Code Vein 2 has been out for about a month now, and the verdict is… complicated. A 73 on Metacritic, mixed Steam reviews (62% positive), and a player count that’s already dropped 58% from its peak. So is Code Vein 2 worth playing? After digging through dozens of reviews, community threads, and player reports, the answer depends entirely on what kind of soulslike you’re looking for.
TL;DR
- Mixed reception with a 73 Metacritic score and 62% positive Steam rating. Performance issues are the biggest complaint across all platforms.
- Blood Code class-swapping and the character creator are standout strengths. The combat’s Bleed/Drain/Formae cycle is genuinely fun once it clicks.
- Dungeons are repetitive, the open world feels hollow, and co-op has been removed. If you loved co-op in the original, that’s gone.
- Buy if you want an approachable anime soulslike. Wait for patches if stable 60fps matters to you. Skip if you want Elden Ring-level exploration.
What Is Code Vein 2?
Code Vein 2 is an anime-styled soulslike action RPG from Bandai Namco, released January 30, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It’s the sequel to 2019’s Code Vein, but the story is completely standalone. You don’t need to play the original.
You play as a Revenant (basically an anime vampire) working with a girl named Lou who can manipulate time. The game blends open-world exploration with dungeon crawling, a deep class-swapping system called Blood Codes, and an AI companion that fights alongside you. Standard edition runs $69.99.
Think of it as the JRPG answer to Elden Ring. Less punishing, more story-driven, and a whole lot more customizable. Whether that trade-off works for you is what this article is about.
What Code Vein 2 Gets Right
Blood Codes Are Still the Best Class System in Soulslikes
Blood Codes are swappable classes that completely rewrite your stats, abilities, and even your dodge roll. Three main archetypes (Technical, Combat Focused, Balanced) branch into dozens of variations. The Acedia Bloodline: Zenon 2 is the most flexible, letting you distribute burden attributes however you want. Superbia Bloodline: Lavinia 3 turns you into a status ailment machine. Patientia Bloodline: Iris 3 is for players who want to swing hammers and two-handed swords without getting staggered.
The real beauty is you can swap Blood Codes at any Mistle (checkpoint). Stuck on a boss? Try a completely different build. No respec tokens, no penalty. Just switch and experiment. Every other soulslike should steal this idea.
The Character Creator Is Exceptional
This is universally praised across every review I’ve read. The range of sliders, facial features, hairstyles, and cosmetic options is absurd. There’s a free Character Creator Demo on all platforms if you want to see for yourself, and your creation transfers to the full game. If you’ve ever spent an hour in a character creator, you’ll spend three here.
The Story Actually Has Characters You Care About
Unlike most soulslikes where you need a PhD in lore videos to understand the plot, Code Vein 2 tells its story directly. Lou’s time-travel arc has genuine emotional weight. Zenon has become a fan-favorite for good reason. The narrative covers heavy themes (betrayal, friendship, choosing who to sacrifice) and player choices determine multiple endings. NoisyPixel called it “emotionally driven and layered with impactful character arcs.” It’s no Final Fantasy, but it’s miles ahead of most games in this genre.
Combat Rewards Aggression
The core combat loop is Bleed, Drain, Formae. You hit enemies to build their bleed meter. Once they glow, use your Jail Drain attack (R2/RT) to rip out Ichor. Then spend that Ichor on Formae abilities, which are flashy special attacks tied to your weapon and Blood Code. It creates a rhythm where passive play is punished and aggressive play is rewarded. When the cycle clicks, combat feels excellent.
Accessibility Without Condescension
Your AI partner can’t die and will revive you when you fall. Kotaku called the difficulty “practically a Fisher-Price toy compared to Elden Ring.” That’s not a dig. The game is designed around cooperative play with your companion, not as training wheels but as a core mechanic. If you’ve bounced off Elden Ring or Dark Souls because of the punishment loop, Code Vein 2 is genuinely worth trying. You can also leave any boss and return later, even main story bosses.
Where It Falls Short
Performance Is Rough Across the Board
This is the number one complaint. On PS5, Performance Mode never holds a stable 60fps in larger environments. PC players need at least an RTX 2060 for 1080p/60. The 62% Steam rating is almost entirely driven by performance frustration. TechRaptor noted the PS5 version “never reaching 60 FPS” in Performance Mode, and pop-in during cutscenes is visible even on PS5 Pro.
Dungeons Are Grey and Repetitive
If you loved the level design of Dark Souls or Elden Ring’s legacy dungeons, prepare for disappointment. Code Vein 2’s dungeons are described as “drab, grey facilities” by TechRaptor, and most follow the same linear layout. GamesRadar specifically called out that the dungeons “lack bite.” There’s no sense of interconnected shortcuts or discovery. You go in, you fight through, you come out.
