While the release build may have been hard to put down for a significant number of you, there’s no denying that there was room for improvement. Bandai Namco is building on the momentum from previous patches to bring even better performance to the game on all platforms. The gameplay is also getting a few touch-ups, with changes to balancing in combat that buff enemies and make them hit harder in additional playthroughs, but with the rewards of increased Haze.

You’re also going to find a lot of new things to do with the Affinity System, with three different categories to build across all characters and UI changes that make tracking it all a lot easier. There are also new customization and character creation features – check out some of the patch notes below and the full changes here.

For our part, we believe that these changes are going to be quite welcome and could make Code Vein 2 even better than what it was when it came out.

Patch Notes

Optimizations for All Platforms

• Optimized the collision data for certain objects and structures in the field to reduce processing load.
• Optimized the initialization process that occurs when enemies spawn to reduce processing load.
• Reduced the processing load of several partner outfits.
• Optimized enemy spawning to reduce stuttering while riding the motorcycle.
• These consist of further improvements to the optimizations implemented in Ver. 1.0.6.
• Reduced the processing load of attack effects for certain boss enemies.
• Reduced the processing load of effects used in certain weapon formae and magic formae.
• Reduced the processing load of hit effects for certain weapon formae and magic formae.

Feature additions and improvements

1. Addition of a difficulty selection feature for additional playthroughs.

• We have added an Enhance Enemy Difficulty During Replay option to the Game Settings. This setting is enabled by default.
• When you replay the game using your save data, enemies will be stronger and you will earn more Haze when defeating them; however, turning this setting off will restore enemies to their original strength and Haze drops to those of the first playthrough.

2. Addition of an Affinity display and adjustments to the mechanic; additions of Trade and Gift features.

2-1: We added a UI that displays your Affinity with your Partner.

• You can check your Affinity in the Change Partner and Gift screens at a Mistletoe.
• For some Partners, the Affinity is hidden at the start, but it will become visible once you reach the point in the story where you can give them gifts.
• Affinity is divided into three categories: Exploration, Story, and Gifts, each with their own maximum limit. To reach 100% Affinity, you must raise all three categories to their maximum limits.
• Exploration Affinity increases by adventuring with your partners and defeating enemies. Affinity increases more slowly when defeating enemies weaker than the player’s level.
• Story Affinity increases by completing Quests received from your partners and advancing each of their individual episodes. Lou gives no quests; her Story Affinity increases by progressing through the main story.
• Gift Affinity increases by giving your partners food or valuables.

However, the latter serves as the MVP when it comes to overall hardware spending. At $248 million, it’s up 16 percent over the previous year, which was enough to offset declining sales for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 1. The fact that it achieved this while ranking second in dollar and unit sales is equally impressive.

The only new game release was Bandai Namco’s Code Vein 2, which reached 11th in the overall charts. However, it topped the PC sales chart that considered all storefronts. Perhaps even more surprising is that Final Fantasy 7 Remake re-entered the top ten charts, going from 225th place in December 2025 to ninth, thanks to its Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 ports.

If that’s not a good sign that Square Enix made the right move to go multiplatform with the trilogy, we don’t know what is. The next entry, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, is out on June 3rd for both platforms.

Grand Theft Auto 6

Rockstar’s upcoming return to Vice City is easily the biggest open-world release on the horizon, and the perfect candidate to start off the list. Grand Theft Auto 6 promises a living, breathing world packed with dynamic NPC routines, reactive law enforcement, and an unprecedented level of environmental detail. The dual protagonists inspired by the adventures of Bonnie and Clyde look to be a promising storyline filled with several emotional moments. Of course, missions, side activities, and emergent mayhem are also important pillars of the experience – so we are definitely looking forward to this one.

This guide for Code Vein 2 is an exhaustive list of all 35 known bosses, as well as some basic tactics that can be used to defeat them.

Those are all known bosses in Code Vein 2 and how best to beat them in battle.

