I’m a Japanese RPG fan first, and a Soulslike fan second. Possibly third? Anyway, regardless of totally having fun with video games like Darkish Souls and the numerous different related video games impressed by it, the Souslike style isn’t one I’ve at all times gravitated towards. Think about my shock when Bandai Namco determined to mix the anime aesthetics of a JRPG with the demanding gameplay of Darkish Souls. Code Vein was born. Lastly one thing for me particularly.
There aren’t many hybrids like this. Most video games within the style nonetheless go for a extra real looking artwork fashion, like that seen in Nioh, The Surge, and Lies of P. Final 12 months’s AI Restrict and, to a lesser extent, the cel-shaded Khazan: the Final Berserker, stay remoted examples of the hybrid method. On this context, Code Vein stands out.
Its sequel, Code Vein II, expands on its predecessor by providing extra versatile fight choices, in addition to a brand new open world to discover. It additionally oozes traditional JRPG tropes about heroes forging bonds and the power of friendship. Its attractive time-traveling story takes a bit to get going, however its characters are a spotlight. Much less brutal than its style contemporaries, Code Vein II emerges as a snug combine between a Soulslike and a JRPG that makes for a satisfying entry level for people who need to dip their toes into each genres.
Code Vein II is about in a post-apocalyptic future attributable to the Resurgence a century earlier than the occasions of the sport. With a view to cease the Resurgence, 5 heroes gave up their lives to seal away this mysterious power. However within the current, these seals are weakening, resulting in the sudden emergence of the Luna Rapacis, a moon-like entity hovering in the course of the town. This has turned human-like vampiric beings known as Revenants into monsters known as Horrors. And it’s as much as you to journey again in time to alter the fates of these unique 5 heroes.
The right here story isn’t cryptic as one may count on from a recreation within the Soulslike style. It’s standalone too, so that you don’t must play the primary recreation to know this one. Along with your time-traveling companion, Lou, you journey by means of the open world to seek for every of the heroes’ cocoons, the place they’ve been slumbering away for the previous century. Lou sends you again in time to combat alongside every hero and on the finish of their respective arcs, they hand you a sentimental merchandise that you simply take again to the current to interrupt the cocoon. This then culminates in a giant boss combat in opposition to the hero themself, which weaves in a satisfying narrative end to every hero’s storyline. In contrast to with video games like Elden Ring, I didn’t have to seek the advice of an hour-long YouTube lore essay to determine what the hell was happening.
I additionally actually loved spending time with Code Vein II’s characters. Lou begins off as little greater than a instrument used for her time journey powers. Nonetheless, as you and he or she start altering the heroes’ fates step-by-step, she begins to surprise if meddling extra previously may finally result in a greater future. Pressure arises because the towering and voluptuous Girl Dimetescu-like mom determine and group chief Lavinia Voda warns her not to take action, because it might result in unintended penalties. However by the tip of the story, Lou begins to face up for herself, and it’s thrilling to see her come into her personal. Lots of the heroes and supporting characters undergo related redemption arcs, including actual emotional weight to the story.
My favourite character must be Zenon Gryfgote. At first, he’s depicted as some type of immoral mad scientist. Nonetheless, while you meet him, you shortly understand he’s only a goofball spouse man. You possibly can even see it in his elaborate gold-plated costume, which is adorned with representations of his deceased spouse. His helmet additionally appears to be like like one thing you’d put on to an EDM live performance, and his cape is layered with lights that assist convey his feelings. Regardless of his hulking body, his flashy design makes him relatable, humorous, and all the way down to earth. Code Vein II’s larger-than-life solid brings vibrancy to a post-apocalyptic world.
Code Vein II is noticeably simpler than most Soulslike video games I’ve performed. A big a part of that is because of its NPC companion system. Mainly, you may deliver one character to combat alongside you always. Different Soulslike video games often require some type of consumable to summon an ally, however there’s completely no price right here. They’re impervious to all injury, can draw aggro from bosses, and may even deal the killing blow on enemies. Whenever you die, you even get a type of Sekiro-like second wind. Code Vein II is virtually a Fisher-Worth toy in comparison with a recreation like Nioh 2, however that’s what makes it an entry-level and extra approachable Soulslike.
Simple mode
Don’t get too comfy, although, as you may’t simply run away and let your ally deal with bosses all by themselves. Bosses often have an assault or two that simply closes the gap, so that you’ll find yourself having to confront them immediately anyway.
One other manner the sport forces you to have interaction with bosses is thru its Weapon Formae system. With a view to use these flashy particular assaults, you expend Ichor, which capabilities like MP in a JRPG. To recuperate Ichor, you’ll have to execute Drain Assaults by way of your outfitted Jail. These come within the type of a large claw, bat wings, and even a scorpion tail. They’re gradual to begin up, however important if you wish to proceed inflicting big injury. So that you additionally must strategically choose when to revive Ichor, like when a boss is recovering from ending a robust assault. You’re on this rhythmic cycle of attacking, draining, and attacking once more, and you could be up within the enemy’s face so as to take action, making Code Vein 2 a surprisingly aggressive Soulslike.
