Code Vein II
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Code Vein II
Weak characters kill loftier ambitions, but a brisk pace keeps the combat lively.
While Code Vein 2 has flashes of greatness, this soulslike action RPG isn't able to maintain a consistent level of quality, and can be sloppy as often as it is compelling.
Code Vein 2 isn’t breaking new ground in most of its conventions nor will it become the new face of Soulslikes. But it has its own unique ideas that are fully realised, letting it stand out against its contemporaries in the genre, while surprisingly strong characters help blend the gameplay and narrative together. There’s a banquet of bloody delights to be had here.
A set of spikes that I can make shoot out of the floor from afar, or a twin-headed wolf whose ferocious jaws rip blood out of bodies? Decisions, decisions…
But Code Vein 2's shortcomings are too frequent to look past. Combat and exploration are hampered by dull enemies and wearisome environments, while technical issues only exacerbate its flaws. The soulslike genre has evolved since the original Code Vein launched in 2019, yet the forward-thinking shift to an open world hasn't prevented its sequel from suffering the same familiar blemishes.
Code Vein II is a haunting, thrilling, and unforgettable action adventure. It's so much more than the sum of its parts or the games that have clearly inspired it. It has a personality of its own that shoots beyond the soulslike genre tag, and never compromises on that unique vision.
Code Vein 2 is a rock-solid open world Soulslike experience that will keep genre fans busy for dozens of hours.