The Open World Is Pretty But Empty
Code Vein 2 adopted Elden Ring’s open-world structure, but without the density that makes exploration rewarding. The map reveals all points of interest immediately, killing the thrill of discovery. TechRaptor noted “few dungeons out in the open world” and “miles and miles of dilapidated buildings” with little meaningful content. In Elden Ring, you turn any direction and see something interesting. Here, the open areas are mostly connective tissue between story beats.
No More Co-op
The original Code Vein had online co-op. Code Vein 2 does not. This is a single-player-only game with AI companions. If you and a friend were planning to play through together, that’s off the table. This has been one of the most vocal community complaints since launch.
Enemy Variety Runs Thin
You’ll fight the same enemy types with minor variations across most of the game. NoisyPixel called out “many enemy designs are reused, reducing variety in encounters.” The bosses (called Cocoons) are better, with multi-phase fights that test your build. But the enemies between bosses blur together after the first 15 hours.
Performance by Platform
| Platform | Performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Best option (with good hardware) | RTX 2060 minimum for 1080p/60. Enable DLSS or FSR. 75GB storage. “Ultimate Engine Tweaks” mod on Nexus helps with stuttering. |
| PS5 | Inconsistent | Performance Mode targets 60fps but rarely hits it in open areas. Quality Mode is more stable at 30fps. Pop-in during cutscenes even on PS5 Pro. |
| Xbox Series X | Similar to PS5 | Same performance profile. Not on Game Pass. $69.99 purchase required. |
If you have a decent PC (RTX 3060 or better), that’s the way to go. You get the most headroom for performance patches and mod support. Console players should seriously consider waiting for optimization patches before buying.
Editions and Pricing
| Edition | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $69.99 | Base game |
| Deluxe | $89.99 | Base game + Custom Outfit Pack (3 costumes, 1 weapon) + Mask of Idris expansion DLC |
| Ultimate | $99.99 | Everything in Deluxe + original Code Vein character costumes + digital artbook and soundtrack |
The Deluxe is only worth it if you’re committed. The Mask of Idris DLC is the main draw, but it won’t release until sometime before January 2027. The Ultimate adds cosmetics and a soundtrack. Start with Standard and upgrade later if the game hooks you.
Is Code Vein 2 Worth Playing?
Buy Now If
- You want an approachable soulslike with anime style
- Deep character customization is your thing
- You care about story and characters in your action RPGs
- You have a decent PC (RTX 3060+)
Wait or Skip If
- Stable 60fps performance matters to you (wait for patches)
- You want co-op with friends (it’s gone)
- You want Elden Ring-quality exploration and dungeon design
- You only play soulslikes for the difficulty
Here’s my honest take: Code Vein 2 does three things really well (Blood Codes, character creator, accessible difficulty) and several things poorly (performance, dungeons, open world density). If the three strengths appeal to you more than the weaknesses bother you, it’s worth your time. If not, Elden Ring Nightreign is the stronger soulslike on the market right now.
Getting Started
If you’ve decided to jump in, here’s the short version: experiment with Blood Codes early and often, use your AI partner as a tank rather than ignoring them, and learn the Bleed/Drain/Formae cycle before anything else. That loop is the core of combat and everything else builds on it.
For a full breakdown of every system, check our Code Vein 2 Beginner Guide with essential tips on Blood Codes, combat fundamentals, weapons, and exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Code Vein 2 harder than Elden Ring?
No. Code Vein 2 is significantly easier. Your AI companion can’t die, will automatically revive you, and draws enemy aggro. The checkpoint system is forgiving and you can leave any boss fight (including story bosses) to level up and return later.
Do I need to play the original Code Vein first?
No. Code Vein 2 tells a standalone story set in the same universe but with new characters and a new conflict. You won’t miss any important context by starting here.
Does Code Vein 2 have co-op multiplayer?
No. Unlike the first game, Code Vein 2 is single-player only with AI companions. Online co-op has been removed entirely. This is one of the most common complaints from fans of the original.
How long is Code Vein 2?
Around 40 to 45 hours for the main story plus side content. Completionists will get more. The Mask of Idris expansion DLC is expected before January 2027.
Is Code Vein 2 on Game Pass?
No. Code Vein 2 is not available on Xbox Game Pass. It’s a full-price purchase at $69.99. The original Code Vein was on Game Pass briefly, so Code Vein 2 could be added later, but nothing has been announced.
Summary
Code Vein 2 is a game at war with itself. The Blood Code system, character creator, and accessible difficulty are genuinely excellent. The performance, dungeon design, and missing co-op hold it back from being the soulslike it could be. At $70, it’s a tough sell on console until patches land. On a decent PC, there’s a good 40+ hour action RPG here if you’re willing to look past the rough edges.