Ridge of Frozen Souls. After defeating the Gilded Hunter, continue through the icy caverns. The key is often found in a chest or on a corpse near the exit of the area, leading towards the Research Facility.
- Purpose: Grants access to the Research Facility.
Vestiges: Fragments of Memory and Power
Vestiges are perhaps the most important collectibles in Code Vein. These crystalline fragments contain the memories of other Revenants and, when restored, unlock powerful Blood Codes and Gifts. There are several types of Vestiges, each corresponding to a specific Blood Code.
Restoration Process:
- Collect Vestige Parts: Find individual Vestige parts (e.g., "Isis Vestige Part A").
- Return to Home Base: Speak with Io at the Home Base.
- Restore Vestige: Io can restore complete Vestiges from their parts. This often requires a certain amount of Haze.
- Unlock Blood Code: Once restored, the corresponding Blood Code becomes available, granting new stats, Gifts, and passive abilities.
Common Vestige Locations & Tips
- Artemis Vestiges: These are generally found early in the game, often in the Ruined City Underground and Dried-up Trenches. They are usually in plain sight or slightly off the main path.
- Isis Vestiges: Predominantly found within the Cathedral of Sacred Blood. Due to the Cathedral's labyrinthine design, many are hidden behind false walls, requiring careful observation for cracks, or on ledges accessible only by specific routes.
- Fionn Vestiges: Located in the Ridge of Frozen Souls. These are often found in icy caves or near the frozen waterfalls. Be wary of ambush points.
- Scathach Vestiges: Primarily in the City of Falling Flame. Look for them in areas with lava flows or within the ruins of the city.
- Hephaestus Vestiges: Found in the Provisional Government Outskirts and the Gaol of the Stagnant Blood. These are often guarded by tougher Lost or placed in areas requiring precise platforming.
- Eos Vestiges: These are unique and often tied to specific side quests or hidden areas. The Den of Darkness is a primary source for Eos Vestige Parts.
Missable Vestiges: Some Vestiges can be permanently missed if you progress too far without collecting them, especially those tied to specific NPC interactions or temporary areas. Always thoroughly explore an area before moving on to the next major boss.
Valuables & Trading
Valuables are special items used for trading with specific NPCs at the Home Base, primarily Shang and the various companions.
- Trading with Shang: Shang, the merchant at Home Base, accepts various valuables in exchange for unique weapons, armor, and consumables. His inventory expands as you progress.
- Examples: Old-World Materials (e.g., Old-World Materials A, B, C), Antique Coins, Pure Blood.
- Strategy: Always check Shang's inventory after clearing a new area. Prioritize trading for unique weapons or upgrades that complement your build.
- Increasing Companion Affection: Giving specific valuables to your companions (Louis, Io, Mia, Yakumo, Eva, Murasame) will increase their affection level. Higher affection unlocks unique dialogue, passive buffs during exploration, and sometimes even gifts from the companion.
- Examples: Fancy Cologne, Expensive Cigars, Bugarally Dolls, Faded Comics, Aged Brandy, etc.
- Strategy: Each companion has preferred items. For example, Yakumo likes Aged Brandy, while Mia prefers Fancy Cologne. Experiment or consult a companion gift guide to maximize affection efficiently. These items are often found in chests, as enemy drops, or sold by Shang.
Crafting Materials
Crafting materials are essential for upgrading your gear at Murasame's forge.
- Queen Steel: Common material for basic weapon and armor upgrades. Found throughout all areas, often dropped by regular Lost.
- Queen Iron: Mid-tier upgrade material. Found in later areas like the Cathedral of Sacred Blood and Ridge of Frozen Souls, or dropped by stronger Lost.
- Queen Titanium: High-tier upgrade material. Found in end-game areas such as the City of Falling Flame and the Provisional Government Outskirts, or dropped by elite Lost and bosses.
- Awakening Materials: Used to awaken Gifts, making them permanently available even if you switch Blood Codes. These are rarer and often found in chests or as drops from specific powerful enemies.
Exploration Tips for Collectors
- Look for Glowing Items: All items on the ground emit a faint glow. Keep an eye out for these, especially in dark or cluttered environments.
- Check Every Corner: Code Vein's levels are designed with many hidden paths, ledges, and alcoves. Always explore dead ends and optional routes.
- Break Objects: Some items are hidden behind destructible environmental objects like crates or barrels.
- Listen for Sounds: Sometimes, the faint jingle of an item drop or the rustle of a hidden path can alert you to a collectible's presence.
- Use Your Map: The in-game map highlights areas you've visited. Use it to ensure you've explored every section of a zone.
- Revisit Areas: After unlocking new abilities or finding new shortcuts, consider revisiting older areas. Sometimes new paths or items become accessible.
- Companion Dialogue: Your companions will often comment on nearby items or secrets, so pay attention to their dialogue.
