So, what exactly changed with this version? While not a massive content drop (since the DLC was already out), v1.28.00 served as a stability and polish update. Here are the technical and gameplay highlights that make this the "Top" version to have.
In the PC gaming landscape, CODEX was a notable warez group known for bypassing DRM (specifically Denuvo) on many AAA titles. When Nioh 2: Complete Edition originally launched on Steam, it used Denuvo DRM.
If you have obtained the codex-nioh.2.complete.edition release and applied the update, here is how to confirm:
There is a common question among returning players: Should I update to a newer version (v1.29 or v1.30) or stick with v1.28.00?
The answer depends on your priorities.
If you want online play (Summoning/Invasions) or Steam achievements, you must use the official Steam version (currently v1.30+).
However, if you prioritize performance, stability, and modding freedom, v1.28.00 (CODEX) is objectively the "Top" version.
Later patches introduced minimal changes (mostly store page ribbons and minor localization edits). Crucially, some users reported that subsequent updates beyond v1.28.00 reintroduced minor audio crackling on high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz+). The CODEX release avoided this entirely.
Nioh 2 is a game of precision. A single frame of lag can mean the difference between a perfect Burst Counter and a brutal one-hit kill. The Nioh 2 Complete Edition update v1.28.00 (CODEX) represents the end of a "golden era" for the game’s PC lifecycle—a moment where the developers stopped breaking things, and the scene provided the most responsive, unencumbered way to play.
Whether you are diving into the depths of the Underworld for the first time or returning to perfect your Fists build against Ren Hayabusa, this version delivers a silky-smooth 60+ FPS experience with all DLC unlocked. For purists, performance seekers, and modders, this remains the Top release to date. nioh 2 complete edition update v1 28 00codex top
Final Verdict: If you can get your hands on this exact build, lock it in. Don't update. The Nioh 2 experience doesn't get better than v1.28.00.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and archival purposes regarding software versioning. Always support developers by purchasing official copies of games you enjoy.
The primary feature introduced in the Nioh 2 - The Complete Edition update v1.28
is the implementation of cross-play between the Steam and Epic Games Store versions. Key Added Features
Cross-play Support: You can now play with users on the Epic Games Store.
Settings: This can be enabled or disabled via System Menu -> Online Settings.
Account Requirement: To enable this feature, an Epic Games account is required.
Character Creation Codes: You can now issue character codes specifically for use with the Epic Games Store version. Corrected Issues The update also addressed several technical bugs:
Keyboard & Mouse Fixes: Resolved an issue where specific button inputs could prevent a Yokai Shift from being performed. So, what exactly changed with this version
Soul Core Management: Fixed a behavior error with the batch check filter for Soul Cores in the Storehouse.
Favorite Items: Items moved from the Storehouse to an item box no longer lose their "Favorite" status.
Visual Fixes: Corrected stage shadow displays during certain movies and fixed the appearance of some Amrita Crystals.
Watch a summary of the additional fixes included in subsequent sub-updates like 1.28.2: Nioh 2 Update 1.28.2 (PC Only) Philminator YouTube• Sep 28, 2021
Subsequent minor updates in the 1.28 series (v1.28.2 through v1.28.8) further refined stability, including adding Epic Online Services (EOS) support and addressing rare crashes when specific keys were pressed simultaneously.
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition Update v1.28 primarily focuses on enabling cross-play between Steam and the Epic Games Store. This update, released in September 2021, also includes several quality-of-life improvements and critical bug fixes for PC players. Key Features & Additions Cross-play Support: Players on the
version can now play with those on the Epic Games Store version. Online Settings:
You can toggle cross-play via the System Menu under "Online Settings". Note that an Epic Games account is required to enable this feature. Character Creation Codes:
Codes generated for character designs can now be shared across both PC platforms. Critical Bug Fixes Keyboard & Mouse Controls: Disclaimer: This article is for informational and archival
Fixed a specific issue where holding certain buttons would prevent a Yokai Shift from being performed. Inventory Management:
Corrected a bug where moving an item from the Storehouse to an item box would cause it to lose its "Favorite Item" status. Soul Core Filtering:
Fixed the "batch check" filter for Soul Cores in the Storehouse, ensuring it now behaves correctly. Subsequent Incremental Updates (v1.28.x)
Following the initial 1.28 release, several minor patches were issued to address specific technical hurdles: cross-play warning message
and fixed an NPC conversation bug in the "A Message From the Deceased" sub-mission.
Resolved a crash that occurred when pressing specific keys simultaneously on keyboard and mouse. Added support for Epic Online Services (EOS)
and adjusted the "Hideyoshi" achievement to trigger correctly if earned while offline. endgame strategies to test out after installing this latest version?
Version 1.28.00 is not a massive content drop—that’s not its purpose. Instead, it is a critical stability and optimization patch. For the CODEX release, this update is particularly important because it polishes the cracks left in earlier cracks.
Crucially, CODEX did not release a separate 1.28.00 update installer. The group had disbanded by late 2021. Instead, users with the base CODEX release (v1.25.00) had to:
The endgame is where Nioh 2 lives or dies. Update v1.28.00 rebalanced the drop rates of "Lapis Lazuli" (used to upgrade the Underworld), making the climb to floor 108 less grindy. It also slightly nerfed the health pools of certain "Cursed" enemies in the Depths (Floors 6-10), making solo runs more viable for builds that aren't min-maxed to the absolute extreme.