This Code Vein 2 guide is a shortlist of some of the best builds that you can use to make short work of enemies, built around specific weapons.

Forma Mech-Hammer

Blood Code: Superbia Bloodline Lavinia

Alternative Blood Code: Gula Bloodline Josee

Weapon Formae: Backdraft, Coffin Breaker, Gaia Impact, Mighty Smash

Offensive Formae: Statesman’s Longbow

Defensive Formae: Bleeding Shield (Light), Mutinous Bracer, Vanishing Hollow (Light)

Jail: Bat, Reaper, Ogre

Glutton’s Eyes

Blood Code: Superbia Bloodline Lou

Alternative Blood Code: Luxuria Bloodline Lycoris

Weapon Formae: Adrenaline, Venomous Shot, Stalking Sabre, Whirling Shredder

Offensive Formae: Bloodreaver Blade

Defensive Formae: Bleeding Shield (Light), Mutinous Bracer, Vanishing Hollow (Light)

Jail: Bat, Reaper, Ogre

Grenade Launcher

Blood Code: Acedia Bloodline Zenon

Alternative Blood Code: Superbia Bloodline Lou

Weapon Formae: Blade Dance, Drawback Shot, Heavenly Strike, Ranged Impact

Offensive Formae: Bloodreaver Blade

Defensive Formae: Bleeding Shield (Light), Mutinous Bracer, Vanishing Hollow (Light)

Jail: Bat, Reaper, Ogre

Raider’s Bayonet

Blood Code: Luxuria Bloodline Holly

Alternative Blood Code: Superbia Bloodline Lavinia

Weapon Formae: Blade Dance, Drawback Shot, Heavenly Strike, Ranged Impact

Offensive Formae: Bloodreaver Blade

Defensive Formae: Bleeding Shield (Light), Mutinous Bracer, Vanishing Hollow (Light)

Jail: Bat, Reaper, Ogre

Silver Shot Bayonet

Blood Code: Superbia Bloodline Lou

Alternative Blood Code: Acedia Bloodline Zenon

Weapon Formae: Blade Dance, Drawback Shot, Heavenly Strike, Ranged Impact

Offensive Formae: Bloodreaver Blade

Defensive Formae: Bleeding Shield (Light), Mutinous Bracer, Vanishing Hollow (Light)

Jail: Bat, Reaper, Ogre

Those are a handful of overpowered build possibilities that will scale well in Code Vein 2.

This Code Vein 2 guide is a listing of all 57 Blood Codes as well as where and how to acquire and upgrade them over multiple playthroughs.

Acedia Bloodline Blood Codes

Acedia Bloodline: Jadwiga 1

Recruit and select Jadwiga as a partner.

Acedia Bloodline: Jadwiga 2

Maximize proficiency in Acedia Bloodline: Jadwiga 1 and speak with Jadwiga at the MagMell Institute.

Acedia Bloodline: Jadwiga 3

Maximize proficiency in Acedia Bloodline: Jadwiga 2, defeat Zenon Gryfgote, and speak with Jadwiga.

Acedia Bloodline: Zenon 1

Recruit and select Zenon during Slay The Hero Zenon quest.

Acedia Bloodline: Zenon 2

Maximize proficiency in Acedia Bloodline: Zenon 1 and speak with Zenon Gryfgote after recruiting him in the 2207: Upheaval Era.

Hero Zenon Blood Code

Defeat Hero Zenon at the Solitary Refinement Cell in the Insula Carcere in the 2277 timeline era.

Caritas Bloodline Blood Codes

Guardian’s Heart Blood Code

Acquired from Lou MagMell in 2177 during the quest to save Noah.

Gula Bloodline Blood Codes

Gula Bloodline: Josee 1

Save Josee Anjou in her outpost in 2179: The Hero Josee’s Era.

