It has been nearly six years since the first game was released, and now, Bandai Namco has finally revealed Code Vein II at Summer Game Fest just a few days ago.
The game’s reveal is a surprise to many given that there has been no hint of a new Code Vein game being in the works. On the flip side, a sequel makes a lot of sense, especially considering that the original game sold over 3 million copies worldwide.
While the game’s trailer didn’t reveal much, it did give fans a taste of what to expect. Just a few days after its announcement trailer, we got to see more of Code Vein II via a media preview hosted by Bandai Namco.
This preview did not have us try out the new Code Vein title, but it did give us a better idea of what to expect, both in terms of gameplay and story.
A Time-Crossing Story Featuring Revenants and Horrors
Much like the first Code Vein, this sequel promises another intriguing story featuring vampires, or Revenants, as the game calls them. Instead of being a direct sequel to the first game though, this second series entry features a different premise. It does retain key elements from the previous title.
To be exact, Code Vein II is set in a future ravaged by the Resurgence, an apocalyptic event. Before the Resurgence, Humans and Revenants weren’t exactly on the same side, but after this mysterious phenomenon, Revenants became Humanity’s saviors, saving them from extinction. Soon though, the Luna Rapacis arrive, causing Revenants to lose their self-awareness and transform into Horrors. As a result, Humanity’s survival once again hangs in the balance.
In the game, players take on the role of a Revenant Hunter alongside a Revenant girl named Lou MagMell. This Revenant girl saves the protagonist during a mission by giving him half her heart. Aside from being the protagonist’s key companion, Lou MagMell also plays a key role in the story as she has the power to travel through time.
The present-day world is one that’s ravaged by the Luna Rapacis and Horrors. While this is the main setting of the game at first, players will soon also find themselves traveling 100 years in the past, a time when the Resurgence has laid waste to civilizations, though the Revenants are still able to keep order. As such, this past world looks (and feels) more peaceful than the more nightmarish present day.
Time-travel is a key aspect in the game’s story, and it should make for not only an intriguing tale but also an interesting experience when it comes to exploration. After all, the fact that the game features two timelines means you get to see two variations of various locales.
While the general premise of the game was shared, we’re not entirely sure how this game connects to the first Code Vein. The concept of Revenants and their transformations is a major plot point that’s retained, though it seems there are plenty of differences, enough that this new game might only have tenuous connections to the first title (think Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls). What we can say for certain is that the connections to God Eater will not be a focus this time around.
We’ll have to wait until Bandai Namco shares more info regarding Code Vein’s story. On the flip side, we got a better look at the game’s combat system during the preview.
Fast-Paced Vampiric Combat with Allies
After a discussion about the game’s story, our preview then featured a presentation on the game’s battle system. In many ways, the game retains the mechanics and overall loop of the previous title.
To be exact, Ichor is once again an important resource. For those who haven’t played the first game, Ichor is a material that can be replenished by attacking enemies. Ichor is important to get as it is necessary to activate skills.
In Code Vein II, players can expect the combat to center around this. Specifically, the core loop is that players must use their weapon to generate Ichor on enemies, then use their vampiric drain attacks to sap the Ichor out of enemies. Once Ichor is gained, it is then used to activate powerful skills.
Of course, players won’t be railroaded into just one approach to combat encounters. Code Vein II will feature Blood Codes, which refer to three main combat styles. These include Balanced, which mixes attacks with skills and vampiric abilities. Then, there’s the Technical style, which should suit players who love high dexterity builds in action RPGs. Finally, there’s Combat Focused that’s perfect for players who want to hit hard with high strength.
As this game is, in many ways, a refinement of the first title’s formula, Code Vein II is still very much a Soulslike title. As such, players should expect difficult enemies and bosses. Do note that this is not a “Parry Souls” game like Sekiro. Instead, evading is the key way of avoiding attacks. Of course, there is a parry mechanic here for advanced players, but it’s not necessary to beat the game.
What is necessary is playing the game with a companion. Similar to the first Code Vein, this next game lets players tackle enemy encounters with an ally (the devs call it the “Buddy System”). From the looks of it, aside from Lou, players will also get other allies to play with as the game progresses.
The fact that players will once again have an AI-controlled companion should make the game more accessible to those new to Soulslike. In exchange, the developers noted that playing solo will be an extremely difficult experience.
To end our preview, we got a hands-off gameplay showcase, featuring clips of the protagonist against what looks to be fierce foes. As we didn’t get to play the game, we couldn’t exactly tell how it feels to play. But from what we’ve seen, the game seems to be quite promising, and it’s shaping up to be a must-play for those who enjoyed the first game.
As a bonus, fans of the previous title will be happy to know that Code Vein II will also feature an in-depth character customization feature. This should be great news for fans, especially given that the character creator from the first game got a lot of attention and praise.
Code Vein II Initial Impressions
At the end of our Code Vein II preview, we came away more interested in this upcoming Soulslike action RPG. After all, the first Code Vein had a lot going for it, so a sequel that promises to take the initial formula and refine it holds a lot of promise. There’s also the fact that the story, while not being a direct follow-up, is quite intriguing with its time travel element.
Overall, we want to see more of Code Vein II, and we’re definitely interested in giving it a try if a demo for the game gets released at some point.
Code Vein II will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026. For now, there’s no word yet on an official release date.