When the first Code Vein was released back in 2019, it was often referred to as just an anime-style version of Dark Souls. Given the aesthetics, characters, and combat mechanics, it’s an understandable comparison. But with this next entry, Bandai Namco is absolutely dialing into what sets Code Vein apart from other Soulslike games and has achieved something that feels fresh and captivating in an increasingly crowded genre.
GamesBeat was invited to attend a hands-on preview session in Los Angeles, California, alongside many influencers and members of the games press last month.
At the event, we were permitted to play approximately two hours of Code Vein II and attend a sit-down group interview with the game’s Japanese creators using translators.
The event was held at an actual cathedral, which certainly helped dial in the vibes of the evening. Projectors and lighting tricks were used to give the entire space the illusion that it was ripped right out of the game itself, complete with a giant, bloody, pulsating cocoon-like object splayed across the stage at the front of the main auditorium area. All of the gaming setups were configured on the base level.
You can see the event space in the image above. Preview events like this help set the tone and mood of a game by extending its influence beyond the screen and into the space around participants. Visually, it was very effective here.
Once I sat down at my station, what became immediately apparent was just how fluid everything felt. The demos ran on PlayStation 5 consoles, not suped-up gaming PCs, which is a great sign for optimization.
Plot and premise
Code Vein II features all-new characters and plot details, so you don’t really need to have played the first game or even know much about it at all. There are lots of similar vibes and game mechanics, but you won’t be expected to have familiarity going in.
The premise in Code Vein II is that the world is on the brink of destruction, and humans co-exist alongside Revenants, who are vampiric beings that have existed alongside humans since ancient times. In the past, a sealing ritual went wrong, causing a ripple effect through time that transformed Revenants into horrific monsters, putting civilization on the brink of collapse.
Players take on the role of a Revenant Hunter who must travel through time defeating Fallen Heroes, sealing them away in Cocoons (just like the one that was projected onto the cathedral wall at the event), by teaming up with the NPC Lou MagMell, who can conveniently travel through time.
The game flow involves traveling back in time, meeting the heroes to explore their memories and past to uncover the secret for sealing them away, and then traveling back to the present to open their cocoon.
It’s all a bit convoluted, but the end result is a rather elegant setup that enables the developers to tell lots of very personal, nuanced stories within a larger world context. One of the main storylines I got to follow during the preview session involved a hero named Josee and her sister’s fate. It touched on many very mature and traumatic themes, especially when visiting core memories for the character.
It’s a fun dynamic because each hero you meet joins you as your companion, unlocking synergies and abilities you’ll learn from fighting alongside them. The English voice acting is top-notch, the writing is stellar, and I found myself genuinely motivated to push through and resolve plot threads.
Stylistically, Code Vein features environments that feel like an amalgamation of post-apocalyptic dystopian sci-fi concepts, mixed with light fantasy and anime undertones. You’ll explore ruined facilities and buildings that could have been ripped right out of modern-day cities, wearing duster jackets and steampunk gas masks, but then cast spells and wield swords while fighting monsters. It’s a unique aesthetic, and it definitely was growing on me by the end of the demo.
Many games nowadays are finding success by subverting genre expectations and twisting themes in unique ways. It’s a great strategy to help a game stand out in a crowded genre.
For a long time, I’ve wanted a Soulslike game just like this that manages to be more than just another Dark Souls-inspired action game, and from what I’ve seen and played, Code Vein II may be scratching that itch for me with its deep worldbuilding, intentional storytelling, and fully realized characters. This doesn’t appear to be an RPG that requires watching a multi-hour lore video just to understand what happened at the end of your 100+ hour playthrough.
Becoming a Revevnant Hunter
In Code Vein II, there is a tremendous amount of flexibility and variety. After the tutorial sections of the demo, I was able to freely test out lots of different weapon types and setups before eventually settling on the biggest two-handed sword I could find. Similarly to how I play games such as Elden Ring, I more or less opted for the “I won’t die if I don’t get hit” playstyle and found success.
During the demo, we got to play through a complex multi-level building that served as a dungeon with lots of enemies, loot to find, cutscenes to watch, and a big boss battle at the end. After that, they skipped ahead a bit to fight another boss. Unfortunately, I ran out of time before being able to defeat the second boss, like a lot of folks at the preview event, but I still had a great time with the game.
What I noticed is that, similar to something like Elden Ring, Code Vein II feels designed in a way that it can be as difficult or forgiving as you want it to be. There are no traditional difficulty settings, but the world is so vast and open that you’re free to leave an area you’re struggling with and simply go somewhere else to get more experience and power before returning to conquer a previous region.
There are also a lot of mechanics built into the game that feel intentionally designed to alleviate some of the pressure of needing to be perfect during major battles. For example, if you’re fighting alongside a partner, they can sacrifice their own energy to revive you when you run out of health—this maneuver is called a Restorative Offering. This can happen multiple times in a single fight, meaning you can play more aggressively without being terrified to lose progress as often.
Similar to other Soulslike action games, players lose all of their accrued experience points and currency when they die, meaning you have to make it back to that exact spot after respawning to get your progress back. It’s a brutal system, so it’s important to level up often rather than saving up your points for too long.
Both of the boss fights I got to try reminded me of my favorite elements of these sorts of games. Each battle took me several attempts, and that gradual process of learning patterns and identifying the best moments to attack was extremely satisfying. Bosses do so much damage that even just a few mistakes can be the difference between victory and death. The anxiety was amplified as well since event attendees were observing us while we played and the clock was ticking on how long the event would be running.
In fact, just as I was about to finally beat the first boss, a PR representative tapped me on the shoulder to let me know my interview session was about to start. Fortunately, I didn’t die, and that was actually the round I finally defeated the main boss of the preview event.
Code Vein II will release soon
Code Vein II is slated for release on January 29, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Compared to the first game, Code Vein II already seems more ambitious and polished. The time travel theme of the story gives it a really fresh and dynamic flow, which will reportedly also mean multiple endings are possible. Exploring the same areas both in the past and present offers new experiences. Combat has a lot more options and variety now, especially in terms of how helpful partner characters tend to be.
Overall, Code Vein II is an iterative sequel that builds on what worked in the first game. Oftentimes, we see a sequel release after 5+ years of development that takes a series in a majorly different direction, but that’s not always the best choice. Code Vein II isn’t just more of the same, as it instead feels like an evolution.
Code Vein II seems poised to be one of the first big hits to kick off 2026.
Disclosure: Bandai Namco paid for my travel to the preview event in Los Angeles, CA.