Code Vein II Review: A Flawed but Accessible Anime Soulslike Adventure

A Tale of Two Eras: Story, World, and Presentation

Code Vein II’s premise tasks your Revenant with a dire choice: befriend or assassinate five legendary heroes to prevent a cataclysmic event known as the "Resurgence" in your present. While the time-travel hook provides a framework for visiting diverse locales and meeting a charming new cast, the narrative execution often stumbles. The plot leans into generic anime tropes and can become convoluted, struggling to deliver the emotional weight its premise promises. It serves its purpose as a vehicle for adventure but rarely rises above being a functional backdrop.

The most significant shift from the original is the introduction of a fully open world. This change is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the world is visually striking, adhering to the series' praised gothic, post-apocalyptic anime art style. Some have found it "superb" and filled with rewarding secrets to uncover. On the other, it often feels large and empty, lacking the dense, intricate environmental storytelling that defines the best Soulslikes. The context for its grand vistas is frequently thin, making exploration sometimes feel like a checklist rather than a discovery.

Where the presentation consistently excels is in its character artistry. The granular character creator returns and remains one of the best in gaming, allowing for staggering customization that can be tweaked at any time. This, combined with the consistent and evocative art direction for armor and enemies, ensures your Revenant and their world always look the part, even when the story fails to fully engage.

The Heart of the Hunt: Revamped Blood Codes and Combat

At its core, Code Vein II is about its combat and progression, and here it makes its most compelling arguments. The revamped Blood Code system is a triumph of accessible, deep customization. Abandoning traditional stat allocation, Blood Codes act as equippable class templates. Each levels up with use, unlocking new abilities and passive skills that can be mixed and matched. This system encourages completely risk-free experimentation. Want to switch from a heavy two-handed greatsword user to a swift, spell-casting mage? Simply swap your Blood Code and redistribute your equipped skills. This flexibility is liberating and a major improvement over the first game.

Combat itself builds on familiar Soulslike foundations: checkpoint respawns, limited healing uses that refresh at rest points, and a focus on deliberate encounters. The unique twist is the management of Ichor, a resource used to power special "Forma" abilities. Ichor is primarily regained through well-timed "Drain Attacks" with your equipped "Jail" weapon, adding a rewarding risk-reward layer to aggression.

Ever-present is your AI Companion. This partner draws aggro, deals damage, and can perform an ultimate sacrifice to revive you upon death. For those seeking a greater challenge, you can choose to "Assimilate" your partner, absorbing them for a solo-play run with significant stat boosts. This system is the cornerstone of the game’s accessibility, providing a crucial safety net without completely removing tension.

The Bitter Aftertaste: Critical Flaws and Technical Woes

Unfortunately, these compelling systems are constantly tested by a suite of technical and design issues. The most immediate and pervasive problem is technical performance. Across all platforms, but notably on consoles, the game suffers from framerate stuttering, texture pop-in (egregious during close-up cutscenes), and general poor optimization. In a genre where split-second reactions are key, this instability undermines the core gameplay.

This is compounded by significant combat and design flaws. Enemy attacks can be poorly telegraphed, with some bosses unleashing nearly invisible projectiles or attacks with hitboxes that feel unfair. The camera, a notorious foe in many action games, becomes a true adversary in larger boss arenas, often failing to keep both the colossal enemy and your character in view.

Beyond the technical and combat hiccups, issues of content and pacing emerge. Normal enemy variety is low, leading to repetition across the lengthy campaign. Dungeon interiors are criticized for feeling "samey," and the open world’s navigation is hampered by an awkwardly controlling motorbike that feels like an afterthought. The difficulty curve is uneven, with sudden, jarring spikes that feel less like a fair challenge and more like an imbalance in tuning.

For Whom the Bell Tolls: Accessibility and Final Verdict

Code Vein II’s greatest achievement is its accessibility. It stands as one of the most welcoming entry points to the Soulslike genre. The companion system, forgiving mechanics, and the risk-free Blood Code experimentation create an environment where players can learn genre conventions without the brutal punishment. It successfully argues that challenge and approachability are not mutually exclusive.

The final package is a mix of clear contrasts. On one side: a charming cast, fun and cinematic combat, an exceptional character creator, and the joy of build-crafting leading to multiple endings (normal, good, and true). On the other: a weak narrative, persistent technical problems, and repetitive elements in world and enemy design.

Your enjoyment will hinge entirely on what you prioritize. Genre newcomers curious about Soulslikes, character creator enthusiasts, and fans of the original game willing to overlook its blemishes will find a rewarding, 40+ hour adventure at its core. However, performance purists and players seeking deep narrative depth or impeccably polished combat should wait for significant patches or look elsewhere.

Code Vein II is, therefore, a paradox: one of the most inviting gateways to the Soulslike genre, yet one that frequently stumbles at its own threshold. Its success depends entirely on whether your patience for its flaws is as deep as your appreciation for its customizable heart.