Code Vein 2 Review: The Soulslike Sequel That Deserves Your Attention [2025]

Code Vein 2 Review: A Triumphant Sequel Held Back by Technical Struggles [2025]

I've spent over 80 hours in Code Vein 2, and I'm conflicted. Not because the game is bad—far from it. The sequel improves on nearly every aspect of the 2019 original to deliver something genuinely special. The open world is engrossing, the character building system is refreshingly intuitive, and the narrative hooks are strong enough to make you genuinely care about the five heroes you're hunting across multiple time periods.

But every time I venture into those gorgeous outdoor environments, the frame rate tanks. We're talking frame drops from the target 60 fps down to the low 30s on PS5, sometimes lower. The performance mode doesn't offer significantly better stability than the quality mode, which feels like a missed opportunity. It's the kind of issue that makes you wonder: could this game have been truly exceptional if the technical foundation was solid?

The thing is, the ingredients for a modern soulslike masterpiece are absolutely here. Code Vein 2 does something that few action RPGs manage: it balances accessibility with depth. The Blood Code system—essentially loadouts for your character build—makes experimenting with different weapons and abilities friction-free. You're not punished for trying something new. There's no stat reallocation grind, no permanent mistakes. Just swap your code, try a new weapon, see if it clicks.

This article goes deep into what makes Code Vein 2 work as a sequel, where it stumbles, and whether you should pick it up despite the performance issues. I'll cover the narrative structure, the revamped gameplay systems, the open world design, and I'll be honest about where the game struggles. By the end, you'll know exactly what you're getting into.

TL; DR

• Best Sequel Elements: Code Vein 2 iterates brilliantly on the original's formula with an open world, intuitive build system, and genuinely compelling characters that make the narrative investment worthwhile.
• Performance is the Real Problem: Frame drops on console consistently dip below 30 fps in outdoor areas, and neither performance mode offers stability—this is a noticeable, frustrating issue that impacts gameplay feel.
• Build Diversity is Excellent: The revamped Blood Code system eliminates stat reallocation friction, letting you experiment freely with weapons, abilities, and playstyles without penalty.
• Story Hooks Are Strong: The time-travel narrative mechanic creates emotional weight—befriending heroes in the past before fighting them in the present is genuinely affecting.
• Enemy Variety Could Be Better: Boss recycling and limited dungeon enemy variety hold the game back from reaching the heights of top-tier soulslikes like Elden Ring or Lies of P.
• Recommendation: If you're a soulslike fan or loved the original Code Vein, this sequel is worth playing—but ideally wait for performance patches or play on a high-end PC.

The Seven-Year Evolution: What Changed from Code Vein to Code Vein 2

The original Code Vein launched in September 2019 to a mixed reception. It had potential—the vampire aesthetic was cool, the character creator was genuinely exceptional, and there was real charm in the world Bandai Namco created. But it had a fatal flaw: it was painfully linear. Outside of one labyrinthine dungeon halfway through, you were basically following a corridor, occasionally backtracking to find a shortcut. For a soulslike, this felt constraining.

The difficulty curve was also all over the place. Certain bosses would wreck you, then you'd hit a stretch where nothing posed a real threat, then suddenly you'd hit another wall. It didn't feel intentional—it felt uneven.

The characters were likable but underdeveloped. They had personality, sure, but their arcs were surface-level. You'd meet them, they'd join your party, and then they'd mostly stand around until the next story beat.

Fast forward seven years. Code Vein 2 learned from every single one of these criticisms.

The most obvious change is the shift to an open world. Once the game fully opens up around the six-hour mark, you can tackle the five main hero areas in almost any order. It's not as expansive as Elden Ring—the map is closer to Bloodborne's interconnected layout—but it's enormous compared to the original's linearity. You'll find secrets tucked into obscure corners, shortcut doors that create satisfying loops through the world, and plenty of reasons to explore beyond the critical path.

The difficulty curve is much better balanced. There's still a noticeable difficulty trough in the mid-game where you can steamroll enemies, but it's intentional and actually feels like progression. You become stronger, items start clicking into place, and your build comes together. Then the late game ramps back up appropriately.

