Code Vein II is a shocking step down from its predecessor in many regards, widening the scope of its environments and maps only to feel more barren and lifeless as a result. Its world is populated ...

Code Vein II blends demanding Soulslike combat with striking storytelling while also delivering challenging battles.

Ultimately, due to this conflicting nature, Code Vein 2 is never quite sure of what type of game it wants to be, and as such, I was never quite sure if I was having fun with it or not. A lifeless open ...

The soulslike genre revolves around challenge and skill mastery, both of which hold true for Code Vein 2. From the opening hours, it is clear that it is designed with mechanical depth in mind. Combat ...

An anime-infused riff on Dark Souls, the original Code Vein didn't command my attention for long. However, a recent hands-off preview at Summer Game Fest immediately got me more invested in its ...

I was unsure about action soulslike Code Vein 2 during my first six hours of play. The game promises a large open world to explore, but it’s hesitant to hand over the reins while your total playtime ...

Code Vein getting a sequel, as announced at Summer Game Fest earlier this year, was a pleasant surprise. The original was good! It was one of those games that necessarily didn’t blow people away, but ...

The Soulslike genre -- difficult action games built on the formula established by FromSoftware's Dark Souls series -- is a common sight these days, but back in 2019, when the first Code Vein came out, ...

With more of an Elden Ring approach with its open world and (somewhat) non-linearity, Code Vein 2 tries to tap into that formula but just doesn't quite nail its execution, which is a crying shame ...