Gula Bloodline: Josee 2

Maximize proficiency in Gula Bloodline: Josee 1 and speak with Josee Anjou at a Mistle.

Gula Bloodline: Josee 3

Maximize proficiency in Gula Bloodline: Josee 2 and speak with Josee Anjou at a Mistle.

Gula Bloodline: Josee 4

Maximize proficiency in Gula Bloodline: Josee 3, then recruit and select Josee Anjou during the Upheaval Era.

Gula Bloodline: Josee Blind

Missable. Recruit and select Josee Blind during the Upheaval Era, but only if you avoided saving Josee previously.

Gula Bloodline: Lise 1

Recruit and select Lise Anjou after saving Josee Anjou and fulfilling her tasks. Also defeat the Corroded Scar Predator in the Sunken City, and the Wandering Specter in the Sunken City Aquarium.

Gula Bloodline: Lise 2

Maximize proficiency in Gula Bloodline: Lise 1 and speak with Lise Anjou at a Mistle.

Hero Josee Blood Code

Defeat Hero Josee at her outpost in the Sunken City in the 2277 timeline era.

Josee The Blind Hero Blood Code

Missable. Defeat Josee The Blind Hero at her outpost in the Sunken City in the 2277 timeline era.

Luxuria Bloodline Blood Codes

Hero Holly Blood Code

Defeat Hero Holly in the Sanatorium at the Undead Forest in the 2183 timeline era.

Hero Holly The Reaper Blood Code

Defeat Hero Holly The Reaper in the Withered Greenhouse at the Undead Forest in the 2277 timeline era.

Lost Camilo Blood Code

Defeat Camilo Asturias in the Sanatorium at the Undead Forest in the 2183 timeline era.

Luxuria Bloodline: Camilo

Get Camilo’s Pathos during Holly’s Timeline Shift Decision.

Luxuria Bloodline: Holly Condemned

Missable. Recruit and select Holly Condemned during the Upheaval Era, but only if you avoided saving Holly previously.

Luxuria Bloodline: Holly 1

Recruit and select Holly Asturias during the Slaying The Hero Holly quest.

Luxuria Bloodline: Holly 2

Maximize proficiency in Luxuria Bloodline: Holly 1 and speak with Holly Asturias at a Mistle.

Luxuria Bloodline: Holly 3

Maximize proficiency in Luxuria Bloodline: Holly 2, then recruit and select Holly Asturias during the Upheaval Era.

Luxuria Bloodline: Lycoris 1

Recruit and select Lycoris during the Slaying The Hero Holly quest.

Luxuria Bloodline: Lycoris 2

Maximize proficiency in Luxuria Bloodline: Lycoris 1 and speak with Lycoris at a Mistle.

Patientia Bloodline Blood Codes

Hero Lyle Blood Code

Defeat Hero Lyle in Pioneer Castle at Corroded Scar in the 2277 timeline era.

One-Armed Hero Lyle Blood Code

Defeat One-Armed Hero Lyle in Forward Base One at Corroded Scar in the 2277 timeline era.

Patientia Bloodline: Craig 1

Defeat Mutated Survivor Bernd during Slaying The Hero Josee quest.

Patientia Bloodline: Craig 2

Maximize proficiency in Luxuria Bloodline: Craig 1, fulfil Lyle’s requests, and speak with Craig McLeish at a Mistle.

Patientia Bloodline: Iris 1

Recruit and select Iris MagMell during the storyline.

Patientia Bloodline: Iris 2

Maximize proficiency in Patientia Bloodline: Iris 1 and speak with Iris MagMell at a Mistle.

Patientia Bloodline: Iris 3

Maximize proficiency in Patientia Bloodline: Iris 2 and speak with Iris MagMell at a Mistle, before defeating Hero Valentin.

Patientia Bloodline: Lyle Artificial Arm

Missable. Recruit and select Lyle Artificial Arm during the Upheaval Era, but only if you avoided saving Lyle previously. 

