Code Vein II launched worldwide on January 30, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and early critics are calling it a stylish, “systems-rich” anime Soulslike with generally positive but mixed-to-strong review scores. It shares the same broad genre space as Bloodborne, but there is no factual basis to claim it has “killed” or objectively surpassed Bloodborne, since that’s a subjective value judgment rather than a verifiable statement.
| Feature | Code Vein II | Bloodborne |
|---|---|---|
| Core Theme | Anime Vampire Sci-Fi | Gothic Victorian Horror |
| Key Mechanic | Time Travel & Partner System | Rally System (Regain Health) |
| Combat Style | Fluid, Spell-Heavy, AI-Assisted | Aggressive, Fast-Paced Melee |
| Co-op | Single Player (AI Partners Only) | Online Summoning (1-2 Players) |
| Performance | 60 FPS (PS5/XSX Perf. Mode) | 30 FPS (Locked) |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | PlayStation Exclusive |
| Difficulty | Adjustable via Builds & AI Aid | High Skill Floor (Fixed) |
Confirmed launch details
Bandai Namco and platform partners confirm that Code Vein II is out on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with the global launch set for January 30, 2026 after a short early-access window for premium editions. Deluxe and Ultimate buyers gained up to 72 hours of early access in late January, but the full standard release landed on January 30 for all platforms.
Early reviews and scores
On Metacritic, the game holds a critic metascore in the low 70s (“mixed or average” overall), with a spread of positive, mixed, and very few negative reviews. OpenCritic lists it in roughly the mid-60th percentile of all scored games, with a “Strong” rating and around half of critics recommending it, signaling a solid but not universally acclaimed launch.
Individual outlets highlight different strengths and weaknesses: some praise its fluid combat, accessible challenge, and character-building depth, while criticizing open-world structure or uneven pacing. This range of opinion is documented and verifiable, but any claim that it definitively dethrones other Soulslikes moves beyond fact into personal preference.
How to Install Code Vein II
PlayStation 5
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From the Home screen, navigate to the PlayStation Store.
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Search for “Code Vein II” and select the edition you purchased.
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Select Download.
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The file size is approximately 70 GB (version 01.001.000). Ensure you have sufficient SSD space.
Xbox Series X|S
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Press the Xbox button and open the Store app.
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Search for “Code Vein II.”
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Select Install. If you pre-ordered, you can find it under My Games & Apps > Full Library > Owned Games.
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The download size is approximately 56 GB.
PC (Steam)
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Launch the Steam client and log in.
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Navigate to your Library and search for “Code Vein II.”
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Click the blue Install button.
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Choose your install drive (SSD recommended). The download requires about 63 GB, but keep at least 70 GB free for unpacking and updates.
Note: There is no physical disc installation difference; disc owners will install the base game from the disc and download a day-one patch.
What’s actually new and confirmed
Official materials describe Code Vein II as an action RPG where you play the Revenant Hunter, wielding time as a weapon to traverse past and present versions of the world while reshaping key moments in history. Its combat systems revolve around Blood Codes, Jails, and Formae, a two-mode Partner System (Summoning and Assimilation), and a very deep character creator, all of which are confirmed features rather than marketing buzzwords.
The Partner System lets AI companions either fight alongside you or merge to enhance your stats and moveset, and Bequeathed Formae can manifest powerful weapons like the Absolute Executioner greatsword for high-risk, high-reward finishers.Official breakdowns and early reviews document these mechanics, but players are still uncovering their long-term balance and impact on the endgame meta.
Bloodborne comparison: what can and can’t be claimed as fact
Bloodborne remains a 2015 FromSoftware title with a gothic Victorian horror aesthetic, aggressive rally-based combat, and PlayStation exclusivity; its critical acclaim and legacy are well established. Code Vein II, by contrast, is a multiplatform anime Soulslike with time manipulation, a strong AI partner focus, and post-apocalyptic sci‑fi theming, and those differences in platform, art style, and core systems are all verifiable facts.
Whether Code Vein II is “the Bloodborne killer we’ve been waiting for” is not something that can be proved or sourced, since no outlet or official statement treats that phrase as anything more than hype, and critical scores do not support an objective “replacement” narrative. On launch, the only factually safe takeaway is that Code Vein II is a notable, well-received new Soulslike with its own identity, not a documented successor that has conclusively surpassed Bloodborne.
