Code Vein 2 review: brisk soulslite combat but weak characters and framerate issues

PC Gamer reviewed Bandai Namco’s Code Vein 2 (released January 29, 2026) and finds a game with lively, accessible combat but characters and storytelling that undercut its bigger ambitions. The review was written by Baxter Burchill and tested on an Intel Core i7-13700F with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti.

PC Gamer notes Code Vein 2 carries soulslike hallmarks—limited heals, bonfire equivalents, invincible dodges—but often plays more like a fast, forgiving hack-and-slash. Light attacks and simple leveling can carry players through most encounters, even as the game offers heavier attacks, unique life-draining Jails, and optional build customization.

The review praises the game’s propulsive pace and varied, compact dungeons, and highlights AI companions who fight independently and can revive the player, which encourages an aggressive, forward-moving playstyle. At the same time the stamina system feels restrictive, and time-travel elements often produce nearly identical past and present areas.

PC Gamer reports that open-world sections and a shallow crafting system can feel like unnecessary downtime, and that performance was a recurring problem: the reviewer experienced frequent framerate hiccups and stuttering on the tested rig, which undermined the game’s speed and atmosphere.

code vein 2, bandai namco, baxter burchill review, january 29 2026 release, price $70, soulslike combat, hack-and-slash combat, ai companions, life-draining jails, limited heals, invincible dodges, light attacks, heavy attacks, propulsive pace, compact dungeons, open world sections, time travel elements, stamina system, shallow crafting system, framerate hiccups, stuttering on tested rig, intel core i7-13700f, nvidia geforce rtx 3060 ti