Code Vein II Reviews
A good game with an interesting story, a somewhat unnecessary open world, and fantastic character customization, Code Vein 2 can be hard to put down. But it's best to get iton sale.
Review in Russian | Read full review
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.
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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.
And then there is the story; if I was asked to explain this game I would have nothing other than “it’s hard, and has anime vampire girl” Code Vein 2 is stylish, punishing, and unapologetically dense. It just might also be a little too closed-off for its own good, and I think a lot of returning fans will be upset with some of the changes, especially the removal of co-op.
Code Vein II is a bloody good successor to the original game. While it's not a sequel in the traditional sense, it builds upon the strengths of what Bandai Namco was trying to achieve with combat the first time around
Code Vein II could be described as a more accessible Elden Ring, and you wouldn't be wrong. But it would be a shame to stop at the obvious similarities and simplifications, because the game behind it is undoubtedly a great game. A little didactic in some choices, a little fanservice in others, but also capable of often touching the hearts of those on the other side of the screen.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Code Vein II is fine, functional and can be fun-especially if you're able to get the A.I to do the dirty work for you. The Formae system is potent and definitely gives combat encounters a zesty sense of empowerment, and if you're invested you'll want to lap up Code Vein 2 with vigor-just go in expecting a largely safe soulslike and you'll be content with this one.
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Code Vein 2 is not the strongest soulslike we've ever encountered. While there is absolutely some fun to be had slaying the myriad horrors that inhabit this post-apocalyptic world and building a powerful Revenant Hunter, repetition inevitably kicks in. Narratively, it's pretty dull, lacking compelling characters or quests to engage with. While not broken or a bad game per se, it is hard to recommend when so many better entries in this well-worn subgenre already exist.
Code Vein II is a game I could gush over for a few more pages, but I think it’s better experienced for yourselves. It’s an objective improvement over the first game in almost every aspect. The world is more fleshed out. The characters are more memorable. The weapon and Blood Code combinations are more interesting. As someone who adored the original, Code Vein II more than exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it to RPG and Souls-like fans.
On paper, Code Vein 2 takes what made the first game unique and expands upon the formula in an Elden Ring-style open world to tell a brand new, ambitious story about time travel to save the world. However, the reality is far less appealing, from the dated graphics and clunky technical aspects to the frustratingly sluggish combat. If you truly loved its predecessor, you might be able to overlook its significant flaws and play for dozens of hours. Otherwise, we strongly advise you to wait for at least performance patches, or even a price reduction.
Review in French | Read full review
As far as new soulslike games are concerned, one of the more intriguing ones in recent years was Code Vein, Bandai Namco's anime take on the formul...
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Code Vein II, and fans of the first Code Vein and first-time players of the series will have a lot to look forward to in this fantastic start to Souls-likes in 2026. While the tumultuous woes of its performance and camera deeply hinder the experience, the exquisite charm of the game’s anime art style, its cast of compelling characters, deep character customisation, and a riveting story that sees you traverse the very fabric of time make this a remarkable sequel.
Code Vein II is a fantastic game and a clear improvement on much of what made the first one great. That said, it also brings back a few lingering frustrations from its predecessor, issues that really should have been addressed and are hard to ignore. Even so, it's a strong addition to this year's lineup of action titles, and one that can keep you entertained for a long time.