Patientia Bloodline: Lyle 1

Meet Lyle and Craig in Forward Base Two after completing Follow The Chorus’ Trail in the 2178 timeline era.

Patientia Bloodline: Lyle 2

Maximize proficiency in Patientia Bloodline: Lyle 1 and speak with Lyle McLeish at a Mistle.

Patientia Bloodline: Lyle 3

Maximize proficiency in Patientia Bloodline: Lyle 2, then recruit and select Lyle McLeish during the Upheaval Era.

Pioneer Queen Imogen Blood Code

Defeat Pioneer Queen Imogen in the Sealed Great Mine at Corroded Scar in the 2182 timeline era.

Superbia Bloodline Blood Codes

Hero Valentin Blood Code

Defeat the Hero Valentin..

Resurgence Core Blood Code

Defeat the Resurgence Core. First, complete two endings: ‘A Hero’s End’ and ‘Luna Fraterna’, then opt to Rescue Lou and proceed until you arrive at the location of the boss.

Soul Savior Valentin Blood Code

Defeat Soul Savior Valentin atop the Sealing Spire in the Sealed Grounds, after completing one ending.

Superbia Bloodline: Frantz

Defeat Dejected Assailant at the Forma Storage Tower in the 2177 timeline era.

Superbia Bloodline: Lavinia 1

Meet Lavinia Voda during the storyline.

Superbia Bloodline: Lavinia 2

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Lavinia 2, defeat One-Armed Hero Lyle, and speak with Lavinia Voda at the MagMell Institute.

Superbia Bloodline: Lavinia 3

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Lavinia 3, reach Insula Carcere, and speak with Lavinia Voda at the MagMell Institute.

Superbia Bloodline: Lou 1

Unlocked by default.

Superbia Bloodline: Lou 2

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Lou 1, rescue Noah G Magmell, and speak with Lou MagMell at a Mistle in the present.

Superbia Bloodline: Lou 3

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Lou 2 and speak with Lou MagMell at a Mistle or at the MagMell Institute.

Superbia Bloodline: Lou 4

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Lou 3 and speak with Lou MagMell at a Mistle or at the MagMell Institute.

Superbia Bloodline: Lou 5

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Lou 4, then recruit and select Lou MagMell during the Upheaval Era.

Superbia Bloodline: Noah 1

Recruit and select Noah G Magmell during the storyline.

Superbia Bloodline: Noah 2

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Noah 1, save Noah at the Forma Storage Tower in the 2177 timeline era, and speak with Noah G MagMell at the MagMell Institute in the present.

Superbia Bloodline: Noah 3

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Noah 2 and speak with Noah G MagMell at the MagMell Institute.

Superbia Bloodline: Noah 4

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Noah 3, then recruit and select Noah G MagMell during the Upheaval Era.

Superbia Bloodline: Valentin 1

Defeat Josee The Blind Hero, then recruit and select Valentin Voda as a partner.

Superbia Bloodline: Valentin 2

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Valentin 1 and speak with Valentin Voda at a Mistle.

Superbia Bloodline: Valentin 3

Maximize proficiency in Superbia Bloodline: Valentin 2 and speak with Valentin Voda at a Mistle.

Those are all 57 Blood Codes in Code Vein 2 as well as how and where to unlock them.

This guide is a listing of the 7 best weapons in Code Vein 2, one from each major group.

Bayonet

Sunset Bayonet Rifle

Base Slash Damage: 120

Base Crush Damage: 120

Formae:

• Heart Breaker

Among Rifle-class Bayonets, this can be picked up in the abandoned trains located in Josee’s Outpost, or farmed from enemies wielding them.

Silver Shot Shotgun

Base Slash Damage: 108

Base Crush Damage: 108

Formae:

• Trigger Rush
• Crushing Might

Of the two Shotgun-class Bayonets, the Silver Shot is the clear winner with higher damage and a good second Formae.

