Code Vein II Preview – A Stylish Soulslike That Leans Fully Into Its Anime Excess

Code Vein was one of the more distinctive entries in the souls-like genre when it launched in 2019, offering a challenging world that felt different enough to capture players’ attention. Its relative success made a return to the franchise a logical step for Bandai Namco, particularly with an opportunity to refine what players liked and address what they did not in the first instalment.

Launching Jan. 30, Code Vein II introduces a new story and setting that, based on what has been shown so far, is not directly tied to the original game. It does, however, retain the core aesthetic, mechanics and punishing difficulty that made the first entry stand out. Despite some rough edges during a two-hour hands-on session, fans of the original should find plenty to enjoy when they dive into the sequel, anime intensity included.

Code Vein II tells a completely new story that does not rely on familiarity with the first game. Players are taken to a world on the brink of total collapse,... Read more