CODE VEIN II is the talk of the town ahead of its official launch on the 30th, having opened its doors early for edition buyers. While the pre-launch hype propelled it to the 3rd spot on the global top sellers list, the early user response is currently hovering at 'Mixed'.

CODE VEIN II is a soul-like action game set in a crumbling future where vampires and humans struggle to coexist. As a vampire hunter, you’ll team up with a girl who wields the power to traverse time, fighting to prevent the world’s collapse.

The gameplay leans heavily into the series' signature blood-draining combat, now bolstered by a more granular gear-building system. They’ve added a new mechanic that lets you synchronize with your 'buddy' to temporarily boost your stats. Crucially, the game introduces an open-world exploration element, allowing you to traverse different locales as you hop between the past and the present.

The early access period is a perk for those who purchased the Deluxe Edition or higher. It includes three days of early play, a custom coordinate set, and a DLC scheduled for a summer release. The Ultimate Edition sweetens the deal by adding a costume set featuring characters from the first CODE VEIN.

However, early impressions are stuck at 'Mixed' (based on 268 reviews, with 54% positive). The primary culprit is optimization. Players are reporting severe frame rate drops and stuttering, even on high-end rigs, while the cutscenes are locked at 30fps, which feels jarring. On the flip side, some are enjoying the transition to an open world reminiscent of Elden Ring, and the addition of a jump button has certainly opened up combat variety.

Elsewhere, No Rest for the Wicked has climbed to the top spot, knocking ARC Raiders down a peg. Meanwhile, Resident Evil: Requiem has clawed its way into 10th place following a fresh round of interviews that piqued player interest.

In the peak Concurrent Players chart, the newcomer Highguard—developed by a team with roots at Respawn Entertainment and the Concord dev crew—has debuted at 15th place with 97,249 Concurrent Players. Sadly, the reception has been brutal, with 'Mostly Negative' reviews flooding in. Meanwhile, Deadlock, still in its closed beta phase, has seen its numbers climb to 98,887, landing in 14th place as they continue to roll out one new hero at a time since the 23rd.