Character development is leagues ahead. The time-travel mechanic means you spend entire dungeons bonding with the five heroes before their final boss encounter. You learn about their regrets, their failures, their hopes. Then you have to kill them. That emotional weight—befriending someone intimately only to face them down—is genuinely affecting. The side quests that tie into their stories aren't just busywork; they're meaningful character moments.

The build system transformation is perhaps the smartest design decision. Rather than forcing you to commit to specific stats and equipment combinations, you now swap between Blood Codes—essentially loadout templates. Want to try a fast dagger build? Swap codes in three seconds. Want to test a heavy stance with a colossal weapon? Done. There's no penalty, no grinding to undo bad choices. This freedom is liberating.

Code Vein 2 struggles to maintain a stable frame rate on PS5, particularly in outdoor environments, while PC platforms offer significantly better performance. Estimated data based on typical performance observations.

The Open World Design: Exploration That Actually Feels Rewarding

Code Vein 2's open world isn't Elden Ring-scale, and honestly, that's fine. The map is deliberately compact—you can run from the eastern edge to the western edge in maybe three minutes. But density of content matters more than total size, and Code Vein 2 nails it.

Each region has a distinct visual identity. The verdant gardens of Celandine's area feel lush and organic. The crumbling cathedral networks of Dario's domains are oppressively Gothic. The snowy wastelands of another hero's era feel genuinely desolate. You're not exploring a homogeneous landmass; each area has its own character.

Secret discovery is legitimately rewarding. You'll spot a narrow ledge you can apparently drop onto, make the jump, find a hidden chamber with a unique weapon or consumable. You'll notice a locked door that reappears in multiple dungeons, wonder how to open it, then suddenly figure out where the key is. That moment of revelation—"Oh, that's how these systems connect"—happens frequently.

The shortcut design is excellent. Doors that open from the dungeon side to create world loop connections are everywhere. You'll unlock a shortcut and suddenly realize you've created a fast-travel route between two previously distant points. It's the Dark Souls formula refined.

That said, the outdoor environments have a sameness to their dungeon interiors. You'll explore a lot of generic stone corridors, weathered brick rooms, and rusted machinery hallways. The aesthetic variety from one dungeon to another is present, but within each dungeon? You'll see repeated room layouts and hallway patterns. It's not terrible, but after 80 hours, you notice the repetition.

The exploration pace is also genuinely addictive. You'll finish one dungeon thinking you're ready to move on, then spot something from the edge of the map that intrigues you—maybe an unusual structure, maybe just a visual curiosity—and suddenly you're heading toward it. Thirty minutes later, you've discovered three new miniboss encounters, found an upgrade material you desperately needed, and stumbled onto a side quest that deepens a character's backstory.

This is where Code Vein 2 truly excels as a sequel. The original gave you no reason to explore beyond following the critical path. Code Vein 2 makes exploration feel like discovering something genuinely secret and worthwhile.

Code Vein 2 excels in gameplay and narrative but struggles with performance on PS5, affecting its overall experience. Estimated data based on review insights.

The Blood Code System: Finally, a Build System That Respects Your Time

Let's talk about why the Blood Code system matters, because it's genuinely revolutionary for soulslikes.

Traditional action RPGs punish experimentation. In Dark Souls, if you invest your souls into Strength and then decide you want a Dexterity build, you either restart or use a rare respec item. Elden Ring softens this with Larval Tears, but you still need to farm them or hunt for them across the world. Lies of P has a legendary weapon system that's flexible, but you're still committing to specific stat distributions that take hours to undo.

Code Vein 2 eliminates this friction entirely. Every Blood Code comes with a template build: predetermined stats, skills, and abilities. You can equip any weapon regardless of your code (no stat requirements), and you can swap codes instantly outside of combat. Want to pivot from a Heavy Shield tank build to a fast Dagger build? One menu, done.

