After the 2019 launch of Code Vein, Bandai Namco staked its declare in a style it helped popularize because the writer of video games like Darkish Souls. Code Vein married that Souls gameplay with its penchant for anime aesthetics to manifest a world of vampires and tough-as-nails motion. Now, years later, the workforce behind that freshman effort is returning with an expanded sequel that may give followers of the glossy anime souls-like extra to chew on.
Keita Iizuka, producer of Code Vein and its sequel, acknowledges that the style has modified since Code Vein launched, however sees it as a problem to rise to. “Sure, video games like Elden Ring are very praised,” Iizuka begins with a glint in his eye, “However I like to contemplate these video games our rivals.”
Whereas Code Vein 2 began growth simply after the primary sport wrapped, it’s clear that the builders have tried to anticipate the place souls-likes would possibly go. Whereas the primary title was a bit like souls-likes on the time in structure–which is to say, the non-linear freedom to get misplaced however not a lot alternative in the place to go–Code Vein II seems to be to rectify this. This time round, the sport is increasing across the edges, letting gamers search for bosses and dungeons in an open setting. The player-character, as soon as once more custom-made, even has a slick bike to assist facilitate exploration.
And discover you should, even you probably have performed the primary title. Code Vein 2’s world has no connection to the primary sport by way of narrative, IIzuka says.
“It is a brand new world, new characters, and a brand new story,” he explains. This does imply that Code Vein’s ending cliffhanger, which implied a connection to the God Eater collection however nonetheless left followers determined to know extra, won’t be adopted up on with the sequel. These hoping for some decision to the tough cut-to-black tease from Code Vein’s ending won’t discover it on this sequel, not less than so far as Iizuka is prepared to confess proper now.
As a substitute, Code Vein’s narrative tells the story of a world the place people and revenants, the collection’ identify for vampires, should be part of forces to stave off a world-destroying power that threatens them each. To achieve this, you as a revenant hunter should journey between the previous and the current to raised the world. That is additionally the driving power behind Code Vein 2’s different main enchancment: a time-travel mechanic the place actions and quests prior to now have an effect on the longer term.
When pressed for examples, Iizuka talked about that saving a bridge repairman prior to now offers the participant entry to a dungeon they in any other case may not have been in a position to attain within the current. If an NPC has a life purpose of making a selected device, that character might not have survived into the current, however serving to them obtain their purpose probably implies that device is ready so that you can use years later.
Past these new mechanics, Code Vein 2 just isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. Iizuka is clear-eyed on his imaginative and prescient: marrying glossy anime-style characters and motion with the extra considerate and pensive gameplay of a souls-like. As such, gamers will discover features of Code Vein have been expanded, like a brand-new agile dual-wielding weapon kind to assault enemies whereas trying cool doing it.
Companions additionally as soon as once more play a serious function, which Iizuka believes units the Code Vein collection aside from different video games. With it, gamers encounter and recruit NPCs to undergo dungeons and beat bosses with them. The resolution of who to take with you is a strategic one, however even characters who might not make sense strategically could possibly be a participant’s favourite or have story implications. Iizuka needs gamers to must assume arduous about who has their again.
“That sense of overcoming trials and attaining victory creates a singular sense of enjoyment,” he explains. “As a result of [Code Vein 2] takes place in a distinct world with new characters, even you probably have performed [Code Vein], I believe you’ll fall in love with these new characters.”
Code Vein 2 is releasing in 2026 for Xbox Sequence X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.