Support NeoGAF

[Draugoth]

​

​

Game Information​

Game Title: Code Vein II

Platforms:

• PC (Jan 30, 2026)
• PlayStation 5 (Jan 30, 2026)
• Xbox Series X/S (Jan 30, 2026)

Trailer:

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 77 average - 63% recommended - 24 reviews

​

Critic Reviews

But Why Tho? - Eddie De Santiago - 9 / 10

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.

CGMagazine - Marcus Kenneth - 7 / 10

Code Vein II builds meaningfully on the original, with stronger companions, more flexible builds, and a story that feels more involved, even when it leans hard into melodrama.

Cerealkillerz - Gabriel Bogdan - German - 8 / 10

Code Vein 2 is bigger, more ambitious, and far more story-driven than its predecessor. Unfortunately, it largely fails to learn from the mistakes of the previous installment and often stumbles over its own ambitions. Those who enjoyed Code Vein can jump in without hesitation. For everyone else, this is a somewhat uneven anime Elden Ring with a very well-executed story and plenty of character development—though it ultimately tries to do a bit too much.

Console-Tribe - Simone Cantini - Italian - 75 / 100

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.

Digitale Anime - Raouf Belhamra - Arabic - 8 / 10

"An Interconnected World Presenting a Constant Challenge" Code Vein II offers an ambitious expansion in both narrative and mechanics compared to the first installment. Time travel adds a unique dramatic dimension, while gameplay combines fluid movement, a diverse arsenal, and advanced strategic abilities. The Blood Codes system and fusion capabilities significantly broaden player options, while boss battles provide a balanced and exciting challenge. Code Vein II is on its way to becoming a new standard for Soulslike games.

Digitec Magazine - Domagoj Belancic - German - 4 / 5

With its unique mechanics, "Code Vein 2" takes a refreshing approach compared to other games in the genre. The combat system is far more accessible thanks to AI-controlled companions. Enemies are tough but fair, though an occasionally frustrating camera can sour the experience. The flexible, modular progression system is a highlight, letting you swap abilities at any time and experiment freely without worrying about long-term build planning.

GAMES.CH - Olaf Bleich - German - 72%

Quote not yet available

GameBlast - Lucas Oliveira - Portuguese - 8 / 10

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.

Gameliner - Simon Verbeke - Dutch - 4 / 5

In a world full of Soulslikes, Code Vein II manages to stand out in its own unique way, offering entertaining (if not very deep) storytelling with a fun time-travel twist and strong, flexible combat, though technical issues, visual glitches, and some repetitive environments keep it from greatness. However, it remains a great pick for fans of challenging action RPGs (and waifus).

Gamer Guides - Echo Apsey - 75 / 100

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.

GamerFocus - Julián Ramírez - Spanish - 6.5 / 10

For every thing Code Vein II does right, it does two things wrong. I had a lot of fun with its character creator and experimenting with its combat system, but its absurd story, boring environments, technical issues, and uneven pacing made it a tedious experience. Despite all that, it can offer some truly great moments, and its appealing characters will surely win it a fair number of fans.

IGN Italy - Alessandra Borgonovo - Italian - 7 / 10

Code Vein II is a missed opportunity: it expands the universe and streamlines the gameplay, but sacrifices challenge on the altar of accessibility. Between a difficulty flattened by overly powerful teammates and various technical uncertainties, it remains a pleasant title but lacking the spark necessary to excel.

IGN Spain - Alejandro Morillas - Spanish - 8 / 10

Code Vein II, while remaining a more or less traditional souls-like game, improves on its predecessor in every way. Its ambitious Elden Ring-style open world and timelines make this journey particularly fun and addictive in its gameplay loop.

Just Play it - Mostafa Khedime - Arabic - 8 / 10

Code Vein II delivered a gripping, dramatic story with a dark anime tone, alongside strategic gameplay offering multiple playstyle options and a vast world filled with secrets that encourage exploration. Despite some shortcomings on the technical side and in graphical quality, it remains an enjoyable experience well worth trying, especially for fans of challenge and dark, atmospheric worlds.

Kakuchopurei - Jonathan Toyad - 80 / 100

Code Vein II is a huge improvement over its sequel from gameplay to level design, and even its partner system. It also retains its unrelenting brutality and difficulty without compromise, for better or worse. Like a bunch of gamemakers who stan From Software's work to the point where they don't give players a break and probably turning some folks off who really want to give this subgenre a shot.

MeuPlayStation - Raphael Batista Cabral Xavier - Portuguese - 70 / 100

Code Vein 2 expands on the ideas of the first game with more content, a stronger focus on dual combat, and a narrative built around multiple timelines. The story's core concept is interesting, though characters and dialogue struggle to create emotional engagement. Combat remains methodical and strategic, working well in cooperative play and offering a good variety of builds, even if few boss fights stand out as truly memorable. Exploration is open and functional, but provides limited incentives beyond basic progression. Confusing interfaces, recurring technical issues, and visuals below expectations for the current generation hurt the overall experience. Overall, it is an above-average game that will please fans of the original Code Vein, but it fails to stand out in a competitive year due to its reliance on safe, unambitious formulas.

MondoXbox - Mirko Rossi - Italian - 8.5 / 10

Code Vein II is a confident and engaging action RPG sequel that reworks the first game's foundations to deliver a broader, more balanced experience. Despite a slow opening, underwhelming technical execution, and the lack of multiplayer, its deep, flexible combat system and rewarding progression keep it compelling for dozens of hours. A strong recommendation for genre fans, even those who skipped or disliked the original.