The genius is that this doesn't trivialize character building—it deepens it. Because there's no penalty for experimentation, you actually try builds you'd normally avoid. I spent probably 20 hours with a full magic build when I normally gravitate toward strength weapons. I discovered I loved it. In a traditional soulslike, I might have never given magic a real chance because recommitting to it feels like a waste of resources.

The system also means that difficulty spikes become puzzles. If a boss is destroying you, you can try a completely different approach without penalty. Maybe a heavy stance with poise helps you tank hits, or maybe a fast dagger build with high mobility lets you dance around the danger. You experiment until something clicks.

There are limitations, sure. An option to save specific loadouts would be nice—I found myself constantly swapping similar builds and wishing I could bookmark a configuration. And some codes are objectively better than others, which can reduce the perceived diversity once you figure out the optimal builds.

But overall? This system is how more soulslikes should handle character progression. It respects player time and curiosity while still maintaining strategic depth.

The Narrative Structure: Time Travel, Emotional Bonds, and Inevitable Betrayal

Code Vein 2's story does something I genuinely didn't expect: it makes you care about characters you're going to have to kill.

The setup is straightforward. You're a revenant hunter resurrected to prevent an apocalypse. To do this, you need to defeat five heroes of old—but you can't just march up and fight them. First, you need to find a resonant object tied to their past, a physical key that can release them from dormancy.

Here's where it gets clever. To find these keys, you time-travel into the heroes' eras, exploring the world as it was centuries or millennia ago. You meet them in their time period, see their struggles, help them solve problems, and genuinely bond with them. You're not just fighting a boss later—you're knowing that boss as a person, understanding their motivations, witnessing their regrets.

Then you return to the present, fight them in their boss forms, and they remember your connection. Some fight you hoping you'll help them, some fight desperately trying to prevent the future they suspect is coming, some are conflicted and powerful.

It's narratively brilliant because it inverts the usual soulslike structure. Instead of being this faceless hunter who encounters NPCs with depth, you're genuinely embedded in their stories. The character development doesn't happen through item descriptions and cryptic dialogue; it happens through quests, conversations, and personal moments.

The five heroes themselves are well-written. Celandine is a kind-hearted noble trying to heal her cursed land. Dario is an ambitious mage facing the consequences of his ambition. Each has a distinct personality, motivation, and moral complexity. None are cartoonishly evil—they're all trying to do what they believe is right, and their boss forms are tragic, not triumphant.

The side quests that branch from their stories are surprisingly meaningful. Rather than "fetch me five flowers," they're usually personal errands that reveal character depth. One quest involves helping a hero come to terms with a past failure. Another involves discovering a truth the hero didn't know about their own legacy. These aren't optional busywork—they're character development extensions.

That said, if you don't engage with the time-travel bonding sequences and side quests, the story becomes much more generic. The game doesn't force the emotional investment; it offers it. If you're someone who speedruns and skips dialogue, you'll still finish the story, but you'll miss why it's actually affecting.

The present-day framing narrative is thinner. Your character barely has a personality, which is intentional—you're inserting yourself into the world. But the consequences of your actions in the past create genuine plot developments in the present, which is satisfying.

Code Vein 2 excels in character depth and narrative, with high ratings across key features. Estimated data based on review insights.

Combat Systems: Accessibility Without Sacrificing Depth

Code Vein 2's combat feels familiar to anyone who's played a soulslike. You have a stamina bar, dodge rolls, light and heavy attacks, parry windows, and boss patterns to learn. But several refinements make it more accessible than games like Elden Ring or Bloodborne.

The most obvious is the AI companion system. Unlike Elden Ring where summons feel like an optional difficulty adjustment, Code Vein 2 essentially expects you to use an AI partner. These aren't overpowered summons—they're more like having a competent co-op player. They'll draw aggro, deal damage, and revive if they fall. But if a boss focuses on you and you mess up your dodge, the game won't automatically punish you with instant death.

This changes the difficulty calibration significantly. Boss encounters assume you have support. Some attacks that seem designed to one-shot you often won't if your partner is absorbing attention. It makes the game feel less punishing than other soulslikes, which some will see as a positive and others as a reduction in tension.

