Code Vein II is a single-player action role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players take control of a Revenant Hunter who wields unique powers through an artifact that channels Revenant abilities during combat.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on third-person combat that emphasizes timing, positioning, and resource management. Players perform drain attacks to extract blood from enemies and convert it into Ichor, which powers a range of skills. A new build system lets users customize weapons and skill combinations to match preferred playstyles. Exploration takes place across varied biomes in a more open world design than the predecessor, with travel supported by a motorcycle for faster movement between locations. A dedicated partner system provides AI-controlled allies that fight alongside the player or can be assimilated to grant permanent bonuses and abilities. Time manipulation mechanics, tied to a companion named Lou, allow travel between the present and past to alter key events and influence the current state of the world.
Game Modes
The game operates entirely in single-player. The primary experience follows a story-driven campaign that incorporates time travel to revisit and reshape historical moments across multiple regions. Companion interactions form a central part of progression, offering both combat support and optional assimilation choices that affect available abilities. No separate multiplayer or competitive modes exist.
World and Story
The setting features the crumbling remains of a once-thriving metropolis now submerged and buried under layers of ruin. Players navigate these environments on foot or by motorcycle while facing corrupted enemies known as Horrors. The narrative revolves around repairing a devastated present by intervening in pivotal events from the past, with choices during time travel segments producing visible changes to the world upon return to the present timeline.
Updates and Current State
Code Vein II launched on January 29, 2026, for PC. Subsequent patches have addressed performance issues, bug fixes, and feature adjustments. An expansion titled Mask of Idris adds a new story chapter and is included with the Ultimate Edition.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception has been mixed, with overall user reviews on major platforms sitting in the mixed range and recent feedback trending mostly positive. The game suits players who enjoy soulslike combat combined with companion mechanics and open-world exploration in a single-player format. Those seeking purely multiplayer experiences or highly polished technical performance may encounter drawbacks, while fans of narrative-driven action RPGs with customization depth and time-altering progression will find substantial content in the campaign and its expansion. The Ultimate Edition on PC provides the base game along with the expansion and cosmetic additions for those interested in the complete package at launch.
