Code Vein II Reviews
The result is an experience that excels mechanically but sometimes struggles to give those mechanics the emotional weight they deserve. Still, soulslike fans do not want to miss this difficult RPG.
CODE VEIN II is a big improvement over the first game. It gives you a deep, open-world anime Souls-like experience with big battle systems, characters that make you feel a lot, and a world that rewards exploration. Early-game explanations and jargon can be too much, but the story and exchanges between characters quickly become interesting.
CODE VEIN II doesn't want to be the hardest game in the room. In its place, it centers on emotional resonance, player freedom, and ease of access. Even though technology problems and enemies that keep coming back keep it from being great, its strengths are much greater than its weaknesses.
Code Vein II is a game whose final rating depends heavily on the player. For those unfamiliar with anime, soulslikes, and story-driven RPGs, it's a solid but unsurprising experience that leans towards a six. For fans of Japanese action RPGs, however, Code Vein II offers a solid and well-developed experience, earning an eight. The performance is excellent, the combat deep and accessible, and the world and lore offer enough to keep you occupied for dozens of hours. Thanks to the lower difficulty level, the minor shortcomings are easier to ignore. In any case, it's a game you'll pick up effortlessly if you enjoyed the first Code Vein.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Code Vein II is a high-quality sequel, but not perfect. Some game design choices seemed a bit too bold and counterproductive to us, and, as far as we’re concerned, they limited the enjoyment of the title. In particular, we were somewhat disappointed with the level of difficulty balancing, with the presence of numerous almost mandatory “blockades” that you have no choice but to confront.
Review in Italian | Read full review
This "anime Souls" sequel drains the life from its premise with sluggish combat and a tedious, repetitive open world. While character customization remains deep, wonky hit detection and lackluster performance make saving the past feel like a waste of the user’s future.
Code Vein II builds on the first game in smart ways, with more flexible combat, a stronger focus on story, and a world that’s fun to spend time in. Technical issues and the lack of co-op hold it back a bit, but the core experience stays engaging thanks to how well everything comes together. It’s the kind of game that keeps you playing because there’s always another build to try or another path worth exploring.
Code Vein returns with a brand new story and new characters, expanded maps and layered, variable gameplay, all waiting to be explored. The freedom derived from the multitude of equipment, upgrades, abilities, statistics, and combat styles could be fun, but it could also be overwhelming due to dense, confusing, and inaccessible menus. Similarly, the unpolished technical aspects suggest a title that tried to be too daring, getting tangled up in a stuttering execution. Code Vein 2 is a game to be taken with a pinch of salt, which we recommend only to the most passionate fans of the action genre with strong “Souls-like” mechanics, lovers of Japanese-style high fantasy stories and those who don't shy away from challenges.
Review in Italian | Read full review
There's a lot going on in Code Vein 2, so much that it arguably loses some of the charm of its predecessor, and yet it's still quite a fun experience.
Code Vein II clearly wants to be more than a continuation of the first game. The shift in structure gives the world more room to breathe, and the combat still rewards players who like to adjust, experiment, and find their own rhythm. But that extra space comes at a cost. The open world softens the pressure that once kept everything moving forward, and the technical rough edges tend to show up exactly when clarity matters most. I enjoyed my time with Code Vein II, even when it tested my patience. I just kept thinking how much stronger it could have been with a tighter focus.
Packed with anime influences and an occasionally thrilling story, Code Vein II is not a bad game, but it is overstuffed and aimless to the point that it feels less than the sum of its parts.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
All things considered, Code Vein II feels like a much-needed breath of fresh air in an otherwise saturated souls-like genre. With its charming narrative, well-crafted social systems, and engaging mechanics, it keeps you hooked from start to finish as you dive deep into the mysteries of its post-apocalyptic world.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
A visually and technically messy Souls-like with a dull story, unbalanced combat and frustrating design choices; Code Vein II fails to capture the tight gameplay and atmosphere that make the genre shine.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
However, it just never quite feels like an essential recommendation for anyone other than hardcore Soulslike fans who appreciate a bit of anime flair. Combat lacks that last bit of punch to elevate its encounters, presentation doesn’t always match modern standards, and missing features like co-op feel like lost opportunities. Code Vein 2 is an enjoyable Soulslike with clear strengths, but it stops short of fully realizing its potential.
Code Vein 2 is an ambitious project full of ideas and personality, expanding the identity of the first game without losing its spirit. When everything clicks, its journey through timelines, companions, and striking environments delivers genuinely engaging moments. Unfortunately, a sluggish combat system, overly omniscient AI, and technical issues hold back an experience that could have shined far more. Still, it remains a distinctive, heartfelt soulslike that rewards those willing to embrace its rough edges. A clear step forward, even if not yet the leap I hoped for.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Code Vein II successfully expands and refines the formula of its predecessor, delivering fast-paced, challenging, and highly customizable combat alongside an engaging narrative. The addition of time-travel mechanics and the shift to an open world add variety to exploration, even though the latter does not go much further than what is basically expected from games of this scale. In the end, despite drawing inspiration from acclaimed titles, the game establishes itself as an action RPG with an identity of its own.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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Review in German | Read full review
Code Vein II is a deeply entertaining adventure that brings hope and life back to a ruined world, tears down massive beasts, and witnesses the most audacious segment in any action RPG.
Code Vein II realizes a lot of the original’s ideas better, but doesn’t do much with its narrative setup and still feels like a milquetoast Soulslike without much to latch onto.
In an attempt to follow trends, Code Vein 2 stumbles on the technical side and delivers an experience full of ups and downs. Combat has been brilliantly expanded; however, constant frame drops, attacks that lack impact, excessively recycled bosses, and an empty open world hold back what could have been one of the best titles in the genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review