The first Code Vein was a moderately well-received soulslike with a lot of anime overtones. I appreciated its willingness to embrace the soulslike subgenre, and the twist on vampires was fun enough. However, it didn’t quite make the mark that Bandai Namco was likely hoping for. Luckily, the studio is getting another shot with Code Vein 2.
When I saw Code Vein 2 at Summer Game Fest last year, the goal was simple: to build on the foundation of the first game and deliver a triple-A experience. Having now played a good chunk of Code Vein 2, I can see where Bandai has expanded on CV1, and also where the devs have preserved the spirit of that first game. It’s hard to say whether the full game will live up to this hands-on preview, but I like the direction that Bandai has taken, specifically with regard to challenge.
A lot of the core elements of the first Code Vein are present in 2. The fully customizable (to a staggering degree) player character, the Revenant Hunter, has access to a variety of weapon types, as well as a set of abilities to mix in with light and heavy attacks. Those abilities, called Formae, can buff the player or deal out damage, and crucially, they can be chained in with those base attacks. There is both a parry and a dodge mechanic that adds a layer of flexibility when it comes to avoiding attacks, and it mixes together really well. In the first Code Vein, combat felt a little stiff, but here everything is more fluid and oftentimes faster-paced.
The freedom in combat is refreshing, and the choices are many. Even when you pick a specific weapon type, which includes a bayonet for a little extra variety, you can still choose from a long list of Formae. I found that there were some Formae that were more viable than others, but it was exciting to figure out how certain abilities could combine with different weapon types. For example, if you choose the hard-hitting but slower greatsword, you want to make each hit count with damage buffs and Formae that dole out huge hits.
Code Vein 2 Doesn't Skimp on the RPG
There’s a lot going on under the hood in Code Vein 2, including the Blood Code system, which impacts your stats and, based on your build, can also give you further boosts and potentially some burdens. It’s a level of buildcrafting that goes deeper than this preview could support, but from this top-level view, I can see players having a lot of options at their fingertips.
Code Vein 2 also gives you partner characters, which can be used either to fight alongside you as a summon or assimilated into the Revenant Hunter for an added stat boost. What’s cool about the partners is that they serve as a buffer for your health, where if you “die” while they are on the field, the partner is sent on cooldown but you get a little extra health to work with. It’s another way the game gives you more tools to play around with.
I was very impressed with how much Code Vein 2 leans into the RPG within its soulslike framework. It meant that I never felt like I was locked into a specific approach when a boss was giving me trouble, or that I couldn’t find interesting ways to make a unique weapon like the bayonet work.
And speaking of those bosses, this is where Code Vein 2 really shone for me. I only saw a few of them, but these felt like epic fights with a lot of pattern recognition where patience was rewarded. The designs of the enemies were incredible and felt unique, and the way each fight evolved as the boss’s health dropped kept me on my toes. I won’t lie, the bosses in Code Vein 2 are punishing, but it was extremely satisfying to finally succeed. Or even when a specific approach finally clicked, the game started to really sing for me.
Code Vein 2 also does some interesting things with its time travel narrative, where the Revenant Hunter jumps into the past to try to improve the present. The series lives up to its “Anime Souls” in a big way, but even if you aren’t into that sort of thing, the way that the game presents its story had me intrigued. There’s a lot of terminology and lore going on, though, so be prepared to pay attention.
Code Vein 2 is a completely standalone story, so you don’t have to play the first game to enjoy this one.
What I did not get to experience during the preview was the open world that is seemingly one of the big things setting Code Vein 2's structure apart from the first game. Everything I saw was very dungeon-like, with shortcuts in true soulslike fashion, but the exploration and the use of the motorcycle was not included in the preview. I'm curious to see how everything blends together, especially what agency the player has on the time jumping, but that will have to wait until the full game releases later this month.
Soulslikes are a dime a dozen these days, but when they focus on delivering a lot of combat options and engaging boss fights, they usually stand out. Code Vein 2 has the makings of a really fantastic expansion on the first game, and a solid kick-off to gaming in 2026. Whether or not the story will click with players is yet to be determined, but the combat hit a lot of the notes I want out of this type of game, and for that reason, I’m excited to play more.
C
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- January 29, 2026
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Soulslike, Dating Sim, Open-World