Acquire it from Jadwiga’s Minion located in MagMell Island’s south-west.

Grenade Launcher

Base Slash Damage: 104

Base Crush Damage: 104

Formae:

• Heavenly Strike
• Heart Breaker

This unique grenade-lobbing Bayonet is the sole Bayonet in its sub-class, and must be purchased from Jadwiga’s Minion located at Corroded Scar.

Halberd

Tainted Halberd

Base Slash Damage: 197

Formae:

• Sacrificial Edge

Halberds are excellent at crowd control and keeping mobs at bay, and the Tainted Halberd is exceptional with its Slashing base damage of 197.

Farm for the Tainted Halberd on MagMell Island by seeking out and battling enemies that use them.

Hammer

Forma Mech-Hammer Goliath

Base Crush Damage: 215

Formae:

• Mighty Smash
• Perfect Balance

While the Tainted Hammer offers 7 more points of Crushing base damage than the Forma Mech-Hammer Goliath, the unique moves and Formae for the latter make it a far better choice among Hammers.

Find this for sale in the north-east of Insula Carcere at Jadwiga’s Minion.

One-Handed Swords

Blade of Tenacity: Thunderstrike

Base Slash Damage: 98

Base Lightning Damage: 25

Formae:

• Thunderclap
• Looming Slash
• McLeish’s Cog
• Overdrive

The highest Slashing base damage combined with Lightning elemental damage, and a number of unique moves suited for all occasions, makes the Blade of Tenacity: Thunderstrike the recommended One-Handed Sword.

Acquired from Lyle McLeish at maximum affinity in exchange for 12 Trading Points.

Rune Blades

Glutton’s Eyes

Base Slash Damage: 70

Formae:

• Orbital Blade
• Healing Counter

Exceptional unique moves including fire and midair attacks makes the Glutton’s Eyes best in class among Rune Blades.

You will automatically acquire the Glutton’s Eyes Rune Blade from Josee after beating Metagen Remnant.

Twin Blades

Twin Fangs Of The Lone Wolf

Base Slash Damage: 62

Formae:

• Blazing Roar
• Offensive Order
• Lightning Chain

The weapon class built around speed and multi-strike combos has just a handful of weapons to choose from, but the Twin Fangs Of The Lone Wolf are the clear standout. Offering both Slashing and Piercing damage, as well as three Formae, these Twin Blades excel both on the ground and in the air.

Purchase these from Jadwiga at the start of MagMell for just 10 Haze.

Two-Handed Swords

Glutton’s Heavyblade

Base Slash Damage: 142

Base Fire Damage: 35

Formae:

• Adrenaline
• Precision
• Unquenchable Flame
• Judgment Cutter

With fire elemental damage built-in and four excellent Formae as well, the Glutton’s Heavyblade Two-Handed Sword more than makes up for the low base damage.

Acquired from Josee Anjou at maximum affinity in exchange for 12 Trading Points.

Those are all of the best weapons from each class and sub-class to be found in Code Vein 2.

As part of stability improvements, the team wants to reduce processing load during combat, and adjust it during field exploration to ensure that frame rates remain high and stutters and lag go away. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions will also benefit from this, with a focus on improving framerates when players are using the “Prioritize Action” mode on their console of choice.

On the balance side of things, the responsiveness for evasion and guarding will be improved, and evasion itself will become more effective overall. Certain attacks will also see adjustments to their “game feel”, and enemy behaviours will see changes. More details about some of these improvements and adjustments are going to be revealed as we get closer to the updates getting released.

“We have received your feedback, and our team is committed to improving the game for a better experience. We are planning continuous updates to enhance frame rates, address performance issues, and refine gameplay balance. Thank you for your continued support of Code Vein 2,” wrote Bandai Namco on social media.

