Code Vein 2’s Open World Ruins an Otherwise Focused Soulslike

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Code Vein 2 is a promising follow-up to the original, and players who enjoyed the first game will immediately appreciate the detailed character customization. The combat is a major highlight – it’s fast-paced, difficult, and has been improved with new weapons, skills, and a helpful AI partner. Overall, the sequel is a step up from the first game, with one exception: the game world itself, which didn’t need changing.

Code Vein 2 tells a new story, separate from the first game, but still takes place in the same world. While some players are disappointed by this, my biggest issue is with the game’s world design. The original Code Vein had spacious areas without being a fully open world, but Code Vein 2 has embraced that trend, and it ultimately makes the game less enjoyable. Elden Ring proved that a soulslike game can work well in an open world, but this new approach doesn’t suit Code Vein 2.

A Beautiful but Empty World

Let me be clear, Code Vein 2 looks stunning. The environments are beautifully designed, even if they don’t perfectly match the anime-style characters. Bandai Namco has created more diverse locations than in the original game, and I really enjoyed exploring them. However, the open-world design unfortunately limits what you can actually do in those areas. While each location is unique and pretty, they feel a bit empty and lack substantial content.

While the game features a large, open world – a popular trend in gaming – Code Vein 2 doesn’t offer enough compelling things to do within it. The world feels empty not just because of its size, but also because there aren’t many interesting locations or enemies. The motorcycle helps with travel, but it doesn’t fix the core problem. I enjoyed traveling with my companions, but I would have rather seen that feature removed so the developers could focus on making the environments more engaging.

Beyond simply moving from point to point, there wasn’t much to actually discover. While occasional improvements to healing abilities were a draw, even those were often clearly marked on the map and not found through natural exploration. I’d frequently stumble upon what seemed like hidden paths, only to be met with lackluster rewards or a frustrating dead end. The larger world also meant spending more time wandering aimlessly instead of engaging in the core combat that defines soulslike games. Code Vein 2 expanded the game’s size, but unfortunately, it didn’t improve the overall experience.

Dungeons Are Tight and Delightful

Okay, Bandai Namco really knocked it out of the park with the dungeons in Code Vein 2. Seriously, every time I went into one, I was genuinely excited. They weren’t just big empty spaces; the layouts felt carefully designed, with enemies placed in spots that actually made me think and test my skills. I loved hunting for hidden chests too – you had to find and destroy these ‘map jammers’ to reveal them, which was a cool touch. Plus, enemy placement felt much smarter, and I always knew I’d face a tough and interesting boss at the end of each dungeon.

Dungeons in the game were visually unique and matched the areas they were located in. I especially appreciated how Bandai Namco connected these dungeons to the open world in Code Vein 2. Many dungeons included hidden paths that let you bypass most of the level and go straight to the boss. This smart design encouraged me to thoroughly explore the surroundings whenever I approached a dungeon, hoping to find secret loot and shortcuts.

I really loved the dungeons in Code Vein 2, and I wish the open world had been designed with the same care. If the open-world areas were smaller, like in the first game, Bandai Namco could have showcased the beautiful environments while keeping the game focused. This would also make the dungeons and world feel more connected, with more ways to travel between them. As it stands, the open world feels like a path to the dungeons, rather than a place worth exploring on its own.

Code Vein 2’s World May Be Lacking, but Its Combat Isn’t

Despite some imperfections in its world, Code Vein 2 truly shines with its excellent combat, setting it apart from other games in the soulslike genre. This is likely the main draw for many players. The game’s world design complements its enemies well; discovering new areas and the unique enemies within them was a highlight. While the initial enemies are somewhat familiar, they still suit their surroundings. As you progress, the variety of enemies expands significantly.

The combat system really comes alive and puts your abilities to the test, motivating you to both advance the story and venture into new areas. For me, this became the main reason to explore the game’s world. I wasn’t so much looking for hidden collectibles as I was actively seeking out tough new enemies to fight. I often found myself starting a battle, then quickly escaping on my motorcycle to recover at a safe point. This cycle of discovering enemies and adjusting my fighting style was a really fun aspect of Code Vein 2.

While I really enjoyed certain parts of Code Vein 2, the game’s large world created a frustrating issue. These great moments were often separated by long travel times, and even re-fighting the same enemies felt tedious. The open world meant I spent more time traveling and searching for battles than actually enjoying the combat, which was the game’s strongest feature. If the environments had been more focused and less sprawling, it would have allowed players to spend more time engaged in the fun, core combat experience.

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2026-01-27 02:14