When the original Code Vein launched back in 2019, it immediately stood out. Here was a souls-like drenched in anime aesthetics, leaning hard into character drama and flashy combat rather than the bleak minimalism the genre is usually known for. It was a bold swing, and while it didn’t land perfectly for everyone, it carved out a passionate fanbase. Now, several years later, Bandai Namco is back with Code Vein 2, a full sequel that aims to refine the original’s ideas, expand its systems, and tell a much more ambitious story. After spending around four hours with a preview build, I can safely say it’s one of the most intriguing souls-likes I’ve played in a long time.
I was immediately interested in Code Vein the first time around because the premise felt so different. An anime-style souls-like, with party members, overt storytelling, and an emphasis on characters, sounded like exactly my kind of thing. I enjoyed what I played of the original game, especially its combat and aesthetic, but for one reason or another, I eventually fell off and never saw it through to the end. It’s one of those games I’ve always meant to go back to. Going into Code Vein 2, I didn’t feel like I needed to rush out and replay the first game, and thankfully, that doesn’t seem necessary at all.
After roughly four hours with Code Vein 2, I came away genuinely excited to experience more when the full game launches later this month. What surprised me most was just how confident this sequel feels in its identity. It’s still very much a souls-like, with tough combat and punishing encounters, but it places a massive emphasis on storytelling and character development. That’s rare for the genre, which usually relies on environmental storytelling and scattered, often obscure lore. Code Vein 2 feels far more direct, and from what I’ve seen so far, that focus could be its biggest strength.
One of the smartest decisions the developers have made is telling a completely new story with a fresh cast of characters. This makes Code Vein 2 incredibly approachable, even if you never touched the original. I haven’t yet played enough to know whether there are cameos or deeper references to the first game, but nothing I encountered felt confusing or reliant on prior knowledge. I was already interested in the narrative setup, but I was fully on board once I learned that time travel plays a major role. The story revolves around jumping into the past, uncovering key events and information, and then using that knowledge to change the present. It’s an ambitious hook, and one that opens the door to some fascinating narrative possibilities.
My preview began, as many players’ journeys will, in the character creator. The first Code Vein is often praised for having one of the most detailed character creators in the genre, and somehow, Code Vein 2 takes that reputation and pushes it even further. The sheer level of customisation on offer is wild. You can tweak almost every aspect of your character, from facial structure and hairstyles to accessories, clothing layers, and color gradients. It’s the kind of creator where you can lose an hour without even realising it. That said, if you’re not the sort of person who enjoys fine-tuning every detail, there are plenty of excellent presets that look great right out of the gate and can be lightly adjusted if you want something more personal.
The preview itself was split into two main segments. The first section took place in the game’s opening area, which served as both an introduction to the world and a tutorial zone. After creating my character, I was treated to a solid lore dump that established the history of the setting and laid the groundwork for the story. It didn’t feel overwhelming, but it did enough to spark my curiosity. This section also introduced me to Lou MagMell, another Revenant who becomes a key companion early on. Lou isn’t just along for the ride. She’s the character responsible for the time-jump ability, allowing you to travel between different periods throughout the story. This opening area gently eased me into the combat system, teaching me the basics while gradually layering in more complex mechanics.
The second part of the preview jumped forward to what felt like a decent chunk into the story. Here, I was sent into the past and introduced to Josée Anjou, who acted as my companion for this segment. This is where Code Vein 2 really began to show its narrative ambitions. Through conversations and shared moments, I slowly uncovered pieces of Josée’s traumatic past, and it became clear that the game isn’t afraid to tackle heavy emotional themes. This section demonstrated how the time travel system feeds directly into the story’s “butterfly effect” structure. Actions and information uncovered in the past can be carried forward and used in the present to alter outcomes and progress the narrative.
Without spoiling too much, this section eventually culminated in a major boss battle against a corrupted version of Josée in the present. Because I had just spent hours getting to know her in the past, the fight carried real emotional weight. It wasn’t just another tough enemy. It felt more personal. I only experienced a small slice of what the full story will offer, but if Code Vein 2 continues to introduce characters with this level of depth and gives them meaningful arcs, it could end up being something genuinely special.
On the gameplay side, Code Vein 2 expands its arsenal with several new weapon types. Familiar options like swords, spears, and hammers return, but they’re joined by newcomers such as Rune Blades and Dual Swords. These additions further widen the range of viable builds and playstyles. Even in the preview, it was clear that experimentation is encouraged, and I’m excited to see just how far players can push their setups in the full game.
Combat remains deep and flexible, with several new tweaks layered on top of the original system. Harvesting blood is still a core mechanic, rewarding aggressive and well-timed attacks. One of the standout additions is the expanded use of Formae attacks. These powerful abilities can be slotted into your build and unleashed in battle, blending melee strikes, magic, and ranged options. The system allows for a huge amount of customisation, letting you tailor your Revenant to suit your preferred approach. Whether you want to focus on raw power, spellcasting, or a hybrid style, the tools are there.
Code Vein 2 is very much a story about your Revenant and the allies they meet along the way. Based on what I played, you’ll almost always have a companion with you, though who that is can change depending on the story. Allies fight alongside you and can be a lifesaver in tough encounters. They attack enemies, draw attention, and crucially, they can revive you when you fall. The revive is on a cooldown, so it can’t be abused, but it does allow room for mistakes, which feels fair given the game’s difficulty.
If you prefer a solo experience, there’s an interesting risk-reward option. You can assimilate your ally, absorbing their abilities and gaining a power boost. The trade-off is that they won’t be there to revive you if things go wrong. I really liked this system because it lets players adjust the difficulty on their own terms. Whether you want the safety net of a companion or the challenge of going it alone, the choice is yours.
The combat encounters themselves are no joke. Enemies hit hard, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed if you’re careless or get ambushed by multiple foes. Thankfully, the game includes a leveling system similar to Elden Ring. If you find yourself under-leveled for a particular area or boss, you can grind out some levels to boost your stats and even the odds.
Finally, I also came away quite impressed by the world design. Code Vein 2 feels bigger, not just in terms of surface area, but also verticality. The areas I explored were dense, highly detailed, and packed with side paths and shortcuts. One feature I loved was the pathfinding mechanic that highlights routes you’ve already taken, color-coded based on how recently you explored them. It’s a simple idea, but incredibly effective, especially in complex dungeon layouts.
After four hours with Code Vein 2, I’m more than ready to dive back in. It feels like a confident evolution of the original, with deeper systems, a stronger narrative focus, and a world that begs to be explored. If the full game delivers on what this preview promises, Code Vein 2 could be something truly memorable. I can’t wait to uncover more of its characters and see where its time-bending story takes me later this month when Code Vein 2 launches.
Code Vein 2 launches on PlayStation 5, PC and Xbox Series X and Series S on January 29, 2026.
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