Sadly, typically the digital camera is a ache to cope with within the midst of the sport’s larger boss fights. There have been many situations by which my again could be in opposition to the wall, and the digital camera would zoom in so shut that I couldn’t decipher the boss’s subsequent assault, resulting in a dying.
Throughout my playthrough, I switched between my one-handed sword and hammer weapons. For the previous, my go-to Forma was Phantom Ambush, which was tremendous useful for boss fights since I might disappear in a puff of smoke for a second, then slash the enemy twice. When timed proper, I might keep away from incoming assaults fully whereas having the ability to instantly strike again. My favourite hammer Forma was Gaia Affect, which activated an enormous AOE shockwave after I slammed my weapon to the bottom, excellent for crowd management. The Formae system makes the sport really feel much more like a typical motion RPG, one thing like an Ys recreation however with Soulslike core mechanics. These assaults added a level of cinematic aptitude that’s usually lacking from Soulslike video games.
Again-of-the-box quote:
“Darkish Souls for weebs.”
Developer:
Bandai Namco
Kind of recreation:
Soulslike
Appreciated:
Charming solid of characters, loads of customization, enjoyable fight, nice boss design.
Disliked:
Efficiency points, funky digital camera, boring regular enemies, repetitive dungeons.
Platforms:
PC, PS5 (performed), Xbox Collection X|S.
Launch date:
January 29, 2026
performed:
45 hours. All characters arcs and most sidequests accomplished. Unlocked all three endings: regular, good, and true. Nonetheless have to search out all scorching springs and therapeutic upgrades within the open world.
Central to the sport’s customization programs are Blood Codes, which act form of like character lessons you can equip to suit your playstyle. For instance, in case you like parrying, Lyle’s Blood Code is right since its traits embody powering up its parry staggering capabilities. If you happen to’re a extra cautious participant, Holly’s Blood Code may go well with you, because it restores some HP upon defeating an enemy. What makes Blood Codes versatile is that despite the fact that they’ve particular traits and increase sure stats, you’re free to make use of no matter weapons you want essentially the most no matter which one you may have outfitted.
After mastering a Blood Code, you may extract a Booster from it, that are passive expertise you can equip. For instance, mastering Zenon’s Blood Code rewards you with Halberd Mastery, which in fact will increase your assault power when wielding Halberds. Between Blood Codes, Formae, and Boosters, there’s a big number of customization choices that make fights really feel each extravagant and exhilarating.
The open street
Like many sequels earlier than it, Code Vein II takes the predictable route in changing into an open-world recreation. The liberty this shift permits jogged my memory of Elden Ring by which, if I used to be caught on a boss, I’d discover extra, get stronger, and are available again to deal with the boss once more. This allowed me to nonetheless make progress some place else even when my makes an attempt to advance in a single path had hit a wall. And that’s just about what I did all through. Apparently, this freedom meant that I by chance left out what was supposed to be the sport’s first hero story, Josee’s, within the Sunken Metropolis space. As an alternative, I veered off a bit of too far into the northeast in direction of the Corroded Scar area and began Lyle’s first.
After breaking Lyle’s cocoon, I couldn’t beat his corrupted kind to proceed the story. So as an alternative, I went again to Josee’s location and completed her story arc. Since I used to be virtually executed with Lyle’s arc anyway, I used to be overpowered for Josee’s, defeating her corrupted kind handily. This looser method of story development works within the open world’s favor. With facet dungeons and mini-bosses besides, exploration by no means felt like a waste of time. Each little factor I did made me stronger, which might finally assist me beat the bosses I’d initially had hassle with. Sadly, the dungeons develop a bit repetitive, and enemy selection is missing in comparison with the extravagantly designed bosses.
That stated, you get a cool bike to hurry exploration up, together with a beneficiant quantity of fast-travel factors. On the draw back, the fun of exploration are marred a bit by efficiency points as you velocity around the globe with foliage consistently popping out and in, no less than on PS5 Professional the place I performed the sport. There was additionally one level at which I made the traditional Soulslike runback from a save level to the boss and I skipped so many enemies that once they all began chasing me on the display, the framerate slowed to a crawl.
Code Vein II doesn’t simply take a superficial anime aesthetic and use it as window dressing on a preferred style. Its story and charming solid elevate it to create a novel center floor that can attraction to JRPG and Soulslike followers alike. It’s obtained its justifiable share of points, such because the efficiency woes and boring enemy fodder design. Nonetheless, in case you’re trying to ease into the Soulslike style earlier than hitting the massive leagues, Code Vein II is price spilling blood over.