The parry system is tight and responsive. Unlike Bloodborne where parrying felt almost random, Code Vein 2 gives you clear visual cues for parry windows. You can actually learn and master parrying rather than hoping for the best.

Ability variety is excellent. You unlock new skills consistently, and because the Blood Code system lets you swap them freely, you're constantly experimenting with new loadouts. A skill that seemed useless at level 30 might suddenly become essential when you encounter a specific boss or enemy type.

The weapon variety is also surprisingly deep. Beyond the standard categories (daggers, swords, spears, axes, hammers), you have unusual options like whips, claws, and specialized polearms. Each has different moveset characteristics, speed, and reach. A greataxe and a spear are both heavy weapons, but fighting with them feels completely different.

That said, some attacks are objectively better than others. Once you figure out the most efficient damage output, min-maxing becomes possible. The game doesn't force balance, so competitive speedrunners have discovered optimal builds that trivialize content. This isn't necessarily a flaw—it's just acknowledging that with complete build freedom comes the possibility of breaking the balance if you optimize hard enough.

The healing system is straightforward. You carry healing items that recover health instantly, similar to Estus Flasks. There's no recovery animation that leaves you vulnerable, which again lowers the punishing nature compared to other soulslikes. Some encounters can be healed through almost entirely because you can pop items while moving and dodging.

The Boss Design: Creative Yet Repetitive

Code Vein 2's boss encounters are genuinely creative, with most main bosses having memorable attack patterns and thematic designs that connect to the heroes' stories.

The five primary hero bosses are all distinct. One uses a defensive stance system that mirrors the player's mechanics. Another employs elemental attacks that require specific counters. Each has a personality reflected in their moveset.

The issue is enemy variety overall. The game recycled several bosses, putting them in new contexts with stat adjustments. You'll fight the same boss in two different areas with slightly different health pools or resistance patterns. It's a common soulslike cost-cutting measure, but it's noticeable here.

Minibosses—tougher humanoid enemies you encounter while exploring—have more limited variety than you'd expect from an 80-hour game. You'll see certain miniboss archetypes repeatedly. The aggressive swordsman, the magic-focused caster, the dual-wielder—these show up dozens of times with stat variations but identical movesets.

Regular enemy types suffer from similar limitations. There aren't nearly enough regular mob variety to justify the dungeon repetition. You'll fight the same five enemy types across all dungeons, just reskinned with different visual themes (skeleton in a cathedral, zombie in ruins, etc.).

This is probably the biggest missed opportunity in Code Vein 2's design. The world is large enough that more enemy variety would have been feasible, and it would have made exploration feel fresher throughout.

The boss patterns themselves are generally learnable and fair. If a boss kills you, it's almost always because you made a mistake rather than the game being unfair. Tells are clear, attack windows are distinct, and punishment is proportional to mistakes. Some fights are genuinely difficult, but they don't feel cheap.

Code Vein 2 offers superior character customization and accessibility, while Elden Ring excels in world size and difficulty. Lies of P leads in performance. (Estimated data)

Difficulty and Progression: A More Balanced Curve

The difficulty progression in Code Vein 2 is significantly better than the original, though it still has moments of imbalance.

The early game is genuinely challenging. The tutorial boss can catch unwary players off-guard, and the first few dungeons will punish poor positioning and bad timing. New players might die repeatedly, which sets appropriate expectations.

Then around the 15-hour mark, you hit a difficulty valley. Your build starts coming together, your gear improves, and suddenly you're steamrolling encounters that seemed threatening a few hours ago. This valley lasts roughly 10-15 hours. Some people won't mind—it feels like progression. Others might find it boring because threats disappear.

The late game ramps back up. The final three heroes and their associated dungeons return to appropriate difficulty levels. You'll face enemies that actually pressure you again, and boss encounters demand respect.

The boss difficulty is also more consistent. Unlike the original where certain bosses felt disproportionately harder than others, Code Vein 2's main bosses are tuned similarly. Some are harder than others based on their design, but none feel like artificial spikes.

