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 crew behind that freshman effort is returning with an expanded sequel that can give followers of the smooth 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 improvement simply after the primary sport wrapped, it’s clear that the builders have tried to anticipate the place souls-likes may 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 selection 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 will need to, even you probably have performed the primary title. Code Vein 2’s world has no connection to the primary sport when it comes to narrative, IIzuka says.
“It’s a 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 cruel cut-to-black tease from Code Vein’s ending won’t discover it on this sequel, a minimum of so far as Iizuka is prepared to confess proper now.
As an alternative, Code Vein’s narrative tells the story of a world the place people and revenants, the collection’ identify for vampires, should be a part of forces to stave off a world-destroying power that threatens them each. To take action, 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 up to now have an effect on the longer term.
When pressed for examples, Iizuka talked about that saving a bridge repairman up to now provides the participant entry to a dungeon they in any other case won’t have been capable of attain within the current. If an NPC has a life objective of making a particular software, that character might not have survived into the current, however serving to them obtain their objective doubtless implies that software is ready so that you can use years later.
Past these new mechanics, Code Vein 2 shouldn’t be trying to reinvent the wheel. Iizuka is clear-eyed on his imaginative and prescient: marrying smooth anime-style characters and motion with the extra considerate and pensive gameplay of a souls-like. As such, gamers will discover elements of Code Vein have been expanded, like a brand-new agile dual-wielding weapon sort to assault enemies whereas trying cool doing it.
Companions additionally as soon as once more play a serious position, 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 choice 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 onerous about who has their again.
“That sense of overcoming trials and attaining victory creates a novel 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 feel you’ll fall in love with these new characters.”
Code Vein 2 is releasing in 2026 for Xbox Collection X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
