Mixed Reviews Greet Code Vein 2 And Eldeguard Launches

It’s been a busy start to 2026 for fans of action RPGs and fantasy multiplayer brawls, with two high-profile games—Bandai Namco’s Code Vein 2 and the newly rebranded Eldeguard—making waves on Steam. But while both titles promised to build on beloved formulas and offer fresh experiences, their launches have been met with a fair share of turbulence, as evidenced by a chorus of mixed reviews and performance gripes from eager players.

Code Vein 2 arrived with considerable anticipation, especially among those who cherished the original’s unique anime-inspired aesthetic and its blend of frenetic, Souls-like combat. According to PCGamesN, early adopters who pre-purchased the sequel were granted a 72-hour head start, diving in ahead of the official release on January 29, 2026. But as of January 27, the game’s reception on Steam is, well, complicated. The overall rating sits at a middling “Mixed,” a notable departure from the original Code Vein, which still boasts a “Very Positive” badge.

What’s behind the sequel’s lukewarm reception? A quick browse through Steam’s review section paints a picture of frustration and disappointment, at least for a sizable chunk of the player base. One reviewer didn’t mince words, declaring, “One of the most unoptimized games I have ever played, which is a real shame because it otherwise seems really cool.” Another echoed the sentiment, lamenting, “For now, it feels like wasted money for early access. The game performs like shit.” Such blunt feedback isn’t isolated; others have described their brief time with the sequel as “a spit in the face to fans of the first game.”

Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom. Some players are having a blast and seem unfazed by the technical hiccups that have plagued others. As one satisfied gamer put it, “Code Vein was one of my favourite Souls titles, and this is already one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played in the past year.” Another chimed in, “I’ve personally not had one issue performance-wise,” highlighting the game’s uneven impact across different setups. The disparity in experiences has left the community divided, with the “Mixed” rating reflecting both the game’s promise and its pitfalls.

Meanwhile, in a parallel corner of the Steam universe, Eldeguard has been carving out its own niche. If you’re the type who likes your fantasy worlds with a dash of PvPvE chaos—a sort of “mini-MMO” where players battle both monstrous bosses and each other—this might have caught your eye. As LADbible reports, Eldeguard is what you’d get if you mashed up Elden Ring with Highguard, then ran the result through Unreal Engine 5 for good measure. The game first appeared on Steam in early access back in February 2025, but it’s undergone some changes since then—including a full rebrand from its original title, Legacy: Steel and Sorcery, just a month ago.

The core gameplay loop is a tense one: players must hunt down one of 32 formidable boss monsters, all while fending off rival adventurers. The goal? Defeat your quarry and escape with your life before the boss—or another player—puts an abrupt end to your run. It’s a formula that draws inspiration from both Monster Hunter and extraction shooters, and it’s not without its fans. But much like Code Vein 2, Eldeguard hasn’t escaped criticism.

As of January 27, 2026, the game holds a 69% positive rating on Steam—just a hair’s breadth from being officially “Positive,” but still squarely in “Mixed” territory. The reviews are candid, with one player, Harald Hardrada, writing, “Overall, I like the idea of this game. Like any game that has been made by anyone, anywhere, at anytime, it has potential. Potential alone cannot sell a game, and the devs need to put in some serious work to fix these glaring issues.” The main culprit? Once again, performance and optimization. Another reviewer, Killarusta, pointed out, “Re-name/Re-Launch of Legacy Steel and Sorcery, all the same issues.” The name may have changed, but for some, the problems feel stubbornly familiar.

It’s hard not to notice a pattern here. Both Code Vein 2 and Eldeguard have struggled with technical polish, leading to frustration among players who expected smoother launches—especially after the successes (or at least the goodwill) generated by their predecessors. For Code Vein 2, the contrast with the original’s “Very Positive” Steam rating is particularly stark. As one cheeky reviewer put it while praising the first game, “Better than Code Vein 2.” Whether that’s simply nostalgia talking or a fair assessment remains to be seen as more players get their hands on the sequel after its full release.

For Eldeguard, the journey has been even more convoluted. The recent rebranding from Legacy: Steel and Sorcery to a name that seems suspiciously close to Highguard has raised eyebrows. Was it a marketing ploy or just a coincidence? The timing certainly lines up, and the similarities haven’t gone unnoticed by the gaming community. As LADbible quipped, “Did they genuinely rename this game ‘Eldeguard’ so it sort of sounds like Highguard? The timing does match up.”

To be fair, both games still have plenty of time to find their footing. Early access periods and launch weeks are often fraught with technical issues, and developers can (and often do) patch and improve their games in response to player feedback. But the challenge is clear: in a crowded market where expectations are sky-high and patience is in short supply, first impressions matter. Players have shown they’re willing to be forgiving—up to a point. As one Eldeguard reviewer put it, “I want the game to succeed; to be fun and enjoyable. At present, for me, it is neither of those things.”

Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see how both Bandai Namco and the team behind Eldeguard respond to the criticism. Will patches smooth out the rough edges and win back skeptical fans? Or will these games become cautionary tales about the perils of launching before the paint is dry? For now, all eyes are on the updates—and on the communities that continue to hope for the best, even as they voice their frustrations.

As the dust settles from these rocky launches, one thing’s for sure: in the ever-evolving world of action RPGs and fantasy MMOs, a great idea is only as good as its execution. And for both Code Vein 2 and Eldeguard, the quest for redemption is just beginning.