NS difficulty mode (higher difficulty) exists and presumably adds challenge, but I didn't play it for this review. Based on feedback from others, it's genuinely more demanding without feeling unfair.

The progression loop is satisfying. You defeat a dungeon, acquire new gear, unlock new abilities, and suddenly a boss that seemed impossible is manageable. The game gives you enough tools to overcome challenges without trivializing content.

One thing that helps is boss rewards. Every significant enemy defeated gives you something useful—either new weapons, upgrade materials, or ability points. You're not farming the same enemies repeatedly hoping for drops; every challenge yields tangible progress.

The Performance Problem: Why Code Vein 2 Feels Held Back

This is where I need to be blunt: the console performance is bad enough to be distracting.

On PS5, the target seems to be 60 fps for the performance mode and higher visual fidelity for the quality mode. The game achieves neither consistently. In outdoor environments, particularly areas with complex terrain and multiple enemies, frame rates dip into the 35-45 fps range. In dungeons with fewer environmental assets, you're closer to 50-60 fps, but it still stutters.

The quality mode offers marginally better visuals but similar frame rate performance. It's not like some games where you choose either smoothness or beauty. Here, both modes compromise on both metrics.

For a game that's about dodging, parrying, and reading enemy tells, frame rate consistency matters. When frames are dropping, that split-second timing window for a parry becomes unreliable. Your dodge roll might activate a frame late because the game was processing the last frame with five other enemies on screen. It's not gamebreaking, but it's noticeable enough to affect how the game feels.

PC players report significantly better performance. Even a mid-range gaming PC can maintain stable 60 fps at high settings, and high-end PCs push toward 120+ fps. This makes me think the console port needed more optimization time.

The question is whether this is fixable through patches. Bandai Namco typically supports their games post-launch, especially expansion titles. There's already an expansion announced for 2026, so additional patches are likely. But as it stands at launch, the performance is the most significant flaw.

Code Vein 2 performs best on PC with an estimated average of 60 fps, while console versions struggle with frame rate dips, particularly on PS5 and Xbox Series S. Estimated data.

Character Creator: Still One of the Best in Gaming

The character creator in the original Code Vein was so detailed that players spent hours customizing characters before ever loading into the game. Code Vein 2 kept that DNA and actually expanded it.

You can customize virtually everything: hair style and color, facial structure, skin tone, body proportions, scars, makeup, and cosmetic accessories. The sliders are granular enough that you can make genuinely unique characters rather than slight variations of presets.

What impressed me most is that the creator doesn't feel limited by performance constraints. Most games compromise character detail in menus to optimize runtime performance. Code Vein 2's creator loads your character into a small diorama that renders them in real-time with lighting and effects. You can see exactly how they'll look in-game.

The cosmetic options are also generous. Unlike many soulslikes where fashion is an afterthought, Code Vein 2 lets you mix and match armor pieces for visual customization independent of stats. You can make yourself look genuinely cool, not just optimal.

This might sound like a small thing, but it significantly increases attachment to your character. Because you invested time creating someone who looks exactly how you imagined, you care about that character's success more. It's a subtle psychological hook that some games completely miss.

Multiplayer and Online Features

Code Vein 2 supports cooperative multiplayer, letting other players summon your AI companion to assist in boss fights. This is handled similarly to Dark Souls, with signs placed in the world that other players can activate.

The implementation works smoothly. I summoned help for a few difficult encounters and the connection was stable. The AI partners of other players are competent, providing genuine assistance without trivializing content.

PvP appears to be limited compared to some soulslikes. There's no obvious invasion system, which might be intentional given the game's more accessible positioning. Not every soulslike needs PvP, and Code Vein 2 seems to be focusing on cooperative experiences rather than competitive ones.

The messaging system exists—you can leave messages for other players using templates, which is charming and helpful. I found messages warning me about boss patterns or pointing out hidden items multiple times.

Code Vein 2 offers deep customization across various character features, with high ratings in hair options and armor customization. Estimated data.