One More Game - Chris Garcia - 7 / 10

Code Vein II delivers a sequel that offers a bigger experience compared to the first, but a better experience may be subjective. Sporting upgraded visuals and a narrative that spans time periods, its deeper combat systems are the star of the show, offering Jails, Formae, and swappable Blood Codes that provide remarkable build diversity, with new weapon archetypes like Rune Blades and Twin Blades that are great options.

PSX Brasil - Bruno Henrique Vinhadel - Portuguese - 75 / 100

Code Vein II is both an evolution in some aspects and a regression in others. The visual style gets lost amidst a problematic or unrefined engine for the genre. The story relies on good secondary characters, but offers very little beyond that. In the end, the open-world structure doesn't seem to have been the best decision for much of the design, and much of the game's quality lies in the simplified combat, even though there's a tremendous effort to make everything overly complex.

Pizza Fria - Filipe Villela Barroso - Portuguese - 8.3 / 10

Code Vein II proves to be a great game, with a fascinating storyline, charismatic and very well-developed characters, and an ambitious narrative that plays with choices, time travel, and multiple endings.

República DG - Ruancarlo Silva - Portuguese - 7.4 / 10

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.

Stevivor - Steve Wright - 7 / 10

While fun from moment to moment, Code Vein 2 has a cookie-cutter plot, matching dialogue, and combat that isn't polished to the level it needs to be.

The Outerhaven Productions - 4 / 5

Code Vein II is what you love about the original game, with new additions and a new open world to explore. There are some performance and resolution issues that are present that can take some players out. Everything else, though, is beautiful. Especially the cast and character designs. The Character Customization is one of the best the series has to offer. Combat is engaging, and the memorable cast and story are what will make you continue the adventure. It may not be all gold, but it is an aesthetic work of art.

TheSixthAxis - Miguel Moran - 9 / 10

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.

 

[kpopSuperstar]

Wait, what a hell was that other vein game that just came out?

 

[semiconscious]

there's something about the first game that i enjoyed that i'm just not feeling here, & hell if i know what it is...

 

[Varteras]

Wait, what a hell was that other vein game that just came out?

You're thinking about that dumpster fire Code Violet

 

[kpopSuperstar]

You're thinking about that dumpster fire Code Violet

Ah, yeah, damn.

 

[Arsic]

Ouch…

 

[FalsettoVibe]

Getting better reviews than I thought it would. Too bad Nioh 3 is right around the corner.

 

[JayK47]

Hmmmmm. Will grab on sale.

 

[Hot5pur]

The aesthetic is somehow worse than the first game...
Also it feels like a basics souls game. I think I'm just tired of souls.
After recently playing Khazan (which is a fast Ni-Oh like) and also seeing what they're doing with NiOh3, I went back to play the OG hack and slash bangers: Ninja Gaiden, DMC, MG Rising, Vanquish, Bayonetta.
Character actions games died for the souls BS and I think we need to go back (still amazing that we recently got NG2: Black and NG4).

 

[Danjin44]

I think I'm just tired of souls.

This my biggest reason why I avoid playing "Souls-like" I only play Souls game made by FROM, this way I avoid getting tired of souls games.

So every time I get new Souls game comes out it feels special because FROM doesn't release Souls games so frequently.

 

[IAmRei]

it wont be reviewed as great, it's kind of niche of the niche,
i havent bought it yet, next month i think, still need the next payroll for it : ))

 

[Punished Miku]

Bargain bin title in 5 years for me.

 

[KàIRóS]

Sounds like it could be great with a few update patches, every positive review basically says the same thing:

"It has techincal issues BUT it's bigger and more ambitious than the first game, interesting time travel story, good characters, more in depth combat and builds and it's basically Anime Elden Ring"

Good for me though, my dilemma was which one to start first, this or Nioh 3, I guess it's Nioh 3.

 

[Elginer]

Been looking forward to this for a while. One day during pandemic I bought it on same for like 20 bucks and just fell in love with it. Never was a big Souls like dude and still am not but something just clicked with me with this series. Hoping the sequel does the same thing for me. It was a damn good therapeutic game. Just very chill and was nice to just grind on.

 

[Gonzito]

The first one was the definition of mediocrity

And this seems to be in that line

 

[draliko]

Will absolutely play it but not before nioh3... I mean it's 10 days away... And this will depreciate quite fast, so no reason to play it just now...

 

[nnytk]

Apparently there is a bunch of censorship and poor translation in this game, Bandai Namco should really put more care and effort in their projects.

 

[Revolutionary]

I downloaded the character creator and the art style seems kinda... bland? The character models feel like they were ripped out of a PS3-era game.

 

[Gonzito]

I downloaded the character creator and the art style seems kinda... bland? The character models feel like they were ripped out of a PS3-era game.

Anything that resembles manga or anime is bland and cringe. Its not pretty or good looking

 

[ClanOfNone]

I actually beat the first game, but I remember nothing about it other than this endlessly repeating white cathedral area and giant, jiggling anime boobs.

 

[Pantz]

censored game/10
full boycott on Bandai Namco, cya.

 

[Cumulus]

well, this didn`t exactly scream "masterpiece" from the get go. Solid budget food for those with too much time I´d say.

 

[cireza]

Code Vein was awesome and one of my favorite games in the genre, with Stranger of Paradise. Looking forward to this sequel.

 

[Arachnid]

Nioh 3 being right around the corner makes this DOA

 

[Signalis]

And from what I hear it runs like shit as well.