Many regions in Code Vein 2 hide optional areas behind locked gates, and more often than not, the key is tied to story progression rather than simple exploration. The Mountain Underground Facility is one such location—teasing players with a sealed gate long before it’s actually possible to open it through normal play.
If you’ve reached the facility west of Sunken City and found yourself staring at an unopenable gate, don’t worry. You’re not missing a hidden switch, a secret enemy drop, or a tucked-away item nearby. This lock is intentional and is meant to block early access until certain narrative conditions are met. The game quietly expects you to move on, even if the area feels incomplete at first.
Here’s exactly how to get the Mountain Underground Facility Key and what awaits you behind that locked door once it finally opens.
Minor story spoilers ahead.
Why the Mountain Underground Facility Is Locked at First
When you first discover the Mountain Underground Facility in Code Vein 2, you’ll likely notice a side room on the right with a revival stone placed just outside. This kind of setup usually signals an upcoming boss fight, so it’s natural to expect some kind of encounter the moment you step inside. However, at this stage, nothing triggers. Instead, you’re met with a large room containing a locked gate that refuses to open, no matter how carefully you explore the surrounding area or how many times you return.
This is intentional design rather than a missed objective. The gate remains sealed because the required key is tied directly to Josee’s character questline, which only unlocks after progressing significantly through the main story. Until that quest becomes available, the Mountain Underground Facility is meant to stay partially inaccessible.
Step 1: Complete Josee’s Story Arc
To start working toward the Mountain Underground Facility Key in Code Vein 2, you’ll first need to advance far enough in the main story to unlock 2187 Free Exploration. This is a crucial milestone, as it allows you to freely interact with certain characters and initiate their optional questlines without story restrictions.
Once 2187 Free Exploration is available, head to the Dining Room at your base. Here, you’ll find Josee positioned behind Valentin. Speak with her to trigger a new side quest centered around her passion for cooking. During this conversation, Josee will ask for your help in tracking down three different spices, each hidden in a separate major region of the game.
Collecting these items is mandatory, as this questline directly leads to unlocking the Mountain Underground Facility later on.
Step 2: Collect the Three Required Spices
Rich Spice – Sunken City
The first spice Josee asks for is the Rich Spice, and it can be found in Sunken City in Code Vein 2. Begin by traveling to the Sunken City region and making your way northeast from the Sunken Pylon. This area contains several hostile enemies, so be prepared for combat as you explore.
Look for a partially collapsed building in this section of the map and head inside. Fight your way through the enemies and climb upward. One floor below the rooftop, turn your attention to the left side of the area, where you’ll spot a glowing yellow item resting near the edge. This pickup is the Rich Spice you’re looking for.
Tip: Destroying nearby map jammers will reveal more of the area and make navigation significantly easier.
Aromatic Spice – Northern Watch Fort
The second spice required for Josee’s quest is the Aromatic Spice, and obtaining it requires a bit more story progression in Code Vein 2. Before you can reach this item, you must first complete Lyle’s story arc, which unlocks access to the Northern Watch Fort region.
Once Lyle’s arc is finished, travel to the area located north of Corroded Scar and enter the Northern Watch Fort. The structure is patrolled by enemies, so proceed carefully as you move inside. While exploring the interior, look closely beneath a staircase within the fort. Tucked away in this spot is a glowing pickup—interact with it to obtain the Aromatic Spice, bringing you one step closer to advancing Josee’s questline.
Hot Spice – Undead Forest
The final spice needed to progress Josee’s quest is the Hot Spice, which is located in the Undead Forest region of Code Vein 2. To access this area without restrictions, you must first complete Holly’s story arc, as her questline unlocks full exploration of the region.
Once her arc is finished, travel to the Withered Greenhouse in Undead Forest. This location is notable because it houses Holly’s Cocoon in the present timeline, making it a key story area as well as an exploration hotspot. Carefully search the interior of the greenhouse, and you’ll find a glowing pickup inside. Interact with it to obtain the Hot Spice, completing the full set of spices Josee requested.
Step 3: Return to Josee
After collecting all three spices, return to Josee in the Dining Room in Code Vein 2 and speak with her to continue the questline. Handing over the ingredients will trigger a series of cooking-related cutscenes, during which Josee attempts to prepare several dishes using the spices you gathered.
Despite all the effort you put into tracking them down, the results still aren’t enough to satisfy her. This narrative moment pushes the quest forward, as Josee realizes she needs something more. As a result, she gives you a second request, which directly involves investigating the Mountain Underground Facility. This is the key turning point where the previously inaccessible area becomes relevant again.
Step 4: Defeat the Spice Predator Boss
With Josee’s second request active, return to the same room in the Mountain Underground Facility where you previously encountered the locked gate in Code Vein 2. This time, the moment you enter, you’ll be ambushed by a boss known as the Spice Predator, confirming what the revival stone earlier hinted at.
The Spice Predator is aggressive but fairly readable once you learn its patterns. Its attacks are fast, but they follow predictable sequences, making them easier to avoid with well-timed dodges. Relying on dodging is generally safer than attempting to parry every strike, especially during its longer combo strings. Avoid overcommitting to attacks, and wait for clear openings before retaliating.
Defeating the Spice Predator rewards you with the Mountain Underground Facility Key, officially completing Josee’s request and allowing you to open the locked gate.
What’s Behind the Gate?
Use the newly acquired key to open the gate in the facility. Inside, you’ll find a chest containing:
- Plagueward Runeleaf
This item is especially useful for builds focused on status resistance and survivability, making the detour well worth the effort.
Final Thoughts
The Mountain Underground Facility is a great example of Code Vein 2’s layered progression design. If a door won’t open, chances are it’s tied to a character arc rather than a missed pickup. By following Josee’s questline and taking the time to explore each region fully, you’ll unlock both the facility and a valuable late-game reward.
If you’re systematically clearing side content, this is one gate you definitely don’t want to skip.
Read also: Code Vein 2 Saved Presets Disappeared? Here’s What’s Happening (And How to Avoid Losing Them)