The Upgrade and Progression Systems

Weapon upgrading is straightforward. You collect materials (dropped from enemies, found in chests, or purchased) and trade them at the hub to improve your gear. The materials are color-coded by weapon type, so you're farming for specific items rather than generic currency.

The skill tree is sensible. You earn points from leveling and can allocate them to various passive abilities and stat increases. The tree is designed so that multiple paths are viable—you're not forced into a specific build shape.

Abilities—the special moves you use in combat—unlock through progression and can be equipped independently of your Blood Code. This means you're constantly switching abilities as you discover new ones and learn what works for your playstyle.

The Vestige system (collecting memories from defeated enemies to unlock permanent bonuses) provides long-term progression goals. Finding all Vestiges gives you a reason to revisit content or specifically hunt for hidden enemies.

Audio and Presentation: Atmosphere Done Right

The soundtrack is legitimately great. Composer Yuki Kajiura delivers scores that range from contemplative (hub area ambience) to intense (boss encounters). The theme for one particular late-game boss had me actually stopping to listen between attempts.

Environmental audio is also well-designed. You hear distant enemies before you encounter them. Water flows around you, wind whistles in canyons, and the ambience changes based on location. It's immersive without being intrusive.

Voice acting is solid. The characters sound convinced of their dialogue rather than phonetically reading lines. The English dub is well-cast, and emotional moments actually land because the performances support them.

The visual presentation is clean but not pushing technical boundaries. On PS5, the game looks good—textures are detailed, character models are well-rendered, and effects are visually clear. But it's not creating jaw-dropping moments. The artstyle is consistent and appealing, which matters more than technical specifications.

The Expansion and Live Service Plans

Bandai Namco has announced an expansion for Code Vein 2 arriving sometime in 2026. Details are sparse, but it's likely to include new dungeons, bosses, and story content—typical expansion fare.

The mere existence of planned expansions suggests the company has confidence in the game's commercial potential and plans to support it. This is relevant because it means performance patches are likely. Developers typically push optimization updates alongside expansion releases.

Whether the expansion will be free or paid hasn't been explicitly confirmed. Based on similar Bandai Namco titles, it's probably purchasable DLC, but the possibility of free updates exists.

The live service approach seems light—no battle pass, no cosmetic shop (as far as I've encountered), no seasonal content structure. It's closer to traditional post-launch support than aggressive monetization.

Comparisons to Other Soulslikes: Where Code Vein 2 Stands

Elden Ring is the obvious comparison. Both feature open worlds and freedom in combat approach. But Code Vein 2's world is significantly smaller and denser, while Elden Ring prioritizes sprawling exploration. Code Vein 2 tells a more linear (despite open access) narrative, while Elden Ring's story is obscured in environmental storytelling and item descriptions.

For difficulty, Elden Ring is significantly harder. Code Vein 2's AI companion system and healing mechanics make it more forgiving. This isn't bad—it's just a different design philosophy.

Lies of P is another recent comparison point. Both are well-crafted soulslikes with strong narratives. Lies of P has the performance advantage on console, while Code Vein 2 has superior character customization and build flexibility. The stories are completely different (Pinocchio retelling vs. vampire narrative), so direct comparison is limited.

Nioh 2 is the closest spiritual predecessor to Code Vein 2 given their action RPG DNA and build variety focus. But Nioh 2 leans harder into loot systems and stat complexity, while Code Vein 2 simplifies progression for accessibility.

Code Vein 2 occupies its own space: more accessible than Dark Souls, more focused on character narratives than Elden Ring, with build variety comparable to Nioh but simpler to manage.

Is Code Vein 2 Worth Playing? The Verdict

Here's my honest take: Code Vein 2 is absolutely worth playing if you like character-driven narratives, soulslike combat, and generous build flexibility. The sequel has genuinely learned from the original's mistakes and delivers on what fans wanted: a more expansive world, better character development, and meaningful progression systems.

The performance issues are real and noticeable, but they're not entirely game-breaking. You can absolutely finish and enjoy Code Vein 2 despite the frame rate dips. It's not ideal, especially for a soulslike where timing matters, but it's tolerable.

