Code Vein 2 Debuts to ‘Mixed’ Reviews on Steam

Code Vein 2 has debuted to “Mixed” reviews on Steam, based on nearly 2,000 player impressions submitted within the first two days of its release. However, the most common complaints from early adopters appear to be platform-specific, suggesting prospective Code Vein 2 console players don’t have much to worry about.

The sequel to Bandai Namco’s popular soulslike was officially released on January 29. The first Code Vein game received a largely favorable response from critics, and its follow-up has so far broadly matched that level of acclaim, with reviewers describing it as a memorable action RPG distinguished by its flashy, anime-style visuals. However, the game’s current user reviews on Steam appear to be noticeably more muted than Code Vein 2‘s critical response.

Code Vein 2’s Steam Reviews Are Barely 50% Positive

A few days following Code Vein 2‘s global release, the anime soulslike has 52.61% positive user reviews on Steam, according to publicly available data sourced from Valve’s web API. This places it firmly in the platform’s “Mixed” review category, based on 1,948 player impressions as of this writing. A closer look at the feedback suggests that performance issues are currently the most common complaint among PC players, with reports of unstable frame rates, frequent stuttering, and severe object pop-in featuring prominently in user reviews.

Code Vein 2 Performance Is Reportedly Much Better on Consoles

“The performance is horrific,” reads what’s currently labeled as the “most helpful” Code Vein 2 user review on Steam. Another highly-approved review on the platform describes the game’s performance as “frustrating,” with the author claiming they have a high tolerance for technical issues and wouldn’t be mentioning them if they weren’t bad. The gap between the game’s critical scores and its user reception appears to be partly rooted in platform differences, as performance issues are reportedly far less pronounced on consoles. At the same time, the initial wave of professional Code Vein 2 reviews is largely based on the console versions, with the PlayStation 5 build being the most frequently represented among the 65 scores currently tracked by OpenCritic.

Code Vein 2 Review Roundup

• OpenCritic: 74 / 100 avg. score
• Steam: 52.61% positive
• PS Store: 3.79 / 5 stars
• Xbox Store: 4.1 / 5 stars

While performance is the most commonly cited issue among Code Vein 2 Steam user reviews, it’s not the only one. Some PC players who cared to chime in on the game complained about its lack of online co-op, which was one of the most popular aspects of the 2019 original. Other fans scrutinized some of the high-level design decisions Bandai Namco has made, arguing that Code Vein 2 is occasionally too focused on chasing the open-world soulslike template, thereby trying to be something like Elden Ring more than a proper Code Vein sequel.

An average of estimates from Gamalytic and PlayTracker suggests that Code Vein 2 has sold approximately 90,000 copies on Steam as of January 31, translating to roughly 50,000 units per day. Bandai Namco Entertainment has yet to comment on the game’s commercial performance in an official capacity. While its lukewarm early Steam user reviews are unlikely to help build a stronger sales momentum, they may not be the most significant factor affecting its launch window. A potentially larger concern is timing, with Code Vein 2 releasing just one week ahead of Nioh 3. Although Nioh 3’s review embargo has not yet been lifted, the first two entries in the franchise are widely regarded as some of the best soulslikes ever made. It is thus plausible that fans of the genre may hesitate to spend $70 on another large-scale action RPG so close to what could turn out to be one of their personal favorite games of 2026.

Released

January 29, 2026

ESRB

Teen / Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases