Action-JRPG Code Vein has received a second DLC expansion titled, Frozen Empress. A trailer has been released alongside the DLC, providing glimpses of the new icy caves, frostbitten foes, and visually striking gameplay.

Released on February 25th, the latest offering from Bandai Namco offers new items, challenges and enemies. The chief challenge of this expansion is the Frozen Empress herself, boasting ice-damage attacks, icy iron armor, and a pair of crystals boosting her power. Defeating this boss within certain parameters will earn players new skins and abilities for partners Mia and Yakumo.

The DLC also provides four new ice-themed weapons and a pair of protective Blood Veils, as well as accessories. A new Depth Field, a treacherous system of caves and precipices containing enemies and new items, inviting players to explore.

While the trailer provides flashy and dramatic spectacle, an official post from Bandai Namco gives away just how little is on offer. The post sums up the contents of the DLC, and even when filled out with colorful screenshots of the content, it is a very quick scroll. It is no wonder, then, that this DLC has provoked backlash, in the same vein as its predecessor.

The title’s first DLC, Hellfire Knight, was released a month prior, providing players with new bosses, items, and a fiery, hellish environment to traverse. Frozen Empress is a similar package with the temperature inverted, and the repetitive, shallow nature of these expansions is wearing thin for fans. On Steam, both the first and second DLCs suffer ‘Mostly Negative’ user reviews, with widespread criticism of reused assets, brief playtime, and overall lack of value. Enemies are stat-boosted, re-skinned versions of those in the original game, including the Frozen Empress herself. This is especially egregious compared to the value and duration the original game boasts.

Code Vein was released in 2018. The story-driven dungeon-crawler allowing players to create their own character, and explore a broken, detailed world infested by the Lost. The game earned mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, including TheGamer, but a very positive reception from fans and solid sales.

Consequently, these seemingly low-effort, low-value DLCs are an understandable disappointment. Players eager for more slices of the Code Vein world are being offered recycled slivers instead. With more DLC in a similar vein likely on the way, players are hungry for a release of more substance from Bandai Namco.

Source: Bandai Namco