Code Vein 2 was released at the end of January. Leading up to this, however, players with the Deluxe or Ultimate editions of the game got advanced access to it. This led to quite a few negative reviews due to the action RPG’s performance issues. Among the complaints were the fact that it has “tons of pop in, choppy cutscene transitions, low frame rate in several areas and situations.” Another player blames the developers’ choice of Unreal Engine 5 for this poor performance. “UE5 strikes again. No reason I should have to limit my frame rate to 30 FPS to have a playable experience.”

Leading up to its release, a character creator demo had become available, giving players access to “thousands” of styles in designing their characters. The demo also features the Magmell’s Institute as a general hang out spot for players to explore. Those who want to bring over their characters to the full game can store up to 64 of them in the demo alone.

The story of Code Vein 2 revolves around the world being on the brink of ruin thanks to the return of a great disaster known as the Resurgence. To deal with this, the protagonist – a Revenant Hunter – has to set out on a journey through time to help save the world before it gets fully destroyed.

The title is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more details, check out our review where we gave it a score of 8 out of 10 thanks to its excellent combat mechanics and open world. Also check out our thoughts on why Code Vein 2 will keep pulling you back.

This guide for Code Vein 2 is about earning Haze as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Josee’s Outpost: West Gate

As with any Haze farm, this one is centered around a particular Mistle in order to loop around a given area and then Rest in order to reset enemies for the next run. The Josee’s Outpost: West Gate run is basically an ovular shape. Beginning at the Mistle, run down the stairs and to the right. Carefully traverse these areas as there are pitfalls which will reset your run and waste your time and efforts.

Combat each enemy as you make your way anti-clockwise along the path. With six targets down, you will eventually be right back at the base of the stairs leading to the Mistle.

Rest and repeat. The only true danger presented here is from falling into the abyss while making your way around the loop, and even then you will simply respawn at the Mistle and recover your losses.

The entire run is worth about 1500 Haze and takes between 60 and 90 seconds depending on your level and abilities. That will add up to between 90,000 and 60,000 Haze per hour of continuous grinding.

Click here to see the video guide.

Mountain Underground Facility

Beginning at the Mistle in the upper levels of this location, simply run right back out the doorway, and hop down onto the stairs below. Heading up the stairs and into the doorway, you will immediately be confronted by a pair of self-detonating enemies and a third melee fighter. For maximum efficiency, you will need to kite that third melee enemy from the backline into the blast radius of the two explosive enemies in the frontline. This will cause all three of them to die in the detonation with no combat intervention from you whatsoever. With that accomplished, simply head through the exit door and over the platforms right back to the Mistle room.

Rest and repeat.

This super fast run is worth 900 Haze and takes less than 30 seconds to accomplish if you can avoid engaging in actual combat, though even that will only add an extra 5-10 seconds to the length of the run. That amounts to over 100,000 Haze per hour of continuous grinding.

An additional bonus in Haze can be earned from the variable loot dropped by this trio of enemies, including: Exiled Bloodkin Heart, Exiled Bloodkin Fang, Exiled Bloodkin Eye, Exiled Bloodkin Brain, Moonstone, and Lost Broadsword. The first five are synthesis materials that will come in handy for crafting, which also makes this particular Haze grinding run a good farm for them as well.

The Lost Broadsword sells for 100 Haze each, while the various Exiled Bloodkin organs and Moonstone sell for meagre low double digits, though you will be gathering so much of it over multiple runs that it will all eventually add up to a tidy sum.

Click here to see the video guide.

Those are the best early Haze farming locations that you can use to grind levels as well as certain synthesis materials in Code Vein 2.

Arknights: Endfield

Arknights: Endfield represents a major shift for the franchise, expanding its tower-defense roots into a full-fledged action RPG. Real-time combat, squad-based mechanics, and large-scale environments are just a few highlights of the experience, but there’s a lot more to get excited about as well. Despite the stark change, the game retains its distinctive art style and emphasis on world-building. Arknights: Endfield already received great critical and commercial reception on PC, and it is definitely worth checking out.