If you're someone who demands perfect technical performance before playing, wait for patches. PC players should jump in immediately—the experience is significantly better on higher-end hardware.

If you're a casual soulslike fan tired of games that punish every mistake, Code Vein 2's more forgiving approach might actually be refreshing. The AI companion and healing flexibility create breathing room that hardcore soulslikes don't offer.

If you're specifically looking for the hardest possible soulslike experience, Elden Ring on higher difficulties or Bloodborne remain stronger choices. Code Vein 2 offers challenge, but not absolute brutality.

The narrative investment is substantial. This isn't a game you play for moment-to-moment combat; you play to discover what happens to the five heroes and how their stories interweave with your protagonist's journey. If that hooks you, Code Vein 2 will absolutely keep you engaged for 60-80 hours.

Common Criticisms and How Valid They Are

"The game is just Dark Souls with vampires." Fair observation, but reductive. Code Vein 2 borrows DNA from soulslikes but the narrative structure, open world design, and build philosophy are genuinely its own thing.

"The difficulty is too easy." Depends on your experience level. For soulslike newcomers, it's appropriately challenging. For veterans, yes, it's more forgiving. Neither perspective is wrong—it's intentional design.

"Performance ruins the experience." Valid complaint. The frame drops are noticeable and frustrating. But "ruins" might be strong if you have patience or plan to play on PC.

"Boss recycling is lazy." Legitimate criticism. The game has the budget to create more unique bosses, and the recycling suggests either time crunch or deliberate cost-cutting.

"The story is predictable." Some story beats are, but the execution lands emotionally. And the specific character details subvert expectations enough to keep you invested.

Tips for Maximizing Your Experience

Don't rush the bonding sequences. The emotional impact comes from taking time with the heroes. Skip dialogue and you lose 70% of what makes the narrative work.

Experiment with different Blood Codes early. Discover your preferred playstyle before settling into a single build. Because swapping is free, you might as well try everything.

Explore thoroughly. The open world rewards curiosity. Secret items, hidden bosses, and unique encounters are hidden off the beaten path.

Use your AI companion strategically. They're not crutches—they're tools. Positioning them effectively creates tactical advantages.

Read the item descriptions. Like most soulslikes, environmental storytelling and lore hide in item descriptions. The world is more interesting if you're curious about it.

FAQ

What is Code Vein 2?

Code Vein 2 is an action RPG soulslike developed by Shift Up and published by Bandai Namco. It's the sequel to the 2019 original Code Vein, featuring an open world, character-driven narrative, and flexible build system. Released January 29, 2026, it's available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

How does Code Vein 2 differ from the original Code Vein?

Code Vein 2 shifts from a linear dungeon-crawler to an open world structure, introduces the revolutionary Blood Code system for penalty-free build experimentation, and deepens character narratives through time-travel bonding sequences. The difficulty curve is more balanced, and the overall production quality is significantly higher. The original's main limitations—linearity, character depth, and build inflexibility—are all addressed in the sequel.

What is the Blood Code system and why does it matter?

The Blood Code system provides loadout templates that determine your character's stats, weapons, abilities, and skills. You can swap codes instantly outside combat without penalty or grinding, making experimentation risk-free. This design philosophy eliminates the frustration of committing to specific builds in traditional soulslikes, letting players try diverse playstyles without consequence.

Is Code Vein 2 harder than Dark Souls or Elden Ring?

Code Vein 2 is considerably easier than both. The AI companion system draws aggro, the healing mechanics are generous, and dodge/parry windows are more forgiving. However, this doesn't make the game boring—higher difficulties exist (New Game+/harder modes), and boss pattern learning remains important. It's accessible without being trivial.

What are the performance issues on console?

On PS5, the game frequently dips below 50 fps in outdoor environments, sometimes dropping into the 35-45 fps range. The quality and performance modes offer similar performance levels with minimal differentiation. PC performance is significantly better. The frame rate inconsistency is noticeable for soulslike combat but not completely gamebreaking.

Should I wait for performance patches before playing?

