Code Vein 2 aims to expand the soul-like genre without reinventing

After release in 2019 Code veinBandai Namco made the claim in a genre way that helped to become a publisher of games like Dark Souls. Code Vein married soul gameplay to a preference for anime aesthetics to show the world of vampires and tough nail action. Now, a few years later, this freshman effort team is returning with an expanded sequel that will make fans of the anime soul more like chewing.

Keita Iizuka, the producer of Code Vein and its sequel, acknowledged that the genre has changed since the release of the Code Vein, but believes it is a challenge. “Yes, games like Elden Ring are very praised,” Iizuka shines from his eyes, “but I want to think about our competitors.”

although Code Vein 2 Developed after the first game, it was obvious that the developers had tried to anticipate where soul-like people might go. While the first title is a bit like a Souls-like title on the structure of the time – that is, nonlinear freedom is lost, there are not many choices where – code Vein II hopes to correct this. This time, the game is expanding on the edge, allowing players to find bosses and dungeons in an open environment. Player features are custom-made again, and there is even a sleek motorcycle to help explore.

Even if you play the first title, you have to explore it. Iizuka said Code Vein 2's world and narrative aspects have no connection to the first game.

“It's a new world, a new character and a new story,” he explained. It does mean that Code Vein's finale cliffs suggest a connection to the Eater series, but still leaves fans eager to learn more, which won't get a follow-up to the sequel. Those who wish to resolve the demanding black teasing from Code Vein's finale won't find it in this sequel, at least if Iizuka is willing to admit it now.

Instead, Code Vein's narrative tells the story of a world, the series' name of vampire, must work together to avoid a force that destroys the world, threatening them. To do this, you as a fanatical hunter must travel between the past and the present to improve the world. This is also the driving force behind another major improvement in Code Vein 2: Past travel mechanics’ past actions and missions affect the future.

When the example is applied, Iizuka mentioned that the past saving bridge mechanics allows players to access dungeons that they might otherwise not have reached. If the life goal of an NPC is to create a specific tool, then the character may not be able to survive at present, but helping them achieve their goals may mean that the tool is waiting for you to use in a few years.

Apart from those new mechanisms, Code Vein 2 doesn't want to reinvent the wheels. Iizuka is sober about his vision: marrying a stylish anime-style character and with a more thoughtful, meditative gameplay like a soul. So players will find that aspects of the code vein have been expanded, such as a brand new Agile Double Wave Weapon type that can attack enemies while also looking cool.

The partners are also playing a major role again, which Iizuka believes will distinguish from other games. With it, players encounter and recruit NPCs that can pass through the dungeon and defeat the boss with them. The decision you participate with is a strategic one, but even a strategically meaningless character can be a player’s favorite or have a story-based influence. Iizuka hopes players must seriously think about who has their own support.

“The feeling of overcoming experimentation and achieving victory creates a unique sense of enjoyment,” he explained. “Because (Code Vein 2) happens in another world with new characters, and even if you’ve played (Code Vein), I think you’ll fall in love with these new characters.”

The code for Xbox Series X | S, PlayStation 5 and PC Vein 2 is released in 2026.