One of this week's biggest Xbox releases is Code Vein 2, which brings its action-RPG / soulslike sequel to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on January 29th, and the review scores are a bit all over the place right now.
It seems the vast majority of reviews are for the PS5 version of Code Vein 2, which currently add up to a decent average of 73 on Metacritic. There are a lot of 8/10 and 9/10 scores in here, but also quite a lot of 7/10s and a few 6/10s.
So, let's take a look at a bunch of those review scores to see why they're so varied:
TheSixthAxis (9/10)
Code Vein II is a haunting, thrilling, and unforgettable action adventure. It's so much more than the sum of its parts or the games that have clearly inspired it. It has a personality of its own that shoots beyond the soulslike genre tag, and never compromises on that unique vision.
TheGamer (4/5)
Code Vein 2 isn’t breaking new ground in most of its conventions nor will it become the new face of Soulslikes. But it has its own unique ideas that are fully realised, letting it stand out against its contemporaries in the genre, while surprisingly strong characters help blend the gameplay and narrative together. There’s a banquet of bloody delights to be had here.
TechRadar (4/5)
Code Vein 2 is the very definition of a dream sequel. It improves on almost every aspect of the promising yet flawed original to deliver a surprisingly unique soulslike experience. The shift to an open world is (mostly) successful, experimenting with different builds is a breeze thanks to the revamped Blood Code system, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with this world, its characters, and the tragic stories they tell. If it wasn’t for the game’s shoddy performance on console, I’d say Code Vein 2 is a must-play.
Stevivor (7/10)
Whereas Code Vein 2 pulled me in with time, it has also pushed me away with even more. Those who are at different points in the Venn diagram that is anime plus Souls may find themselves appreciating more on offer than I do, but ultimately, I’m bounce between being entertained and being too frustrated and disinterested to want to continue on. While fun from moment to moment, Code Vein 2 has a cookie-cutter plot, matching dialogue, and combat that isn’t polished to the level it needs to be. Its world is pleasurable enough, though poorly designed boss and dungeon encounters will bottleneck your overall experience.
Press Start (7/10)
Code Vein II is exactly what you'd expect – yet another Soulslike derivative with a fresh(ish) coat of anime-style paint. While the combat system's flexibility and improved exploration are a huge step forward, the lack of multiplayer and derivative story beats feels like a step back. The result is just okay, though fans of the original will still appreciate it nonetheless.
Push Square (6/10)
Code Vein 2 is not the strongest soulslike we've ever encountered. While there is absolutely some fun to be had slaying the myriad horrors that inhabit this post-apocalyptic world and building a powerful Revenant Hunter, repetition inevitably kicks in. Narratively, it's pretty dull, lacking compelling characters or quests to engage with. While not broken or a bad game per se, it is hard to recommend when so many better entries in this well-worn subgenre already exist.
GamesRadar (2.5/5)
Code Vein 2 feels like the first post-Elden Ring Soulslike to try something of a similar scale, but it's made too many compromises to get there. Inspired moments are trapped in a bland, repetitive experience with far too much padding to recommend seeking them out. Time travel back six years and play the first Code Vein instead.
There are already some user reviews on Steam for Code Vein 2 as well, and the rating over there is currently sitting at "Mixed" — mainly because people are having performance issues with the PC version as things stand.
The reason there are user reviews is because even though Code Vein 2 doesn't technically release until January 29th, the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions come with early access as of the 26th. You can go and play it right now if you want to, with the Deluxe Edition costing £74.99 / $89.99 and the Ultimate Edition costing £84.99 / $99.99.
We'll leave you with a few more details and screenshots for the game itself below.
An epic adventure awaits, where you and your chosen partners explore a post-apocalyptic world, face fierce battles against powerful enemies, and uncover an epic story that transcends time.