If you're extremely sensitive to frame rate inconsistency, yes—wait for patches or play on PC. If you can tolerate occasional drops and prioritize gameplay experience over technical perfection, jump in now. Bandai Namco typically patches their games regularly, so improvements are likely coming.

How long is Code Vein 2?

Expect 60-80 hours for a thorough playthrough that explores most content and engages with character stories. Speed runners can finish in 25-30 hours. New Game+ content and higher difficulties add additional playtime for those interested.

Is the story worth experiencing?

Absolutely. The narrative structure of befriending heroes in the past before facing them as bosses creates genuine emotional weight. The character writing is solid, the voice acting supports the performances, and the time-travel mechanic creates meaningful stakes. This isn't a game where story is secondary—it's central to the experience.

Can I play Code Vein 2 without playing the original?

Yes. While Code Vein 2 references some lore from the original, it tells a largely standalone story. New players won't feel lost, and veterans will appreciate continuity callbacks. The original is not required reading.

What's the difference between the character creator here and in other soulslikes?

Code Vein 2's character creator is exceptionally detailed with extensive customization options, color wheels for precise tones, and body proportion sliders. The creator renders your character in real-time with lighting and effects, so you see exactly how they look in-game. This level of detail is rare and genuinely contributes to character attachment.

Is there PvP or just cooperative multiplayer?

Code Vein 2 focuses on cooperative multiplayer where you summon other players' AI companions for boss help. Traditional PvP appears absent. The design philosophy seems to prioritize cooperation over competition, which aligns with the game's more accessible positioning.

What kind of post-launch support is planned?

An expansion is confirmed for 2026 with additional details TBA. Bandai Namco typically provides free balance patches and paid DLC expansions for their major releases. Performance patches are likely given current issues, though no official timeline exists.

Final Thoughts: A Sequel That Knows What to Fix

Code Vein 2 is genuinely impressive as a sequel. The developers understood exactly what the original needed—open world exploration, character depth, and build flexibility—and delivered all of it. The narrative experiment of time-travel bonding creates emotional investment uncommon in soulslikes. The Blood Code system eliminates friction that plagues other action RPGs. The open world rewards curiosity without overwhelming.

Yes, the console performance is frustrating. Yes, enemy variety could be better. Yes, the difficulty valley in mid-game is noticeable. But none of these flaws undermine what Code Vein 2 accomplishes: a soulslike that respects player time, celebrates character investment, and delivers a genuinely compelling story.

If you loved the original Code Vein, this is obviously a must-play. If you like character-driven narratives in action games, it's worth experiencing. If you're a soulslike enthusiast, it's a unique entry in the genre that deserves attention.

The technical issues will likely improve. The core game design is already excellent. Code Vein 2 deserves to be in conversations about the best soulslikes of recent years—and it will be, once the performance catches up to the ambition.

Grab it on PC if you can, or wait for console patches if you're committed to console play. Either way, Code Vein 2 is worth your time.

Key Takeaways

• Code Vein 2's shift from linear dungeons to open world exploration with dense content creates a fundamentally different experience from the original, delivering on what fans wanted from a sequel.
• The Blood Code system revolutionizes build flexibility by allowing instant, penalty-free loadout swaps, eliminating friction that plagues traditional action RPG character progression.
• Time-travel bonding mechanics create unusual emotional investment, making boss encounters feel tragic rather than triumphant because you've genuinely connected with characters before fighting them.
• Console performance significantly undercuts the experience with consistent frame rate drops below 50 fps in outdoor areas, impacting combat feel and parry timing in a genre where precision matters.
• Enemy and boss variety limitations—including recycled encounters—represent the game's biggest missed opportunity despite strong character narratives and open world design.

Related Articles

• Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Review [2025]
• Beyond Good and Evil 2 Survived Ubisoft's Purge: What It Means [2025]
• Forza Horizon 6 Release Date: Xbox, PC & PS5 Launch [2025]
• Beast of Reincarnation: Game Freak's Action RPG [2026]
• Xbox Developer Direct 2026: Complete Guide to Watch & Games [2025]
• Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia Remake: Inside the Major Gaming Restructure [2025]