Code Vein II

Code Vein II is so much more than I expected. As much as I loved the first game, it was pretty plainly “anime Dark Souls” at a time when soulslike competitors were still relatively few in number. It was successful enough to earn a sequel, and so I naturally expected to find something immediately familiar in Code Vein II. By the end of my time with it, though, I was blown away by how original, engaging, and uncompromised the vision for this game is – and how much I loved playing it.

Code Vein II is a deeply entertaining adventure that brings hope and life back to a ruined world, tears down massive beasts, and witnesses the most audacious segment in any action RPG.

Launching nearly seven years after the launch of the original title in a new Soulslike franchise, Code Vein II elevates the narrative to a time-traveling open world narrative still rife with vampires and the Revenant Hunters who aim to put them in their place. We recently sat down to see all that Magmell Island and beyond have to offer in Code Vein II from Bandai Namco Studios and former God Eater development alumni.

Code Vein II is Beautiful, Flaws and All

Code Vein 2 is the very definition of a dream sequel. It improves on almost every aspect of the promising yet flawed original to deliver a surprisingly unique soulslike experience. The shift to an open world is (mostly) successful, experimenting with different builds is a breeze thanks to the revamped Blood Code system, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with this world, its characters, and the tragic stories they tell. If it wasn’t for the game’s shoddy performance on console, I’d say Code Vein 2 is a must-play.

Code Vein II builds meaningfully on the original, with stronger companions, more flexible builds, and a story that feels more involved, even when it leans hard into melodrama.

However, it just never quite feels like an essential recommendation for anyone other than hardcore Soulslike fans who appreciate a bit of anime flair. Combat lacks that last bit of punch to elevate its encounters, presentation doesn’t always match modern standards, and missing features like co-op feel like lost opportunities. Code Vein 2 is an enjoyable Soulslike with clear strengths, but it stops short of fully realizing its potential.

There's a lot going on in Code Vein 2, so much that it arguably loses some of the charm of its predecessor, and yet it's still quite a fun experience.

A soulful evolution that picks feelings over punishment most of the time.

Weak characters kill loftier ambitions, but a brisk pace keeps the combat lively.

Code Vein II is fine, functional and can be fun-especially if you're able to get the A.I to do the dirty work for you. The Formae system is potent and definitely gives combat encounters a zesty sense of empowerment, and if you're invested you'll want to lap up Code Vein 2 with vigor-just go in expecting a largely safe soulslike and you'll be content with this one.

It’s fitting that Code Vein II is set in a world of vampires. As I hunted down these bloodsucking creatures in the present and 100 years in the past to prevent the collapse of the world, I felt trapped within its clutches, like a castle guest desperate to escape but unable to do so. Across 42 hours of monotonous game, I found little warmth here. Its skin, a distractingly garish and ugly visual style, is as cold as its blood, a combat system that struggles to fuse original ideas onto a skele...