Bandai Namco’s action role-playing game Code Vein II launched on Steam on Jan. 30, 2026, attracting thousands of players during its early access period but receiving a mixed response from users following its full release.
Steam data showed the title peaked at 8,235 concurrent players during early access, which began on Jan. 27 for buyers of the Deluxe and Ultimate editions. The sequel arrives seven years after the original Code Vein and introduces a time-travel storyline in which players move between a pre-apocalyptic past and a ruined present alongside a new character, Lou, in an effort to save humanity from the threat known as the Luna Rapacis.
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Players have generally welcomed the narrative direction and new gameplay systems, including the Forma and Jail mechanics that make combat more active, as well as an expanded Partner system that allows companions to revive players or be fused for temporary stat boosts. However, early reactions to some additions, such as open-world travel by motorbike, have been less favourable.
Despite the initial interest, Code Vein II currently holds a 53% “Mixed” rating on Steam. Many negative reviews focus on technical shortcomings of the PC version, citing visual issues and animation quality. One user wrote that the game suffers from “muddy textures and stiff combat animations,” even on high-end hardware.
There has also been disappointment over the lack of cooperative multiplayer at launch, a feature that was central to the first game’s appeal. While some fans say the sequel offers substantial depth beneath its technical issues, Bandai Namco has not yet said whether updates are planned to address performance concerns or add missing features.